without hypocrisy

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

- James 3:17 (NKJV)

 

I have heard that a lot of people don’t attend church because it is full of hypocrites, people that judge others for doing the same sort of things that they do when they leave church. 

Not all churches are the same and not all people are hypocrites.

There are people out there who want to lead a life that is loving and giving, full of mercy and forgiveness.

People that follow the teachings of Christ.

People that won’t pick and choose who they love based on what the world thinks, but instead loves everyone as God has directed.

People who know they are not perfect, who know that they are sinners right along side the person next to them.

The sin may not be the same but acknowledging the sin is still something that all sinners must do.

And since we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) we should all be able to look each other in the face and be full of grace.

Where do you stand?

Are you “selectively Christian”?

 

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war

And wars will break out near and far, but this is not the signal of the end-time.

- Mark 13:7 (TLB)

 

Every day I hear on the news that people are at war.

There is a war on drugs, a war on immigration, a war between countries, a war within the same country.

Everywhere there is war.

War has happened since the very beginning of time, as recounted in Genesis 14 as the Battle of Siddim.

Christopher Blattman wrote in his book Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace“From gang wars to ethnic violence, and from civil conflicts to world wars, the same five reasons underlie conflict at every level: war happens when a society or its leader is unaccountable, ideological, uncertain, biased, or unreliable.”

Edwin Starr released an album called “War & Peace” in 1970, on that album was a song called “War”, some of the lyrics are:

War, huh, yeah

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing

Say it again, y'all

War, huh (good God)

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, listen to me, oh

War, I despise

'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives

War means tears to thousands of mother's eyes

When their sons go off to fight

And lose their lives

. . .

It ain't nothing but a heart-breaker

(War) Friend only to The Undertaker

Oh, war it's an enemy to all mankind

The thought of war blows my mind

War has caused unrest

Within the younger generation

Induction then destruction

Who wants to die? Oh

. . .

Oh, war, has shattered many a young man's dreams

Made him disabled, bitter and mean

Life is much too short and precious

To spend fighting wars each day

War can't give life

It can only take it away, oh

. . .

Peace, love and understanding, tell me

Is there no place for them today?

They say we must fight to keep our freedom

But Lord knows there's got to be a better way, oh

War is horrible, it destroys lives for generations, yet we continue to fight wars at home and abroad.

These wars do not mean that it is the end of the world though.

That is for God to decide.

 

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all the things

Then Jesus said to them, “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. People do not get life from the many things they own.”

- Luke 6:38 (ERV)

 

The great literary classic A Tale Of Two Citiesbegins:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

I wonder if Charles Dickens perhaps used Luke 6:38 as the inspiration for this novel.

I read somewhere that although Charles Dickens wanted to be popular and wealthy through his writing, he always had one goal in mind, he wanted his novels to be parables, stories that would emphasize the teachings of Christ.

In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus gives two brothers fighting over their inheritance a strong warning about thinking that their possessions can give their life worth and ultimate value.

Greed grips our hearts when we place material things (or anything) in the place of God and His ultimate approval and blessings in our life.

We can make these the best of times, use the wisdom of the age, live in the Light, in the spring of hope and know that we are going to Heaven because we have been given the very best God has to offer.

Don’t be greedy – here I reference another Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, where spirits are sent to Ebenezer Scrooge to show him what greed has done for him, what he has lost and what he will lose.

Sometimes it feels that our happiness in linked to our possessions.

We need to get out of that mindset sooner rather than later.

Remember that God will provide you with everything you need right now, what you have is enough right now.

When Israel left Egypt, God provided manna every day, more than enough to feed everyone, and He told the people to gather only what they needed for that day, to trust that He would provide. 

Life doesn’t come down to what you own, but how you use it in glorifying God.

Nice things are nice, but they are just things.

Things go away, God is forever.  

All our “stuff” won’t matter the day we meet our Savior face to face.

 

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hear my prayer

When good people pray, the Lord listens, but He ignores those who are evil.

- Proverbs 15:29 (GNT)

 

At one point in my life I attended a church where there was a lot of “responsive reading”.

The leader of the congregation would call everyone to prayer and begin a long list of things that were being taken to the Lord. 

At the end of each section, the congregation would respond “hear our prayer”.

It was a good way to learn about how to pray, but the thing is, we don’t have to add “hear our prayer” at the end, because He does!

Our God is an amazing God, and He hears every single prayer that we utter.

We learn to pray as young believers.

We are taught how to pray by Jesus Himself in Matthew 6:9-13.

Every day we should pray.

In 2018 I was taking online classes to obtain my degree in ministry (which I have vowed to continue in 2023 – hold me to it!) and there I learned that there are six points of prayer: 
Adoration: worship and praise the Lord. (Our Father, Who is in Heaven, hallowed by Your name)

Thanksgiving: gratefully acknowledge the things He has provided. (Give us this day, our daily bread)

Confession: admit our sins. (Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us)

Petition: requests for self.

Intercession: requests for others.

Dedication: vow and promise. (Yours is the glory forever)

When we pray God listens, when we pray in the way Jesus taught us, God is pleased.

He hears our prayers.

 

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walk this way

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

- Colossians 4:5 (ESV)

 

It is important to remember that not everyone you meet is a Christ follower.  

These days it seems that people are very short tempered and intolerant, everything is considered offensive.

We need to create an atmosphere of trust.

We need to speak respectfully and listen to the concerns of others while we provide comfort and peace. 

God calls us to support one another, to build each other up, but we can’t do that if we are not willing to listen and be respectful.

Your cashier may be having a really bad day and seems rude, or your wait staff at the restaurant may just completely mess everything up.

We must be wise; we must take those opportunities where we are angry or upset because of someone else and we have to treat them with grace.

Yes, it is hard to smile when someone dumps soup in your lap, but if the tables were turned, would you rather have someone screaming at you for being clumsy or stupid, or have someone that understands that mistakes happen?

Treat everyone with grace. 

Every time we speak, we want to show kindness, care, and control.

We need to remember that words can hurt, even if we are not speaking directly to a person but instead, they hear us talking.

Someone’s future may be determined by the words they hear from our lips. 

People are watching and your reaction may change a person’s heart.

Always be full of grace.

 

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Merry Christmas

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16 (NIV)

 

Merry Christmas.

 

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silent night

And she will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’), for He will save his people from their sins.

- Matthew 1:21 (TLB)

 

Christmas Eve is here at last.

My prayer is that everyone can spend time with loved ones.

My wish is that everyone has love.

My dream is that everyone knows Jesus.

He is the Savior.

 

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hard workers

 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

- Proverbs 22:29 (KJV)

 

It isn’t often that I use the King James Version in my writing, in fact, I almost didn’t use it today.

“Diligent in his business” translates into “skilled in his work”.

The Living Bible translation of this verse is Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings!

Monday through Friday I sit at a desk and complete my work through a computer, I don’t work directly with customers.

A lifetime ago however, I was a waitress, a bartender, and a cashier. 

Let me tell you, there are some humdinger customers out there! 

I saw a meme earlier that said "be nice to retail workers today, it isn't their fault that you waited until Mary's water broke to go shopping"

A little over the top, but still true. 

There is no reason to treat a retail worker poorly. 

Obviously not everyone has worked retail and we forget what it is like to be on the front lines (so to speak).  

They are people with families too, and the fact that they are working means they are not with their family.

And let me tell you, some retail workers are very skilled to tolerate the people that come into their stores! 

When you are out finishing your holiday shopping, make a difference, let people to see the light of Jesus in you today.

 

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love

 Love each other as Christian brothers. Show respect for each other.

- Romans 12:10 (NLV)

 

During the Christmas season, we need to remember a lot.

Shopping lists, wish lists, helping the less fortunate by dropping money in red buckets or working at soup kitchens & food banks.

We need to remember what size Aunt Jill wears so we can buy her that pretty sweater we saw.

We need to remember cousin Beth’s favorite scent for the candles we are getting her.

So. Much. To. Remember.

And so many horrible attitudes when you go shopping or when you are driving.

Stop.

Not everyone needs a bottle of perfume or another holiday necktie.

Some folks appreciate a donation to their favorite charity over a gift that will remain unused. 

Some people just need to hang out with you, join you for an evening of movies or games, go for a walk.

Love should not be shown by the value of the gift, but by the gift of the heart.

How can you love someone today?

 

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travel

For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order His angels to protect and guard you".

- Luke 4:10 (NLT)

 

I am on the road today!

I was very scared this weekend because my husband and I were both sick, I was not sure if we would be able to make our Christmas trip to Iowa to see his family.

But God.

I love that phrase, don’t you?

But God.

God knows how much spending Christmas with my in-laws means to me, so He brought me healing.

There are major storms and winter weather rolling through, travel might become a little crazy.

But God.

The windchills in Iowa are going to be stupid cold, so I’ve packed layers upon layers of cold.

He will order His angels to protect and guard us.  
We will have safe travels and an amazing Christmas because of God. 

What an amazing God we serve.

 

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letting go

Are you having a real struggle? Come to me! Are you carrying a big load on your back? Come to me – I’ll give you a rest!

- Matthew 11:28 (NTE)

 

This verse comes from a translation that I have not used before (or if I have, I don’t remember it!) The New Testament for Everyone, NTE.

I like the way this translation phrases this verse because it hits me right between the eyes.

We are now at five days before Christmas.

There is so much scurrying and hurrying and trying to get things done before Christmas.

I did not get any baking done this year and I feel kind of bad. 
I was really sick over the weekend and I think it was God telling me to slow down and breathe.

Song reference!

Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It's off to the races everybody out the door
I'm feeling like I'm falling behind, it's a crazy life

Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it's a crazy life
It's ready, set, go it's another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel you say just

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe

Third cup of joe just to get me through the day
Want to make the most of time but I feel it slip away
I wonder if there's something more to this crazy life
I'm busy, busy, busy, and it's no surprise to see
That I only have time for me, me, me
There's gotta be something more to this crazy life
I'm hanging on tight to another wild day
When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you say just

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need

Is to take it in, fill your lungs
The peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe (just breathe)
Let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what's good and find what's best
Just breathe (just breathe)

Just breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Just breathe

I find this song fitting because it starts out with a fast beat, just like life, ninety miles an hour and then the chorus is so relaxed – just breathe.

In this holiday season, you will hear chaos call.

People really struggle with the holidays though, especially after losing a loved one.

This verse is a reminder that God’s got this (horrible grammar, I know) and we just need to give it all to Him.

I encourage you to really listen to God and just breathe.

 

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give

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

- Luke 6:38 (NLT)

 

What are you giving this year?

Money? Kindness? Love? Mercy? Grace? Forgiveness? Prayers? Support? Time?

We should be giving all the above and more.

We humans need to stop thinking about “what’s in it for me” and start blessing others.

We don’t have to do it publicly; we can do random acts of kindness by an unknown stranger and honestly sometimes it is better that way because we are not looking for acknowledgement (or at least we shouldn’t) when we do good deeds.  

I am sure that everyone has heard of the whole “pay it forward” concept, for a while it was a pretty big deal.

Have you ever noticed though, that the more you give, the better things are for you?

I can honestly speak to the fact that when there is love in my heart and I give freely everything that I can, I find that my heart is even more full than when I started.

In my opinion this verse tells us that we need to be generous and give.  

I am not talking just about money (although it is good to share your wealth), I am talking about giving freely of myself: my time, my love, my prayers, my support.

Maybe this doesn’t make sense to you, but it really does work that way.

God gives us so much: mercy, grace, forgiveness, love . . . should we not give back?

When you walk down the hall at work, down the street, in the mall or the store and smile at a stranger, you are giving, really, you are!

What if seeing your smile is the only joy that person has encountered that day?

When someone cuts you off in traffic and you forgive them (I admit, I struggle with this a LOT), you are giving – they may not know it, but God does!

In line at the drive through, if you “pay it forward”, you are giving.

Open a door for someone, give up the “good” parking spot, let someone cut in line.

There is truly much joy in forgetting yourself and blessing someone else.

Sometimes people don’t see what we are doing, and that is ok, don’t let it stop you. 

Let others see Christ shining through you, because if we’re doing everything for the glory of God, it won’t matter if others take notice or not. 

But if someone does happen to observe us freely giving ourselves, hopefully they will see it as “a God thing”.

Maybe they will turn to God because of what we’ve done. 

Do you ever wonder how much you should give?

God never stops giving. . .  so neither should you.

But don’t worry, you can’t out give God.

 

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name your gift

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

 

We have many names to many people: wife, husband, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend. 
I don’t think that anyone has ever predicted what our existence might mean to someone else as was the prophecy of Christ, and the names He was given.

Even the Old Testament prophets knew that Jesus would come, they knew what He would be to us.

He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel.

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, people were talking about Him, thousands of years after His death and resurrection, we are still talking.

God sent His Son for us because He loves us that much.

When we feel like our lives are falling apart God promises us hope in Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to reveal the Father to us in wonderful ways.

Everyone is looking for the perfect gift – we just need to realize that the perfect gift is Jesus!

We don’t have to go to a crowded store or wait for the online order, we don’t even have to wait until Christmas morning, we can open our hearts to the perfect gift right now. 

What greater gift can we have than Jesus, and through Jesus, God as our Father.

 

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the gift

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

- 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

 

The Hallmark channel has created a genre of Christmas movies that – well honestly, some are barf worthy. (that is something you don’t hear from me!)

Hallmark has released nearly four dozen new Christmas movies every year since 2008 and I know some folks that watch every single movie. 
I think the reason I feel like they are “barf worthy” (I am kind of hooked on that phrase now) is because they are predictable: no matter what the situation there is a heroine that will find love at the end of the movie. (if you don’t watch the Holderness Family, you should at least check out their videos about Hallmark movies) and that simply is not what life is.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, sometimes it is hard especially after any sort of loss whether it is a job or a family member.

But when you peel back all the layers of wrapping paper and find the real “reason for the season”, that is when you discover the Hallmark movie inside you.

God gave us a gift, that gift is Jesus. 
It is indescribable because His love is perfect love, making it possible for mankind to spend eternity with Him.

In the middle of the chaos that Christmas has become, I ask that you take time to remember the gift that God gave us.

And thank Him for that gift.

 

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Christmas carols

Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”

- Luke 2:13-14 (GNT)

 

What is your favorite part of the Christmas season?

Is it the lights and decorations, the parties and food or the gifts and time spent with family?

Ask me this and I will give you a different answer every day, but singing is likely to be my answer the majority of time.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions though, encompasses all the above and more.

I had some family traditions prior to marriage but the traditions that I inherited from my husband’s family really reminds me of the joy of the Christmas season.

We gather together, we read Luke 2, we sing traditional Christmas carols.

My favorite is Silent Night, originally written in German by Father Joseph Mohr and set to music by composer Franz Xaver Gruber. 
The words, the melody, I can barely sing it without crying, here it is in English and in the original German:

ENGLISH -

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace,

sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar,

heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

radiant beams from thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

---

GERMAN -

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!

Alles schläft, einsam wacht,

nur das traute, hoch heilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,

schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,

schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!

Hirten erst kundgemacht,

durch der Engel Halleluja,

tönt es laut von fern und nah:

Christ, der Retter, ist da,

Christ, der Retter, ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!

Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht

Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund,

da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’,

Christ, in deiner Geburt,

Christ, in deiner Geburt.

The melody is haunting, the words beautiful, and this song probably speaks “Christmas” to me the loudest.

What is your favorite?  

 

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afraid of the dark

The people who walk in darkness shall see a great Light—a Light that will shine on all those who live in the land of the shadow of death.

- Isaiah 9:2 (TLB)

 

Darkness is creepy, especially complete darkness where you cannot see your hand in front of your face.

Trying to navigate in pitch black is very unnerving. 
Darkness can be so much more than the absence of physical light though, darkness can be an emotion, a location, a state of being.

Darkness can feel overwhelming, suffocating, evil.

Being alone in the darkness can be devastating.

We are reminded by the prophet Isaiah that no matter what darkness we are experiencing, there is hope in the light.

Read that one word at a time: there is hope in the light.

It might be dark now but there is hope.

Christ is the light of hope, piercing through the darkness, the beacon that will lead us to safety.

We will never walk through the darkness alone when we have the hope of Christ in our hearts.

If you feel overwhelmed by the darkness, please reach out for help, if the first person that you call or text doesn’t respond call or text someone else.

We have all been afraid of the darkness at some point in our lives, you are not alone.  

There is hope in the light. 
Christ is the light. 

 

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