Prepare for each day by spending time in prayer with God. Lord, my faith
in You fills me with confidence as I meet the challenges that today will
bring.
Scripture for the day:
"You are dust, and to dust you shall return." ~Genesis 3:19
Meditation for the day:
The joy of true fellowship can be mine in full measure. I can revel in
the joy of real fellowship. There can come back a wonderful joy, if I
share in fellowship now. Fellowship among spiritually-minded people is
the embodiment of God's purpose for this world. To realize this can
bring me a new life-joy. If I share in the joy and travail of others, a
great blessing can be mine. I can truly live a life not of earth, but a
life of joy and oneness starting here and now.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may be helped and healed by true spiritual fellowship. I
pray that I may sense God's presence in spiritual fellowship with God's
children.
Hello my friends! Today's blessings was that Linus went to his brothers -
and the 3 brothers made deer sausage for the first time together instead of
having it done at the store - processing it for them. David bought some
bacon and they ground it all up together and got the casings at the store,
got them washed, and he came home with some patties and sausages and we had
some for supper and it was very delicious!! Ron got the deer! Remember he
fell about 12 feet from the deer stand and cracked his vertebra -lower back,
and he's in a lot of pain yet. He says that he quit taking the pain pills
because that causes him to be constipated, always some after effects with
meds. So we continue to pray for his healing - it takes time. He was there
but he was careful not to do much, Linus and Dave did most of the work.
Tomorrow we should be having a snow storm - heard about 6 inches or so is
coming thru Sunday night. It's supposed to start maybe in the afternoon so
I'm wondering if our card club at 3 tomorrow will have to be cancelled. In
the morning Linus and Lori are getting our trees.
Praying for you all - and thanks for your prayers for us!!
WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS
Author Unknown
December 7, 2012
Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when
invited.
You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl,
what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows
our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many
hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds
mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.
My Christmas Pledge
I Promise . . .
I. To make my Christmas a holy day with Christ-----not a holiday without
Him.
2. To observe Christmas as the birthday of Christ-----not a day to give and
receive material gifts.
3. To remember that the real symbols of Christmas are the Star, the Stable
and the Crib-----not Santa Claus and his reindeer.
4. To teach my children that "Santa Claus" is the nickname of St.
Nicholas-----who gave to the poor in honor of Christ.
5. To help one poor family-----in honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy
Family of Bethlehem.
6. To send Christmas cards remindful of Him, the Infant Savior-----not
decorated only with candy canes, dogs, ribbons and wreaths.
7. To make room in my home for Him-----with a Christmas Crib to remind me
that He was born in a stable.
8. During the Christmas season, in a special way, to honor Mary, His
mother-----who kept the first Christmas vigil beside the manger.
9. To begin Christmas by leading my family to His altar-----to receive the
Bread of Life.
10. Today and every day, to give "Glory to God in the highest"-----to work
and pray for "Peace on earth to men of good will".
THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO
Author Unknown
One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my
spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have
one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me.
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew
from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing
came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And
again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the
bamboo.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I
would not quit. The same in year four.
"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong
and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my
creations a challenge it could not handle.
"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling,
you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo..
I will never quit on you.
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a
different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest
beautiful.
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He
will never give up on you.
Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are
essential to life.
Don't Give Them Vinegar
The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit.
He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and
can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained. Then he
upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar
spilled out.
"When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were
upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen.
When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset we
put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts
and attitudes, for 'out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'"
(Luke 6:45)
What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal
the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm?
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of
sins." (1Peter 4:8)
Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking
for some honey - Don't give them vinegar!
Advent Prayer
Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds
are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ
our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his
coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his
truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Dialogue with Christ:
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, your ways are not our ways. You see good where
we may only see evil. I need a vision of faith so I can interpret actions
and events with an attitude of confidence and gratitude. You are in charge.
I trust in you and want to convince many others to confide in you as well.
Resolution: I will offer a word or gesture of encouragement to somebody in
need.
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