Keep It Simple!

Jesus Said, "All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30 (HCSB)

Rushing around, cramming everything in, too much to do....and on and on! God is reminding me in several gentle ways that He is never in a hurry or worried. My encouragement to you and myself today, based on Matthew 11:29-30 is "Keep It Simple"! Let's Keep Jesus at the Center of Christmas as we simply love Him, worship Him, adore Him, prepare for Him, and most of all SHARE Him as we are going about in our daily activities! Just last night we had the joy and privilege of sharing Jesus with a waiter at a restaurant and God used the neatest attribute to draw him into my husband and my conversation...PATIENCE! We were patient with him and he needed that expression because there was much hustle and bustle going on around us at the other tables. As God's evangelistic out-to-eaters, He will use the simplest ingredient to reach someone for Jesus. We may not have led our waiter to the Lord, but we planted seeds of God & His Gentle Peace & Love! As we planted these seeds, God gave us a great gentle reminder to keep keeping things "simple" in everything we do, even in the enjoyment of eating out at a restaurant! As my husband and I enjoyed our meal, expressed our appreciation to our waiter, paid for our bill, and included a unique witnessing booklet for our male waiter...Jesus was Glorified in The Simple!

Keeping It Simple With You as we put on The Lord's EASY and LIGHT yoke of Christmas!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2ocj4BvUQ (Light a Candle!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFCXbhKaEQ (Glory to God!)

It's a Deal

I love coupons. One of my favorite things to do is sit on the couch on Sunday afternoons and go through the Sunday paper with my grocery list and try to come up with the best strategy for saving money and getting great deals that week. A great joy for me is handing that stack of coupons to the clerk at the end of the order and just watching the numbers slowly go down. I am signed up for e-coupons through certain websites and also subscribe to some free magazines just for their coupon inserts. In addition to my own personal joy from finding good deals, I love to talk with other women about their coupons and deal-findings. The other day I was in line at the grocery store sorting my coupons out to double check and make sure I purchased the correct brand etc. I noticed the lady looking at my coupon book and immediately I started chatting with her about all the deals out there right now and giving her practical websites and ideas for how to save more money on groceries and household items. I left after checking out in such a great mood because first of all I had just received some great deals and also because I had helped lead someone else to discover great deals. A few days later I was reading an article written by Rachel Olsen as she reflected on her Thanksgiving shopping. After sharing her Black Friday shopping experience, she wrote "I found a few good deals at the mall that early Friday, but nothing like the deal I found at a little church almost two decades ago when I met this risen Lord and exchanged my sins for his grace". I found myself thinking back to that lady in the grocery store. Entering into the Christmas season, I took the time to specifically reach out to someone and joyfully share about the deals I knew about that might save her a little bit of money for the holidays. Not once did I open my mouth to joyfully share about the Savior who IS the reason for the season, bringing us the GREATEST gift of all when he paid for our sins with his life. What a deal! I trade in all my sins and I receive all his righteous, blameless life counted as my own. This year, commit to sharing about the greatest JOY that we could possibly ever know...that God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in Christ might not perish but have eternal life. May we be women who share often of the amazing treasure of Christ Jesus!

Who cut in on you?

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the trust? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.” Galatians 5:7-8 (NIV)

I just love this verse. It always speaks to me. Sometimes I am great at accomplishing my goals but at other times, I just stop mid-stream. This verse hits the problem head on...what stopped me from running my race? Whoever or whatever it was, it wasn't the Lord. If He called me to do something, then I need to finish what I started.

I have to admit that I have a long list of things that need to be finished. I'm a good starter - sort of an apostle if you will - but I fall short of the completion part.

Right now, I admit that I blew it.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV

God is there for you and me when we blow it. He knows we are weak and cannot follow through on our own. He wants to be our strength and our power. Today, I'm focused on that. No matter who or what cut in on me, it wasn't as strong as God's power that is available.

Lord, help me to run the race that you have given me with your power.

Evangelism at Christmas

Here is an illustration about Christmas I heard thirty years ago by an unknown author that still communicates the wonder of the real meaning of Christmas to me:

"There was a man who didn't want to go to the Christmas Eve service with his family. He had decided not to go because he could not accept the truth of the gospel story. It did not make any sense to him. As he settled into his comfortable chair to read the evening newspaper, he noticed that it was beginning to snow. Later, as the wind began blowing harder and harder, the snow became blinding. He tried to go back to reading, but was distracted by a noise at his window pane. He got up to investigate the banging and noticed some small sparrows flying into the glass pane as they thought it was the path to food and warmth. As he looked out the big picture window, he saw many more shivering birds perched in the bushes. He thought about their plight, put on his overcoat and boots, and went out the front door.

He decided to open the barn door so the birds could roost in the shelter for the night. They did not move towards the barn. So, he tried sprinkling bread crumbs on a path to the barn. He thought that certainly the hungry little birds would follow--but they didn't. The man tried a different plan, getting a broom to try to chase the birds into the barn. However, this was just as futile because it scared the birds away.

Finally, in a state of hopelessness, he sat down on the barn steps and thought: "If only I could become a bird and talk to t hem. Then I could let them know I wanted to help them and save them from the cold winter storm." At that moment the clock struck midnight and the church bells began to ring announcing the arrival of Christmas Day. With a new realization dawning on him, the man knelt in the deep snow and said, "Thank you, God, for what you did for me. I now know that you became man to show me the path of salvation from a dark and cruel world."


May we all realize the tremendous sacrifice God made on our behalf and share this good news with family, friends, bank tellers, neighbors, store clerks, and anyone with whom we come into contact. Let's intentionally share that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

where is the root?

In Luke, Jesus compared seeds thrown on rocks to people. He explained: "Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away" (Luke 8:13).

As followers of Christ, where is the root of our faith?

This past weekend, my friend wondered aloud why some people claim they are a Christian when they do not act like they agree with the Bible's teachings. My friend was frustrated that a friend of hers seems to go to church to please others. She explained that her friend did not live like she wanted to obey God's Word.

That night, I wondered to God, "Am I acting like I truly believe what You say?" Since then, He has been showing to me where I can improve in my confidence to live for Him.

Later in Jesus' story about seeds, He described the kind of seed that grew to maturity: "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" (Luke 8:15). I pray that God will help us learn more of how to live like seeds on good soil so that others see His goodness.

Christmas Parties With Purpose!

The film, "It's A Wonderful Life" by Frank Capra, tells the story of George Bailey and the Hope that is found in Life! Jaye Martin has taken this movie and created a party with a purpose; "It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party, shared in a way that provides an opportunity to "gently" introduce your faith & hope in Christ with others especially during the wonderful Christmas season! This "Christmas Party With Purpose" and many more for those of all ages can be found on this free download listed below as we look for creative fun ways to Keep Christ In Christmas!!! Here are the 4 great evangelistic Christmas Ideas & Parties for you to enjoy and share, each with great simple detailed step by step instructions that are found in this free down-loadable evangelistic women's leadership notebook. My prayer is that this will enriched your life in Christ in many specials ways like it has enriched mine!

http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7BCDA250E8-8866-4236-9A0C-C646DE153446%7D/2005%20HCLL%20NOTEBOOK.pdf (written by Jaye Martin, Director of Women's Leadership, SBTS)

The above download notebook is 51 pages full of awesome ideas and tools for anyone desiring to share Jesus in and through their lives! Here are the specific Christmas Parties With Purpose and the pages that you can find all of the fun simple step by step details for you:

"Christmas Traditions Home Decorating & Tour" can be found on Pages 37-41: Christmas decorating ideas that each have a purpose that all point to Jesus! You will LOVE these ideas can be used in many ways; for a Christmas home tour, personal home witness, personal Christmas focus on the real meanings of Christmas as you raise your children and/or desire for your home to point others to The Reason for the Season~Jesus!

"It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 42-43: This evangelistic party is based upon Frank Capa's film "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This party of fun and hope has been used to provide opportunities to "gently" introduce individuals to your faith in Jesus Christ as you also send a message of hope and availability to those needing to know more about where your Hope comes from! There is a step by step party planning guide that you will LOVE! I can already smell the popcorn:-)!

"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 44-45: This evangelistic party is planned with young children and their parents in mind. The party host/hostess are your children or any children's ministy. You and children of all ages will LOVE the fun party planning simple guide as a Christmas atmosphere is enjoyed by all!

"Jesus Cake" Celebrations can be found on Page 46: You will LOVE this edible witnessing tool as the fun simple baking directions are listed for a wonderful evangelistic dessert! What a great tool that helps us all keep Christ in Christmas and keeps the message of Christ coming from our kitchen:-)! You can share this cake with family, Christmas gatherings, co-workers, neighbors, delivery people, anyone..... as we share The Greatest Gift~Jesus through this evangelistic edible GIFT~"Jesus Cake"!

Happy Birthday Jesus~Welcome To Our Christmas As We Share You With Our World!! AMEN!!!!

Welcome To Our Christmas Jesus~Welcome To Our World!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogWRU29J78I (you will love this song!)
Happy Birthday Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyXWllz5Ao (you will love this song!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oar123wgUH4 (you will love this song!)

Holiday Serving

One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories over the years is Black Friday. Now, I do love to shop and find deals, but for me the day is more about spending the time with family and friends. This is like the ultimate girls day where my mom, sisters and friends will all plan out an entire day together beginning at 4am and including coffee, breakfast, lunch and lots of laughs and conversation!

This past week, I happened to be at a particular store with my mom shopping. This store was where we were both planning to do most of our Christmas shopping for the season and we had a fair amount of stuff. At this particular store, they offer a few small bags and a few carts for shopping. My mom had somehow managed to get a cart when she entered the store. When I entered about 2 minutes later, there was a line of about 20 people waiting for the next avaliable cart.

My mom and I continued in our shopping for about 15 minutes and had started to pile up some bigger items in our basket. All of the sudden, we passed a young mother trying to contain all of her children's items in a small bag. As we walked past, my mom looked at her and said something to me about how sorry she felt for that lady. Before I could even reply, she had turned around and gone back to give her our cart and attempt to transfer all our stuff into the small little bag. This lady was quite overcome that someone would do this for her, especially on the craziest shopping day of the year!

To be totally honest, at first, my reaction was to be disgruntled that I now had to carry my own awkward, heavy items. Yet the Lord graciously reminded my heart that He had just given me such a precious picture of living out the Gospel. Philippians 2 reminds us that Jesus Christ came to the earth and willingly gave up all the comforts, rights and pleasures of heaven to humbly serve sinners.

Entering into this Christmas season, I pray I would be a person who does not merely notice the need around me and talk about it, but rather chooses to humbly serve as Jesus Christ did. As the holiday season is here, look for opportunities to give up your personal preferences or needs to actively and willingly serve those around you in the name of Christ.