I love a celebration!  Second chances!  Grace and redemption!

I chuckle every time I hear about resolutions and fresh starts beginning on January 1.  The percentage of failed or forgotten new habits and intentions just a few days in to the new year is very high.  We actually set ourselves up for disappointment.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Hasn’t God given us a new beginning every moment of every day?  Can we redeem each new day, conversation, scroll and text?  Don’t aim for the whole year.  Begin right now – even if it is evening time.  Drop your trying and humbly listen for the Father’s gentle voice calling you to something different.  Abide in Him and He will bear much fruit.

“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5

Eliminating cable has caused quite a stir in my Christmas movie watching habits.  No more reliable storybook romances ending with a high school sweetheart reunion at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Small Town, USA.

Tonight we watched a very non-traditional Christmas movie.  NOT Hallmark.  This one was not easy to watch.  We were not sure about a happy ending.  There were a LOT of messy people in this one.  Romance was not the answer at the end of the movie!  

Were we disappointed in the wild ride movie for the day after Christmas instead of a warm and fuzzy one?  Yes!  But was there a GREAT lesson to be learned?  Absolutely!  You see, people ARE messy.  We get on our own nerves sometimes, let alone those closest to us!  We are all flawed, broken people….BUT GOD!  This IS the Christmas story!  The reason for the season!

 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”  John 3:17

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Are YOU expecting this Christmas?!?

Expecting….wondering….hoping….waiting for something better than what you have?  When will that expectation ever be fulfilled?

Anticipation
Faith
Hope
Trust

May this Christmas be a meaningful celebration of the only Gift that is truly one size fits all:  Savior – Messiah – Holy One – Redeemer – Advocate – Jesus!

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17

Two weeks from today Christmas Day will be over.  Most of the celebrating will be behind us.  Time is ticking! How will you spend these precious days?

Visit that shut in even though you haven’t visited for years/decades?  Do it!
Send that card – WITH a handwritten note – even though they haven’t EVER sent a card?  Do it!
Extend that invitation even though you’re not 100% ready?  Do it!
Offer grace and forgiveness in an estranged situation even though you want to hold a grudge?  Do it!

What else is on God’s Christmas list for you this year?

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:17

As the days get shorter and your lists get longer may you MAKE THE TIME to reflect and remember God’s faithfulness time and time and time and time again!

Whether it is a rainbow in the sky, a healthy child, a restored relationship or the perfect home – seek the Lord’s face and thank Him for His unfailinggggg goodness!  Break in to song and share the gift of Hope this Christmas!

“Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”  Isaiah 12:5

Would you rather….Wait in traffic for work or wait at the dentist?
Wow!  That was a rough one!
Let’s try again…Wait for a trip to Disney or wait for a baby to be born?

Regardless of the outcome, waiting is hard.  Uncertain.  Long.
Yet the object of our waiting makes it more tolerable – even enjoyable! The wait in traffic or the dentist keeps us focused on the present and the future. The wait for vacation or a new baby keeps our hope on the future!

The Christmas season is a good time to study waiting.  Imagine the Old Testament saints waitinggggggggg for hundreds of years for the promised Messiah to come. Their hope was on the future with great trust!  Ours should be too!

With
All 
I 
Trust

“…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 40:3

“Thou shalt not covet”. Did you learn that Commandment as a child? Do you remember how serious it seemed…..even if you really didn’t understand what it meant to “covet”? (I just knew I should NEVER EVER take what belonged to Linda and her family…or else!)

What if that verse isn’t about your neighbor, but about your Thanksgiving?

Covet: yearn to possess

Do you covet/yearn to possess your own life? Do you yearn to possess what God has already given to you? Right now…right where you are…with what you have…and with what you have been given?

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Every Day!

“I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify Your Name forever.” Psalm 86:12

A team that is scattered rarely wins.
Unraked leaves subject themselves to gusty winds.
Comparison and competition vie for our attention.

Time Out!  Let’s Bring It In and reset our hearts and minds before the busyness of the holidays. 

 Dig in to your Bible, sing very out loud to some great worship music or find a good serve or donate opportunity!  What a great season to simplify, refocus and cuddle up in the safe and loving arms of our All Knowing, All Sufficient Heavenly Father! 

“He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart;”  Isaiah 40:11

How do you view your life?
Your budget?
Your calendar?
Your personality?
Your past?
Your present?
Your future?

Do you use your personal point of view?  The world’s point of view?  Or God’s point of view?

In every decision, conversation and thought let’s remember to praise God with our lives!

“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”  I Chronicles 16:11

Well, today it is official!

The holiday season is upon us!  Ready or not – here it is!  Can you believe that 54 days ago it was Labor Day weekend – and just 54 days from today it will be Christmas weekend?

What are we to do with the time God has given to us? We can endure it – and we all know that’s not fun or healthy – or we can redeem it!  🙂

Use your jack o’lanterns to tell of the amazing work of Jesus redeeming your yucky self and shining His light through you!
Turn the month of November into a season of daily gratitude.  Or serving others in small ways every day.  Or sending very overdue thank you cards to your many loved ones.
And December?  Make a list of gifts of love – ones that can’t be wrapped but will never be forgotten….and share Jesus in story, song, cookies, time and selfless giving.

For everything there is a season – and the season is NOW!  🙂

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15