How do you measure success?

How do you measure success?

A good job, a nice house, a car?

Or.... is it just being happy?

Sometimes.... success just can't be measured.

But - those who walk with the Lord

will always be successful.

ONE SOLITARY LIFE

He was born in an obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. He then became an itinerant preacher. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn't go to college. He has no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when the public turned against him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing, the only property he had on earth. He was laid in a borrowed grave. Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race. All the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever sailed, all the parliaments that have ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that ONE SOLITARY LIFE.

Author Unknown

Submitted by Debbie Thompson

So WHat If You't Not So Crafty?

Would you like a treat to

pass out - that shares the REAL

meaning of CHRISTmas?

Something SPECIAL!

But - you either aren't very crafty,

or you just have limited time!

LOOK AT THESE!!!!

 THEY'RE ADORABLE!

My sweet neighbor saw them somewhere

and she bought me some!

(thank you, thank you, thank you, Brittany)

I was thrilled to get them!

It's the Candy Cane story that's

been mentioned so much,

in a little stocking with a bookmark.

And it's SUPER CUTE!

But - if you'd rather get something

else, the company that makes this,

makes so many other things, too!

Just go to their website and look around!

www.scripturecandy.com 

I placed an order yesterday and I can't

wait to get it.

Fill Your Home With Music

The Original Purpose

of music was to draw

our hearts towards God.

People now use it to entertain

and educate - and it works

Music is a very powerful thing!

  

So - tap in to that power!

Play some music.

But choose your music carefully.

Choose something, that draws

your heart towards God

and fills your home with a

Spirit of CHRISTmas! 

A Candy Maker's Wittness

 This is another version of the Candy Cane story.

It was sent to me by Debbie Thompson.

Thank you, Debbie!

 A Candy Maker's Witness

A candy maker wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth,
ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the
Virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the
Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises
of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd"
with which He reaches down into the ditches of
the world to lift out the fallen lambs who,
like all sheep, have gone
astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with
red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the
scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was
for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise
of eternal life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as Candy Cane, a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time.
But the meaning is still there for those who "have
eyes to see and ears to hear." I pray that this symbol will again be used to
witness To The Wonder of Jesus and His Great Love that came down at
Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.

Author Unknown

Do Something For The Less Fortunate

Do Something For The Less Fortunate

And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have 

done it unto one of the least of these

 my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Matthew 25:40

photo credit: homelesshelp.org

Handiwork

Coming home from school,
She runs into your arms,
Handing you a painting,
A display of childish charm.

Vying for attention,
He shows you a homeless one.
Skillfully created, by He,
Who could not be out done.

You take the childish painting,
You choose the perfect frame.
You proudly then display it,
Once she's signed her name.

Yet, from His grand creation,
You turn. You look away.
You see it as unworthy,
You ignore His proud display.

So tender, yet so callous,
You toss His handiwork aside.
Not recognizing the value.
It was for this man....he died.

by Patty Patterson

I just love the phrase

"Wise Men Still Seek Him"

 

We should all be seeking a closer

relationship with Jesus.

Yielding to Him, more and more!

Because - we are either getting 

closer - or - we are getting further away.

And as we draw closer and closer

to Christ - He will lead us.

He will show us more and more 

ways to honor Him. And as we

honor Him, our family and friends

will be encouraged to

honor Him, also!

BE A WISE MAN!

BE AN EXAMPLE!

SEEK JESUS!

  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Remember the Nativity!

Remember WHY we celebrate!

The Nativity!

That special day over 2,000 years ago

when Jesus was born.

He came to Save the World!

Without of HIM there is no hope!

Don't let those you love be without hope.

 

Read Luke 2

Study it.... memorize it... or a portion of it.

Teach it to your children and grand children

and read it at family gatherings.

Make the REAL CHRISTmas Story

common knowledge in your family.

Luke 2 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.