Once Upon a December

Happy December 1

Today we begin a new month which is also the final chapter of 2015.

Where do you find yourself today?

Maybe you're dreading the month that marks winter or maybe you're excited for the season it brings. Maybe you're feeling defeated because the year has been difficult or maybe you're determined to finish strong.

Wherever you are on this December 1, let me encourage you with these precious words today....

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)

As we enter this Christmas season and also close out 2015, let's remember that God is the author of our lives. This month can be an amazing chapter of our story when we fix our eyes on Him and choose to throw off any hindrance that comes between us and our Father. When we look at our lives as God sees us, we can embark on a beautiful journey that only He could orchestrate. A journey of great faith and trust in Him! He loves us so much!

Today, let's surrender our everything to Him, follows His ways, and watch as He pens the final chapter of 2015 in our lives. Let's remember what this season is all about and put our trust in Him alone! A month of great joy is ahead as we reflect on His goodness, remember His sacrifice, follow His ways and allow Him to prepare us for a new year in Him!

So here we go.....

Once upon a December....

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday to YOU! It's Christmas time and a new week filled with opportunities and laced with God's amazing love and mercy! 

As we begin this new week, let's encourage one another, pray for one another and serve one another all while we sing praises to our God! He is worthy of our worship and our praise! Let's immerse ourselves in His Word and be mighty warriors of prayer and make this Christmas season one we will never forget!

Blessings to YOU this day! 🎄😊

Advent Week 1

Celebrating the first Sunday of Advent! We use this time to prepare our hearts for this Christmas season and reflect on all Christ has done for us. This first Sunday we look at Christ as our hope and praise His name! Together we read, pray and celebrate our Hope and know that no gift under our tree could compare to the greatest Gift of all...Jesus Christ...our Hope! We look expectantly for His glorious return! 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Great news on this "Black Friday"!

The day after Thanksgiving, what is typically known as "Black Friday", is usually laden with lots of shopping and the official kick off to the Christmas season. I've had many a fun time in the craziness over the years and I'm sure I'll be out some time today, but first this morning, I want to take a closer look at this last verse of our passage this week.

“For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Psalms 100:5 (KJV)

There is nothing on this earth, no "Black Friday" special that could ever compare to the magnitude of the gift God continually gives His child....His great love and mercy and truth everlasting!

One thing I know in my life is just how good my God is! This life is hard and sometimes our troubles seem overwhelming but God is good and in Him we have this amazing hope! Day after day he showers is with His perfect love and offers us mercies anew! His truth will stand and is secure! Hallelujah!

Today, you may be in the hustle and bustle of shopping or you may just be coming off your turkey coma. Ha! But let's remember our God and praise Him for this great and unmatchable gift He gives each day! He deserves our praise and He deserves our honor!

Be Thankful!

One of my favorite weeks of the year begins today! (But so much to be thankful for all year long!)

God is good and I praise HIM today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a beautiful day to reflect on all God has done and will continue to do!

This morning my heart is overflowing in gratitude for the beautiful souls in my life. God blessed me with an amazing husband and three wonderful children and doing life with them is such an honor...a treasure I hold dear! I love them all so much!

Today, I will spend precious time with family (missing you, Ben) and praise God for each and every second with them. I will thank my God for each dear soul around our tables and remember that time is precious.

As I sit here with my Bible & cup of coffee I pray over this verse today,

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

Psalms 100:4 (KJV)

May my heart reflect your goodness, Lord, and may praise be always on my lips. You, Father, are the reason I live and have hope eternal. My gratitude for your great love is beyond comprehension. Your sacrifice, your promises, your continued guidance is my joy and I praise YOU! Thank you for loving me!

Today, as I look around our family tables, I will give thanks for those here, for those not here, and for those that have gone on to glory before me. Each person is dear and holds a special place in my heart!

So today, let's enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Let's overflow with thankful hearts to a God who is worthy of all praise and honor! Let's celebrate our God and lift His name on high!

Thanksgiving blessings to YOU this day!

Thanksgiving Wednesday!

On this Wednesday before Thanksgiving, let's take a closer look at verse three of our focal passage,

“Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalms 100:3 (KJV)

Today, as we prepare for our big Thanksgiving feast let's not forget to pause and give God praise for His authority in our lives. Our Great Creator! The One who breathed life into our lungs deserves our utmost respect and thanks! He loves us. He loves YOU! You matter to Him precious soul!

He is also our Great Shepherd who watches over us and guides through this life on earth. May we praise Him today and follow His guidance with quick obedience and complete trust because He knows what's best for His sheep.

I pray your day is filled with joy! Maybe you are traveling today or finishing up a day of work before the festivities or spending the day in the kitchen (like me) or maybe you are wondering how you will get through a day of thanksgiving with a heart not quite full of thanks. Wherever you are today, pause, and sit at Jesus feet and real aloud this passage of Psalm 100 to Him. Let His Word permeate your heart and fill you with peace. Let it be the salve to soothe those cracks of your heart and may it encourage your soul this day! May your heart overflow with thanks for who God is and all He will do in your life!

Blessings to you today!