Inspirations

So, I've been asking myself how we prepare our hearts for Christmas. We all know how the "world" gets ready for Christmas. It's often why we get cranky. There are parties, and baking. Let's not forget about shopping and decorations to buy. Finances and tempers are often short, and the lists long. But, how do we prepare our hearts for Christmas? I have to say I am not sure this is a "one answer fits all" question. Yet, as I look at Mary and Joseph, I see one quality in them that might help us in our endeavor to prepare our hearts for Christmas. It called obedience.   If anyone had a good reason for questioning God, it would be them. They took God at his word.   An angel told Mary she would have a baby without being married  and her response is "ok," Elaine's translation.  There was no argument, just obedience. Joseph is told to take Mary as his wife and  went and married her...

We're heading into the Christmas season. Everyone's busy running here and there, scurrying around like some kind of rodent. They're all shopping for gifts to go under the tree, and putting up Christmas trees, or decorating houses. They're having parties, and baking all kinds of goodies. Everyone, young and old, man and woman are preparing for one special day. Christmas. part of the fun of Christmas are the preparations that we make. Yet, there is the danger of losing sight of Christmas among all the trappings. We can get so busy with all the things leading up to Christmas that Christmas is no longer joyous and fun, filled with love. In fact, to be honest, it can be one of the most stressful, irritating, depressing times. My daughter is coming to visit. I am making preparations! Why? because I LOVE her. I want to be sure everything is perfect. I want the house clean, and everything ready for her to come. Frie...

As I look at the world around me, I am in awe of  the creativity of the God who created it. I'm awed by the fact that the God who created sameness in each and every person  also created uniqueness in every person.  In everything God created, there is a degree of similarity and at the same time things that make each object unique and unlike any other. It doesn't matter whether it's animals, plants and  trees, or the stars in the sky there are similarities  and  differences in each one .     The amazing thing, and what I'm thankful for,  is that God did not hoard creativity and imagination and keep it all for himself.   No, he also lavishes it on us as the crown of his creation.   For some, it's singing,  others writing,  still others photography,  drawing,  cooking and the list goes on.   Everyone has been given creativity by God;...

      Today I want to thank God for the times when God talks to us.   There have been many times in my life when God has given wisdom, insight, direction when I need it most.  Sometimes have lost "things", usually the keys.  I have always had a hard time keeping track of those things.  I am sure they have legs. I search every nook and cranny and come up empty. In despair, I call out to God and as I continue searching the planet for what was lost, I have this "whispering voice" saying, "Did you look in the (insert place) ".  I'll go back and look and sure enough right there they are, right where I left them.  Other times, God has given me wisdom concerning people.  Sometimes it's just a negative feeling about someone that I cannot "put aside".  I've learned to listen to those feelings because I serve a God who discerns the heart.  At times, I have asked God to show me who to trust.  He has answered by bringing situatio...

The past two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster.   I had someone say some unkind things that hurt me.  I felt betrayed and kicked in the stomach.  I take those type of stuff personally.  Then one of my Aunts died.  Again my emotions went spiraling.  Then three days ago, I found outAother Aunt died: I only had two aunts.  So I spent today feeling nostalgic and weepy.  I could deny those feelings, but that would be lying. Some days, I am sad, Some days I am grouchy. On other days I am Happy, And on still other days I am silly. Every one of those emotions is good because God created them.   Jesus was sad Jesus was angry He was happy; all of these. I am thankful that God gave me feelings. Because of them, I can sympathize with a coworker who suffers loss. I can be happy and rejoice when the report from the doctor is good. I can mourn when another is grie...

      A short time ago, I wanted to visit a local attraction.   I was almost sure that I knew the was there, but we decided to use Google Maps just for security.   As we got close, Google Maps told us to make a right, onto a single lane road.   I knew it was not the same road, but I felt that maybe it was a short cut, so we began out track down this country lane.    It was not long before the country lane was a dirt road a car width wide.  There were tons of ruts and steep drop off on each side that I feared damage to the vehicle or us. When I had given up all hope of ever getting off the road, it ended abruptly leaving an area big enough to turn a small vehicle around.   I did a quick turnaround happy to be getting off the poor excuse for a road.   When I got home, I did some checking and found that what we had been driving was a trail, not a road.   Feeling adventurous, we decided to go back and hike the trail since it ...

I  sit here this morning with my cup of coffee reading Facebook posts.   Most of them were political.  Some defending Mr.Trump for things he said on a tape a few years ago; others were defending Ms. Clinton.   I long ago gave up trying to decide who is right in the political arena.  You foolish Americans!  Can you not see that these two candidates mirror the society in which we live?  Mr. Trump is brash, speaking and acting without thinking, and vulgar, profanity is as natural as breathing.   While I hate it, I am not shocked.  I work in retail; I see this kind if thing demonstrated every day by coworkers, and customers. Being sexually lewd is as common in our society as changing your dirty socks or underwear.  We should be ashamed of a culture where this is acceptable on any level.   Ms. Clinton is no better; she has lied, to deflect disgrace from herself; she has supported the murder of innocent ...