My Inspiration

What inspires you to blog or write? 

God's love and His Word inspire me to blog/write and are the driving forces of pretty much everything I do.  God's love enables me to love God and love people.  One of the reasons I blog is to share God's love with others and point them to Christ who came to earth because of God's love for everyone and who loved them so much that He died on the cross for their sins.  God's Word is what I live by and blog by.  Often, verses from the Bible pop up in my head and make me think of something relevant and then I share it on my blog hoping to encourage others.  Even if readers do not get anything else from my blog except the knowledge that Jesus loves them and the desire to have relationship with Him, I shall not have blogged in vain.  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)  To me, "whatever you do" includes blogging; I blog/write for the glory of God.

12 Pearls of Christmas: Just God

A Tangible Reminder
by Mary Byers

Last year I read Me, Myself, & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer, creator of the Veggie Tales video series. I was interested because my children grew up on Veggie Tales. But I was also interested because somewhere along the way I noticed Phil Vischer was no longer with Big Idea, the company he founded. I knew there must be a story there, so I picked up the book.

Though millions of children can sing the Veggie Tales theme song, Big Idea no longer exists. After expanding too quickly, the company was forced into bankruptcy. Vischer writes about the experience in his book, which is part memoir and part business tutorial. And it's a touching example of how one man encountered grit and allowed it to be turned into grace.

At the end of the book, Vischer outlines the lessons he learned from the rise and fall of Big Idea. In part, he shares, "I was ready to be done, if that's what God wanted. To just rest in him and let everything else fall away. At long last, after a lifetime of striving, God was enough. Not God and impact or God and ministry. Just God."

His words convicted me. As an author and speaker, I realized that I'm often more focused on my deadlines or my next speaking engagement than I am on God. I have it backwards. God first, then everything else will fall into place.

It's a powerful message for us as women, too. When we focus on God first, we'll have everything we need to handle whatever is happening in our families and our lives. As Vischer reminds us, God is enough. As we approach Christmas, I'm reminded that this is the time when God shared his Son with us-a tangible reminder of his love for us. And a reminder that when we have him, we have everything we need.

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Mary Byers is the author of Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof. She offers advice and encouragement for moms work from home for profit at www.makingworkathomework.com.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Book Review: 40 Loaves

Book: 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day
Author: C.D. Baker
Summary:
Why don’t I have more faith?
Why does God seem silent in my life?
Why don’t I feel safe at church?

These are the types of questions the religious establishment often makes it uncomfortable, if not impossible, to ask. And by asking them, C. David Baker, author of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day hopes to start a conversation in people’s hearts, then with others, and ultimately with God. Many circles of Christianity have led us to believe that certainty and confidence are the proof of true spirituality; questions are discouraged.

But Jesus offered His followers an ongoing conversation—a relationship built around a free, open-ended discussion. Questions were encouraged. They were often impertinent, sometimes alarming, and the religious establishment was distinctly uncomfortable with them … just as it is today.

“40 Loaves is something of a collection of the kinds of questions I felt finally free to ask of myself and of my relationship with Christ,” says Baker. “It’s my belief that these questions are shared by many others who long for the freedom to simply ask them out loud. I hope this book becomes a platform that frees others to search their hearts more deeply and be fed with the Bread of life.”

Each “loaf” here is a big question that stimulates discussion, investigation, and contemplation; it will take hours—or days—to digest. Conversational, inviting, disarming, and real, 40 Loaves nourishes self-examination and offers validation for those who feel discouraged, guilty, or even shamed when the realities of their lives don’t match up with the ideals of the Christian establishment.

Author Bio:
C. David Baker founded an award-winning business before redirecting his career to write full-time from his small farm in Bucks County , Pennsylvania . He is the author of eight books, including six novels, one of which was nominated for a Christy Award. He has contributed articles to the Christian History Institute’s international publication Glimpses, and to Christian Singles magazine. Baker has a Master’s degree in theological studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland .

My Review: I like asking questions. I encourage my kids to ask questions. Questions lead us to search for answers and dig deep for understanding. However, when it comes to faith-related questions, some people are afraid or ashamed to ask. This book addresses 40 questions that some Christians may be struggling with. Questions like: Why do I so easily lose self-control?, Why am I so confused about finding God's will?, Why do I always feel exhausted?, Why are my feelings so easily hurt?, Why do I fear unbelief?, Why do I care so much about my reputation?, and more. I truly appreciate Mr. Baker’s transparency, humility, & honesty and his reliance on the Scriptures for answers. Each question in the book will help draw you closer to God and His Word. Each "loaf" ends with food for thought and a prayer. This book is small but is packed with valuable insights and Biblical wisdom. It's easy to read and it is nourishing to the soul. 40 Loaves is definitely delicious and healthy to feast upon!

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


You can read Chapter 1 here.

~This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

12 Pearls of Christmas: Home

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
by Virelle Kidder

My mother had remarkable zeal for Christmas. Weeks in advance, she would come home from teaching school and bake late into the night. I helped clean the house and decorate the tree while my older brother Roger wired the house with Christmas lights, transforming our humble red house into a place of magical beauty. Following the church candlelight service, a crowd of happy people crunched through the snow to our house for cocoa and cookies.

We were, like many, quite alone in the years after my father left. Our Christmas open house was my mother's supreme effort to make us feel complete. It almost worked.

Despite years in church and Sunday school, God was more a distant relative I wished I knew. I grew up with a gnawing sense of incompleteness, and longed to find meaning and purpose in life. Strangely, it was shortly before Christmas years later that it found me.

My husband Steve was fully absorbed with his new job at Johns Hopkins University, and I was home with a two year old. We wanted friends, but were both hesitant when Steve's officemate his wife invited us to attend their church. We had nothing in common with "religious types," but Steve said, "Let's be nice and go just once."

Sitting in church that Sunday, my temples pounded. Hymns and Scripture verses long ago ignored called to me from my childhood. Could others tell I didn't belong here? Oddly, I felt jealous of their peace. They looked happy.

First thing Monday morning I began tearing through the unpacked boxes in our basement. At last, I found my mildewed Bible from fifth grade. I resolved to read it cover to cover. I opened to Genesis, chapter 1. Same old story; I've heard this a hundred times, and quickly slammed it shut.

No one told me God could hear my thoughts. A soft Voice whispered, Why not read as if it were true? I opened my Bible again. Suddenly I was listening to the most interesting person I had ever heard. By afternoon I was still reading in my pajamas. I couldn't stop.

I read for weeks until one day, a picture popped in my mind of a beautiful old house with wide porches, brightly lit at night. Music, laughter and lively conversation carried onto the porch where I stood in the dark, peeking in. I saw a feast and a fire on the hearth, much like the Christmas open houses from my childhood, with one important difference. There was a Father here whose face mirrored love and warmth at His children's presence. This was God's family, and I desperately wanted to be inside. But how?

A voice taunted, Why would God want you? You don't fit in this crowd! It was true. I considered giving up. Instead, I marched upstairs to our bedroom, knelt down and prayed out loud, "Lord, help me find the way! Please don't let me go!"

Verses I'd read made sense. Jesus said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Our friends explained that God already knew I was a hopeless mess and loved me anyway. Opening the door to Heaven was a gift that cost God everything. It was on the cross Jesus died to pay for my sins. He rose again to prove forever that He is the Truth. Weeping at such love, I knelt and gave Christ my life. I found that, with or without a happy family, no one is ever complete without Jesus.

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Virelle Kidder is a conference speaker and the author of six books and numerous articles whose passion is sharing the love of God with women around the world. For her latest books, please visit her at http://www.virellekidder.com/ and http://www.meetmeatthewell.fm/

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

What Really Matters

Have you noticed some division among Christians regarding Christmas? Some strongly oppose celebrating Christmas because of its pagan roots. Others try hard to keep Christ in Christmas. And then there are those who incorporate more and more worldly stuff in their Christmas celebration. In my opinion, just because something has pagan roots...this does not automatically make it pagan. I think the early Church succeeded at replacing Roman pagan traditions with the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. Why do I say that? Well, how many people really remember or even know that Christmas started out as a pagan festival? Billions of people in the world know (even if they don't really have the right focus) that Christmas is about Christ. Four names of our days of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) are named for Viking gods. We don't stop using these names just because they have pagan roots. To me, each day is a gift from God. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) It's how we spend our day that matters...honoring/ pleasing God or dishonoring/sinning against God. That goes the same for what we do with Christmas (another day that the Lord has made).  I personally believe in celebrating/honoring Christ daily by the way we live.

In Thailand, Christmas provides a great opportunity for Christians to share with non-Christians about Christ. (In fact, I myself came to know Christ and received the free gift of salvation during Christmastime of 1985 in Thailand.) I believe that's what many churches in America are also trying to do. If people are saved because of the Gospel being boldly shared during Christmastime, then we should rejoice. God can certainly use any events, including holidays that have pagan roots, for His glory. Christ's birth is the beginning of the ultimate love story that never ends (John 3:16). If at Christmastime, people tend to share Christ's love more and talk more openly about why Christ came, then we should be glad and encourage them so...and hopefully, they will carry on sharing Christ's love and the Gospel throughout the year (you can see some ideas from my post titled, "Christmas According to Scrooge").

All these thoughts led me to write the following poem last year.

It doesn't matter if you do or don't celebrate Christmas
What really matters is that you believe in Jesus
It doesn't matter if Dec. 25th is not Christ's actual birthday
What really matters is that He was born to save us from a debt we cannot pay
It doesn't matter if you don't trim a tree
What really matters is that you know & worship the Son who sets you free
It doesn't matter if you don't give gifts to one another
What really matters is that you give your heart and your life to our Savior...our Redeemer
It doesn't matter if you don't hang up any lights
What really matters is that you follow the Light of the World day and night
It doesn't matter if you don't get to go caroling
What really matters is that unto the Lord you joyfully sing
It doesn't matter what eloquent words on Christmas cards you write
What really matters is that you spread the Good News of Jesus Christ
It doesn't matter if you bake the best or the most cookies
What really matters is that you help the needy and feed the hungry

I recommend two insightful articles:
- "Is Christmas Christian?" by Hank Hanegraaff, the President of the Christian Research Institute
- "The Origin of Christmas" by Bodie Hodge, Answers in Genesis.

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

12 Pearls of Christmas: God With Us

LISTENING FOR CHRISTMAS
by Deb Kalmbach

I used to be the queen of over-commitment, and December brought out the worst in this malady. It was as if I were poised at an imaginary starting line, and when I flipped the calendar page, I was off and running--the December dash!

You could hardly see any white space on my daily planner it was so jammed with events. Kids' Christmas programs, church programs, and endless lists of things-to-do obscured my calendar and my vision to see what really mattered. Each day when we hung another ornament on our Advent tree, I felt my chest tighten, and my breathing get shallower. Only single-digit shopping days left...Panic mode was about to set in.

Of course I was singing in the Christmas choir. I love music, and the heavenly Christmas anthems we sang. The neighborhood cookie exchange was an annual tradition. Forget about the old standards, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. Let's talk about jam-filled tea cookies, chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, or iced sugar cookies with colored sprinkles. My kitchen looked like a Martha Stewart test kitchen gone awry.

My head spins just thinking about it. I usually felt so frustrated and exhausted by Christmas Day, I barely enjoyed the celebration. I repeated this drill for many Christmas seasons, before I finally decided to step back and think about why I was trying to accomplish the impossible. I learned to take a deep breath and accept the fact that I can't do it all-and I'm much better off if I don't try.

That's probably why I'm writing this. The tendency to revert to this frenzied pace by mid-December is still a challenge. I need to be reminded of the quiet simplicity of this season, so I can hear the age-old message once again.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel! Our God is with us. If we can stop long enough to listen-we will hear the invitation that beckons us to come, to wait, to get ready for our coming King.

No doubt, December will be as busy as ever with gifts to purchase, trees to decorate and carols to sing. But this Advent season, I pray that in the midst of everything contending for our time and attention, our hearts will be moved and our senses sharpened to rejoice in God's greatest gift.

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Deb Kalmbach is the co-author of Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So-Perfect Marriage and the author of a book for children, Corey's Dad Drinks Too Much. Deb and her husband, Randy, make their home in a tiny town in Eastern Washington. Visit Deb at her website or blog.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

12 Pearls of Christmas: Life Beautiful

Life Beautiful
by Margaret McSweeney


During a quiet moment after Thanksgiving, I started reading my parents' stack of love letters that I recently found in a storage box. As a Christmas gift to you, I would like to share my father's words to my mother written to her during Christmas 1949. This incredible "hug from heaven" has been a tangible affirmation that Pearl Girls has true meaning and great worth for women throughout the world. I pray that God will continue to bless this ministry and outreach. May we all realize that the grit in our lives can be transformed into grace through the love of God.

This is what I found written on a tiny folded card inscribed with "Christmas Greetings" on the front:

Christmas 1949

My Dearest Carolyn,

Truly a jewel is a thing of beauty, but a life that is lived to serve others and to glorify our Christ, such as yours, is my dearest, a far surpassing gem in radiance and beauty.

Pearls to me, symbolize this "Life Beautiful" that you have achieved, Carolyn. Each pearl is a result of a great hurt to the oyster's life. But the little mollusk builds an iridescent coat around this source of hurt, and as a result, the precious pearl comes into being. Life is like that too.

If we, like the pearl, can make of our hurts the basis of a thing of beauty, then we can bear witness to an on-looking world how Christians can overcome through Christ, blows that are seemingly insurmountable.

At this happiest season of the year, I give thanks to God for you, Carolyn - my Pearl of Great Price.

Your Claude

Isn't this an amazing Christmas Pearl? I hope this message has touched your heart, too. Another Christmas gift I would like to share with you: My father's lessons on leadership. These can be found on my guest blog post at Michael Hyatt's website.

During this holiday season, decorate your life with Christmas Pearls --- strands of God's grace-reminders that nothing can separate us from his love, not even the grittiest of circumstances.

And please celebrate the "Pearls of Great Price" in your life through Post a Pearl. It's a fun and free gift that you can share with special people who have been a blessing to you over the years.

Merry Christmas!

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Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. She's the founder of Pearl Girls and a published author. Please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/ for more info. You can also find Margaret at her writing blog, From Finance to Fiction or on Facebook and twitter.


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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Offering--Christmas Version

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three Wisemen seeking truth they traveled from afar
Hoping to find the Child from heaven
Falling on their knees they bowed before the humble Prince of Peace

I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may You receive the honor that You're due
O Lord I bring an offering to you

The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love
There is no shadow in Your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne
Before the Holy One of heaven
It's only by Your blood
It's only through Your mercy
Lord, I come

I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may You receive the honor that You're due
O Lord, I bring an offering to You
I bring an offering to You

Lord, my life is an offering to You.  I desire to honor You in all I do.  Thank You, Jesus, for being my Prince of Peace and King!

P.S. I am hosting 12 Pearls of Christmas from now to Dec. 25th.  The first post (a bonus post) is right below this one.  Please come back everyday to read different inspiring and touching stories written by well-known Christian female authors (Melody Carlson, Tricia Goyer, Susan May Warren, Dawn Meehan, Maureen Lang, Mary deMuth, Holley Gerth, and more...) and leave a comment for a chance to win a pearl necklace.


Previous Songs:
- How Many Kings
- Give Thanks
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone

12 Pearls of Christmas: Gifts of Purpose

Too Precious to Wear
by Sarah Sundin

One Christmas when my mother was a girl, she received a string of pearls from her father. Since her parents were divorced-an unusual situation in the 1950s-she treasured the pearls as a sign of her father's love. When he passed away her senior year in high school, the pearls took on even greater significance.

When I was growing up, my mother talked often about the pearls, but my sister and I never saw them. Mom kept them safe in their silk-lined velvet box tucked in her jewelry box. For dressy occasions, she wore other nice jewelry, but never the pearls.

The pearls were too precious to wear.

What if the strand broke and even a single pearl was lost? What if the clasp broke and she lost them forever? She couldn't risk it. Better to keep them cocooned in silky security.

When my mother offered to let me wear her pearls on my wedding day, I was deeply touched. This was more than "something old" or "something borrowed," but a sign that she trusted me and loved me.

A few days before the wedding, my mother pulled the box from seclusion. My sister and I watched with curiosity and awe.

The pearls had turned a deep grayish-yellow, they were flaking, and some had fallen apart.

They were fake.

For over thirty years, my mother nurtured a piece of costume jewelry. All that time she could have worn them and enjoyed them without worry. Her father gave them to her for a purpose-to wear them and feel lovely and ladylike and special. He didn't mean for her to hide them away.

On our wedding day, my husband gave me a strand of real pearls. They symbolize my husband's sacrificial love for me-they were expensive for a graduate student with half-Scottish blood.

I vowed never to tuck them away but to wear them often. Yes, I'm careful. I inspect the cord and knots and clasp, and I plan to have them restrung when necessary. But I wear them and enjoy them. That's why my husband gave them to me.

Our heavenly Father gives us gifts too-brilliant and costly. We should cherish them, but we should use them. Whether our individual gifts involve serving, teaching, encouragement, evangelism, or even money-they have a purpose. The Lord wants us to use our gifts to bless others and to spread the message of His love.

While pearls make women look lovely, using our God-given gifts for His kingdom makes us even lovelier. And just as pearls grow more lustrous with frequent wear, our gifts from God grow in beauty and strength the more we use them.

This Christmas I plan to wear my string of pearls, a sign of my husband's love-and to display my pearls from heaven, a sign of my Father's love.

Have a lustrous Christmas!

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Sarah Sundin lives in northern California with her husband and three children. She works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. Her first novel, A Distant Melody, historical fiction set during World War II, will be published by Revell in March 2010. Please visit her at http://www.sarahsundin.com/ or her blog or find her on Facebook.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Earliest Picture of Me

 

This is the earliest picture of me.  It was taken when I was 17 months old.  I don't know how it got so torn up but I'm glad my mom had kept it and given it to me.  Tomorrow, I'll turn 41.  I am thankful for each day that the Lord has made.  Another day closer to spending eternity with my Savior!  Living is grand when we're living for God.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

P.S. I'm hosting a giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog. The deadline is tomorrow at midnight (Pacific time). Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

Previous Friday Photo Flashback:
- To Grandma's House We Go
- Best Brothers...Best Buddies
- Harvest Festival
- I Love Mommy & Daddy
- Corn Roast Festival
- A Taste of Thailand
- I Could Never Promise You
- In Father's Hands
- Thai Version of Wipe Out
- My Graduation Day in Thailand

Thankful Thursday #13

 
This week...
1. I am thankful that I can pray to God anytime, anywhere, and about anything.  I'm so glad that He never gets tired of listening to our prayers.  I love the fact that our line of communication with Him is always open/available...24/7!  "Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17  "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

2. I am thankful for rest...for sleep.  I am thankful that I hardly ever have trouble falling asleep.  I am very grateful that I can lay all my burdens at the feet of Jesus and rest in Him.  "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28  "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19

3. I am thankful that all my children enjoy reading.  I think once children learn how to read and acquire a love of reading, they can pretty much learn about anything they are interested in. 

4. I am thankful for soldiers and police officers who work tirelessly and sacrifice courageously to protect us.  Let's remember to pray for their safety and for their families.

5. I am thankful for God's protection (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual).  Whenever I look back at my past, I am so grateful to still be alive today :).  I fell into a manhole when I was little.  I desperately begged my mom to stop choking my neck/suffocating me (she was distraught about her failed marriage and temporarily was not in her right mind).  I almost drowned once.  I was close to getting run over by a vehicle several times (if you ever try to cross the streets in Bangkok, Thailand, you will understand why).  In Thailand, I traveled to school by bus and it's always crowded on buses; therefore, I usually ended up standing on the bus' steps (sometimes with one of my feet and/or part of my body hanging out into the traffic).  I had a high fever of 107 degrees F; my husband took me to the emergency room and the doctor there misdiagnosed me...(thinking that the fever was caused by heat exhaustion but I actually had a kidney infection).  I am sure there have been many more incidents that the Lord has protected me (even without my knowledge).  Regarding spiritual warfare, I am thankful that the battle belongs to the Lord, that He is on our side, and that He has given us the full armor for our protection.

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:11-17

P.S. I'm hosting a giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog. The deadline is this Saturday. Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

The Light of the World

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John8:12 

Have you ever tried walking in darkness?  You may stumble, bump into things, and/or (more often than not) head in the wrong direction; your life could very well be in danger.  In Thailand when I was little, my aunts took me to see a movie on an outdoor screen which was set up on a public lawn.  It was a dark night and while we walked, we relied only on the moon's light to guide us.  My aunts were busy chatting and for a moment, they forgot to watch me.  I fell into a manhole (obviously without a cover).  I don't remember all the details.  Thank God, somehow...someone...pulled me out.  It is a scary thing to walk in darkness.  I am so thankful that I follow Jesus, the Light of the World.  Since we, Christ's followers, have the light of life, we also are light to the world.

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Let's all shine brightly for Jesus!

P.S. I'm hosting a giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog.  The deadline is this Saturday.  Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

Previous WFW:

- It Is Good

- Worship

- Whatever You Do

- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Christmas According to Scrooge

It is mind-boggling to me that some people get more into debt so that they can buy Christmas gifts for their families and friends and/or get so stressed out decorating, shopping, baking, preparing for Christmas.  I don't think that's what Jesus has in mind how He wants His birth to be celebrated.  In my opinion, we, Christians, should celebrate Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection...celebrate Him all year long any way, not just at Christmastime.  How should we celebrate?

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the videos.

The Advent Conspiracy Promo Video from theadvance on Vimeo.

"This is love for God: to obey His commands." (1 John 5:3a)  Jesus would want us to celebrate Him by obeying His Word.  "Therefore go and make disciples of all naitons, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)  "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:15-16)  We can celebrate Jesus by spreading the Good News, worshiping Him, proclaiming His name, doing good and sharing with others.  "Others" do not just mean our families and friends.  "Sharing" doesn't just mean gifts/things. 

Let's take a lesson from Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens).  After having been visited by his dead partner Marley, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, he was given a second chance to live right and to celebrate Christmas.  What did he do?  He paid for a prize turkey and had it delivered to Bob Cratchit's.  He gave money for the poor and destitute. He visited his nephew, Fred, to have dinner with him and his wife.  Notice that Scrooge did not buy gifts for his nephew or his nephew's wife.  His gift to them is time and his love & acceptance.  Scrooge raised Bob Cratchit's salary, helped his struggling family, and took care of Tiny Tim (who was a cripple).  He used his resources to help those in need; he discovered the joy of giving! 

450 billion and 10 billion...what a difference!  We need to use our time, talents, and treasures wisely and for God's glory.  There are many ways to do that: serving at a soup kitchen, donating money/blankets/coats/ canned foods, etc. to the homeless shelters, visiting/go caroling at nursing homes, buying grocery for families in need, shopping through catalogs from organizations such as World Vision and Samaritan's Purse for the poor and for things that transform lives like Bibles, Gospel tracts, etc.

In this day of over commercialism, how does your family keep a meaningful and Christ-centered CHRISTmas?  Please share.

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

How Many Kings

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

How Many Kings by Downhere

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we've projected,
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in His mother's shawl -
Just a Child -
Is this who we've waited for? 'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe.
Gold for His honor, and frankincense for His pleasure
And myrrh for the cross He will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we've waited for?

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only One did that for me!
All for me...
All for you...


"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.  Amen." 1 Timothy 1:15-17

"Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty.  Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages.  Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name?  For You alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed." Revelation 15:3b-4

"They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers." Revelation 17:14

I am so grateful to be a daughter and servant of the King!  In the Thai language, there is a special vocabulary used only for royalty to show our honor and respect.  I think it's appropriate that the Thai Bible applies this same special vocabulary to God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  After all, He is the King above all kings!  He alone deserves our utmost reverence.


Previous Songs:
- Give Thanks
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Thankful Thursday #12

 
This week...

1. I am thankful that I can rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4), in spite of circumstances, because He never changes.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

2. I am thankful for my sister-in-lawlove (my husband's sister).  I don't have any sisters so she is like a sister to me.  She is very caring and thoughtful.  She is my kids' best aunt (only aunt :)).

3. I am thankful for the I Love Your Blog award (see my sidebar) given to me by Richele.  It's an encouragement to me to know that some people actually read and enjoy my blog :).  To God alone be glory and praise!

4. I am thankful for my daughter's beautiful heart and Godly character.  She is very sweet and helpful.  I love her behind-me-out-of-nowhere hugs :)!  She is such a big help to me...doing chores, teaching her younger brothers, baking, etc.  In Growing in Grace Magazine's this month issue, one of my daughter's four articles is What I Have Learned from My Mom.  All I can say is she's too kind :)!

5. I am thankful that God makes each one of us unique...not all the same as cookie cutter people.  Each person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 14a) by the Creator of the universe.  Whenever we play Alphabet Name Game (an icebreaker kind of games: people in the group one by one say an adjective that starts with the same alphabet as their name's first letter and that describes them), I usually say "unique" or "unusual" since my first name starts with a "U".  I like the song, "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz.  We are precious and beautiful in God's eyes; that's all it matters.  God has plans and purposes for our unique lives (Jeremiah 29:11).  Be yourself; be who God made you to be!  And if you ever want to be like someone else, choose to be like CHRIST!

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Interjection Woe

I am grieved to see a lack of reverence for our Almighty God more and more in the world, especially in America. People use God's name in vain left and right.

"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name." Exodus 20:7

This is very serious! It is sad that even some Christians use God's name in vain. I believe (hope) most of them do so without realizing it. It is bad enough when they use it orally as a habit. In addition, I have come across several blogs and comments on Facebook where Christians misuse God's name in their writing. When you interject "g_sh", "g_lly", or "g_e" (add o in the first two blanks and e in the third blank), you use God's name in vain because the former two are a euphemistic variation of God and the latter is a euphemistic shortening of Jesus (see dictionary). "OMG" is included (I don't even want to type those 3 letters here).

Another sad thing is that many foreigners desire to act and speak like Americans so they adopt American interjections including those three mentioned above. Next time you are about to either exclaim with delight or express surprise, please avoid the forewarned "interjection woe."

"Holy and awesome is His name." Psalm 111:9b

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week.  Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Thankful Thursday #11

 
This week...
1. I am thankful that no matter what's going on, God is in control of everything.  "The living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne." Revelation 4:9

2. I am thankful for the victory we have in Jesus Christ.  Jesus won the victory over sin and death for us all.  "Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

3. I am thankful for all God's blessings upon my life and my family...big and small...visible and invisible...realized and not recognized.

4. I am thankful that my 8 year old son did not get burned too badly when he accidentally fell and touched the woodstove.

5. I am thankful that my 16 year old daughter is using her God-given gifts wisely and for His glory.  One of her articles was accepted for publication in a Christian teen magazine.  She also has been a contributor at Growing in Grace Magazine (Christian online magazine for ladies) for almost 2 years.

I would like to share a poem I wrote this week giving thanks to the Lord.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thank You, Lord, for who You are
Thanks for love beyond compare
Thanks for grace beyond measure
Thanks for forgiveness beyond number
Thanks for mercy beyond boundaries
Thanks for provision beyond necessity
Thanks for hope beyond evidence
Thanks for joy beyond circumstance
Thanks for strength beyond comprehension
Thanks for heaven beyond imagination
Thanks for wonders beyond words
Thanks for life beyond earth
Thanks for peace beyond understanding
Thanks for all and everything
Thank You, Lord, for including me in Your family
Thanks to You daily through all eternity

P.S. I'm having two giveaways on this blog: Rolled Canvas and Poster Print (to be made from one of your digital photos). I'm also hosting another giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog. Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

It Is Good

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.  For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.  O Lord, how great are Your works!  Your thoughts are very deep." Psalm 92:1-2, 4-5

Indeed, it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to His name.  I hope and pray that I'll always have a thankful heart and the attitude of gratitude.  "Simple gratitude helps us experience God at work in every moment of every day."(Harriet Crosby)  Day and night...I shall declare God's lovingkindness and faithfulness.  Let's make everyday a day of Thanksgiving!

"Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

P.S. I'm having two giveaways on this blog: Rolled Canvas and Poster Print (to be made from one of your digital photos).  I'm also hosting another giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog.  Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

Previous WFW:
- Worship

- Whatever You Do

- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

What Do You Smell Like?

Don't you just love the smells on Thanksgiving Day? The aromas of delicious food warm our heart and awaken our appetites. Our sense of smell gives us pleasure when we smell something wonderful like roast turkey, candied yams, fresh dinner rolls, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, etc. on Thanksgiving Day. On the other hand, our sense of smell can bring us much displeasure when we smell something horrible like skunk's spray or rotten food or dirty socks or sweaty passengers' arm pits/body odor in a super crowded bus with closed windows on an over 100 degrees day (I have personally experienced the last one in Thailand). Now have you ever thought about what you smell like? How we live our lives sends a fragrance out that other people can smell.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

This coming Thursday, while we enjoy the aromas of fine food, I hope we'll be reminded that we are to live as the aroma of Christ; that our lives are to draw others to our Lord, not away from Him.

"Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you." Anonymous

P.S. I'm hosting 2 giveaways right now.  You can win a poster print (to be made from one of your digital photos) and a rolled canvas.  Please scroll down and take a look.

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

Give Thanks

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

Let's all give thanks to the Lord for who He is and for what He has done!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

P.S. I am hosting 2 giveaways right now. You can win a poster print and a rolled canvas. Please scroll down and take a look :).

Previous Songs:
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

To Grandma's House We Go

 

Every year (except maybe once or twice in the past 18 years), we celebrate our Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's house.  It's where our kids get to see their cousins and their aunt.  The picture above was taken on Thanksgiving Day in 2000 before our third child was born (in 2001).  We all are looking forward to going to Grandma's house again this coming Thursday :).

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

P.S. I am hosting 3 giveaways right now. You can win custom thank-you cards, a poster print, and a rolled canvas. Please scroll down and take a look :).

Previous Friday Photo Flashback:
- Best Brothers...Best Buddies
- Harvest Festival
- I Love Mommy & Daddy
- Corn Roast Festival
- A Taste of Thailand
- I Could Never Promise You
- In Father's Hands
- Thai Version of Wipe Out
- My Graduation Day in Thailand

Thankful Thursday #10

 
This week...
1. I am thankful for my mom.  She raised my brother and me while enduring physical and verbal abuse from my (alcoholic) dad and then later alone without any help.  She sacrificed a lot for us.

2. I am thankful for my mother-in-lawlove.  She also rasied my husband and his siblings as a single mom.  She is one of the most generous persons I have ever met.

3. I am thankful that my husband and my 11 year old son got over their sickness fairly quickly last week and that the rest of the family did not get sick.

4. I am thankful that my 16 year old daughter enjoys talking and spending time with us (me and my husband).  We also enjoy talking and spending time with her.  Many teenagers nowadays spend most of their time with their friends and listen to their friends more than their parents.  I'm glad our daughter listens to our advice and accepts our instruction   She is a delightful young lady after God's own heart!

5. I am thankful that my life is not my own and that heaven is my permanent home. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)  "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:8)  Jesus gives my life hope, purpose, passion, and destiny.  "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I'll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
                                                        ~Unknown

P.S. I am hosting 3 giveaways right now.  You can win custom thank-you cards, a poster print, and a rolled canvas.  Please scroll down and take a look :).