Random Dozen -12/16/09

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss. I love ginger snaps. Oh wait.....you said ginger bread. hmmmm I make a scrumptious ginger/pumpkin trifle that uses ginger bread. So, I guess that's a for.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family? I guess that's a no since I've lived hundreds of miles from my family most of my adult life. I do miss them, especially at holidays, birthday, and the like.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed? Frosty the Snowman so we could sing and dance and play.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life? I'll have to get back to you on this one.


5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of? I love the traditional Christmas songs: The First Noel, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald. I never tire of them.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime? Donating toys, coats, and food to various shelters.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?" Nope. Merry Hannukwanzmas! As long as HE IS the central theme what does it matter?

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month? Sadly, only one. I missed the grand-boy's program because I didn't know about it. (That's a topic for another blog post.)

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality? I'm dreaming of it being white for Christmas at someone else's house. I'm so over snow and cold. Don't get me wrong, it's great to look at and play in (see #3), but it's such a bother to drive in. It's just hard to get that Harley down the road when there's snow on the roads.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice. The one that still sticks out in my mind is a kitchen set I received when I was about 5. There was a sink, stove, and refrigerator. I loved it.

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month? Two down.....two to go.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas? By daily seeking God's help to show and tell others about the birth of Jesus. 


If you'd like to join in with your own answers, hop on over to Lid's by clicking here. 

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 1:30-33 (NKJV)³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

The Hope of Christmas

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 2:4-6 (New King James Version) ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:  ⁶ ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Christmas Poem

Jesus Christ was born this day so many years before

He came a servant to the lost, though He was Lord of lords

We celebrate this joyous time, reflecting on His birth

Not born in a mansion but a stable, as if He had no worth

He came so He could identify with the human heart of man

And gave His life as a sacrifice, offering a better plan

A plan that reconciles us back to our loving Father God

Bringing hope and redemption from sin's ruling rod

For this is the only reason that we should celebrate this day

To become focused on anything else would take the meaning away

So let's arise with joy in our hearts

And share it with everyone

The meaning of Christmas will always be the birth of Jesus Christ.

Please share the meaning of Christmas with someone today, This Day. You'll be sharing joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.^[a]

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 7:14 Literally God-With-Us

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on. It if bothers you that the town in which yo live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because ther would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in rememberance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldires away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. Editor's note: here's an address for you: A Recovering American Soldier; c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center; 6900 George Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20307-5001
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... it will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know what that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary -- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know the, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, If you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I ahve told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love....and remember:

I love you!
Jesus
***********************************************************
One of the class presentations was making candy cane reindeer which was donated to a local nursing home. Which from the list of 10 will you do today, This Day to share the love of Jesus?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 6:35 (NKJV) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Off the Grid

Thank you so very much for all your encouragement, kind words, and prayers. They mean more to me than you will ever know.

I'll be "off the grid" for a few days. Today was my final team demonstration and presentation, then I'm headed to a Christmas party, then packing. Early tomorrow I'm headed to a conference and won't get back until LATE Wednesday night. Actually, it will be after midnight Thursday morning when I finally get home. Oh, don't feel too sorry for me. I'm headed to Vegas and the conference is at Caesar's Palace.

My pal, Jess, is traveling with me and we are doing a spa at Caesar's. I can barely wait. I so need the break and relaxation. They have a whole "spa experience" that includes relaxing in the Roman baths and saunas. Doesn't that sound just delicious? It's totally segregated so I'm good with that.

We're also eating at Mesa Grill. If you're not familiar with that restaurant, Bobby Flay from the Food Network is the owner.  We'll have one other evening for dinner out and we're just winging it. We will have so much fun. We always do.

Have any of you done a spa treatment before? If you could indulge in one luxury this Christmas season as a gift to yourself what would it be?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 122:8 (NIV)  For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

Thankful Thursday - 12/3/09

This is the day each week that I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey in giving thanks for my many blessings. They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.

1. Thank you, God, for my wonderful husband. He always lifts my spirits now matter what the situation. He has a wonderful sense of humor....tho sometimes a little warped. Ok....a lot warped. But that's one of the things I love about him. Like teaching the grand-boy to make up silly songs.

2. Thank you Lord.....the semester is almost over. I'll be finished Saturday. Woooohoooo!

3. Thank you Lord that next semester is my last and I will finally graduate. I couldn't have gotten this far with out Your help.

4. Thank you, God, that the internship proposal was accepted and my boss is flexible with my work schedule to allow me to complete this degree requirement.

5. Praise you, Lord, for this glorious Christmas season. It's an honor and a privilege to celebrate the birth of your dear Son.

What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and be sure to hop on over to Sonya's to link up and join in.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Random Dozen - 12/02/09

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like? Definitely the Scarecrow....cause sometimes, "I haven't got a brain." My wonderful hubby would concur with this. I'm clearly blond...some days the roots run a little bit deeper than on other days.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why? I generally start with a pair of slacks and build from there. Why? I'm so glad you asked. Because I have lots of tops to go with a few pants.

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without? I have no clue on the animal. Now if we were talking bugs....

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home? Not a single one. My wonderful husband disposed of both of them during the move. Oh wait.....we do have one little four footer. Guess that's what we're using this year. Now in his defense, I have to say that the pre-lit one had a place in it where the lights no longer worked and the other tree needed lights which neither of us really wanted to mess with.

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak? Absolutely not! Emotionless means no compassion towards others too. Gotta have that!

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression? I thought that was a tradition for everyone.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music? Some of it...yes; some....no. But I'm that way with other musicians too.

8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma? I have no idea.

9. Enjoy horseback riding? Oh yes.....I've been around horses since the age of 12. I miss having animals.

10. Shoes--practical or stylish? They have to be both for me.

11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic. Frisky

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done?25% 


If you'd like to join in.....just hop on over to Linda's at 2nd Cup of Coffee by clicking on the icon at the top of the page.


Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 1:1-2 (NIV) ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.