Winter Sunset

The spectrum of a sunset is absolutely magnificent. Even in the urban jungle they can be breathtaking. God's glorious canvas is filled with light and His fingers spread the hues like watercolors across the sky. But with a blink of His eye it disappears until another day returns. Indescribably beautiful!

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." ~Rabindranath Tagore

Merry CHRISTmas!

Advent: Week of Joy

How can you not feel joy during this sacred season. But we should feel joy all year long. It is not for just one day. Today be joyful. Make a joyful noise...rejoice in the gift God has sent. His beautiful gift is for each of us if we will just open it. "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

The hinge of history 

is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.

~Ralph Sockman

Serve & Love

Serve and love people the way God loves...selflessly helping others. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek his own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believe all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...And now abide faith, hope, love these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

"Here is love, that God

Sent His Son,

His Son who never offended,

His Son who always

His delight."

~John Bunyan

Advent: Week of Love

God has great love for us. He sent His only Son to be born in a manger and endure the emotions, pains, hurts, sickness, joy, and love that humans experience. The gift is becoming part of His family. The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:"I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

"Christmas is not a day or a season, 

but a condition of heart and mind. 

If we love our neighbors as ourselves; 

if in our riches we are poor in spirit 

and in our poverty we are rich in grace; 

if our charity vaunts not itself, 

but suffers long and is kind; 

if when our brother asks for a loaf 

we give ourselves instead; 

if each day dawns in opportunity 

and sets achievement, however small; 

then every day is Christ's day 

and Christmas is always near." 

~James Wallingford

Gift of Peace

No gift on Christmas morning is greater than celebrating the birth of Jesus. It is God's gift to us and for us. Without this gift there is no reason for this festive season. The celebration of Christmas is to praise Emmanuel! God with us! The spirit of Christmas...the presence of peace...the gift of peace...

"God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17

"Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas.

All else is outward display ---so much tinsel and decorations.

For it isn't the holly; it isn't the snow. 

It isn't the tree, not the firelight's glow.

It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men 

when the Christmas spirit returns again." ~Unknown

Advent: Week of Peace

"Glory to God in the highest 

and on earth peace to men whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

The gift of peace... Prince of Peace... and only through Jesus Christ will we have true peace of mind and soul. Faith in Jesus brings peace with the Father.The peace of Christ guides, comforts, and provides for us every day. Remember the peace in your heart at this Christmas season and why it is there.

"What makes Christmas?"

I asked my soul,

And this answer came back to me:

"It is the Glory of heaven

Come down in the hearts of humanity---

Come in the spirit and heart of a Child,

And it matters not what we share

At Christmas; it isn't Christmas at all

Unless the Christ child be there."

~Unknown

The Gift of Light

The lights slowly begin to twinkle to life in the early evening. As each glow glimmers down the street children's eyes widen with wonder. But there is only one hope and one light that is important at Christmas...

"To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

We rejoice in the light,

And we echo the song

That comes down through the night

From the heavenly throng.

Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,

An we greet in his cradle our Savior and King.

~Josiah Gilbert Holland

Keep Christmas Beautiful

Enjoy the season. Slow down for a moment and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. Let Christ enrich your life. So may your hope and your spiritual journey endure. "...which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

"Let us keep Christmas beautiful

Without a thought of greed,

That it might live forevermore

To fill our every need,

That it shall not be just a day,

But last a lifetime through,

The miracle of Christmastime

That brings God close to you."

~Ann Schultz

Our Hope

"I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14: 4

 Our hope is in Jesus. Celebrate today His perfect love, His wonderful grace, His tender mercy, His almighty power and majesty. Be thankful and give praise for what Jesus has done in your life. I had the wonderful privilege of talking with my nephew about salvation today. He had to write a paper about speaking to someone about the plan of salvation. He has been asking questions for several years now. He loves to read his Bible, but I wasn't sure whether he understood what salvation was. I asked questions. I had him look up the Scriptures in his Bible and read them aloud. Again I asked him questions. Did he understand what it meant to be a sinner? He easily answered. Still I wondered if he truly understood what it meant to become a Christian. His beautiful answer was written in his lesson. he has learned his ABC's (Admit, Believe, Confess)! "If you don't follow these three rules, you will go to a place that you don't want to be at," he writes. He has a long list of things he wants to talk to Jesus about when he gets to Heaven someday, but first he says he just wants to give Jesus a hug and thank Him. It brings tears of joy to my eyes. So beautiful.

"The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope." ~Frank Lloyd Wright

Advent: Week of Hope

This week is all about the reason as Christians we have hope. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1. But it doesn't end there as the Scripture continues, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" John 1:14. The Word is Jesus!

Our spiritual journey begins the moment we believe in this extraordinary hope, and it lasts through all eternity. Continue your advent week in discussion of those things that you hope for with your family and with yourself.

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul 

 And sings the tunes without the words 

 And never stops at all." ~Emily Dickinson

Happy Thanksgiving

Be thankful...be generous...be giving...and most of all be loving. Wishing you all a very safe and blessed thanksgiving.

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ." ~1Thessalonians 5:18

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other 

in a meek and thankful heart." ~Izaak Walton

Autumn Hues

I am thankful for all the autumn hues. 

The changing seasons are perfectly timed. Right now outside the leaves are transforming. Everyday brilliant, new colors fill the branches.  The spring green has gone silent, however, we get to view the most spectacular palette. Reds, yellow, oranges and gold prepare the way for fall festivities. Here the sun sets a little sooner, and its fiery glow lingers low on the horizon. Soft golden leaves flutter in the crisp evening air and then drift effortlessly to the ground. Now the golden light gives way to the night, and the chill of winter approaches. It is all beautifully designed and programmed. God knew what He was doing. Enjoy the glorious fall foliage and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

"There is a time for everything, and everything

on earth has its special season" ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Giggles & Laughs

I am thankful for giggles and laughs. nothing can change a mood quicker than a silly giggle or a hearty laugh. There is something so infectious about them, and once they get started they don't stop. They multiply and multiply. And pretty soon a whole room is caught up in the cacophony. What a beautiful sound! No matter whether it is family or friends, laughter is a wonderful stress reliever and a great way to get everyone together. We all can participate in the joy and feel like a kid again for just a moment. So, go ahead snicker, chuckle, giggle, laugh or guffaw...

"The human race has one really effective weapon, 

and that is laughter." ~Mark Twain

Fresh-Baked...Anything

I am thankful for fresh-baked goodies. Cookies, pie or cake...Chocolate chip, peanut butter, chocolate, pecan, cinnamon, and spice...

The wonderful aromas fill the house with vanilla and chocolate. The cake baking in the oven floats in to every nook and cranny and every open door. One by one each room begins to take on that special smell. Mouths water. Birthdays...Holidays...Any day...

My nephew just had his 12th birthday. He has been learning to cook and bake. He has a passion for food. Today he decided to bake his own birthday cake, a chocolate chip bundt cake. It floated through the entire house all afternoon. What a delight! And what a joy to see him enjoying his passion.

"Go, eat your food with gladness...with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." ~Ecclesiastes 9:7

Pen & Paper

I am thankful for pen and paper. Being able to communicate effectively is a gift from God. Electronic communication is quick, easy, and always there. However, some days the feel of the pen between your fingers and the flow of the ink are just comforting. There is something about handwritten words. Maybe they just mean a little bit more. Write a note to someone...tell them thank you for being in your life.

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." ~1 Peter 4:10

"Either write something worth reading 

or do something worth writing." ~Benjamin Franklin

Joy In The Morning

I am thankful for joy in the morning. What is more refreshing than to wake up with yesterday's despair wiped away. The smell of freshly brewed coffee floats gently through the air. It is a brand new day! A clean start. With cup in hand you can see the golden light rising through the window. Restore, renew and relax. God has it covered for another day.

For His anger is but for a moment, 

His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, 

but joy comes in the morning. ~Psalm 30:5

"A leaf fluttered through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked." ~Anais Nin

Supportive Friends

I am truly thankful for supportive friends. They pick you up, stretch out a hand, embrace in a hug, and listen intently. They encourage and lift your spirits. They push you forward when you feel like giving up. Each and everyone of you have been placed strategically in my life at just the right time. God's special gifts. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. 

But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 

~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. 

It is then burst into flame by an encounter 

with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." ~Albert Schweitzer

Thankful For A Beautiful Sunset

I am thankful for beautiful sunsets. Nothing is more majestic nor awe-inspiring than the painted hues in the evening sky. Orange, gold, yellow, pink, and lilac stream across the horizon. It is God's watercolor. He brushes the heavens in angelic light and for a brief moment we gaze in to the glowing aurora. The Master's ever-changing canvas is spread before us to behold and rejoice in. Take time to view the magnificent colors.

One thing I have desired of the Lord

That will I seek:

Thai I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord.

~Psalm 27:4 

"To love beauty is to see light." ~Victor Hugo

Thankful for Peace

In moments of chaos and craziness I am thankful for peace. A wonderfully, impossible peace that comes from just simply closing your eyes for a second as the world fades away. The rushing busyness flies by, but you don't worry about it. Shut out the noise, the sounds, the bright lights and take a long, deep breath. God is there. His peace washes over you. It is wonderful. Take time to feel the peace for yourself.

"...Peace, peace, to those far and near," 

says the Lord. "And I will heal them." ~Isaiah 57:19

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."

~William Blake

Encouraging People

I am thankful for encouraging people. They lift you up when you are down, make you smile, and convince you that life will go on even when it doesn't seem like it. I thank God for all those "encouragers" in my life. Be an encouragement to someone in your life and offer them the same hope that you have received. You will be blessed for doing so.

"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts." ~Henri Frederic Amiel

Reasons To Be Thankful

Can you believe that it is November already? Where have all the days gone? Still waiting on the fall foliage around here. It is a little slow going. But what better way is there to begin the holiday season than to list our reasons for being thankful. 

Today I am thankful for the silence. Silence is a gift, especially in this loud and crazy world we live in. We should be thankful for the silence, yet we usually dread it. We all look for ways to fill that void... with noise... sound from music and television to computer and video games. Sometimes it is just conversation to drown out the quiet. Make some time to just enjoy God's gift of silence today.

"A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." ~Ecclesiastes 3:7

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." ~Henry Van Dyke

31 Days of Pink: Day 31

Day 31...

Perspective is all about how we choose to see things. 

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. 

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~Matthew 6:34

"We should not moor a ship with one anchor, 

or our life with one hope." ~Epictetus

  

31 Days of Pink: Day 30

Day 30...

To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under heaven...

a time to plant, 

and a time to pluck what is planted...

a time to break down,

and a time to build up;

a time to weep,

and a time to laugh.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

"God has called you to be a woman who is filled with the beauty of the Lord. He makes you beautiful from the inside out. Within, the grace of the Lord is lovingly conforming you to the image of His Son. 

He is working in your attitudes and in your character in ways that will make you a gracious reflection of His holiness." 
                            ~Roy Lessin

31 Days of Pink: Day 29

Day 29...

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, 

unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness... ~Colossians 1:11 

Have a little patience. Through God's mighty and glorious power 

He will strengthen you. Be joyful. The Lord is your strength!

"What gives me the most hope every day is God's grace; knowing that his grace is going to give me strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God." ~Rick Warren

31 Days of Pink: Day 28

Day 28...

Hope...Courage...Faith...Strength

God has called you to be a woman who rejoices in Him. 

You can rejoice because He watches over your life and takes care of you. 

You can rejoice because He is the Peace within you, 

the Covering over you, the Shelter around you, 

the Guard behind you, and the Guide who goes before you.

~Roy Lessin

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar

 into four pieces with your bare hands...

and then eat just one of the pieces." ~Judith Viorst

31 Days of Pink: Day 27

Day 27...

...but those who hope in the Lord  will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:31

"Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere. Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind, spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

31 Days of Pink: Day 26

Day 26...

Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. ~Psalm 103:20

"As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, 

but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength 

of the heart is developed." ~Vincent Van Gogh

31 Days of Pink: Day 25

Day 25...

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

I was reading through my daily devotional today. Everyday Joy for your spiritual refreshment each day finds the simple joy in life no matter 

what the circumstance and today was no different.

"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, 

for the joy of the Lord is your strength." ~Nehemiah 8:10

Is it possible to have joy in the middle of catastrophic circumstances? What if you're facing the loss of a job? A devastating illness? The death of a loved one? 

Can you really look beyond your grief to find the joy? 

Our very strength comes from the joy God places inside us, 

and we need that strength even more 

when we're facing seemingly impossible odds! 

Today, may God's joy strengthen you from the inside out. ~Janice Hanna

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, 

where nature may heal 

and give strength to body and soul." ~John Muir

31 Days of Pink: Day 24

Day 24...

A woman's heart is strong. She is even stronger with the power of the Lord. 

"Your heart can depend totally upon the Lord, for His strength never weakens, 

His might never diminishes, and His power never fades." ~Roy Lessin

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might 

He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength 

until we are in hot water!" ~Eleanor Roosevelt

31 Days of Pink: Day 23

Day 23...be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. ~Ephesians 6:10

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

31 Days of Pink: Day 22

Day 22...

For when the days seem difficult and the road ahead looks bumpy and frightening, find your strength in the Lord... God wants you to be strong in Him. Even when you may be tired or weak, your spirit can remain strong. He will give you strength to face trials, for the Lord is your refuge; strength to walk through dark places, for the Lord is your light; strength to resist the enemy, for the lord is your mighty deliverer. ~Roy Lessin

"...your strength will lie in quiet confidence." ~Isaiah 30:15

"That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory of the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind." ~William Wordsworth