Tag: Christmas

God, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Are You Part of the Inn Crowd or the Stable Few at Christmas?

We all like to go on vacations and stay at fancy hotels. The huge rooms with a gorgeous view, fuzzy towels and fancy furniture. Plus the wine and chocolates and the mints on the pillows. We all like to be pampered. There is nothing wrong with that once in a while.

And then there are the quiet places, when you use what you have and make it work. I can only imagine Mary going through labor and trying to find a quiet place to have her baby in between contractions. What do you think she said to Joseph during labor?

Do you think she was calm and collected? Maybe she waited in the lobby while Joseph went to the Inn Keeper to see if there was room at the Inn. She might have said, “Honey, Sweet Husband, please find me a place to have our baby,” in her sweet Mary voice.

No, I don’t think so. I have had four kids and labor was not a cake walk.  There was groaning, screaming, and a few words I can’t print here, lol! Maybe Mary was anxious and screaming during contractions, “If you don’t find me a bed, I am going to have this kid right here in the middle of the street!” Yep, that sounds more true.

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Can you imagine her reaction when Joseph told her there was no rom at the Inn? I wonder what she said then, lol! I’m sure the panic set in and the scrambling to find a place to have her baby. We have all been there. The jumping off place, in between a rock and a hard place with no idea what to do next.

That’s when God steps in. I bet Mary heard God in her spirit, and Joseph too – they remembered what God had told them already. God had sent her an Angel in the beginning:

 Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was.  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;  and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” – Luke 1:26-33 

So Mary knew that she would give birth to a son and call him Jesus! This kid was going to be born, and quickly. God knew what He was doing. He told us in the Old Testament what would happen:

 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). – Isaiah 7:14 

Can you imagine Joseph? Wife in labor, no place to have the baby at the Inn. I’m sure God directed him to the stable. In times of crisis, we look around and get very creative. As the protector of the family, I can see him taking Mary’s hand and leading her into the stable. At this point, I can imagine Mary just looking for somewhere soft to sit down. It was a long walk for them to get to Bethlehem, not to mention going into labor once they got there!

The straw looked good – a soft quiet place to sit and rest. I’ll bet Joseph grabbed the Manger and put in fresh straw. He probably took off his outer robe and helped Mary get comfortable. Then it was time for Baby Jesus to be born! As baby Jesus was born into the world, God in flesh, it had to be Joseph who got to deliver him. Can you imagine cutting the umbilical cord of Jesus? Knowing this was God? Wow, what a moment.Him

I wonder what kind of animals were there to witness the birth? I’m thinking there were donkeys and sheep. There are tons of cards out there, all with different pictures. Either way, they were there too. What a magnificent sight. In the quiet of the night the Savior of the World was born in a stable.

 

What about you? Are you an Inn kind of person or a stable kind of person? I like the quiet places to meet my Lord. I never was much for crowds anyway.

Let’s all take some time and baske in the presence of the Lord this Christmas. Let’s meet Him with awe and wonder in the quiet, just like the stable. Let’s get adventurous and look for God in all the places we wouldn’t expect Him! I’ll bet He is way bigger than a building anyway. Who knows what could happen next?

 

stable

 

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faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Resting and Trusting in God During the Holidays

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays! However you choose to celebrate, I wish you peace and rest in this Holiday Season. I know it is a busy time for all of us. With the shopping, the presents, the tree, the family gatherings – it can become a bit overwhelming. Especially if you are walking through a storm at the moment.

Let’s stop, take a breath, and rest in the arms of our Savior this season. It only takes a moment to refocus our minds on things from above and find the rest we so desperately need. Jesus came to be with us here on planet Earth. After He died He released the Holy Spirit to live in us. Christ in us – the hope of glory. Emmanuel – God is with us!

Isaiah9

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:22-23

The more hectic my day gets, the more I need to rest in God’s arms. I read His word. I meditate on it. I stop and listen and pray. I choose to trust God. He has this. He said He would make all things work together for good. God promised never to leave or forsake us. God is with us! Rejoice!

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” – Isaiah 41:10

I pray that you may enjoy each day of this Holiday season and rest in God’s love and mercy and grace. May you be filled with His Holy Spirit and overflow with joy this Holiday Season, in Jesus Name!

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Source: lovelylovelythings.wordpress.com
faith, God, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

May You Enjoy the Wonder of Christmas

My prayer for you is that you enjoy the wonder of Christmas. The birth of a King, wrapped in swadding clothing. I love the wonder of it all. The King of Kings came down into His own creation, God robed in flesh, to make a way for us. He couldn’t bear to be without his kiddos in His Kingdom.

God knows the beginning from the end. He knew Adam and Eve would eat that dang apple and bring sin into the world. So He came into the world to make things right. What a Good, Good Father. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

child is born

He became sin who knew no sin, that we may become His righteousness. Now that’s love. Doing for your kids what you knew they could not do for themselves. Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins, past, present, and future – just so we could contine to be part of the family of God. That’s what family does – love without measure. God loves you. May you enjoy the wonder of Christmas this season! The wonder of His love!

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?   If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:7-12

wonder

faith, God, Hope, Prayer, Quotes, Spirituality

Quotes for Christmas

Merry Chirstmas my friends. I wish you peace and joy and new birth of all new things.  God came into the world, to do what we could not do for ourselves. Emmanuel, God with us. He is such a good, good Father.

christmas-bible-verse-isaiah-7-verse-14
Source: lovelylovelythings.wordpress.com

Quotes for Christmas

  • “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” -C.S. Lewis
  • All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” -David Jeremiah
  • “Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man – His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God – when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” – Vance Havner
  • “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” – C S Lewis
  • “Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.” – Charles Spurgeon
  • “For unto us a Child is born,
    Unto us a Son is given;
    And the government will be upon His shoulder.
    And His name will be called
    Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
    Of the increase of His government and peace
    There will be no end,
    Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
    To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
    From that time forward, even forever.
    The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
  • “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ― Charles Dickens
  • “You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift. ” – John R Rice
  • “Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” -George F. McDougall
  • “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold,an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:8-14 NKJV

Luke 2

Boundaries, Bullying, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Jezebel, Narcissism, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Why Jezebels and Narcissits Spoil Every Holiday and How to Keep Your Peace

You may know one – or have known one. The Killjoy, the Jezebel or the Naracissit who consistantly ruins every holiday. It may be a birthday, a Thanksgiving, or even Christmas.  Every year they make a scene – to be seen. It’s almost like they are on steroids. All those criticizing, belittling, and blaming behaviors come out in stereo. Loud and proud as they cut down everyone and everything in their way. But why? Why do they insist on the drama every Holiday? And more importantly, what can you do to keep your peace?

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Why Jezebels and Narcissists Spoil Every Holiday and How to Keep Your Peace

  • Jezebels and Narcissits have a self control problem. They have none. So they create drama all around them so they feel important. It’s all about them. They want to be the star of the show. So if they cut you down, they think they shine.
    •  It’s a pretty dull sparkle if you ask me. Don’t react. Let them be stupid all by themselves.
  • Holidays bring crowds and they love to be the star of the show. Once again, you don’t matter to them. They have no real heart. It is cold and closed. More people mean a bigger audience for them to play their leading role.
    • They are a legend in their own minds.  Too bad it’s the size of a pea, lol! They think they are God and everyone should bow down and worship them. Don’t do it. Don’t put them on a pedestel, or cater to their whims. There is no throne for that type of behavior. It’s abusive.
  • Jezebels and Narcissists are insecure –  only they don’t want anyone to know about it. They often overreact to the dumbest things. They will blow a gasket at the drop of a hat, over anything. They are maniupulaters and blamers. In their mind anything that goes wrong is never their fault. They think they walk on water.
    • They will blame whoever is in their way. This way they feed their own ego. You can almost see their head blow up with their own hot air. When the blaming starts, take a deep breath and don’t belive them. Whatever comes out of their mouth is not true. They lie to cover things up all the time. Half of the time they do not even remember all the lies they tell.
  • Jezebesl and Narcissists  love to stir up drama. Have you ever noticed how they will poke and prod and gossip just to get someone upset? It makes them feel in control. They love to get other people angry.  I really think anger is fuel to them. They thrive on it.
    • Don’t play. Don’t react. Let their words fall to the ground.  Just because they said something doesn’t mean it is true. Sometimes this makes them even angrier, be prepared. It’s healthy to walk away, take a break, leave the room. You don’t have to watch them crash and burn.

Keep you peace this Holiday. If they want to be a jerk, let them. We have no contorl over other people’s bad behavior. It is not our fault they are jerks, that is their choice. What we can control is our reaction to it.

“Don’t feed the Jezebel or the Narcissist – they will only get uglier.”

Remember to put on your full armor and stand strong. Let it go, God will deal with them just like He did with Jezebel. Keep your peace. Don’t play. Pray, ask God to intercede. He will, and watch the Jezebels fall!

narcissist

 

God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Worship

Prepared to Be Awed by His Presence

I am so excited! I just feel that the presence of  God is going to overwhelm us this Christmas Season! 

Are you ready to be awed by His presence? 

Are you ready to melt in His arms and just be speechless?  

Are you ready to worship the King of Kings?

Yes! He was born a King, even though it didn’t look like it at the time. 

Who would put a King in a manger?

I love how God shows up outside of our “box”!

He is so freaking awesome, 

And He is ready to invade out time and our space as never before!

He did it before – when He came into this world. 

Luke 2:8-20 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord the Messiah. And this will be a sign for you by which you will recognize Him: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host angelic army praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this wonderful thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 

So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them. 



Do not be afraid. Your God has come to you. To hold you, to heal you, to save you and your family.  This world is not all there is.  There is so much more.  We are citizens of Heaven thanks to the Lord who decided to enter His creation as a baby in a manger. 

Lord, thank you for coming for all of us. You came to seek and to save the lost. you came to give us hope, a life, and a future.  You did for us what we could not do for ourselves. You are our Hope, our Joy, our Savior, and our Future! Hallelujah! Bless God!
O

Anxiety, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Be Gentle with Yourself this Holiday Season

Holidays can be stressful. So much to do, so little time. Why do we do this every year? We are the most over stressed and over worked people in time. Then add a cell phone. Instant access – to everything and everyone – all the time. No wonder we are at our wits end.

Then, just for fun, let’s  throw in a family party. Why not? Hey what should we make? Do I need to bake cookies? Truthfully the last few times I tried to bake it was an epic fail. I tried a new banana bread recipe that had oil in it and it just sucked. Then I thought I would “cheat” and buy cookie dough. Hey – who can screw up chocolate chip cookies? Can I tell you they were awful!

Welcome to reality Miss D – you are not a Baker. My kids are awesome Bakers but truthfully I am not. Today I am OK with that. I’m NOT going to bake. I can buy cookies anyway. 

Be gentle with yourself this Holiday Season. 

You don’t have to do it all. 

Delagate. 

Let it go, it’s OK to let go of unrealistic expectations for yourself! 

I gave up trying to be the “perfect little hostess”. It wasn’t real anyway. This Christmas I am going to enjoy my family and our special moments together – that is what matters the most anyway. God bless you my friends. Love you all, Diana

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7 

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 

God, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Uncategorized, Videos

Called by Grace

I answer phones all day at work as a Customer Service Rep for a large Company here in WI. I like that I get to talk to people all over the US and help them with their needs. It really never is the same day twice. All kinds of people, all kinds of needs.

It got me thinking – What would you do if God called? Like what would you say? “Hi this is Diana with XYZ Company, how can I help you?” Then He would say, “This is God.” I can hear that awkward pause right now in my head. I mean this is God calling me. What do you say when God calls?  How could I possibly help Him with anything?

Then I would respond, “How can I help you God?” My head is spinning right now.I think to myself,”Oh man, is He mad at me? Did I do something wrong? Is He angry? Is he going to point out all my faults? What am I supposed to do?”

I think He hears my awkwardness and hesitation to answer.  I guess He knows I am nervous right now. I really don’t want to screw this up.

He answers, “I have called you by name. I knew you before you were born, and I called you to be covered with grace from your mother’s womb. I have sanctified you and set you apart to show you my love and mercy. I love you with an everlasting love. There is nothing you can do or not do to make you love you any less. This is Grace calling. Lift up you head my child, I am with you. Emmanuel.”

That’s it, I’m crying happy tears already! Rejoice my friends – you have been called by GRACE before you were even born!  God is not mad at you – He is calling you by name and He is with you always 😉

Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 


Isaiah 49:1 “Listen, O coastlands, to Me,And take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name. 


Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” 



 

He Is With Us – by Love and the Outcome

 

Your hope is lost and faith is shaken
Remember when
You wonder if you’re gonna make it
There’s a hand stretched out
Through your deepest doubt

We can’t pretend
To see the ending or what’s coming up ahead
Don’t know the story of tomorrow
But we can stay close
To the One who knows

CHORUS
We can trust our God
He knows what He’s doing
Though it might hurt now
We won’t be ruined
It might seem there’s an ocean in between
But He’s holding onto you and me
And He’s never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us, always, always
He is with us, He is with us, always

We believe
There is purpose, there is meaning
In everything
We surrender to His leading
He wants nothing more
Than to have us close

CHORUS

Our faith is sealed
Our hope is real
Come what may
We’re not afraid

We can trust our God, always, always
We can trust our God, always, always

CHORUS

He is with us, He is with us, always, always
He is with us, He is with us, always
Our God is with us

Publishing: © 2013 Word Music, LLC (SOCAN) / CentricSongs, 2 Hour Songs (SESAC) (Adm. by Amplified Administration)
Writer(s): Jodi King / Chris Rademaker / Seth Mosley


faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

When You Can’t Be Together at the Holidays

Holidays are hard sometimes. Especially when for whatever reason you can’t be together. Maybe it’s because of an illness, or distance, or death, or service. No matter what the reason it makes your heart hurt. That’s where I am today. Don’t get me wrong – I am grateful for the get togethers. Yet I miss _____. Funny how you can feel two things at one time. 

Yet time goes on. The moon still sets and the sun still rises. The breeze still blows as I sit here feeling like I’m frozen in time. And here, in this moment, is when I hear,

“I will come to you.”

And again, 

“I will come – TO YOU.”

Right here, right now, in the middle of this loneliness – this is the place where Jesus will come – to me.  All of a sudden He is the pursuer in this crazy love relationship. He is on the offense making the ‘first move’ to get closer.  He will come when His Beloved is hurting. He hears our heart cries. I am humbled- and grateful.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. – John 14:18


And He will come to you today too. In the middle of your loneliness – He will come to you. 

In the middle of that sorrow – He will come to you.

In the middle of that sickness – He will come to you.

In the middle of that grief – He will come to you.

In the middle of _______ – He will come to you.

  

(Images from Pinterest)

humor

Christmas Isn’t Always a Hallmark Card – 10 Funny Ideas

Sometimes I look at those cards. You know the pretty ones with the happy families on the front? My life just doesn’t look like that. No snowmen – it’s like 55 today in WI. No sleigh rides, no happy horses. Where do they get these ideas? Who really lives like that anyway?

Maybe I should start my own card line. Ones for real life.

10 Funny Ideas for Real Life Christmas Cards:

  1. Let’s have multiple Christmases this year to make sure everyone can come. Yeah, splitting time with the ex’s just makes the Holiday more Merry!
  2. Do I really have to buy a present for the ex from the kids? Does it have to be nice?
  3. Another Holiday? Another family fight? Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
  4. Spiked punch or unspiked? Silver bells, silver bells…
  5. Bills or presents – that is the question!
  6. Are you coming unglued? Yes, me too – let’s try some tape.
  7. I can’t believe I forgot to buy a present for…let me go find something quick.
  8. Am I a Redneck if I re-gift things I didn’t use from last year?
  9. Where’s that darn tape again? Ugggh!
  10. If I hear one more Christmas Carol I am going to lose my mind. Oh yeah, I think I already wrapped that up!

 

 

Here’s to the rest of us – with a bit of humor thrown in to keep our sanity! Don’t worry – God knows us and loves us, humor and all. Think of the big job He has with all his kiddos. Now that is a handful! God bless us everyone!

 

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(All images from Pinterest. Maxine Cartoons are by Maxine.com)

faith, God, Healing, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

Let the Power of God Overshadow You This Christmas

There is One who can change all things. One who has the power to make all things new – Jesus Christ. I pray that you open your heart to Him this Holiday Season. Receive the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit as a deposit of your inheritance. Let the power of God come upon you just as He did to Mary –  And birth new things this season!

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”