We have now entered the Christmas season. The stores are cluttered and the highways are busy. Stress can be very high during this time. I really don't think God intended it to be that way when he gave the most precious gift ever given. I wonder how great Christmas could be if we could give something away that we didn't go to the mall and purchase? Give yourself away this Christmas to your friends and families. Volunteer to help someone get ready for Christmas that may not be able to decorate or cook.
One way to enjoy spending time with your loved ones during this Christmas season is to make a 12 Days of Christmas activity list like...
Going to see Christmas lights.
Enjoying free holiday concerts.
Attending Parades.
Check out Christmas books & old Christmas movies from local library.
Baking your favorite holiday cookies.
Enjoy your church Christmas program.
Be creative when making your list. Ask your family what they would like to do during the 12 days of Christmas. Allow your kids to make a suggestion and, if at all possible, do what they want one night. It might make their Christmas one they will never forget! In the midst of this busy season don't forget why we are celebrating. During your 12 days of Christmas activities take a few minutes each day to read the Christmas story to your children. Teach them that the most precious gift is not an Xbox 360 with the latest game, it's the gift that keeps on giving after 2000 years, Jesus Christ.
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful colors of God's creation. This season, to me is one of the greatest. It reminds us to take time out of our busy lives and remember how very thankful we should be for the blessings of family. It is also a gateway for the busy, (and sometimes expensive) holiday season! So here are some great ideas to bump up the autumn splendor in your home, while saving that spending money for other things.
5 Quick and Cheap Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas
1. Set a backdrop for your Thanksgiving celebrations. Layer fabrics on windows and tables. Bring out area rugs and switch out some of your more summery accessories for things with rich colors and a warm feel. This doesn't have to be expensive...visit your own linen closet for quilts and sheets that can be used, or take a trip to your local thrift store to check out what they might have there.
2. Invest in a package or two of silk fall leaves. They only cost a couple of dollars at Walmart, so use them as lavishly as your budget will allow. Tuck them behind picture frames, sprinkle them on tabletops, even pin them to your hand towels in your powder room. Nothing brings that warmth to a home more than fall's splendor.
3. Rearrange your family living areas. Think about how redirecting your seating arrangements might create conversational areas, and warm up the look of your room. Especially, if you have a large living room or den. Pull your sofa, love seat and chairs away from the walls. It will make your space feel more intimate and inviting. Form small sitting areas in your room. Move a rarely used chair to a corner and add some throws and pillows for a reading spot. A new view can be charming and fresh, and who knows, maybe you will actually get around to that book!
4. Create a little snack or breakfast table in a corner of your kitchen with a cheap card table and some layered linens. Accessorize it with a basket of apples, and keep a place setting or two always set for that hot cider with your spouse or kids. These touches add warmth whether we use them or not, just knowing they are there for us.
5. Finally, make ordinary moments a new yearly tradition in your home. Serve Monday night burgers on your best china and set a vase of fall flowers out at breakfast, or visit a farmers market and display your favorite fruits in a glass bowl or a basket. Tie fall ribbon on the backs of dining chairs, around throw pillows or guest towels. Use a dry erase marker to write inspirational messages on the bathroom mirrors for your kids, spouse and for your house guests.
Use these great Thanksgiving decorating ideas for your home, and find out how thankful your loved ones are that you cared enough to make their home as special as can be...without spending more than you need to!
I would love to hear from you if you have any great ideas. Holidays are a great time to start new traditions with your family and revive old ones. If you have a great Holiday tradition and would like to share it, please take an opportunity to post it. There maybe someone looking for something new to cook, decorate or they maybe looking for a new idea. Be blessed!
5 Quick and Cheap Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas
1. Set a backdrop for your Thanksgiving celebrations. Layer fabrics on windows and tables. Bring out area rugs and switch out some of your more summery accessories for things with rich colors and a warm feel. This doesn't have to be expensive...visit your own linen closet for quilts and sheets that can be used, or take a trip to your local thrift store to check out what they might have there.
2. Invest in a package or two of silk fall leaves. They only cost a couple of dollars at Walmart, so use them as lavishly as your budget will allow. Tuck them behind picture frames, sprinkle them on tabletops, even pin them to your hand towels in your powder room. Nothing brings that warmth to a home more than fall's splendor.
3. Rearrange your family living areas. Think about how redirecting your seating arrangements might create conversational areas, and warm up the look of your room. Especially, if you have a large living room or den. Pull your sofa, love seat and chairs away from the walls. It will make your space feel more intimate and inviting. Form small sitting areas in your room. Move a rarely used chair to a corner and add some throws and pillows for a reading spot. A new view can be charming and fresh, and who knows, maybe you will actually get around to that book!
4. Create a little snack or breakfast table in a corner of your kitchen with a cheap card table and some layered linens. Accessorize it with a basket of apples, and keep a place setting or two always set for that hot cider with your spouse or kids. These touches add warmth whether we use them or not, just knowing they are there for us.
5. Finally, make ordinary moments a new yearly tradition in your home. Serve Monday night burgers on your best china and set a vase of fall flowers out at breakfast, or visit a farmers market and display your favorite fruits in a glass bowl or a basket. Tie fall ribbon on the backs of dining chairs, around throw pillows or guest towels. Use a dry erase marker to write inspirational messages on the bathroom mirrors for your kids, spouse and for your house guests.
Use these great Thanksgiving decorating ideas for your home, and find out how thankful your loved ones are that you cared enough to make their home as special as can be...without spending more than you need to!
I would love to hear from you if you have any great ideas. Holidays are a great time to start new traditions with your family and revive old ones. If you have a great Holiday tradition and would like to share it, please take an opportunity to post it. There maybe someone looking for something new to cook, decorate or they maybe looking for a new idea. Be blessed!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
I almost forgot that you need to know another language to understand what babies are saying and wanting. It's so funny how they interpret words that you say very clear, but they have their own way of saying those words. We are now in that stage with Izabella.
We say cracker, she says cacker, and she has changed Lucy's (our dog) name to - Lollie. When she wants more food, she will say over and over, mo..mo..mo..mo. The TV is now a te..te. And when she wants you to pick her up it's eh..eh..eh.., of course I interpret that to be ,"I want my Granna".
How many times do we try to say things to those around us and closest to us and we feel as though we have been misinterpreted or misread. I know as a woman, because we can be very moody, that our expression on our face may say one thing but the words that we are speaking are saying something else. I also know how hard it may be to say something from your heart and you are searching for the right tone in your voice so that you won't be misinterpreted. Do you tend to interpret things in a negative way or a positive way? It's gonna be really hard to see things in the right way if we are not willing to be open to all the possibilities that are surrounding us. I found this poem that really describes misinterpretation:
Misinterpretation
by Olivia Jade
She looked upon the dreary world,
Into the shadows of the night
The people asked her to look further more
But she told them she saw a beautiful sight
They asked her to open her eyes
So she blinked once, twice, and again
And by the third time she opened her eyes,
She saw an ignorant and awful trend
For the people surrounding her in this world
Were so closed minded, which made them all so weak
Because what she saw in front of her
Was so beautiful she could hardly speak
She asked once more what kind of creatures they were,
To not see the beauty right in front of their eyes
Then turned around to see them all staring with great surprise
For never had anyone ever questioned their authority
Like that in these heinous times
She sadly turned away and realized,
This was a world full of lies.
And so through the darkness all they could see was what they were taught they should feel
Through it all they could not see the wonder of what was truly real
"Now I ask of you," she said, "as you did of me before,
Open your eyes and see what there is to explore
Experience new things again, and learn for yourself once more
For if you only know of what others teach you,
What are you living for?"
You may need to read this a few times to see the real message in this poem. We should always remain teachable and being taught is great, but if we stay closed minded to other possibilities we may not ever see the whole truth. I believe God always wants us to be open, because He may not always do things the way we think He should or the way we have always seen it done.
We say cracker, she says cacker, and she has changed Lucy's (our dog) name to - Lollie. When she wants more food, she will say over and over, mo..mo..mo..mo. The TV is now a te..te. And when she wants you to pick her up it's eh..eh..eh.., of course I interpret that to be ,"I want my Granna".
How many times do we try to say things to those around us and closest to us and we feel as though we have been misinterpreted or misread. I know as a woman, because we can be very moody, that our expression on our face may say one thing but the words that we are speaking are saying something else. I also know how hard it may be to say something from your heart and you are searching for the right tone in your voice so that you won't be misinterpreted. Do you tend to interpret things in a negative way or a positive way? It's gonna be really hard to see things in the right way if we are not willing to be open to all the possibilities that are surrounding us. I found this poem that really describes misinterpretation:
Misinterpretation
by Olivia Jade
She looked upon the dreary world,
Into the shadows of the night
The people asked her to look further more
But she told them she saw a beautiful sight
They asked her to open her eyes
So she blinked once, twice, and again
And by the third time she opened her eyes,
She saw an ignorant and awful trend
For the people surrounding her in this world
Were so closed minded, which made them all so weak
Because what she saw in front of her
Was so beautiful she could hardly speak
She asked once more what kind of creatures they were,
To not see the beauty right in front of their eyes
Then turned around to see them all staring with great surprise
For never had anyone ever questioned their authority
Like that in these heinous times
She sadly turned away and realized,
This was a world full of lies.
And so through the darkness all they could see was what they were taught they should feel
Through it all they could not see the wonder of what was truly real
"Now I ask of you," she said, "as you did of me before,
Open your eyes and see what there is to explore
Experience new things again, and learn for yourself once more
For if you only know of what others teach you,
What are you living for?"
You may need to read this a few times to see the real message in this poem. We should always remain teachable and being taught is great, but if we stay closed minded to other possibilities we may not ever see the whole truth. I believe God always wants us to be open, because He may not always do things the way we think He should or the way we have always seen it done.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Whew... I have always loved the month of March. It's the month when winter ends and spring begins, but WOW what a busy month.
To begin with on March 10th Pastor and I share the same birthday, he is older of course, lol. There is an advantage to sharing the same birthday; we never forget each other's birthday. Then my Mother's birthday is March 14, she turned 71 & Christie Stanford, our sister-in-law, her birthday is on March 14th also, I won't give her age. On March 21st was my Dad and Mom's 54th wedding anniversary. I am so proud of them. Brian Stanford was born on March 23rd. Then March 29th was my Dad's 74th birthday. Whew... did you get all of that. I have to really think about it so that I don't get things mixed up. But, don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for everyone of my family and that we still have the opportunity to share such special days with them.
Take some time and think about your family and how God has blessed you. Don't forget to tell them how important they are to you and how blessed you are to have them still with you. Let your family know you love them and do something special for them. You will never go wrong sharing love with those that are closest to you. So share a little of yourself today with your family and let God's love shine through you.
To begin with on March 10th Pastor and I share the same birthday, he is older of course, lol. There is an advantage to sharing the same birthday; we never forget each other's birthday. Then my Mother's birthday is March 14, she turned 71 & Christie Stanford, our sister-in-law, her birthday is on March 14th also, I won't give her age. On March 21st was my Dad and Mom's 54th wedding anniversary. I am so proud of them. Brian Stanford was born on March 23rd. Then March 29th was my Dad's 74th birthday. Whew... did you get all of that. I have to really think about it so that I don't get things mixed up. But, don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for everyone of my family and that we still have the opportunity to share such special days with them.
Take some time and think about your family and how God has blessed you. Don't forget to tell them how important they are to you and how blessed you are to have them still with you. Let your family know you love them and do something special for them. You will never go wrong sharing love with those that are closest to you. So share a little of yourself today with your family and let God's love shine through you.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Spring, spring, spring, I love springtime. It's a time when things began to look fresh, new and alive. I seem to get motivated to do extra cleaning and to move things around. It's also a good time to take a good look at your life and get a fresh outlook. Spring-cleaning is like a spiritual renewal. In your home you will go from room to room cleaning areas that you may not touch each week. We need to visualize our hearts, minds & souls like rooms in our homes. Don't skip the baseboards or the cobwebs and get up every dust bunny. Remember how fresh and new your home feels when you spring-clean. Just think how much better you will feel as you allow God to perform a spiritual renewal in your life. So open the windows, push back the curtains and sweep the floors and feel the freshness of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
There are two words (what if__) that have been on my mind since the New Year. I have taken these two words and used them to ask myself questions. I am posting these words with one of the questions I have asked myself. If you would like you can leave a comment using these two words. It will be interesting to see what your question will be.
What if I had used my gym membership at least 3 days a week in 2009?
Now come on, don't leave me hanging, I want to hear from YOU!!
What if I had used my gym membership at least 3 days a week in 2009?
Now come on, don't leave me hanging, I want to hear from YOU!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I just want to say thank you to all who have signed on as a follower. I hope something I write or say will encourage you and help you through your day.
God has taught me over the years that when I am facing something that seems so discouraging to me, the best thing for me to do is praise Him with all my heart. I found that in the midst of trouble, if I will praise Him, something begins to happen. I may not see an immediate change, but my heart and mind begins to believe that there is a way out. I start having thoughts of how big God is and how he delivered Daniel out of the Lion's den. I start thinking about how he set the Hebrew boys free from the fire. I begin to think about all the times he has brought me through. I found out that when I push through with praise that God would fight my battle. With God on my side I always win. In Ex. 17:10-13, Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle. You win, when you worship. So praise Him today through whatever you face, and if you see someone who is not winning help hold his or her hands up until the battle is won.
God has taught me over the years that when I am facing something that seems so discouraging to me, the best thing for me to do is praise Him with all my heart. I found that in the midst of trouble, if I will praise Him, something begins to happen. I may not see an immediate change, but my heart and mind begins to believe that there is a way out. I start having thoughts of how big God is and how he delivered Daniel out of the Lion's den. I start thinking about how he set the Hebrew boys free from the fire. I begin to think about all the times he has brought me through. I found out that when I push through with praise that God would fight my battle. With God on my side I always win. In Ex. 17:10-13, Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle. You win, when you worship. So praise Him today through whatever you face, and if you see someone who is not winning help hold his or her hands up until the battle is won.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Here we are again in a new year with great expectations about where God is going to take us this year. I, for one, am so excited about what God has in store for our families and our church. As a child, we all remember the statement, "Get ready, Get set, GO...." and off we went to hide, race, or find Easter eggs. Well, that's what I hear God telling us. It's time to "Get ready", get our hearts prepared for the days to come. "Get set", get our feet firmly planted and our minds made up. "GO", go tell the good things of God and what he is doing in your life. Your testimony to your friends, families & co-workers could start a change in their life. Don't hold it in, "GO" and tell somebody what the Lord has done for you. Decide to be the one that God is going to use to start a change in someones life today!
I try to make this a continual prayer in my life, "Lord help me to be sensitive to your voice today so that I can help someone who's crying out." Over and over again God has given me the opportunity to share with someone who has needed encouragement and strength. A few days ago as I was headed home I stopped to go into a store I had not been in close to a year. The lady at the register began to tell me where she went to church and the more we talked we realized that Pastor and I had been in revivals at the church where she attends. She started crying and asked if we would pray for her 50 year old son. He had been put in jail for drug use and she had not heard from him through the holidays. She went on to say he had lost everything, beautiful wife, his kids & home there was nothing left for him. I began to testify and tell her about God's goodness in our lives and how he has brought us through so many times. During our conversation she got a call on her cell phone. It was her son, calling from the jail. I asked her if I could pray for him. Immediately, when he got on the phone she said, son there is a lady here, and I know God sent her, she would like to pray for you I'll talk to you in a minute and she handed me the phone. I am so glad that I was available for God to use me. This year lets make ourselves available for God to use our gifts, talents and our testimonies to help those around us that are crying out for help. God has given you exactly what they need or they wouldn't be standing in front of you! Be available, be sensitive & be ready for God to use you TODAY!
I love you and I hope you enjoy reading and posting on "Moments with Joy."
I try to make this a continual prayer in my life, "Lord help me to be sensitive to your voice today so that I can help someone who's crying out." Over and over again God has given me the opportunity to share with someone who has needed encouragement and strength. A few days ago as I was headed home I stopped to go into a store I had not been in close to a year. The lady at the register began to tell me where she went to church and the more we talked we realized that Pastor and I had been in revivals at the church where she attends. She started crying and asked if we would pray for her 50 year old son. He had been put in jail for drug use and she had not heard from him through the holidays. She went on to say he had lost everything, beautiful wife, his kids & home there was nothing left for him. I began to testify and tell her about God's goodness in our lives and how he has brought us through so many times. During our conversation she got a call on her cell phone. It was her son, calling from the jail. I asked her if I could pray for him. Immediately, when he got on the phone she said, son there is a lady here, and I know God sent her, she would like to pray for you I'll talk to you in a minute and she handed me the phone. I am so glad that I was available for God to use me. This year lets make ourselves available for God to use our gifts, talents and our testimonies to help those around us that are crying out for help. God has given you exactly what they need or they wouldn't be standing in front of you! Be available, be sensitive & be ready for God to use you TODAY!
I love you and I hope you enjoy reading and posting on "Moments with Joy."
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