GRACE

from Abide in Christ

 

I am convinced the most important message we can ever proclaim is the free grace of God that forgives us of all our sins and gives us a perfect relationship with God. We are justified by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:21-28; 4:5).
Let’s examine a simple acrostic of the word G-R-A-C-E.
GOD in holy love RECONCILES ruined and rebellious sinners by His ABUNDANT grace and CHANGES ruined men from the inside out and gives ETERNAL LIFE to all who believe on Jesus Christ.
GOD—is the Creator of the universe. His personal name is Jehovah or Yahweh. Most modern English translations use the name LORD, written with four small capital letters to translate the Hebrew word JHVH.
The Bible tells us He is the creator and sustainer of the universe (Gen. 1:1, 27; Psalm 14:1). He did not wind up the universe like a clock and then walk away. He is personally involved in His creation (Ps. 139).
He is holy and righteous (Isaiah 6:1; Rev. 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:15-18). The Hebrew prophet Isaiah saw Him in a vision, sitting on His throne, lofty and exalted. He heard the Seraphim chanting, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole world is full of His glory” (Isa. 6:3).
The LORD God loves His creation and is patient with mankind. He first loved us and expects us to love Him with all our heart (1 John 4:10, 19). “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 27:37; Deut. 6:5). Jesus said, “Seek first His [God’s] kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).
The LORD God is good to us all the time, and He alone is worthy of our praise (Rev. 4:11).

Chronicles 16:11-12

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.

Hello!  Doesn't the time go quickly!  Christmas Day now past, and five days to the new year!  It's been a busy few days, but so lovely to spend time with family and friends!
I guess it is a time of reflection now, remembering the past year, and wondering what 2012 will bring to us!   Do you have some thoughts on this?

My Christmas Wishes

Hello my friends, 

It's the night of Christmas Eve here in Sydney, Australia.
Although this is our summer time, the real heat has not come yet, and today was a beautiful 'not too hot' day here. 

I have never experienced a cold Christmas, maybe one day!!  

 I went to the shops to finish a bit of last minute food shopping, it was so busy, people everywhere, but there seemed to be a few happy faces in anticipation of  two or more days off, away from the 'hustle and bustle' of pre Christmas preparation.

So I take this time now, to wish you all a very Happy Christmas, to remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,  and to thank God for all our blessings.

I thank you for taking time out of your day to look at my WOW page,  so many different countries, I wish I could see them all!

God Bless you all,

Kerry :-)

Thought for Today

“Life itself is a journey after all, and what matters most is not what you are getting, but who you are becoming.”

"My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?"Bob Hope

A Thought for Today........
Remember: this December, that love weighs more than gold!

 

Matthew 1:20-21

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

 

The Christmas Story

Hello my friends, such a busy time of the year,
I hope you are all well and enjoying, (not stressing),
as we prepare for Christmas.
I thought you might like this little version of the Christmas Story
I found on YouTube, seeing Christmas through the eyes
of children is so beautiful.
Have a happy day,
God Bless,
Kerry :-)

When Santa Claus met Jesus Christ,
So the story goes ...
He bowed his head, and then he said,
"Dear Lord, I need to know."

"Every year I fill my sleigh,
With lots and lots of toys,
And I fly high across the sky,
Delivering them with joy."

"I get letters from the children,
They ask for many things,
And so hard I try to satisfy,
With each toy that I bring."

"It is my mission every year,
To reach each child I can,
To leave love and joy with every toy,
As I fly throughout the land."

"But lately, Lord, I'm wondering,
Am I doing wrong,
To drive my sleigh on Your Birthday,
And hear cute Santa songs?"

"I'm troubled, for there is no way
I would invade your territory,
I'd feel very bad, if I made you sad,
I do not seek such glory."

So then the Lord ... who's very wise,
Spoke to Santa's heart direct,
"You're a necessary emissary,
You are one of my elect."

"I'm pleased to see your jolly self,
Make so many children smile;
I, too, rejoice for girls and boys,
And I feel you're most worthwhile."

"On my birthday, years ago,
In the manger where I lay,
You bowed to me on bended knee,
You, too, were born that day."

"Dear Santa Claus, I've chosen you,
My First Ambassador of Cheer,
Please celebrate on my birth date,
And do this every year."

"You're a blessed fantasy and dream,
And you're essential on this earth,
You're a needed part in all men's hearts,
Of everlasting childlike mirth."

~ Virginia (Ginny) Ellis ~

Don’t Forget the Real Meaning of Christmas
By Kristen Anderson
Our society seems to be so much more commercial these days when it comes to Christmas. You can walk in any store days before Halloween and already the Christmas decorations are coming out and pre-packaged gifts are on sale.
However, we need to remember the real meaning of Christmas as adults so that our children will not end up so caught up in Christmas being about getting presents and Santa coming that that’s all they will be looking forward to.
The real meaning of Christmas of course is the birth of Christ. Without any of that there wouldn’t even be a Christmas. Even if you don’t do it now, you can start a new tradition of reading the Christmas story from the bible each Christmas Eve so that children begin to understand the real meaning of Christmas.
We all think our children are special when they are born and each and every one of them are, however, when Christ was born in Bethlehem there was no baby more special that him. He was not created the way other children are created. He was created by a Heavenly being and that is what made him so special.
Jesus lived among us just like every other human being does and he did good and miraculous things while he was here. However, he would be the one who would die on a cross, like no other man before him and save all of the mortals from sin for eternity.
We all put up our Christmas Treedecorative ornaments, decorate our doors and our yard, and even put up the nativity scene in our living room for all to see. But do we really live in the spirit of Christmas or merely put on the front and still rush around trying to buy presents for everyone and make sure that everyone is happy on Christmas morning?
Sit down with your children and let them know exactly what Christmas really means. Explain to them that a special child named Jesus was born on this day and that the wise men came to bring him gifts because he was so special. Every child should know the real meaning of Christmas and take pride in being able to share that story and that experience with those who are closest to them; special family and friends.
Don’t continue to let them believe that Christmas is all about how many gifts you get under the tree on Christmas morning or that the gifts that cost the most are what are most important. You have to show them by example and let them know what Christmas really is all about. Plain and simple, it is about the birth of Jesus.

Did you know that the main colours of Christmas are red and green. The red symbolizes the blood that Jesus spilt to redeem us from our sins. Green has always been the colour of life. The ancient Egyptians used the colour green to symbolize the triumph of life over death. Therefore, green symbolizes the potential for eternal life that Jesus' sacrifice made possible for all of us. Other colours generally used with red and green are white, sparkling silver and gold. White symbolizes purity, holiness, and virtue. Because of its brightness, metallic silver is sometimes uses as an alternate colour for white. God symbolizes what is precious and valuable, and so symbolizes majesty, joy, and celebration. Because of its brightness, metallic gold also symbolizes the presence of God. Blue symbolizes the sky or heaven, where heralds proclaimed Jesus' birth.

Who Started Christmas? 

A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children.  After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with the kids in tow and her arms loaded with her purchases.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the Christmas season.  She was overwhelmed with the pressures to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the 'christmas' food and treats, and get that perfect gift for every single person on her shopping list.  She had to make sure she didn't forget anyone on her card list, and the pressure of being sure she responded to everyone who sent her a card. was almost more than she could bear.

Finally the elevator doors opened.  There was already a crowd in the elevator, but she pushed her way into the car, dragging her two kids and all the bags of stuff in with her.  When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry.  We already crucified Him."  For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word.  If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

The Gospel Tree

There once was a shining Christmas tree
Standing out where all could see.
Its brilliance captured every eye
And seemed to cheer each passer by.

And hesitate to walk away.
The tree stood proud ablaze with light
For every light was burning bright.
Then some bulb was heard to say
"I'm tired of burning night and day;
I think I'll just go out and take a rest
For I'm too tired to do my best;
Besides I am so very small
I doubt if I'd be missed at all."
Then a child lovingly touched the light,
"Look, mother, this one shines so very bright.
I think of all the lights upon the tree
This one looks the best to me."
"Oh my goodness," said the light
"I almost dimmed right out of sight.
I thought perhaps no one would care
If I failed to shine my share."
With that a glorious brilliance came
For every light had felt the same.
Our Gospel, like this Christmas tree,
With little lights which are you and me,
We each have a space that we must fill
With love, and lessons and good will.
Let's keep our tree ablaze with light,
With testimonies burning bright.
For our Gospel is a living tree
That lights the way to eternity.

Hallelujah Chorus -Quinhagak, Alaska

Hello my friends, this was sent to me via email, I just love it!! Please watch and enjoy! I hope you are all going well, as we are now only a couple of weeks to Christmas, it is such a busy time for some of us!! God Bless, Kerry :-)

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.- Norman Wesley Brooks

Learn to get in touch with silence within yourself, and know that everything in this life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.
— Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Sal's rose.....

Matthew 5:14

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For Christians, there is no playing hide and seek with the world. Having been rescued from darkness, we have to let our light shine. That sometimes means that others see God's light reflected in us and learn to glorify God through us. At other times, however, it means that we stand out in a world of darkness and become targets because of our faith. Either way, there is no place to hide. We are light in a world of darkness; we cannot help but shine!

12 Days of ChristmasThere is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today I found out at a ladies luncheon its origin. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
* The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
* Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
* Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
* The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
* The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
* The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
* Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
* The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
* Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
* The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
* The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
* The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol... so pass it on if you wish.

Bing Crosby - It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Success is a way of life

Success is not a secret. Success is a direction, a process, and a way of life.
Success is not merely something that you get. Success is all about the way you choose to live.
You can be successful right now. Simply turn your focus, your awareness, your thoughts and actions in a positive, meaningful direction.
Success is the journey, and not merely the end of the road. Every moment is your opportunity to live the success you seek.
Dream without limits, and act on those dreams. Live without excuses or apologies, and with a persistent, driving desire to make a difference.
Success is a way of life. Choose that way right now, and in every moment of every day.
                                                                                        — Ralph Marston

quote

In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back.
Charlie Brown

A Gift of Love

     One of my favorite Christmas stories has to do with a missionary in Africa.  Before Christmas she had been telling the students how Christians, in happiness, gave presents to others on the occasion of Christ's birthday.

     A few days later, on Christmas morning, one of these native students brought the missionary a beautiful, lustrous sea shell.  When asked where he had discovered such an extraordinary shell, he said he had walked many miles to a certain ocean bay, the only spot where such shells could be found.  

     She exclaimed, "What a beautiful gift!  It must have been a real sacrifice for you to have travelled so far to get it."

    His eyes brightened as he replied, "Long walk, part of gift!"