Christmas Traditions

I was reading a book this morning called "101 Ways to have a Christian Christmas" by Brenda Verner. I'm always open to hearing different ideas to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I was tempted to skip the introduction and get to the ideas, but decided to read it. I also have the bad habit of skimming a bit to quickly thinking blah, blah, blah. Had I done this today, I would have missed out. The author talked about the trappings of our society but as Christians we celebrate the birth of Jesus. She went on to say "We respond to this 'good news' with joy and thanksgiving, and from that response flow the generosity, creativity, and enthusiasm that spark many of our yuletide celebrations - whether at home, in our neighborhoods, at church or in our cities Christ becomes the center point and focus of all we do."



I got to thinking about all the things I like to do this time of year, decorating my home, baking cookies, eating cookies, shopping, wrapping gifts, sending Christmas cards, etc. I have to admit that when I'm doing all the things I just listed, my heart is not always (maybe I should say not often enough) focused on Christ. Sometimes there is a disconnect and the spiritual is separate from my traditions or better stated, my to-do list. I know this time of year is so busy, but perhaps it will be more meaningful and less stressed if Christ truly becomes the center and focus of all I do. What do you think?

The Washing Machine Saga Continues

A while back I blogged about the nasty mold in my washing machine. Since then I've embarked on quite a journey that I didn't expect or really want to be on. I mean, how hard should it be to purchase a new washing machine? The purchasing part isn't that difficult, anyone will take my money, it's the part of being happy with the purchase. I even researched washers for quite a while before I set out. We purchased the top rated machine. I guess that's fine if you don't mind your entire house shaking while the machine is in the spin cycle. You can even enjoy the deluxe fanny massage if you happen to be upon the throne in the adjoining bathroom at the right time. Can you imagine? You couldn't even leave anything on top of the washer because it would fall off! So after many phone calls...and I hate all the automated call systems...just give me a live person...we returned the washer and the dryer (which by the way, the dryer didn't dry my clothes about 50% of the time, that's another tale.) So after some more research and more quality time with the folks of Best Buy we purchased a different washer and dryer. Should be end of story, but since I'm still blogging about it, you know it's not. This machine with it's "vibration reduction technology" doesn't give the infamous fanny massage or drop things off the top, but it alarms, something about the door not being able to unlock. It wouldn't be that bad, except that it's new and should be working perfectly. You also can't go to bed with the machine running because it will alarm about the door until you to shut if off! Am I the lemon queen? I think the Best Buy folks are starting to know my voice. I'm currently waiting for the Samsung folks to give a call back to let me know when the next repair man will visit my home and washer. In the meantime does anyone have any sugar?

Where Does the Time Go?

Just when I think I've got this blogging thing down and am updating at least weekly I seem to drop off the face of the earth. Actually, I drop off into the face of life. It also seems that when I drop off into the face of life, my quiet times also drop off...not good, I know, but the truth. I've been struggling with what to do in my quiet times. They've been pretty stale lately. As many of you know I love to shop and while out the day after Thanksgiving I discovered a book at the Christian bookstore called "Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time" by Catherine Martin. I just sat down with it this morning and am impressed by the forward by Vonette Bright, the preface and first chapter. I'd encourage you to check out www.quiettime.org to see the resources there for our quiet times with God.

On another note,I have to tell you that my daughter is just so cute. I've been on the computer while she was eating her breakfast this morning. She was sitting right in front of me. She didn't want her milk cup on her tray, but beside my diet coke so our drinks were together. Isn't that the cutest?! I need to run...I'm being urged to read to her!

The Rush Behind Giving Thanks

I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming holidays and got to wondering about how God orchestrated Thanksgiving before Christmas. I know the events are somewhat in the order of the calendar year, but somewhere along the way man decided when we'd celebrate these holidays. Anymore, Thanksgiving gets eclipsed by the busyness of Christmas and I've seen that happening in my thoughts this year. I'm a planner and love to decorate my home for each season so naturally I'm thinking about my to-do list which always is longer in December. Yet, I've also felt God tugging at my heart as if to tell me not to rush this season of Thanksgiving. I have far too much to be thankful for to skim the surface and move on to Christmas cards and decorations. What would my December be like if I lived each day as if it were Thanksgiving? I'm going to have to spend some time thinking on this...

For Parents Only

I just finished reading the book For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice. One of the things that caught my eye from the back cover was: “For every bewildered parent, there’s a kid longing to be understood.”

I found the book very insightful and it gave me a fresh understanding of my teens. Some of the discussions included are: Why your child suddenly treats you lien an alien and acts like one too, why your child secretly hopes you’ll stand your ground, why your teen is convinced he can’t talk to you and how to change his mind and what mood swings reveal about teens’ secret fears and how you can boost their confidence.

My boys will tell you that I am far from a perfect parent and on some days they may say I’m a terrible parent. I make lots of mistakes, but let’s face it, what works one day for our teens doesn’t work the next and just why does that happen? This book gave me a fresh perspective and insight into the pressures my boys are facing and tips on how to navigate these turbulent waters. I’d loan it to you, but I need to keep it close by because I’m still trying to apply it to my parenting. I do think it’s worth the investment!

Loving Well

In our current Bible study, Loving Well, we have been challenged in many ways. One (of many) thing I’m working through is allowing God to love on me, not through me, but to me. In session two Beth says “We will not love well until we feel well loved.” So, now I’m left wondering, how does God love on me or how do I know He’s loving on me? I think for me part of the problem is that I don’t acknowledge how God is showing me His love. I get so wrapped up in our schedule or my to do list and I fail to see the many small ways God is trying to show me. As I’ve been pondering this God has led me to two songs on Steven Curtis Chapman’s new CD. The first song is “You are Being Loved” and the second is “Definition of Me.” The words to these songs have stuck with me reminding me that I am being loved.

Then this morning I picked up the latest edition of Today’s Christian Woman (I’ve had the magazine for probably 6 weeks and I’m just getting to page 24), but anyway, the article I turned to was “God’s Tattoo: Evidence of God’s love is everywhere. But take a special look at his hands,” by Stephanie Voiland. You can probably view the article on line by going to their website www.todayschristianwoman.com. To be honest, I didn’t get to read the entire article (yet) but the author refers to a verse in Isaiah 49:16 which says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Just like a tattoo is permanent, our names are engraved in the palm of God’s hands. For me, today, this was further evidence of God’s love for me.

How is God showing His love to you? I’d love to hear about it!

The Basics of Life

On Sunday, Steve’s sermon was on the “Basics of Life.” He shared with us the mission statement of the church to reach up to God in worship, reach in (fellowship and discipleship) and reach out. There are so many ways we can serve and one of them is through women’s ministries. I often hesitate to solicit help when we have many needs on a Sunday morning. I encourage everyone to take a turn in the nursery or teach/assist a Sunday school class. I can guarantee God’s blessing when you serve our little (and not so little) ones. That being said, it would be wonderful to have more women willing to assist with women’s ministry activites. You could be part of our Planning Committee (we meet quarterly to plan activities) or our Retreat Committee (the retreat is the second weekend in March) or coordinate or assist with an activity. We have a place for every woman at LCC to be invovled!