The Cross

First impressions are often lasting and this beautiful room reflects the love in the heart of my friend for the Lord. This tasteful and newly decorated home is on the west coast and the Spanish influence is evident throughout.....it is lovely! I especially was touched by the Crosses and seeing them displayed so tastefully reminded me of how she took her corner of the universe, her home, and improved it in ways to reflect her faith and her love of the Lord. I thank her for sharing these photographs with me and reminding me that our homes reflect our hearts.

"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that's your own self." Aldous Huxley

Wow! Now those gracious words are chosen to inspire! I am hoping that you grew as a person this year and you found ways to be productive with your talents and resources. In other words, I hope that you feel that your life is of value in both small and big ways. To be human, means that we aren't always sitting around thinking of how we can be a better person but, if we look inward prayerfully, we all can find ways to live more as our Heavenly Father would desire us to live. Life has a way of bringing us changes when we least expect them and we can choose to use these situations to look up or down and I pray that you are able to look up! In the new year, please allow me to encourage you to write down a few things you want to work on to improve about you....yourself. Begin by resolving to use your energy in a positive, constructive, life-enhancing, optomistic way. Try just to enjoy what life brings you day to day and seek to live your life with as few regrets as possible. What kind of year did you have in 2009? No matter how many challenges you've encountered, no matter what pain you've endured, ask yourself "Did I do my best?"

Which leads me to my friends lovely display of the Cross.....This morning, as I was praying, I began to think about THE CROSS and how Jesus gave His life for us there and truly The Cross was a new beginning for all who BELIEVE in Him! In the book of John, he tells us that Jesus went to The Cross not only to bear our sin but that He
would send us His Spirit! We can have the blessing all year of living a spirit filled life. In other words, allowing Him to fill you each morning with His Spirit. Have you known someone who approached life daily spirit filled? They are hard to miss, for their joy bubbles over and their spirits are the ones who lift up all they meet! Like an angel, they often minister to others with their joyful and guided spirit filled lives. I have been blessed to know some of these wonderful people! Being with them and around them changed my life and continues to influence me to this day! Yes....we have THE CROSS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT! "It is the Spirit who gives life..." John 6:63 In the ending of this year, I am praying that God will draw us all closer to His heart and that His Spirit will flow from us to bring about change in the world. Seek to find where God is at work, then join in to be a part of what HE is doing in the world. He is alive and He is always at work!!! Blessings of joy to you and may you have a Happy New Year~2010!

Christmas Memories.....in the making!

On Saturday, Kristen and her family and Kacie and her family invited me to "Breakfast With Santa" at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear!  How fun!  It was a beautiful experience with all five of our sweet grandchildren.  One of the greatest joys in my life is watching our girls be generous and loving mothers.  They are so gracious with their children.  Sweet pictures from the morning with Santa!

The Life of Our Lord

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name...JESUS.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end."  Luke 1:31-33

There is a wonder surrounding Mary, the mother of Jesus, that transcends traditional religious thought.  That she was a privileged vessel, chosen to bear God's Son, is wonder enough, for she is a participant in the miracle of the Incarnation at a level no other human being can comprehend.  It is clear that she did not claim to understand it herself, but simply worshiped God in humble acknowledgment of the miracle engulfing her existence: "My soul magnifies the Lord." she exclaimed. In her own heart, we are told in the Scriptures that she pondered these things.  She is truly a beautiful woman and the Life of our Lord was preciously given to her to love, to nurture, and to behold!  She had to go away from her family to a place unknown to her and it was there that God chose His Son to be born among the lowly and the animals of the stable.  Yet the STAR of wonder found her and shepherds and a Heavenly host of ANGELS proclaimed the miracle, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to all men."  Luke 2:14  During these next few days before Christmas, I hope that you have some sacred time to reflect on these verses from the Bible and truly center your heart in the Lord!  Your family and your loved ones will be blessed if you do, but most importantly you will be blessed.  "O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His Name together!!!" Merry Christmas to you...and to your family.

December 4th.......and a Coconut Cake

Every year that my husband and I have been married, he has made for me a beautiful coconut cake!  What Bliss!!!  This year once again, my family celebrated their lives with mine and I think every year life really does get better.  Every morning possible, I jog two miles, celebrate a relationship with my Savior, the Lord Jesus, and about three months ago bought a juicer!  Wow.....now can life get any better?  This year, my daughter Shelly made the coconut cake and even grated the coconut!  Double BLISS!  Thank you to my family and my wonderful friends for helping me to celebrate my birthday.  I love you all! "Another day is dawning, dear Master, let it be, In working or in waiting, another day with THEE!"  ~Frances R. Havergal~

Light a Candle

Have you ever faced a difficulty so large that the impossible lurked in your mind? Perhaps something you've been praying for is delayed. Maybe you've looked at the situation, considered the options and felt overcome. The children of Israel faced a similar delay when God spoke to Moses and told him to lead the Israelites to the promised land to a place flowing with milk and honey. Joshua and Caleb were two of the mighty men sent to spy out the situation they were facing as they sought this new land. Caleb declared, "Let us go up at once and take possession for we are well able to overcome it." Numbers 13:30 What faith! He knew they had the power to overcome, a capacity to prevail and succeed. However, the spies Caleb sent to survey the situation brought back a bad report, complaining about giants in the land who were stronger than them. They wanted to give up! But Moses and Aaron after hearing of these giants in the land of Canaan, fell on their faces before the Lord. These faith filled men did not deny the difficulty of defeating giants, but sought instead the POWER OF GOD in the face of their problem. Caleb stood his ground and later, even though delayed, ultimately brought victory. God is able to bring you through any situation into a land flowing with milk and honey. In my own life, I have seen it! We have been faced with situations that seemed impossible to overcome, but we did with the salvation of the Lord. Let the power of the Living God work in your life today.... "They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed." Psalm 34:5 The Christmas season brings much hope and joy because Jesus has overcome a cruel world and we too can have the peace and joy right now...even a prayer request has been delayed, an answer will come. God will find a way to meet your every need. As you go out, take your faith and the Light of Jesus with you! Even a small gesture, such as lighting a candle in your home can be a reminder to you of God's good and shining light and that He is faithful in every situation. He is shining bright! Blessings to you dear one during Christmas and always!!!