These are my reindeer waiting for their turn to be set up outside. I have always liked reindeer, I don't know why, I guess because they seem like kind animals. So much is going on right now. The ladies of my church are getting ready for a Christmas Tea. It's a chance to invite people who might not come to church, but a relaxed environment is more comfortable for them.

This month of December has great opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas with others. The news last night had quick interviews with young people on the street about certain places and countries that are the roots of Jesus' birth. Not many of them knew about Bethlehem, or what nation it is in. It used to be common knowledge, but today not many bother to tell the story. How about you? Do you tell the younger ones around  you about the true meaning of Christmas?

What a story to tell! I can't imagine a better, true, real life story that this! God sent His only son, to die for me? He was born where? King of All Creation, yet He loves me? Sounds too good to be true. IN fact, the word gospel in greek means just that, something that is so amazingly wonderful that it sounds too good to be true. It was used very sparingly in the days of the new testament, because it was only to describe things so extraordinary wonderful. It is a word that describes Jesus, at least one  out of many.

Thank Him today, for the many wonderful things He has done. If you have trouble finding something to thank Him for look around you. Pray, Jesus, give me eyes to see your handiwork that is all around me. Help me to know that you have provided the air that I breathe, and the food that I eat. You keep me from the enemy's lies. You provide the sunshine and the rain. You love me beyond words. Amen.

I took this picture at the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park. Their decorations are beautiful and there is ice skating around the tree in the center. Try to go at night so you can see it lit up! My husband and I weren't planning on shopping, only dropping our daughter off there. We were glad that we stayed.

When my Father had open-heart surgery I remember being amazed that he didn't have any stitches. He was actually gluded together! What incredible things are happening in the areas of science and research, yet Our God has always mended hearts in so many ways. He does so using different people and circumstances, but it is always beyond our wildest imaginations!

I can remember saying to God, "How can you make anything good out of the mess that I have made? I don't understand Lord, what is your purpose here?" He didn't answer me right away, but as time moved on, I saw all the pieces of the puzzle fall in place. Today I can trust Him more than ever before because I have a history with God. I can see how he miraculously has made things right, when I was hopeless.

I have had family members and friends come to me in the past few days with situations that they couldn't see past. I prayed with them, and am trusting God to make a way. Everyone wants to see a miracle, but no one wants to be in the place to need a miracle, but we find ourselves there anyway. How will we know that He is the Living God if we never need Him to move in the miraculous?

"For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.  Isaiah 64:4

November is getting away from us! Hopefully we will continue to get some 50 degree days. I hope your Thanksgiving was free from stress, but when people gather around a table these days, many conversations can become heated. At my house we stayed away from those conflicts, at least on Thanksgiving.

What a wonderful Savior we serve! Even while we were in our sin , He died for us. As my Pastor said yesterday, If we were the only ones on planet earth, He would have come to save our souls. It's not just our souls that prosper in God, because we cannot divide our bodies into different parts. We are complete, spirit, soul, and body. He came to redeem all of our being. Joy in our spirits, soundness in our souls, and health in our bodies.

Please don't think that I am judging you if you are sick. I have chronic sickness in my body, and I know some of you do too. My heart is often  seeking God for perfect health, and I believe Him for it. It is HIs will, desire and purpose to heal us. I don't know why I have  allergic reactions all year round, but I move on to the hope that is in Christ Jesus! Does it hamper my lifestyle?  It surely does, but I move on. I refuse to let it rule me.

Maybe there is something today that is looming over your head, like an illness or a broken relationship. Take God's hand and let Him walk you out of it. You may not be healed, but you can surely not let it rule.

"I will extol the Lord at all times: his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord and he heard me; he delivered me from all my fears.   Psalm 34:1-4
{NIV}

This is Deepwells Farms in St. James. It will be all dressed up for Christmas soon with different vendors selling all kinds of gift items. It is fun to visit this time of year plus you can make reservations for tea, as if you are in a turn of the century home.

"Therefore God's chosen one, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another and if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love- the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful    {Colossians 3;12-15 HCSB}

As Deepwells will be decorated and festive for the season, so will be many people. So many love this season, for many of the reasons we do, without the wholeness of truth. Compassion, kindness and the like is dressed up but hasn't much stability if Christ isn't the source. It is not real when He is not in our hearts.

I noticed a highly popular television personality went to the White House to receive an award for her
contribution to change the world. She is known for her work to secure equal rights for the LGBT community. What she doesn't know is that her work misses the peace and forgiveness that she seems to purport. Heartfelt compassion that is misdirected can be a tool of the enemy. Jesus loves those who misguided and hurting and so should we, but we direct them to the truth, where the real underlying issues can be healed and taken away, so healing for eternity can prevail. Blessing and love to you and your family.

Psalm 119:30-32   "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes,  Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.

God is so good to us! He even explains to us what he says.The Holy Spirit's job is to bring alive the Word of God so that we can apply it to our lives.The application is the most important, but sometimes we forget that. Pastor Gary brought clarity to this on Sunday. The Pharisees were proud of their much learning, but lost the whole context of the Word of God when they didn't apply it.

To know what to do, and not do it does nothing to feed the poor, or help the sick. I love the scene in the book of Acts where the beggar looks to Peter to give him something and he says, "Look at us. Then Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."  {Acts 3:4b and 6.}  Try to imagine what it must have been like to be there! In the temple, everyone knew this man because everyday he came looking for some pocket change to survive. Now he is standing? How could this be, I think they might have said. About five thousand come to the Lord, while Peter and John go to jail.

When your understanding is broadened, it can cost you. Those who love this world's ways can't understand the things of God. It takes a dissatisfaction with all that we see, to desire more. There is so much more!

I hope you are looking forward to Thanksgiving, and that you are able to enjoy it! Sometimes those who cook don't always feel included in all of the fun. I am cooking but with a lot of help, so it balances out quite well. There are so many things to be thankful for, not just on this day, but every day of the year.

" Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."  {Revelation 7:12}

This scripture is referring to the angels around the throne of God that are worshipping Him. Just before this there is a multitude who cannot be numbered saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the lamb!  {Revelation 7: 10} Just imagine this scene! The Lord is on His throne in the middle of this, in all of His glory and majesty! The worship is resounding in magnitude, and nothing else can be seen or heard. No one cares to see or hear anything else because the scene is enrapturing and totally consuming! All needs are met.

"They will neither hunger or thirst anymore; the sun will not strike them nor the heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." These truths are enough for me to worship Him now, and every day, even though these scriptures refer to days to  come. He has already made the way for you and I to be full of His presence in this day. Put your faith into motion, fully activated by reading the word and prayer. Give Him the praise that He so deserves! Nothing is out of His reach!

Have you ever noticed the little things that can get under your skin? I was thinking today  about why do I get upset when the dog barks for no reason? Is it really that big of a deal? Why don't I save my frustration for something big like the toilet overflowing?

I stopped, and said a quick prayer, " Lord, I don't want this to bother me." That was all I had to say. Maybe if I do this more often, it won't build up to something that it isn't by the end of the day. I think if I noticed this that probably you have too. I don't mean about the dog,  but about anything. What if we all stopped when these things happened, and asked the Lord to calm us, would we be more calm by the end of the day?

It is worth a try. It can't hurt anything, and it might actually help, at least our prayer life that is. The more prayerful we are the more we will look to Jesus to keep us, so that we don't let the "little foxes" spoil the vines" of our nerves.

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on your glorious works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. {Psalm 145: 3-7}

Dear Father, I am in awe of your splendor! Help me to keep this before me at all times, and praise you through the little foxes that want me to wander off to things that are insignificant. I know the enemy of our souls wants us to be caught up in every little thing around us. I pray for these dear gracious sisters who will read this today, that you help them to be focused on you, and Your great goodness as the celebrations of your birth come close. May we truly honor You, and our souls will be at rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.