Today, on this third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of JOY. The first week, we lit the candle of Hope. The second week, we lit the candle of Peace. Today, we rejoice with Mary at this amazing thing God has done. Oh JOY! Though we know that Mary was a very young woman about 13 years old, she had an amazing understanding of scripture and the times in which she lived. She was carrying the Messiah, the one who to bring freedom to the captives. No doubt she was a little scared. Yet, she was filled with great joy. I enjoy reading a translation of the Bible called … [Read more...]
Are you observing Advent with a daily reading or a weekly candle lighting? If not, it really is not too late to begin. It's a very special time of anticipation. I shared some ideas for observing Advent here. And I created a not-so-typical-version of an Advent wreath here? Today we light the second Advent candle. The candle of Peace. Click here to read about God’s promise of peace from Isaiah 11:1-10. In the second chapter of the Book of Luke in the Bible, the writer tells us all the details surrounding Jesus' coming to the world, including the census which … [Read more...]
This year, I wanted to be really intentional about observing Advent. I even shared a post with ideas for Advent readings and candles, here. But, when it came to my own advent candle wreath, I had nothing. Nada. It was something I wanted....but it is not necessary. Plus, I don't exactly have money to be spending on something like this, and since I'm living "in between" with my stuff in storage, well...I really could go without. Several weeks ago I was invited to participate in an upcoming blogger event, All Things Dollar Tree for Christmas, where you create something from … [Read more...]
Quite a few years ago my husband and I were browsing a sweet little book shop in downtown Holland, Michigan at Christmas time. We could spend hours there. Tim, who is a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, picked up a full-sized softcover book with the most amazing illustrations, Letters From Father Christmas. I was busy that year and though Tim encouraged me to read it, I never got around to it. But, year after year, I stacked it up along with an assortment of Christmas books on the blanket chest we used for our coffee table. Then, for some reason, I sat down. Um. Generally I never sat down before Christmas … [Read more...]
It was interesting to me to listen to other shoppers when I was in the stores earlier this weekend. I was amazed at how intentional and sometimes intense people were in finding and deciding upon their purchases. Most of us have a plan in mind when we go shopping, or even when we begin our Christmas decorating. How many of us have a personal plan for the Christmas season? Often we are so busy doing....that we don't take time to be in the moment. We don't take time to ponder the reason for the season. We just go. And I am very experienced at getting into that mode. So... Last week I invited you to … [Read more...]
On this day officially proclaimed as the day to gather together to give thanks to our Great and Holy God... Let us do just that. Let us join with the Psalmist here... Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits. Thank the miracle-working God, His love never quits. The God whose skill formed the cosmos, His love never quits. The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations, His love never quits. The God who filled the skies with light, His love never quits. The sun to … [Read more...]
Do you feel like you are already on the quickly spinning hamster wheel? For many of us, the holidays are so busy we hardly have time to breathe. I don't think that is how Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be. Do you? Hespe Have you ever thought about observing Advent? I'm not talking about the little calendar where you open the door each day in December as you countdown to Christmas. or even the very fun games and gifts and random acts of kindness that families can do together for Advent. No, I'm thinking about observing Advent in a more quiet … [Read more...]
Are you feeling grateful? What about when there's snow on the ground and it messes up your plans? What about when you've been working like crazy, putting in extra time, and someone else gets the promotion? What about when your head hurts, your family is counting on you, and all you want to do is collapse? Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and you're comfortably sipping your lemonade at the pool on a perfect 75 degree day. Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when everyone notices your hard work and you get an … [Read more...]
Gratitude changes everything... Especially our hearts. “When it comes to life the critical thing is, whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” Gilbert Chesterton When I first came across this quote it stopped me in my tracks. I know I am guilty of taking way too much for granted. You too? Let's make a pact together to take things with Gratitude. Are you in? ~ PRINTABLE ~ If you like this #GratitudeQuote, download it here to print on your printer or take it to your favorite print or photo … [Read more...]
How was your week? Today I was standing in line at Kroger with my husband. He asked me if I was okay. I mumbled something. But I wasn't okay. I had been running a grocery list in my mind on the drive over. It wasn't the grocery list of things I needed to pick up from the store. As I was standing in line, I let the weight of that list come down on me. I guess it was written across my face. At that moment I knew that I needed to start a new list.... a list of blessings. And I did....right there in line at Kroger. And then I found myself telling my husband the … [Read more...]
If you would enjoy framing this quote, please download the free printable here and save it to your desktop for printing or take it to your favorite photo shop. Do you have a thankful heart? Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be so blessed regardless of their circumstances? The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher Isn't this a great quote? One other thing I've noticed...those with a thankful heart are … [Read more...]
Reading portions of the Book of Psalms in the Bible is something I do almost every day. It's full of wisdom and pain and gratitude and praise and fear. Today's passage included this verse...Psalm 111:10, from the New Living Translation: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! I don't know about you...but I want wisdom. People who are wise seem to navigate life more gracefully. They are the ones others seek for advice. People who are wise are more thoughtful, less reactionary, … [Read more...]
November is the gratitude month. With the holidays approaching it's a good thing to get ready by being thankful. We can and should be gracious....encouraging....kind. But...most of all we should be thankful! This image is available as a 5x7 printable. Download here and save to your desktop for printing at home or via your favorite photo shop. Seriously... Contentment comes from a thankful heart. Creativity comes from a thankful heart. Generosity comes from a thankful heart. And that's just the beginning of what we need as we approach the holidays. I'm sure you can … [Read more...]
It's confession time. Do you ever let your feathers get ruffled by something someone has done or said? When was the last time your feathers were ruffled? I looked out my window the other day to see a gathering of bluebirds around the bluebird house at the end of the driveway. It's seems to be rather late in the season for birds to be checking out houses. But, that's exactly what these birds appeared to be doing. In and out they went. With hope in my heart, I grabbed the camera, just knowing that today, I would finally be able to snap some shots. And yes! I got a few. It was … [Read more...]
Obedience. That's sort of a prickly word for many of us. If our parents were strict disciplinarians we may have felt the price of disobedience. But, have you ever thought about the joy of obedience? Here are some verses from the Book of Hebrews, chapter 12, in the New Testament: 2 We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God.3 Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don’t … [Read more...]
Thirty-One Days. It went by in a flash. Some days. Other days, every tap on the keyboard was work. But, in the end...it was so worth it. 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... The main point of this series was to write for 31 days straight. Faithfully. The other aspect was for me to write something meaningful and somehow meld something near and dear to my heart with what we usually do here on the blog. It wasn't seamless. It was meaningful. Each day I read comments that touched my heart. I could/can hardly believe that what I tapped in touched your heart. Yet...your words told me volumes. … [Read more...]
After just completing my 31 day series, I thought I'd take the day off from the blog and writing. Well, I did take a little bit of time off to read my brand new November/December issue of Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll. As a collector of magazines, especially fall and Christmas issues, I must say this issue is spectacular, and I wanted to let you know all about it. This magazine has gorgeous photos filled with inspiration for the season, crafts and food...complete with directions and recipes, and heartfelt stories to touch your heart. Jennifer, the publisher of … [Read more...]
