Growing up, Santa Claus was a faithful annual visitor. I was always ready for him because I knew that little invisible elves were watching me throughout the seasons to make sure that I was not being naughty - only nice. On Christmas Eve my sisters and I would diligently leave cookies and milk for Santa and Rudolph, and without fail the snacks were nibbled upon by Christmas morning. There were always gifts under the tree signed "Love, Santa" and before we knew it Christmas morning would come and go for another year.
Christmas was so exciting for me as a child. I loved the idea of Santa and like every other kid, I was convinced that he really was real.
I remember the day when my mom revealed the "truth" about Santa to me and my sisters. I was disappointed. Not traumatically disappointed, just quietly and sincerely disappointed. Santa was an important part of Christmas. Without him Christmas would never be the same...
Fast forward 25 years.
I have a five year old who has never received a gift from Santa. But of course she knows who Santa is since he is virtually unavoidable. Recently, her cousins informed her that they wrote a letter to Santa with their complete wish list. Because of this, I have now been informed that Santa is really real. He has to be if he's receiving letters from children!
The whole Santa issue has left me a little frazzled this year. I have come across several writings from individuals depicting their own thoughts on the inclusion of Santa - none of which coincide. As for me and my house, we continue to not have Santa as a celebrated part of our family's Christmas. This does not mean that we don't celebrate! I am a huge fan of making memories, so our home is chocked full of festive moments during the month of December - just few of these moments include the man in the red suit!
I would love to share this particular blog entry with you since it put some of my own rambling thoughts into an eloquent sequence:The Shepherd Press Blog.
Be blessed this holiday season - whether Santa is making an "appearance" at your house or not!
Showing posts with label spiritual thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual thoughts. Show all posts
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My Little Evangelist
The other day, the neighbour boy was over. Precious and he were grabbing a snack from the kitchen. In between grabbing a snack and racing off to the train set sprawled out on the living room floor, Precious started to tell the neighbour boy about God. She got her simple truths out in about 7.5 seconds:
~ You should go to church so that you can learn about God.
~ You are special because God made you.
~ God made the whole world.
I was around the corner listening to this one-sided conversation and smiled at Precious's urgent tone and sincere words.
It made me realize that we don't need to wait for the perfect moment to share a little about God. Any time can be the perfect moment if we just open our mouths and share what we know is true.
~ You should go to church so that you can learn about God.
~ You are special because God made you.
~ God made the whole world.
I was around the corner listening to this one-sided conversation and smiled at Precious's urgent tone and sincere words.
It made me realize that we don't need to wait for the perfect moment to share a little about God. Any time can be the perfect moment if we just open our mouths and share what we know is true.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
God's Way
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,"
says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
~ Isaiah 55:8,9
I think: "Hurry up girls - We're going to be late ... again"!
God's thinking: "Slow down girls ... I'm protecting you from that accident."
I think: "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have it all?"
God's thinking: "I'll give you what you can handle and see if I can trust you with the small things."
I think: "My kids are driving me crazy and making me into a terrible mommy!"
God's thinking: "I'm using those crazy kids to help you to trust in Me for strength."
I think: "I don't want my kids to get hurt or be sick. Why can't they always be safe and healthy."
God's thinking: "I need to give you a reason to turn to Me. You get so caught up in living by your own means that you sometimes need a reminder of who is really in control."
I think: "What if ..."
God's thinking: "Many are the plans in your heart, but My purposes will prevail. Don't worry about the what ifs, focus on the what fors."
Nor are your ways My ways,"
says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
~ Isaiah 55:8,9
I think: "Hurry up girls - We're going to be late ... again"!
God's thinking: "Slow down girls ... I'm protecting you from that accident."
I think: "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have it all?"
God's thinking: "I'll give you what you can handle and see if I can trust you with the small things."
I think: "My kids are driving me crazy and making me into a terrible mommy!"
God's thinking: "I'm using those crazy kids to help you to trust in Me for strength."
I think: "I don't want my kids to get hurt or be sick. Why can't they always be safe and healthy."
God's thinking: "I need to give you a reason to turn to Me. You get so caught up in living by your own means that you sometimes need a reminder of who is really in control."
I think: "What if ..."
God's thinking: "Many are the plans in your heart, but My purposes will prevail. Don't worry about the what ifs, focus on the what fors."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Prayer for My Home
Dear Lord, thank You for my home. I ask that You fill it with your Holy Spirit. Even when I don't have the time to polish and dust, may it still shine with Your welcome and love, so that whoever comes in my door senses that You are present.
Please help me, God, not to fill my home with irritation and frustration; help me not to think that because I'm in the privacy of my own home, I can indulge in uncharitableness. Instead, may my husband and my children and I hand grace back and forth to each other. Amen.
Author Unknown (at least to me).
Please help me, God, not to fill my home with irritation and frustration; help me not to think that because I'm in the privacy of my own home, I can indulge in uncharitableness. Instead, may my husband and my children and I hand grace back and forth to each other. Amen.
Author Unknown (at least to me).
Friday, June 06, 2008
Some Words to Ponder
For the past couple of months I have been reading the book of Proverbs. Each day I read the chapter the corresponds with the date of the month. I am finding that there are so many verses of truth in this book that I can reread it over and over again. Here are some truth verses from Proverbs chapter 3:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. ~ 3:5,6
This is a life verse - I've got it hidden in my heart.
Do not be wise in your own eyes. ~ 3:7
A simple reminder that I need godly wisdom to guide my decisions and actions, not my own thinking abilities!
Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase. ~ 3:9
How many times do I go shopping with my firstfruits and then "honor" God with my fourth or fifthfruits?
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. ~ 3:27
Do I divert eye contact with the street person who is hanging outside my favorite coffee shop?
Do I make an effort to pick up some extra canned goods to drop into the food bank bin when grocery shopping?
On the day after reading this passage I was confronted with the opportunity to buy a homeless man a cup of coffee and a lemon loaf. I was somewhat uncomfortable, but he was truly grateful.
Those are some great truth verses!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. ~ 3:5,6
This is a life verse - I've got it hidden in my heart.
Do not be wise in your own eyes. ~ 3:7
A simple reminder that I need godly wisdom to guide my decisions and actions, not my own thinking abilities!
Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase. ~ 3:9
How many times do I go shopping with my firstfruits and then "honor" God with my fourth or fifthfruits?
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. ~ 3:27
Do I divert eye contact with the street person who is hanging outside my favorite coffee shop?
Do I make an effort to pick up some extra canned goods to drop into the food bank bin when grocery shopping?
On the day after reading this passage I was confronted with the opportunity to buy a homeless man a cup of coffee and a lemon loaf. I was somewhat uncomfortable, but he was truly grateful.
Those are some great truth verses!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Stops and Starts in my Day, Remind Me that I Need to Stop and Pray
A friend reminded me of this the other day. When I looked at the clock and it read 11:00am and I felt like it should be no later than 9:00am, I knew that I was headed for a stressful day. Mentioning this on the phone to a friend, she reminded me that sometimes our days are filled with so many starts and stops. It often feels like we are getting nothing accomplished. But if we are able to stop and give our day to God at the beginning of the day, then we know that no matter how many starts and stops that occur, God is directing them all. How true is that my wise friend!
I think I'll go give my day to God now. How about you?
I think I'll go give my day to God now. How about you?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Psalm 139
This Psalm is my all time favorite psalm. I could read it over and over again and never grow tired of it. It describes the beautiful relationship that God has created me to have with Him. Amazing!
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down.
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, behold You are there,
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
(Skip to verse 13 - the part that every pregnant mama needs to meditate on!)
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed,
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
Amazing!
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down.
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, behold You are there,
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
(Skip to verse 13 - the part that every pregnant mama needs to meditate on!)
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed,
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
Amazing!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Some Words to Think On
In my college days I came across a book called "Come Away My Beloved" written by Frances J. Roberts. The book is somewhat like a devotional but really just contains some amazing thoughts as written from God's perspective. I love just taking a "time-out" and meditating on one or two of the passages when I get a calm moment in the midst of a hectic day. Here is one passage that was a great reminder to me yesterday. It is entitled "The Burden Bearer":
My child, do not share thy burdens with all who come unto thee professing concern. Lo, I, Myself, am the great burden-bearer. Ye need not look to another. I will lead thee and guide thee in wisdom from above. All things shall be as I plan them, if ye allow Me the freedom to shape circumstances and lead thee to the right decisions.
I am merciful and kind. I love thee beyond measure. I purpose to do thee good; and lo, I will bring unto thee those who can truly help, if ye leave all in My hands.
I want thee to prosper and be in health. I want thee to know Me more intimately. If difficulties come, it is by My order and for thy benefit. Man would say ye have trouble; I would say ye have a test.
Sometimes, no more like often, I fail to recognize the test. Instead, I start to panic and wonder what can I do to make this circumstance better. How less stressful life would be if I simply let God be God and take care of my circumstances. What if the test is simply to recognize that this circumstance is a test and giving it to God will give me an A+?
My child, do not share thy burdens with all who come unto thee professing concern. Lo, I, Myself, am the great burden-bearer. Ye need not look to another. I will lead thee and guide thee in wisdom from above. All things shall be as I plan them, if ye allow Me the freedom to shape circumstances and lead thee to the right decisions.
I am merciful and kind. I love thee beyond measure. I purpose to do thee good; and lo, I will bring unto thee those who can truly help, if ye leave all in My hands.
I want thee to prosper and be in health. I want thee to know Me more intimately. If difficulties come, it is by My order and for thy benefit. Man would say ye have trouble; I would say ye have a test.
Sometimes, no more like often, I fail to recognize the test. Instead, I start to panic and wonder what can I do to make this circumstance better. How less stressful life would be if I simply let God be God and take care of my circumstances. What if the test is simply to recognize that this circumstance is a test and giving it to God will give me an A+?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
A Bit of Scripture
This is a passage of scripture that I have been memorizing lately. It is the 100th Psalm.
Shout joyfully to the LORD all the earth.
Serve the LORD with gladness.
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the LORD Himself is God.
It is He who made us and not we ourselves.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to the LORD, bless His name.
For the LORD is good.
His lovingkindness is everlasting.
His faithfulness is to all generations.
As I have been memorizing this scripture, the JOY and DELIGHT that surrounds this Psalm has caused me to question my own joy that I have in the LORD. Do I truly have joy as I sing, or do I sing by rote as daily life distracts and burdens me down? Do I fearfully believe that the LORD is God, or is God so distant that I forget the awesomeness of Him? Do I truly feel like one of His own, or do I wander my own path seeking my own direction? Do I have a thankful heart, or are my blessings just taken for granted? Thank goodness that the LORD is good and that His lovingkindness has no end. His faithfulness continues in spite of all of me.
Shout joyfully to the LORD all the earth.
Serve the LORD with gladness.
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the LORD Himself is God.
It is He who made us and not we ourselves.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to the LORD, bless His name.
For the LORD is good.
His lovingkindness is everlasting.
His faithfulness is to all generations.
As I have been memorizing this scripture, the JOY and DELIGHT that surrounds this Psalm has caused me to question my own joy that I have in the LORD. Do I truly have joy as I sing, or do I sing by rote as daily life distracts and burdens me down? Do I fearfully believe that the LORD is God, or is God so distant that I forget the awesomeness of Him? Do I truly feel like one of His own, or do I wander my own path seeking my own direction? Do I have a thankful heart, or are my blessings just taken for granted? Thank goodness that the LORD is good and that His lovingkindness has no end. His faithfulness continues in spite of all of me.
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