Walking by the table where my nativity was displayed, I paused. My grandson, Logan, was quietly playing with the wise men, camels, sheep, and donkey; as I had told him he could. He had moved the hay from the “barn” and back into the “barn” with his green John Deere tractor several times. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first. The mess and all. But then I realized…what else would a three year old think you were supposed to do with hay. However, then I noticed baby Jesus wasn’t in His manger. Before I could say, “Where is …
Hope Amidst Your Shattered Dreams
Ever since you were a little girl you dreamed of your prince charming … only he has yet to come and you’re wondering now if he ever will. Shattered dreams. When you got married, you meant your vows … “for better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health, till death do you part.” Your marriage wasn’t perfect, as none are, but nothing could have prepared you for the day he walked out on you. Shattered dreams. You raised your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, teaching them as the Bible tells you to teach them. But …
43 Tips & Ideas to Make Christmas Meaningful as a Family
Can you believe it—23 days until Christmas. The days will pass in a flurry of activities but what if you and I could most intentional over the next 23 days to make Christmas meaningful? What if this Christmas could mark your family’s hearts as a season of celebrating Jesus? Not sure how? I gotcha covered. 1. Begin Advent. It started two days ago but you can still catch up: Advent Reading List & listening in the car on the way to school, at breakfast or before bed each night. Click here for reading printable reading list!!! Create your own …
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
While flipping through the TV channels before leaving for church. I was sad to hear a pastor of a very large church begin his teaching about the gospel of Matthew, the very beginning of the New Testament. He told his congregation, “The first chapter of Matthew is pretty boring, all of those begots and all…Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers, And Judah begot Pharez and Zarah of Tamar, and Pharez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Aram…” He went on to say, “If you can hang in there long enough you will get …
A Mother’s Heart…A Thanksgiving Prayer
I love watching old programs and movies. I wish programs today were more like the ones in the ’50s and ’60s. Much more receptive to Christian values. It was a given that people went to church. Although the name of Jesus is omitted from the end of this Thanksgiving prayer, I still love it. I offer to you… Jim Anderson, the imitable father of Father Knows Best prayed this prayer one year at the end of the Thanksgiving episode… “Oh, Lord, we give Thee thanks from the depths of our humble hearts, for all the blessings Thou hast seen fit …
‘Twas the Tuesday before Thanksgiving
…and all through the house, all the creatures went shopping, except for this mouse. So I sat and I listened to sounds of quiet cheer, and thanked God again for joy soon here. I’m supposed to be cleaning, but before I begin–I wanted to write this thankful note for both kith and kin. Those near and those far, I never forget–each face, through my memory, some I have never met. I stop for a moment and bend my knee, giving thanks for they’ve given so abundantly to me. A smile, a kind word or prayer and a gift–letting the dross …
The 5 Senses of Hospitality
From Janelle’s heart: Preparing your home for guests is a huge blessing..to you, your guests, and to the Lord. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 What a great reminder of how important it is to open up our homes to others. Hospitality creates an opportunity to love others well all in the name of the Lord-A Lord who has given us a home to entertain in, food …
The Struggle by Lynn Cowell
The Struggle Lynn Cowell “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 (NIV) “Why can’t we just get past this?” The agitation in my voice revealed the frustration in my heart. I just wanted to fix this relationship problem and move on to happy. My mind and heart were weary from the extended battle. I’m a fixer at heart, especially when it comes to my kids. When I see one …
Discipline and Grace Finding the Balance
“They are so well behaved,” the perky saleswoman nodded at my three children. They are? I just told them to settle down three times. One nearly knocked over a shoe display and… “Thank you,” I smiled and attempted to cool my boiling blood. Where is the balance between first time obedience and grace? How do I decide what to discipline and what to talk about? As moms we are to, “Train a child up a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6 How do we train children without breaking their souls? How do we speak with kindness, but …
Preparing Your Kids To Be Mission Minded
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NLT Missions trips will change your life. They will wreck you. You will never be able to look at poverty the same again. You will be compelled to do something about it. Your days of sitting by thinking there’s nothing that I can do to help will quickly be erased from your thought process…you will be determined to make a difference. One day. One child. One step at a time. That’s what has happened …