Happy Mother's Day

To all the Mothers out there, we wish you a Happy Mother's Day.

I am the Mother of two children, a son and a daughter. I remember the day they both were born and the excitement that filled our then 'young' hearts. We had only picked out two names before our first child, our son, was born. We picked out a boy's name and a girl's name. So, when I was pregnant the second time, we never picked out another name for a boy. It was an understanding with me that it was a girl. So, the night I went into labor, we were within a few blocks of the hospital when my husband said, "We never picked out another boy's name", to which I said, "Just get me to the hospital; we are having a girl." I never once doubted that God would give me the desires of my heart (Psalms 37:4), which was a son first and a daughter second. And that is what He did!

My children were a delight to us and now their children are also delights to us! It is like having your children all over again except you can send them home. But I love having my grandchildren around. And now our oldest grandson has added great grandmother/grandfather to our names since he now has a one year old daughter that we can love.

Thank the Lord for all Mothers who love and nurture their children in the ways of the Lord. He tell us to raise our children in the way they should go and they will never depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) They may not be where they should be with the Lord at this moment, but hold fast to his promise and they will surely come! His promises are true!

Technorati Tags: Holiday, Mother's Day

The Christmas Tree

Most of us want a beautiful Christmas tree for Christmas. And we are among those who love a pretty tree to decorate for Christmas. I love to see the lights burning and the children (now our grandchildren) gathering around the tree, waiting to open the presents that have accumulated there.

This year I have yet to get my tree up and decorated. But, believe me, it will be there before Christmas morning. I suppose this is the latest I have waited to put mine up.But I've had things that I had to do that have kept me from doing other things I really want to do. Hopefully, tomorrow night I will be able to get the tree up and decorated. I even bought a new one this year with limbs that just drop down from the trunk - no more of this having to place each one in the trunk. And this one is pre-lit and no more having to string up to 10 strings of lights! It really gets tiresome! So I thought I'd make it easier to put up and easier to take down. The decorations are no problem - just those lights got to me last year.

But the one Christmas tree that I found so nice was one that has been growing in a yard in Tuscaloosa, AL, since 1968 when the owner of the place first set the seeding out on his lawn. Now, 42 years later, the Christmas tree, which has grown to 50 feet, is once again lit for all to see. Oh, it came with a price since they had to hire a crew to put up all the lights. But it makes them feel good to know it is now lit after 42 years! Check this tree out in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Technorati Tags: Christmas tree. Tuscaloosa, AL

Season of the Heart

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

During this season, you see people everywhere, fighting the traffic and the crowds to get just the perfect gift for a loved one. Or perhaps they are trying to decide if they should buy a specific gift or just give a gift certificate. Either way, they are out there in the hustle and bustle of the holidays; some don't feel the least bit in the mood - just doing this out of habit. Then there are others who live for 'gift giving'...it puts them in the Christmas spirit to be able to shop!

Most people love the Christmas season and what it stands for, but some can't see beyond the Christmas trees, the beautiful lights and the expectation of gifts. How do you view Christmas?

What a heart God had when he sent his 'only begotten Son' to this earth 2000 years ago, to live as a man, to know the hurt and pain that you and I do - yet he lived a spotless life, and was crucified so that we could live without sin and one day live with Him eternally. WHAT a 'love' of the people GOD had to send His Word to us in the flesh, how unselfish - and this is the way we should live our life today - unselfish to the point that we want others to have what we would live, whether it be a gift, or maybe the spiritual gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Season of the Heart means to me to be the season in which we truly show our love to others - unselfishly, unequivocally - with fervor!! We should be so 'in love' with our God that our faces shine with 'his presence'.......our eyes should 'light up' for Him!! People should recognize us as having something they want!! And we should be ready to share Jesus with them when we are approached!!

Written ©December 22, 1998 by Barbara Sanders. All rights reserved.
Copy only with permission.

A Mother's Love

(Derived from watching THE PASSION)

There is something about a Mother’s love for her children. From the day of conception, there becomes such a love for that child that she would do anything for it. As the months go by, the love grows, until one day that child is with her. She can hold and love on it all she wants. It never enters her mind that her child may some day leave her.

Think back to Mary, Mother of Jesus. The Angel telling her she would bear a child and call him Jesus visited her. She wasn’t married and had never known a man. But she was willing to do what the Lord asked of her. She truly had a Mother’s heart, not to question the will of God.

Mary watched her son being beaten to death. Oh, what agony she must have felt just watching her child being punished for something he did because of who he was. He was the I AM, but his accusers did not know he was actually telling the truth. But Mary knew.

She saw him struggle to carry that heavy cross on which he would later be crucified up the hill to his destiny. She would watch him fall again and again, getting up and bearing that burden on his back. She watched as Pontius Pilate turned him over to the very people whom accused him, realizing his fate was in his hands. They took him into the common hall where everyone was gathered. They mocked him, spit on him, tore his clothes from his body and put a crown of thorns upon his head. All the while, Mary watched.

As I watched The Passion, I hurt for Mary. Tears welled up in my eyes, knowing what they had done to Him and how it had made Mary suffer. After all, Jesus was her child, although she knew what he would have to go through. Nevertheless, it hurt her deeply. She had a Mother’s heart and that heart ached to bear the pain, but she knew it was meant for Jesus to go through what he was going through. He promised her he would make things new.

All those who had part in the persecution of Jesus had no idea the pain Mary was going through. They didn’t know what their actions were causing – for the love that flowed through the veins of Jesus was unknown to them. They didn’t realize they were not only killing the innocent son of a Mother who’s love ran deep, but the One who would bring salvation to a world of lost and dying sinners.

John 10:17-18, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

He Did It All For Me - Music Video

Thanksgiving

This is a day for thanksgiving. And I pray everyone has had a great day with family and friends. But there are some who probably have not had a great Thanksgiving, given what they are having to go through.

Heroes and Horrors at Gathering of Eagles

The economy has gone so far down, it's making it hard for families to be able to pay bills and eat. Lots of people have lost their jobs, maybe a husband and a wife. So this Thanksgiving, many were without the money to buy a meal, but thanks to others, many had a hot meal.

Charity Holiday Meal Feed New Faces

We need to always give thanks, whether things are going good or not. The Lord knows our need, and if we are faithful to uphold his commandments, He will take care of us.

Ephesians 5:20, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

Technorati Tags: Thanksgiving, Holiday, Economy

'Twas The Month before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday!*

Happy Thanksgiving

AllPosters.com

1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us

Give Thanks,
Give Thanks,
Give Thanks.

Give Thanks by Don Moen on YouTube.com.

Technorati Tags: Thanksgiving, Don Moen

Thank you, Veterans

God Bless America . . . . Bless Our Troops!

To all the brave men and women who have faithfully served this nation, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. So many have given their lives, others their limbs, to protect those of us here in the United States of America. Our freedom has depended upon these men and women and they should never be forgotten.

My husband served four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He served with the Air Force Air Rescue unit in Vietnam part of the time. I have other friends who have and are serving in the military today. Also a very close neighbor lost her only son during the Vietnam War. It is for these and all the others who have served we say 'Thank you'. May God bless each of you and may God bless the parents of those who have lost a child due to war or otherwise, who are serving in the military today.

Veterans Day at Entourages.com

Technorati Tags: Veterans, Troops, Veterans Day

A Must Read

• The Detergent Church by Doug Giles
• The Appeasement Chronicles
• Memorial Day: Time to Remember, Never to Forget
• Appeasement By Any Other Name
  

Technorati Tags: Church, Appeasement, Memorial Day

Happy Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to every Mother. Praying each of you had a blessed day. I believe each child is a blessing sent from God above. Each of us has been blessed tremendously from the day we heard that first cry until today.

I believe God equipped Mothers with that inward feeling of love for the child from the moment she conceives. I know I could hardly wait until the birth of my children, to be able to hold and love on them. It's been the same with my grandchildren. There just seems to be an over abundance in a mother's heart and it could only have been put there by the Lord.

Technorati Tags: Mother's Day, Roses, God, Children

Whose fool are you?

As the years pass, April 1st, considered April Fool’s Day by most, has become just another day for me. I am not a person of jokes, especially those for fools. They once were funny, but they have just lost their appeal to me.

Here is The American Heritage Dictionary’s top three definitions of a fool:

1. One who is regarded as deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.
2. One who acts unwisely on a given occasion.
3. One who has been tricked or made to appear ridiculous; a dupe.

Today, Fox News reported that Google had a problem with their search engine. They are reporting a bug someone has slipped in there to cause someone to be sent to a ‘rogue’ place and then their own computer is then hacked. So they are saying to keep your security software on your computers updated. This we do every day by letting it update automatically. Popups occur nearly every day. I sent the information to my son who replied: “Do you think it might be an April Fool’s joke?”

A very close friend of mine sent her son, who loves to play jokes, the following announcement (remember Sarah in the Old Testament?) :

“Setting a new Guiness record
Your Mom, at 67, is old
And you thought I was going to say pregnant
But OLD it is not; Pregnant it is; your baby sister will arrive in 9 months, more or less”

To which her son responded (you would just have to know this kid to appreciate his quip!) “Funny coincidence. I was just about to tell you I was pregnant too.”

But, the best answer for a fool’s joke is something I received in an email this morning. It goes as follows:

I love a quote I heard the first time years ago.. A youth was accused of being a fanatic about his faith and of making a fool of himself. He replied, "So..I'm a fool for God. Whose fool are YOU??"

April 1st has been considered April Fool’s Day for a long time, and it probably won’t go away. And, it’s origin is skeptical, at best. Many will play jokes on others all through the day today. Hopefully, none will be harsh enough to cause problems.

So, to those reading, I ask the question: “Whose fool are you?” I, like the youth, prefer to appear as a fool for Christ. He is not into trickery or joking. He was absolutely serious when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one cometh to the Father but through me.”

Linked at Planck's Constant

Third World County
Church and State

Technorati Tags: April Fools Day, Jokes, Christ,

The day after Easter

Hopefully, everyone had a blessed Easter and enjoyed the Sunday service at church. We also had family, including my 91 year old Mother for lunch yesterday. We ate too much and had some great fellowship!

The day after Easter just seems like another day to us. We got through the holiday, and now we are back to 'the real world' of work and school. But, I read something yesterday that made sense. The article said every day should be Easter to us. That statement is different than saying 'every day should be Christmas'. We celebrate Jesus birth on Christmas. And, we should remember he came to earth to make a difference. But, on Easter, we celebrate his resurrection. He died, was buried, arose, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. And, He said, that when he left, he would send another comforter to us, which is the Holy Spirit. But, Jesus died for us that we might live for him, and some day be with him again eternally.

Too often, we do 'holidays'; in other words, we go to church in our Sunday best, and sit through the sermon and then go home. We don't prepare ourselves for the spiritual aspects of the day and the after affect it will have on our every day lives.

Lots of people only show up for church on Easter and Christmas. I often wonder what God is thinking when He sees those that seem to be only interested in Him on those two holidays. Does He think that perhaps they are only coming to be seen in their new Easter attire? Or, perhaps those two holidays are the only time they feel guilty for not recognizing Him other days of the year? I don't know the answer, since I've always gone to church. Scripture tells us not to forsake the assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). So how do these people justify what they are doing with what the Word says?

Linked at Conservative Cat
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Easter, Holiday, Christmas, God, Church, Resurrection

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today is St. Patrick's Day. It also happens to be my Mother's 91st birthday. We celebrated that yesterday by taking her out to eat at a nice restaurant. Her children and most all her grandchildren were there. We really enjoyed the afternoon.

To read about Patrick's life, check out the St.Patrick's Day page on my personal web site. He was born in Britain, but captured by pirates from his wealthy, Christian father, and taken to Ireland and raised as a slave for 6 years. This set the stage for the rest of his life - converting the Irish to Christianity after his experience there.

St. Patrick's Day is considered a religious day in Ireland where they attend religious services. But, in America, it is mostly a secular holiday where people wear green clothing. Parties and parades are held. New York City holds the largest parade here.

AN IRISH BLESSING

May your neighbor respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.
Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: St. Patrick's Day, Holiday, Irish, Ireland

Judge for yourself

Valentine's Day has just passed for the year and we won't have to deal with it for another year. But, some don't like dealing with it period. In fact, when googling for a specific topic, I came across the blog Life in the Fast Lane. The first post that came up was 'Anti-Valentine's Day - Love Really Stinks'.

Now, being a happily married woman, I have to disagree with this post. Oh, I understand that some single people, and even perhaps those that don't want to buy their spouse something for the occasion, have problems with Valentine's Day. But, you can dislike VDay, but please don't try to tell me love stinks. Love is definitely not about Valentine's Day, no matter what anyone says or what your heart tells you. If love depended on VDay, then most of us would definitely be in trouble! It is nice to get something special, but it is not a prerequisite for whether I love my husband or not. My husband-to-be (then) sent me a box of candy from Texas where he was stationed in the Air Force back in 1964, the year we were married. And, I can probably count on my fingers how many times since I have gotten even a card from him on VDay. And, the love has not stopped. He is not one for cards, holidays, etc. And, over the years, I have come to accept that being his nature. I'm not ready to declare that 'love stinks' just because he is not at his best romantically on VDay.

Whatever the day of the year, I choose to be happy. It does not take Valentine's Day, a secular holiday, to accomplish the task. Whether it is someone you date, about to be married, or married to now, they should be the determining factor in the love relationship - not some holiday man has set aside. Heaven forbid that someone would want a divorce based on their spouse not recognizing Valentine's Day and bringing them a gift. Be happy that your spouse returned home to you! Be happy they are well and not sick. Be happy that they chose you over all the others they could have chosen. And, if you are single, thank the Lord that He has given you another year in which to show love. In showing love for others shows that you are considerate of the feeling of others and in return, the love will come back to you.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Valentine's Day, Love, Holiday

Happy New Year

After Christmas

Do you have the after-Christmas blues? Was your Christmas all you wished for, or wanted? Did you get that special gift you asked for? Did you go for the big deals the day after Christmas and fight the other shoppers doing the same thing? And, did you stand in a long line, waiting to make an exchange with a present you either didn't like or one that would not fit?

Well, I can say no to all of the above, other than we had a nice family Christmas at my house for the first time in years. We are usually spread very thin during Christmas since part of our family lives too far to just 'drop in' to visit. So this year, we decided to have a sit-down dinner with our immediate family and open gifts and just relax. And, it was great. We were joined by the girlfriend of our oldest grandson, too, and she is very sweet. It was nice having her here because she just fits right into the family.

My husband and I decided that we would not exchange gifts this year. Rather, I spent the money on the kids. We enjoy seeing their faces when they open their presents. They were slimmer this year than in previous years because of the cost of things. But, I don't think they seemed to mind. They received enough, anyway, from others to make up for what we didn't give. I think giving of your time and love means more than any material gift you can give.

So, how was your Christmas? Is life as good after Christmas as it was before? Are you just as happy and secure since not getting lots of presents as you were before? Or did your expectations not materialize and you are upset?

Christmas of 2007 is history, and the New Year of 2008 is quickly coming upon us. Why not let go of anything that may have made you unhappy in the year of 2007 and look forward to a wonderful new year in 2008. After all, life is wonderful whether you were given one or a dozen presents for Christmas, or just a hug and love! After all, the Bible tells us to 'love one another as I have loved you'. (John 15:12)

Technorati Tags: Christmas, New Year, Love

On the Eighth Day of Christmas

My true love gave to me – a repaired strand of 100 lights. I was decorating the tree, lights first, and half my lights would not work, so I proceeded to get down six new sets I had bought after Christmas a few years ago. Then, we discovered many lights missing along with no more blinkers. So I went to the store yesterday and bought bulb replacements. We did not realize those bulbs have to be put into their little socket that goes down into the strand itself. So, my dear husband sat down last night and this morning and took all the old sockets (those with missing bulbs or broken ones) and re-threaded them with new bulbs. You have to take two small wires on the end of the bulbs and put them down through a small hole and thread into individual small holes. That is not a job I could do; don’t think my eyesight or my shaking fingers would help on that one! I tried fixing one that I accidentally pulled out of the socket and could not get it back in there.

I suppose you can call this act either an act of kindness or perhaps an act of saving money! He had first suggested I buy all new lights, which could have been costly. But, I invested $3 in replacement bulbs, a much cheaper adventure! It is funny that they have lots of little fuses for the strand that we have never had to use, but only put 2 of each – flashers and clear bulbs – in each pack of bulbs. Anyway, since we have discovered that we can actually fix those little bulbs, I guess that will be what we do each year rather than buying new strands.

After all the threading those tiny wires through the whole to have enough blinking bulbs, and getting them on the tree, we decided we had rather have a non-blinking tree. So, we went through the tedious job of finding all those small, hidden blinkers and replacing them with clear bulbs. And, in the process, the lights blew the fuse a couple times in a strand – too much of a load on them. So, my husband had to find another extension cord to take some of the load off the other one. But, it is finally finished as you can see. It looks much better in person – all the apples are not in that one place. They just aren’t showing up on the picture.

Linked at Christmas Alliance 2007 - Random Yak
Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Christmas Tree, Lights

How late can one be?

Today is the 15th of the month, and only 10 days until Christmas morning. And, if you decorate for Christmas, this seems to be a late start. Well, I decorate for Christmas, and yes, I am getting a late start. I would love to have a real tree, but I suppose it will be the artificial one I put up again this year. But, with all the beautiful decorations, it is gorgeous when I am finished. And, I plan on finishing today!

As for shopping, I always mean to get started early. After Christmas, gifts for next year for my grandkids and my kids always seem to creep into my head. And, I think, "it would be nice to start buying the first of the year and have it done long before Christmas". My Mother used to buy early and I never remember her rushing out at the last moment to buy anything. She was too busy cooking all those delicious items we had for Christmas dinner. But, me; I seem to procrastinate, at times. I start shopping, buy one or two things, and then can't really find what I want. I sometimes have rushed out on Christmas Eve to find exactly what I had been hunting for the last month! I have one gift this year my granddaughter has asked for and it can't be found. Or, so it seems. But, I have faith it is some place out there waiting for me to find, and find it I will.

As for cooking, I always wait until the day before to start my baking. I know that is terrible, but I no longer have a large freezer where I can store things. So I do all my baking the day before. And, I get up during the night on Christmas to put on our turkey and ham. I usually cook my dressing the day before. By the time the kids arrive, it is all done and ready to eat.

But, the most important thing about Christmas is Jesus - getting to know Him as your personal Savior. How many wait until the last minute to decide to let Him have control of their life? How many wait until they see death at the door to make a commitment? And, then I wonder how many wait too long and forego the relationship with the one who could usher them into the arms of God?

However you choose to celebrate Christmas is up to you. But, I hope and pray your Christmas includes the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. As someone said other day, HE is no longer a little baby laying in a manager, but He is the living God, the soon coming King - our Redeemer!

Linked at Church and State
Pursuing Holiness
Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Celebrate, Lord, King, Savior, Redeemer

Christmas Carols with links to lyrics and midis

C – Christ is born in Bethlehem
Midi

H – Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Midi

R – Rise up, Shepherd, and follow – with midi -

I – It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Midi

S – Silent Night, Holy Night
Midi

T – The First Noel
Midi

M – Mary Did you Know
Midi

A – Away In A Manger
Midi

S – Sing We Noel

Linked at The Random Yak Christmas Alliance

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Carols, Lyrics, Midi

Christmas is in the air!

Sure, I know you haven't had your Thanksgiving turkey yet. But, with all the lamp posts draped with Christmas ornaments and the stores full of Christmas displays, one starts getting into the holiday mood early.

When I was a youngster, many moons ago, Christmas was never ushered in until the day after Thanksgiving. The big Christmas tree in Washington was lit and you knew the holiday was on its way. Now, Christmas starts coming out in the summer, I kid you not! Room as been made for Christmas toys very early. I went into a local WalMart about two weeks ago hunting for a particular item. But, I had a hard time finding it because they had moved that department in order to make room for the toys. They have the idea that, if they put them up early enough, children will see them, and start begging for a certain toy. And, parents will hurry to buy it to satisfy the child who has too many already! Companies have the right idea to make money. Actually, it's draining the pockets of some people who really can't afford Christmas.

But, I digress. I actually walked into that store that day and they were playing a Christmas carol! I mean, hey, we haven't even graced our table with the Thanksgiving meal and Christmas tunes are filling the air! I love Christmas music; I love Christmas. But, it grows old when you have to hear it for two months. It takes away the meaning of Christmas when you see the toys coming out so early, the decorations making their way to the front of the store - not to mention their big Christmas tree already out!

What would happen if we chose to not celebrate Christmas in any shape, form or fashion until Christmas Eve? I can tell you one thing that would happen. There would be less bills to pay after December 25th. There would probably be businesses that would have to close their doors, and unhappy children on Christmas morning. But, all in all, there would be less depression and our billfolds would be fuller! Do you think you could survive one Christmas only thinking about what God gave to the world?

Linked at Random Yak Christmas Alliance HQ 2007
Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christmas, December, God, Thanksgiving