Something To Ponder...

Are You Ready for the Holidays?

“What matters is not your outer appearance… but your inner disposition.” 1 Peter 3:1 (MSG) Devotion: This year I am tempted to keep a close count of the number of times I hear the question, “Are you ready for the holidays?” What does that mean exactly? If I were to guess what people mean when they ask one another if they are “ready for the holidays,” I would say most are not talking about spiritual readiness. I bet what they typically mean is, “Have you made a list of all the stuff you need to do before the 25th and have you checked it off?” Usually the answer that follows is a long list of to-do’s before Christmas day. Baking, sending Christmas cards, buying and wrapping gifts, hiding presents from the children, or delivering them to neighbors, choir or play practice, preparing for guests, or preparing to travel. My list also often includes planning and attending parties, house cleaning, and finally – my favorite – decorating. I wonder, if Jesus were making a holiday preparations list, what would He include? What if those who were there on Christ’s birth day could advise us on getting ready for Christmas? What would be on their list? Joseph might recommend we listen closely to the voice of God to prepare. Mary may suggest we ponder the miracles of heaven. Perhaps the angels would propose we sing about the King. The shepherds may gently guide us to follow their act of worship. Possibly the wise men would teach us to give Jesus our most valuable gifts. The innkeeper may suggest “Hospitality: open your heart and home.” And Jesus’ list would likely encourage us to be a light on the hill pointing the way for others to know Him. Comparing my to-do list to the ones above, I wonder if I lived at that time, would I have missed Christ’s birth? Would my busyness have kept me from slowing down to take time to worship in the stable? Unfortunately I have “missed” many Christmases in the here and now because I’ve not slowed down long enough to bow my knees and experience the miracle. I want Christmas for my family to be more about an act of worship and awe than a frenzy to decorate, shop, and jump through the world’s hoops. I don’t want to miss the true reason we celebrate. A few years ago I set out to purposefully plan the way I celebrate. As a result, my Christmases have become increasingly simpler and at the same time my heart has become increasingly more satisfied. Are you ready for the holidays?

--By Van Walton

2 Corinthians 9:12-13

Can I just say that I had the most AMAZING experience EVER today...I have never felt so blessed! Some of us volunteers from church went to a low income elementary school and gave all of the kids a new pair of shoes and bookbag. These little kids were not only so cute, but soooo appreciative! I could tell they really felt loved. I couldn't help but cry as I witnessed the excitement on their faces and the sparkle in their eyes. Words can't express how sweet they were or how happy I felt to be a part of such a big day in their lives! On the way back to the church, I teared up again thinking how I take so much for granted each day. I was also reminded of how we as followers of Christ are to have faith like that of a child....that's something I definitely need to pray for! As Christmas is approaching nearer, I hope I continue to remember what it's really about...Jesus and His unconditional love for us. Putting others before ourselves. Faith. Patience. Joy. Peace. Time spent with loved ones. Selfless acts of kindness. Today was such a great example of that!!! I want a heart more like Jesus and I will continue to seek after that...

P.S. I CANNOT wait to get back to Bama for Christmas...I really really really miss my family!!

Just got this forward from a friend and thought I would share it...these are only a few parts of it:


" For a woman desiring a mate, the objective, of course, would be to find a Christian man, who's settled, has goals, accomplishments and a job. But a goal-oriented and focused man can't just be approached any kind of way. So the woman who seeks this type of stability must make sure that he stands out above the crowd:
1. Make sure your relationship with the Lord is strong and growing.
2. Make sure that you are presentable. Working from the inside-out, your presentation should be representative of both who you are and whom you seek. Appearance is a reflection of how you see yourself.
3. Have the ability to hold an intelligent conversation.
4. And most importantly, allow the Holy Ghost to take control. You don't need to go after him. He's going to come after you because after he sees you and knows that you're in his presence, he's going to want to know who you are!

I know there's somebody reading this who has been chasing after the 'man of your dreams,' but God says, 'Just sit still and allow patience to have her perfect work through Me. ' God woke me up in the middle of the night and said, 'The same thing that Naomi told Ruth to do is the same thing that I want them to do for me.' God is so sick of saints coming to Him trying to get a quickie and never romancing Him for Who he is - going to church, but hadn't been intimate with God all week long! Start romancing Him with worship and praise: 'I'm yours Lord...everything I've got...everything I'm not!' The God we serve, which is the God of love, demands and requires of us our full attention before He gives us what we need. In the book of Ruth, the mother-in-law tells Ruth, 'You have to wash.' John 15:3 reminds us, Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. When you sit in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are taking a shower. When you hear the unadulterated Word of God, then the dirt and grime that you've accumulated all week long begins to wash off of you. Ask God to 'create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit.' Stand in the word. Then wait upon the Lord to renew your strength.

' If he can't meet you where you are....leave him where he's at.' "

Just Another Manic Monday...

So, I decided since I haven't done an online journal in a looong time that I would start one again. Thanks Ethan, for giving me the idea. And Laurel if you're reading this, how freakin' CUTE is your blog?!

I just want to say how sooo thankful I am for my church, NewSpring and my homegroup girls. God knew exactly what He was doing when He placed me with these girls. I am growing so much in my walk. It's amazing the little things God is teaching me right now...he definitely has a sense of humor! :)

Almost done reading Perry Noble's (my pastor) book, Blue Prints. It is awesome!! I recommend it to anyone who wants Biblical advice on how to have/build a Godly relationship with someone of the opposite sex. The next book I'm gonna start is John Eldredge's Walking With God. A friend highly recommended it to me the other night, and I have actually been wanting to read it for quite some time now.

Excited about Bible study tonight and Katie sharing this week. Our group is getting so close and I keep praying that we will grow even closer and most importantly, all closer to God as a group. I definitely see BIG things God is gonna do with us!

More later...gotta get ready for tonight!!