Well, if you live in the middle Tennessee or eastern part of the state, I know you experienced the snowfall yesterday. I found myself humming "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" all day along plus I cannot tell you how many cups of hot chocolate I sipped. I mean, I got to experience three of my favorite things-snow, Christmas song, and chocolate! Seriously, as I watched the beautiful snow drift down toward earth, I got all warm and fuzzy inside and began to think about God.
First, snowflakes are so delicate and each one is unique. Can you imagine no two flakes are alike? Only the God of the universe could create infinite possibilities of snowflakes!
In the same way our Heavenly Father created each of us to be unique individuals. Our possibilities are endless.
Second, snowflakes are white. I wonder why God did not choose to provide different hues for snowflakes. I think a few blue, pink, and purple flakes would provide an interesting mix until they melted. Then, the colors would mix together and become some ugly, nasty color. No, I like to think our Father chose the color white to remind us that our sins are forgiven and we are washed white as snow.
Third, as the snow fell yesterday, gust of wind would blow the flakes in circles. At times the snow and wind mix became a total chaotic blur. I began to realize that our lives are like the snowflakes. We are delicate and unique but sometimes the storms of life blow us in all directions. Unless we keep the Father close by we will find ourselves in a chaotic blur as well.
As Christmas approaches, I hope we have another snow. I have never experienced a white Christmas but I personally think it would add a magical element to the day and a quick reminder that Jesus came to earth to forgive us of our sins and make us white as snow.
Share Thought for Today: What is your favorite Christmas memory?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tis the Season
The Christmas season is upon us. It's the season for shopping, decorating, parties, and family gatherings. It's the season for feasting on holiday favorite foods. It's the season for just one more excuse for eating chocolate yummies like homemade fudge. Yes, tis the season.
More importantly it is the season for celebrating the birth of our Savior. If God had not sent his only Son to us, we would have no reason for the season. We really would not need a Christmas tree with all the decorations. We would have no need for gift giving and family gatherings. We would not display our nativity scenes. It would be just another ordinary day in the life of ordinary humans.
Let's remember in the midst of the holiday chaos that the real reason for the season is Jesus' birth. it is the time when He left His throne in heaven to be born in a lowly manger. It is the time when God looked down from heaven and showed His ultimate love for us. Yes girlfriends, this the Season!
More importantly it is the season for celebrating the birth of our Savior. If God had not sent his only Son to us, we would have no reason for the season. We really would not need a Christmas tree with all the decorations. We would have no need for gift giving and family gatherings. We would not display our nativity scenes. It would be just another ordinary day in the life of ordinary humans.
Let's remember in the midst of the holiday chaos that the real reason for the season is Jesus' birth. it is the time when He left His throne in heaven to be born in a lowly manger. It is the time when God looked down from heaven and showed His ultimate love for us. Yes girlfriends, this the Season!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Joy To The World
This past summer my pastor preached a series on joy. I so enjoyed it because our family has always felt our journey has been one of joy. Please understand, it has not been easy, but we have learned much about the 'full joy' Jesus referred to as He taught His disciples.
As we walk through this season the word joy is everywhere. It is on banners, cards, clothes, in songs and sermons. The angels used the word joy in the announcement of the birth of our Savior.
In spite of all the reminders of joy, we are often faced with joy stealer's in our everyday walk. I want to share with you a brief portion of the sermon I heard that may help as you seek joy in this season. The scriptures used were from Philippians.
B elieve God is in charge. 1:12-13,19
L ive like you are dying. 1:21
E xhibit the mind of Christ. 2:5-8
S eek Christ above everything else. 3:7-8
S tretch your faith. 3:13
E xperience the power and peace of God through prayer. 4:6-7
D epend on Christ above everything else. 4:11-13
I truly believe joy is wrapped up in gratitude. Take some time to tell your family how they bless you, tell your friends the blessings they bring into your life, share with those you serve how blessed you are to serve them.
JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!
As we walk through this season the word joy is everywhere. It is on banners, cards, clothes, in songs and sermons. The angels used the word joy in the announcement of the birth of our Savior.
In spite of all the reminders of joy, we are often faced with joy stealer's in our everyday walk. I want to share with you a brief portion of the sermon I heard that may help as you seek joy in this season. The scriptures used were from Philippians.
B elieve God is in charge. 1:12-13,19
L ive like you are dying. 1:21
E xhibit the mind of Christ. 2:5-8
S eek Christ above everything else. 3:7-8
S tretch your faith. 3:13
E xperience the power and peace of God through prayer. 4:6-7
D epend on Christ above everything else. 4:11-13
I truly believe joy is wrapped up in gratitude. Take some time to tell your family how they bless you, tell your friends the blessings they bring into your life, share with those you serve how blessed you are to serve them.
JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Good News
As the decorations go up and the kitchen becomes the center of activity we have a tradition that is not one we chose. This is the time of year I travel to Houston to MD Anderson for all my cancer tests. I will walk into the hospital early in the morning and walk out that evening. I will be poked, prodded, stuck, have xrays, mri's c-scans, drink awful stuff and have radio active dye put in my veins. It is a long day that often includes some pain.
The hospital will quietly be playing Christmas tunes and there will be trees and decorations throughout. I will see thousands of people as I walk through the day. Some will be smiling, some will be crying, some will be sleeping while waiting, all are hoping for good news.
This has become a family tradition for us. My sons wait for the call at the end of the week. They pray for good news. We all hope that Christmas will be cancer free. We are grateful if the news is just - no change.
I have to tell you that hearing the words cancer free would be good news. I have actually never heard those words since I started this journey, yet I am for the moment very healthy.
As I think about the good news that all those people in Houston want to hear, I am aware that we all have the "Good News" that they need.
Jesus is our Good News. We know that, we hear it every Sunday and at every Christmas party, but are we sharing with those around us? Are you aware of the need in the lives of those around you for Good News?
Take time to notice those God brings into your life. Share with them the ultimate Good News.
The hospital will quietly be playing Christmas tunes and there will be trees and decorations throughout. I will see thousands of people as I walk through the day. Some will be smiling, some will be crying, some will be sleeping while waiting, all are hoping for good news.
This has become a family tradition for us. My sons wait for the call at the end of the week. They pray for good news. We all hope that Christmas will be cancer free. We are grateful if the news is just - no change.
I have to tell you that hearing the words cancer free would be good news. I have actually never heard those words since I started this journey, yet I am for the moment very healthy.
As I think about the good news that all those people in Houston want to hear, I am aware that we all have the "Good News" that they need.
Jesus is our Good News. We know that, we hear it every Sunday and at every Christmas party, but are we sharing with those around us? Are you aware of the need in the lives of those around you for Good News?
Take time to notice those God brings into your life. Share with them the ultimate Good News.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Calling All Bi-Vo Wives
I would like to personally invite you to the:
Bi-Vocational Ministers and Wives Retreat
Music Road Hotel & Convention Center
Pigeon Forge, TN
February 3 – 5, 2011
This year’s theme is “COME AWAY WITH ME-- God." Registration begins at 1:00 on Thursday and the last session is at 11:30 on Saturday. You will not want to miss this year. Featured Personalities scheduled are: Roger Britton, Randy Davis, Jeanne Davis, Jamie English, Jr., Charles Foster, John Franklin, Diane Gilder, Ray Gilder, Michael Kelley, Al Mahan, Don Person, Trish Pierson, Tony Rankin and our own Lana Rose.
Cost: $175 per couple which includes your hotel, meals and breaks. Deposit is due by 12/15/2010. Full payment due 1/15/2011. No Refunds after 1/25/2011.
If you have never attended, please make plans to do so. I promise you will not be disappointed. Roger and I have been attending for many years. Our first retreat was back when it was held at Fall Creek Falls. Our deacons had seen the retreat advertised and decided that they wanted to send us to it. I did not want to go. I was burned out. I had smaller children and no one to watch them and to be honest with you, at the time, I felt that I needed a vacation, but certainly not to some ole conference where we had to sit and listen to preaching all day and act “spiritual”. I was not feeling very “spiritual” at that time. Anyway, my husband said we had to go because the deacons wanted us to and the church was paying for it, so we drove to Alabama and brought my mom back to watch our kids and off we went.
The retreat was NOTHING like I expected. There was a room full of pastors and wives that felt JUST LIKE WE DID. Everyone was stressed, burned out and needed a break. We got to let our hair down and just RELAX. We have never left a retreat that we were not refreshed and uplifted. Our church continues to send us every year. They say it is money well spent because their pastor and his wife come back with a burst of energy and on fire for the Lord. They reap the benefits. I might mention that once we settled down and relaxed, then we did have great teaching, sharing, singing, entertainment and preaching……..but it was ALL GOOD.
Roger and I look forward to the retreat each year. It is a time of refreshing, renewing, and LOTS OF FELLOWSHIP with the friends we have made over the years. We come away with a booster shot that lasts us until the next retreat.
Click here for the link to REGISTER.
Send in your registration and I look forward to seeing you in February.
Music Road Hotel & Convention Center
Pigeon Forge, TN
February 3 – 5, 2011
This year’s theme is “COME AWAY WITH ME-- God." Registration begins at 1:00 on Thursday and the last session is at 11:30 on Saturday. You will not want to miss this year. Featured Personalities scheduled are: Roger Britton, Randy Davis, Jeanne Davis, Jamie English, Jr., Charles Foster, John Franklin, Diane Gilder, Ray Gilder, Michael Kelley, Al Mahan, Don Person, Trish Pierson, Tony Rankin and our own Lana Rose.
Cost: $175 per couple which includes your hotel, meals and breaks. Deposit is due by 12/15/2010. Full payment due 1/15/2011. No Refunds after 1/25/2011.
If you have never attended, please make plans to do so. I promise you will not be disappointed. Roger and I have been attending for many years. Our first retreat was back when it was held at Fall Creek Falls. Our deacons had seen the retreat advertised and decided that they wanted to send us to it. I did not want to go. I was burned out. I had smaller children and no one to watch them and to be honest with you, at the time, I felt that I needed a vacation, but certainly not to some ole conference where we had to sit and listen to preaching all day and act “spiritual”. I was not feeling very “spiritual” at that time. Anyway, my husband said we had to go because the deacons wanted us to and the church was paying for it, so we drove to Alabama and brought my mom back to watch our kids and off we went.
The retreat was NOTHING like I expected. There was a room full of pastors and wives that felt JUST LIKE WE DID. Everyone was stressed, burned out and needed a break. We got to let our hair down and just RELAX. We have never left a retreat that we were not refreshed and uplifted. Our church continues to send us every year. They say it is money well spent because their pastor and his wife come back with a burst of energy and on fire for the Lord. They reap the benefits. I might mention that once we settled down and relaxed, then we did have great teaching, sharing, singing, entertainment and preaching……..but it was ALL GOOD.
Roger and I look forward to the retreat each year. It is a time of refreshing, renewing, and LOTS OF FELLOWSHIP with the friends we have made over the years. We come away with a booster shot that lasts us until the next retreat.
Click here for the link to REGISTER.
Send in your registration and I look forward to seeing you in February.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Slow Down....RELAX!!!
As you are reading this, I am sitting at a Technology Conference in Nashville. The school system sends me to this conference every year. Not only do we learn the new and up-to-date technology skills, it is a great time to relax and slow down from the crazy holidays.
Is my life the only one that is hectic every year from before Thanksgiving until New Years? This year has been especially hectic since we have Cody’s college graduation and are trying to help him find a place to move to in Kentucky. Between the shopping, decorating, baking and wrapping gifts, I barely have time to do the holiday flyers, church bulletins, prayer lists, e-mail prayer chain, birthday cards, anniversary cards, cards to the shut-ins, and cards to the sick. (….I forgot to mention in my previous blog that bi-vocational usually means that there is not a church secretary, so the pastor’s wife inherits all of those duties, along with VBS Directory, etc...Smile. I am not complaining; it is just part of the deal.)
We live almost three hours from out moms and it was very hard during Christmas with young children, so I thought that as my children got older, it would get easier. NOT!!! Now, not only do our families live almost three hours away, we have two grown children that live in different directions also, so now we REALLY have to shuffle and be creative to fit everything in. Of course on the bright side, Christmas is not over in a day or two………it takes a month or two to fit everything in…between our church activities and family activities. Smile.
The important thing is to slow down, take a deep breath and remember what the holidays are all about. Sometimes we get so caught up in the “celebration” that we forget what we are really celebrating. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!! Let’s Stay Focused!!
“For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ our Lord…” Luke2:11
Is my life the only one that is hectic every year from before Thanksgiving until New Years? This year has been especially hectic since we have Cody’s college graduation and are trying to help him find a place to move to in Kentucky. Between the shopping, decorating, baking and wrapping gifts, I barely have time to do the holiday flyers, church bulletins, prayer lists, e-mail prayer chain, birthday cards, anniversary cards, cards to the shut-ins, and cards to the sick. (….I forgot to mention in my previous blog that bi-vocational usually means that there is not a church secretary, so the pastor’s wife inherits all of those duties, along with VBS Directory, etc...Smile. I am not complaining; it is just part of the deal.)
We live almost three hours from out moms and it was very hard during Christmas with young children, so I thought that as my children got older, it would get easier. NOT!!! Now, not only do our families live almost three hours away, we have two grown children that live in different directions also, so now we REALLY have to shuffle and be creative to fit everything in. Of course on the bright side, Christmas is not over in a day or two………it takes a month or two to fit everything in…between our church activities and family activities. Smile.
The important thing is to slow down, take a deep breath and remember what the holidays are all about. Sometimes we get so caught up in the “celebration” that we forget what we are really celebrating. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!! Let’s Stay Focused!!
“For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ our Lord…” Luke2:11
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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