"Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD"
-Psalm 117:1-2 NIV

Thoughts on Election Years...

This is one of my thoughts of election years... why do they have to run into each other? It seems like life is one big election constantly. The news just goes on and on and on with it. We have several survey calls weekly. Everyone wants money.

I know we need good leaders and I'm 100% for it, but I do not want to read, eat, drink and hear candidates, elections and politics forever and ever. Enough already!

One of my New year's resolutions is to take it with a more balance aspect. Limited news and limited comments. I know what I believe and all I need to know is who stands for that same belief system. I'm very conservative and very patriotic to the USA. I just want to live a politics free life and then vote on election day. The constant contacts are becoming an issue to a lot of us.

That doesn't mean sticking your head in the sand... it just means getting everything in perspective and it's rightful place in my daily life. Enjoy the things that matter most God, Family and my work.

I do believe this one thing... Prayer changes things and God expects us to pray for our leaders, our country and then vote for those who will make it a good country.

Life Is A Burning Candle...

I like this quote from George Bernard Shaw, "Life is no brief candle to me. It is like a splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as bright as possible before I hand it on to future generations."

As we start this new year, we can purpose to have the goal of being a life burning candle that makes a difference in the world. Whatever we do, whether we shine only as a good Christian, or shine using one of the gifts that God has given us, we need to shine and make a difference.

Don't you just love to sit by the window with a nice hot cup of coffee and enjoy the beauty of the day? I do. We certainly have the day for it... deep, white snow!

This is a lovely blue spruce in our front yard by the road.

Enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the day!

Christmas Week Is Here...

The week of Christmas has finally arrived. We're making final purchases and preparation for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Some of us have family traveling and others are just waiting for the days to arrive so that we can get together and enjoy the blessings of being together to celebrate Jesus birth.

To me, this has been one of the best, most relaxed Christmas seasons in a while. I haven't felt rushed or as stressed as some. Maybe, age has something to do with it. It has surely been a blessed time of giving and sharing with others.

Have a blessed Christmas week...-

The Fourth Sunday of Advent 2009...


Today, we light the third purple candle (we will now have 3 purple and one pink candle burning). This is the candle of peace.



"For unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."



-Isaiah 9:6

Why Do Men Make It So Complicated?...


This Christmas season as we think on the real meaning of Christmas and the prophetic Christ child who came in answer to the salvation of men, we sometimes wonder... why do men make it so complicated? It is such a simple salvation message... a child is born, grew, became a man, was crucified and rose again that we might accept him as savior and have eternal life. So simple, so wonderful a gift!


We are so blessed!

The New Media...

I like the New Media, as so many call it. It gives so many people the opportunity to voice their opinions with not only news organizations, but with blogs and web sites. It is truly the voice of America! Before, it was evident that it was censored news and we got to hear and see what a few wanted us to hear and see. Now, we hear from so many sources and voices. We can choose who we want to read, listen to and follow. We don't have to read or look at what we don't want to because there are more choices.

This is a good thing... true freedom of the press and expression.

Christmas is for Celebrating Real Joys...

You might not think much of it, but Christmas is for celebrating real joys in life. We have so much to be thankful for... family, friends, jobs, food, clothing, homes and a free country. We are so blessed and we should be joyful!

What I'm trying to say is this... look at what you have, not, what you don't have. We Americans are pioneers, with many successes and we will always strive to make things better. We don't have to follow the mess that the news puts in front of us today. So many leaders, movie stars, sports figures and others have their lives in a total unsatisfied mess. Publicity seekers who will do anything to get noticed. Don't follow the losers in life... find real leaders who have got it together. Follow those who have found true satisfaction in living and giving. The choice is each of ours!

I like this thought...

I have not the smallest interest in any holiday,

except as it celebrates

real and not pretended joys!

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

No Matter What Life Status...

Isn't it wonderful that God sent a savior for us... no matter what life status we hold. We can be as wealthy as a king, we can be as poor as poor can be... no matter what... God loves us all! He sees us all as equals... souls that need to be saved. It is so simple...

Homemade Fresh Cranberry Sauce...

Here's a great recipe for making homemade fresh cranberry sauce. Wash (one pound bag of fresh cranberries & set aside to drain.) In a large pan, boil sugar and water together for about 5 minutes then add the washed cranberries and boil for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Run the mixture through the blender. Store in the refrigerator. What a treat!

Ingredients:

1 c sugar (more or less for desired sweetness)

2 c water

1 lb whole cranberries

We are deep in the midst of the Christmas spirit. Giving, sharing, parties and celebrations to celebrate the birth of Christ and what he means to the world. Truly, a time of love and giving!

"...and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed God Bless Us, Every One!

-Charles Dickens, 1812-1870, A Christmas Carol

A pink or rose colored candle symbolizes the Joy of the coming Christ and is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. We light this candle to thank God for His Son our Savior who brings us great joy. (We will have the first three of the Advent candles lit today.)

There is truly joy in knowing Christ as Lord and Savior.

It's About Giving...

My daughter was telling me about her pastors sermon Sunday. It was about giving because you care, not just to out do someone else or trying to out spend someone else. This is so true. Christmas is about giving, but it's about giving for a reason. That reason is love.

So Many Christmas Memories...

This is the time of year that we think of so many Christmas memories. For some reason the past comes forward. Past friends and relatives, parties, gatherings and fun. We really don't remember gifts ... we think of people and what they mean to us. The enjoyable times we've shared. We think of Christ and the wonder of the Christmas story. This is a wonderful time of year!

Think on this...

There are no times like the old times,
they shall never be forgot.
There is no place like the old place,
keep green the dear old spot.
There are no friends like our old friends,
May heaven prolong their lives.

-Oliver Windell Holmes

May we make pleasant memories this Christmas for the future of those we love...

Adorable Hedgehog...

One little surprise. There is an adorable hedgehog picture and I don't usually think they are cute. But, Knowing how ugly they are when they're grown, I thought you'd enjoy seeing them little. Check them out here.

Second Day of Advent 2009 ...

The second Sunday of Advent we light the second purple candle which represents love. (We will have both the first & second Advent candles lit today.) We light this candle to thank God for His love in sending Jesus Christ our Savior.

John 3:16 kjv, " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Shop And Take A Stand For Christmas...

Consider this, Focus on The Family has a website, Stand For Christmas, that lists some of the most popular stores that we shop at and how they are treating Christmas. Since I try to support those that uphold my beliefs, I am so thankful for this list. My Christmas gifts are pretty much bought, so I will take the list into consideration all year long. I say, that if I buy just for just a holiday, I'm not buying. I buy for a reason and Christmas is a good reason to share with others God's love and your love.

I want to see businesses grow, but I want to support those businesses that have good values and are considerate of their customers.

Enjoy the day... Merry Christmas!

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

The First Week of The Christmas Season...

Wow, can you believe that we are coming to the end of the first week of the Christmas season. We've already had Advent Sunday, and lots of our decorations are up, we have many gifts bought, we're listening to Christmas music, burning our scented candles and we are making delicious candies, cookies, cakes and other seasonal foods. Many of us will be or have had to our first Christmas parties for the year. This is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

Daily, I'm trying to take time to remember The Reason For The Season as I enjoy everything that I do and go to.