Holiday SWEET Snack agape'

May these sweets help you celebrate Jesus, 

the very sweetest gift of all...

·        Candy-cane, shaped like a shepherd’s staff, to remind you that Jesus came to be your Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

·        Gold-wrapped Rolo, shaped like a crown, to remind you that Jesus is the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16)

·        Smarties, to remind you that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).

·        Dove, a symbol for peace, to remind you that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

·        Starlight mint, to remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)

·        Milky Way, to remind you that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

·        Life Saver, to remind you that Jesus came to be your Savior (Luke 2:11)

·        Hershey Hug, to remind you that Jesus loves you (John 3:16)

·        Almond Joy, to remind you that Jesus is the source of joy (John 15:11)

                   Wishing you a Christmas filled with His sweetness!

Less track in front of the train than behind it...

My dad just turned 80 last Friday--Wasn't he a handsome fellow as a high school senior?  

But in celebrating his birthday I was challenged to once again this year think about how I spend my life. What is the legacy I am building.  Is what I spend my time, energy and money on really worthwhile?  What will be said of me when I am gone?

I've been blessed that both my parents are still living-but celebrating your dads 80th makes you THINK that there is less track in front of the train than behind it...and the days, they pass so quickly.

This year I have been reminded of this over and over again.  An uncle who will turn 80 next week was diagnosed with cancer, his wife dies unexpectedly, friends of my daughter are killed in an automobile accident and so on.  Life is precious and fragile and we are only promised today.  With all these reminders I still find it a challenge to live each day to it's fullest potential.  I pray that I can embrace each moment as an opportunity to do what is most important.  To not waste it on petty irritations (it is my choice, isn't it?), to enjoy the view in front of me, to savor each and every moment and to CHOOSE to do work that will ultimately benefit the kingdom.   

A Woman of Beauty

Princess Power Hour, a ministry for High School girls, recently hosted an evening of Fashion and Beauty.

We learned how to be frugal fashionistas from Barby, who gave us tips for shopping in thrift stores as well as how to be sure an item is a good buy-even when you pay full price.  Megan, a distributor for 31 bags and Arbonne, gave us tips on the hottest trends in purses and backpacks as well as skin care advice.  Merica, a former model,  helped us understand the best clothing for our body types (apples or pears) and gave us makeup tips using some of her favorite (NOT expensive) makeup products.

The evening got me thinking about beauty and how God's version of beauty is different from what the world teaches us.  To be truly beautiful--adopt these beauty secrets:

The eyes should seek out the goodness of every individual you meet. They should focus on the good in individuals.  They should radiate warmth and sparkle with joy.

The ears should hear the true meaning in the spoken word be it your own or others.  Ears should be attuned to the hurt or frustration in others or conversely, love, joy and respect.  Your ears should engage in ACTIVE listening by maintaining eye contact and not being distracted by your phone, e-mail or others.

Your mouth should only speak infrequently and then only words that are kind, gentle, encouraging and loving.  It should smile often.

Shoulders should help carry another burdens, making their load lighter.  You should be a shoulder to cry on or a place to rest a weary head.

Your arms should freely offer hugs to one that needs to know they are loved, especially when they are being unlovable.  Arms should reach out to others, drawing them closer to yourself and to the one who created you.

Your hands should reach out in greeting, frequently offer pats on the back and work to pick up one who finds them self down.  Hands should freely share the ample bounty you have been blessed with, offering what you can to anyone in need.  Hands should be extending good will and peace offerings.

Your feet should go the extra mile, give someone a "leg up" and be willing walk in someone else's shoes.

Practice these things so you will become truly beautiful.

Gods name isn't GOD!

God has a name but you may be surprised to know that it isn’t GOD.  The word God describes what God is, like the word human being describes what you are—but not WHO you are. 

God’s NAME is given to us in Exodus 3:14 --"I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'  If you find that a bit confusing, like I do, the translation in the complete Jewish Bible which reads,

 God said to Moshe, "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]," and added, "Here is what to say to the people of Isra'el: 'Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.'—Exodus 3:14 (Complete Jewish Bible). 

I am describes WHO God is…It says God is all things and is capable of all things, God meets all my needs, God is there for me and he knows me.  Here are some verses demonstrating God’s  I AM-ness. 

 “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”

“I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”--  Matthew 26:61

“I am with you always”—Matthew 28:  20

 "I am willing," he said.—Mark 1:41

“But I am among you as one who serves”—Luke 22:27

They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying, I am" —Luke 22:70

 “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.--John 6:35

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."—John 8:12

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born I  am,!"—John 8:58

"I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep—John 10:17

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—John 10:14

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;--John 11:25

“I am going there to prepare a place for you.”—John 14:2

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.—John 15:1

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from I am who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,--Revelation 1:4

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.—Revelation 1:17

Follow me

Follow Me

Perhaps you can’t relate to the Disciples reaction to give up everything and “Following” Jesus when he made that request of them.  Did the disciples pray about their decision, discuss it with their family and trusted friends, did they review the benefit package and discuss their compensation before accepting?   The bible only says Jesus made the request to “Follow me” and Matthew got up and followed him (Matthew 9:9) 

I often wonder what I would have done…Would I give up my family, my job, my lifestyle for the unknown???  Would you??? 

Just as important as the request was, I think it is equally important to understand WHO Jesus asked.  In those days, WHO a Rabbi (the teacher) had as a student was a direct reflection on the QUALITY of the Rabbi, himself.  Not EVERYONE was asked, you had to be pre-qualified.  here was generally a rigorous application process and only the cream of the crop was selected.

But Jesus asked Matthew:  The Tax collector—

Perhaps you only know Matthew as the author of one four gospels in the New Testament.  Matthew had been raised a LEVITE (a priest) but had turned his back on the position of his birth to become a reviled Tax collector for the Roman Government.  He was ostracized by his community and his family.  Matthew had all the right credentials as a young man, he know his Torah, had come from good family but he now associated with drunkards and prostitutes.  Matthew was not only a sinner, but he SINNED for a living!  Yet Jesus asked him to be a follower. 

Jesus invitation to Matthew makes it clear that to follow Him we don’t have to be a member of the religious elite, the morally upright or have it all together.   I am blessed to have been "asked" to follow Jesus even though I am unworthy.  Jesus wants you to get up and follow Him, leaving everything behind.  Have you RSVPd to His invitation?

I just spent a weekend at a small lake in Indiana  on a wave runner with my husband.  The sky was blue and was laced with only a few pristine white clouds.  The air was clear the sun was warm.  The clear and cool water was teeming with fish and the rolling hills were covered in green.  I saw God in all my surroundings.

 

Nature reflects Spiritual Truths:

Isaiah 58:11 ( NIV ) The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

 

Now that spring has sprung, you may be preparing your flower and vegetable gardens for the new growing season.  Our God is so amazing that he created the world and all that is in it to help reveal his spiritual truths to us and to constantly remind us of his presence and our need for Him. 

To get the best results from your gardens you first have to prepare the soil to receive the seeds or seedlings.  Jesus tells the parable of the growing seed in 3 of the 4 gospels where he compares Gods word to seeds scattered on the ground.  Some wither and die, some produce immature plants that eventually die and others sprout and go on to produce a generous harvest.  Read Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:  1-9, Luke 8:4-8 for the entire parable

Pruning can make trees bear more fruit.   Luke 3:9 warns us that trees that do not produce good fruit will be cut down and burned.  A Christian life is supposed to bear good fruits.  Difficulties and struggles may be part of Life’s way of pruning our existence so we are better able to produce good fruit. 

Trees with shallow roots aren’t able to find water when there is drought.  Eventually, those trees die because they are not being properly fed.  Likewise, when we are not deeply rooted in God’s word the harsh conditions of life can make us weak and susceptible to spiritual death.  What is neglected eventually dies.  Hosea 14-7 reminds us People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

What is planted and nurtured grows.   Anything we put our thoughts, time or money into will grow stronger.  It is true about or spiritual nature as well as our sinful nature.  You probably remember that saying:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

 

Occasionally, Weeds spring up even in the most beautiful gardens and Satan is the master gardener when it comes to planting seeds of discontentment, business, strife, pride, arrogance, greed, envy, lust and gluttony.  Weeds are easier to pull when they are small-so make every effort to remove sin from your life as soon as it appears.  Matthew 13:25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 

It is time to prepare the Garden, water it with the Word and bask in the Glory of the Son while we wait for his return to gather the Harvest. 

Recall Notice (CASEd from ???)

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

 

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units’ code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

 

This defect has been identified as "Sub-sequential Internal Non-morality," more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

 

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

 

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

 

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

 

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

 

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
 
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
 
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (BEST Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer  warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
 
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!
 
- GOD