This is a wonderful idea.!!!!

The Ultimate Gift

Gina Parcells, She Speaks! Graduate

 "...God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11b (NASB)

         

Devotion:

Christmas day at my house had become all about the presents.  The décor, the shopping, the parties, the tree...it all culminated with those gifts when it should be culminating with the Gift. Something needed to change.

What can I do to see Jesus as a gift, and to help my family see Him as well? I wondered. A light bulb went on in my head, about the same time the light strand went out on my tree, and a plan was birthed.

Phase one:  Baby Jesus was removed from the displayed nativity set.  He was carefully boxed and wrapped in my fanciest paper, intentionally labeled with a specific name, and gingerly hidden under the myriad of gifts at the foot of our tree. 

Phase two: During our family gift exchange on Christmas morning, the disguised gift was handed to my unsuspecting daughter, the named recipient, just one of her many gifts.  It could have been an I-pod or a sweater or another book...after all, there was no host of angels announcing the valuable contents. But knowing what I knew, I watched with great anticipation as she opened it. 

Phase three:  A bewildered look came across her face. Haley didn't speak. I asked, "Haley, what did you get?"

"I got Jesus."

An entire family discussion ensued as we discussed the ultimate Gift in the midst of all of our other presents.  We compared the gift of Jesus with other gifts that would wear out, that would be outgrown, and that would eventually lose appeal. 

We began to ask and answer lots of questions such as:

What is a gift?  What is the purpose of a gift?  What can we know about the giver of the gift?  Why might the giver choose to give a gift to you specifically?

Together, we came up with truths about God...that He gave us the Gift that we need, that we want, and that we could never afford to get for ourselves.  He wrapped that Gift in a blanket and gave - voluntarily, sacrificially, and lovingly - to each one of us, the named recipients of His greatest Gift.

We've invited Jesus back into Christmas to take His place as the perfect Gift that never stops giving.  I can hardly wait to experience today that same conversation this year as a new family member opens the box and announces, "I got Jesus!"  

I did not write this devotion,  but I thought It was a wonderful idea!!!

Mo's Tree

An unfeeling heart develops over time, never overnight.  It belongs to the person who has been fattened by the pleasures of his choices, even choices that caused pain to someone he claims to love.

 

Christmas Reminder

Hurry they are coming!!!

Every year I am reminded of the very heart of Christmas - Emanuel, God with us.  God wants to be involved in the simple, ordinary happenings of daily life:  where we go - what we do - the smile we give the harried stranger - the patience we wear in the crowd of impatient shoppers - the love that prompts the secret gift - the heart that constantly celebrates His birth through every sparkling light, every beautifully wrapped gift, each special meal, every card, phone call and visit.  

Winning attitude!

  If God is speaking to you, nudging you to get up and do a certain thing, don't neglect it.  God is not the One who loses.  Every time we listen but run the other way, we lose.  Every time we listen and run to apply it, we win.  God is for us.  God loves us.  He proved it by giving us the Word and the path to follow. 

One Flaw In Women....

Women have strengths that amaze men.....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in..

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

My,"just for fun and giggles" time.

What is REALLY important....really.

"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4 

If I always keep these five words at the tip of my tongue then I could/can say I was a success.

Ask

Seek

Dwell

Gaze

Inquire

With every ounce of my being...the Lord.  

Trouble is I am weak and have scars to proof it. Even as a child I wanted to go to heaven for the opposite scared me so.  Now after so many years with the assurance of my salvation I some how feel I have only touched the surface of God's love for me. Oh yes, we all will live for eternity..One alive and enjoying the "place He went to prepare for us" And others an eternal death to the place he has prepared for Satan.."living" in an eternal death wanting to die but forever not being able to. No amount of anti-depressants will work there.

No, Stephen Spielberg or King story will or even could begin to frighten you like hell should.  Yet people still reject...they don't even give it the benefit of the doubt

As I finish my 10th sympathy flower arrangement (in the last week) for dear ones who have gone...which by the way has brought me to these thoughts, I am reminded how short life really is...why do I waste it on things that really don't amount to a pile of "nothing".

I pray that today and tomorrow and for how ever long I have left that  I can put those 5 words in to practice.

Taken for: A Flor De Lis

Christmas is in the Air!!!!!

http://www.bhg.com/videos/m/27270288/fold-a-tree-napkin.htm

This is a good idea for Thanksgiving too!!!!  But any way you like it you can start practicing now!!!!

The Lord Is MyShephard...why do we stress.

If you are like me, I tend to handle the major calamities in life better than the mundane, ordinary but definitely stress-inducing minutia of daily living.   Psalm 23 has led me to believe that it is often the small pebble in my shoe, rather than the massive boulder on my path, that causes the greatest stress in my life. Life is so daily! Fortunately, so is God.

HOW CAN WE HELP THE HELPLESS.....

NYTimes Article - For Runaways, Sex Buys Survival

Source: apps.facebook.com

We understand that the issue of child rape for profit is rampant everywhere in our world. This recent article from the NY Times shares more of the common realities faced by teen runaways across the nation. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/us/27runaways.html?_r=1&th&emc=th And note that the ...

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

Our good friend Betsy left this world unexpectedly Saturday, November the 7th,

  She is, "finally home" with her Lord.  In the 60's she was graduated from Moody, married Rodd, and together they went to Aruba as missionaries.  In the 70's, she was left without a husband, and her 2 children without a father.  Returning to Schroon Lake, she saw Tim and Tammy grow up, get married and give her 5 grandchildren.  She became the admired grade school teacher at Mountainside Christian Academy, the greatly loved head of women's ministries at Mountainside Bible Chapel, a speech teacher for the women at the Word of Life Bible Institute, a speaker at women's conferences, an active participant in town events, and a friend to many who came to her for counsel.  And yesterday, in heaven, she joined her parents, Jack and Marge Wyrtzen -- "finally home."

One of the first things that I think is who will fill the void that she leaves behind.   Her children will miss her and grandchildren.  I am sure her students will be effected too.

Everything can change in a blink of an eye...are we ready?

Finale!

Sofie Marie and Victoria Josephine, raced into the house.  They did their usual greetings throughout the house setting up a ruckus as usual too.   

 Princess Sofie claimed her favorite spot which was on Grand-masters lap.  The mistress and her little sister spent their time with Grand-mistress.

Unbeknown-st to everyone else Sofie decided to sneak into the kitchen to where the beloved Le'Gar-bage was kept.

Her highly bred princess nose began to search for something delectable to eat.  And she found it!

She ate and ate tore and tore until her royal belly was as round as could be.

Now the Mistress took one look at her and knew that that royal belly was a bit too round and the foo foo beard a bit too greasy and followed the trail to the mess. After a scolding and a quick washing of her mouth they went home and settled down for the night.

Well everyone but the the Princess Sofie Marie, for her stomach began to rumble and rumble and gurgle and gurgle...and she felt sick all over. Day after day for four days later her royal highnie was not well.

It was then decided that she must go to the hospital and the Doctor Vet. hooked her up to an I.V. because after he took her X-ray they saw that that royal round belly was stopped up with a CORN COB....this was corking up the Princess royal intestines.  Doctor Vet. scolded the princess too and and after two days and nights and the threat of surgery...Sofie Marie the Princess dog was finally feeling her self again.

Now every one in the kingdom hopes that Sofie Marie will have learned her lesson that Le' Gar-bage is not the place to find food...

and she and her little sister lived happily ever after. 

Le' End

The Princess Dog That Ate The Corn Cob.

Once upon a time, there was this Princess dog named Sofie Marie. Like most princesses she had everything her Royal Highnie would ever desire.  A mistress that loved her very much.  Both sets of Grand- mistresses that did too.  All her canine cousins of her kingdom regarded her as the fairest in the land. Her dear, little sister, Princess Victoria Josephine, loved her most of all..

She was always groomed with the latest of "foo-foo" style.  Had many of the o' couture, canine fashions. The most wonderful yard and forest to explore and rocks to climb.  Oh, and squeaky toys and tiny tennis balls .  Her bed was of the finest fleece and animal- printed coordinating duvet where she would slumber all day and early in the cold winter nights. In the summer she enjoyed long boat rides on a beautiful mountain lake...she loved pointing her noise to the wind and barking out greetings to Mr. and Mrs. Loon or at the other dogs that came from the city to spend the summer in her kingdom. One would think that she didn't need anything at all.  For hunger and thirst were never present in her life she had more then enough of all the comfort and love from one and all. 

   Ah, but there was one thing that she most wanted and it was forbidden territory and highly frowned upon for such a fair princess to even THINK about such a place. This place was called, "Le'Gar-Bage".  Oh, but the temptation at times was so great yes, even this princess who lacked nothing, would find herself drawn to it's tempting aromas.  She didn't care if she would dirty herself with the grease and grim and stinky things. She didn't care if she would drive  her Mistress to despair, no, all she cared about was to be able to dig and hunt and tear and spread anything and everything all over the floor.  To her it was so much fun and and so delicious she did not stop to think of what would or could happen.  This was so unbecoming for Princess and a very hard lesson her majesty to learn and obey.

One chilly, autumn, night the Mistress and her husband decided to get in the white chariot with wheels and journey to

her most favorite grand people of all. Victoria Josephine came too but Sofie Marie knew she was the favorite and decided to spend most of her time one of their laps.

To be continued tomorrow......

Believe in miracles.

Please take the time to read this post:
 This took place in Porto Alegre, Brasil, South America.
No-one should have to go through this, I am sure it will take time to heal. 
These are friends who work with Word of Life, in Brasil. 

Subject: God's protection... Agnes gun robbery!

Just wanted to ask you to pray for our family… (the last weeks has been hard, with trials in our life and ministry). Just a couple hours ago Agnes had a gun on her head while robbers tried to take her hostage (we call it here “flash kidnap”, when they take you just for a few hours to cash money from your bank account…). By the grace of God nobody else was in the car and Agnes was fast enough to step out while the guy was trying to reach the keys and she could run away… (just waiting for him to pull the trigger)! Praise God for HIS protection, nobody was hurt, police came and start looking for the car… nothing so far, please pray they can find it because we don’t have any insurance (like most of Brazilians don’t, because it’s too expensive…). God knows!

We are home now, Agnes is doing better, the kids are a little scared, but are all fine… living in Brazil is an adventure! Just thought I could share it with you. Thanks for your prayers. Your friendship and support makes all the difference in times like this. God bless you, Thomas & Agnes Heb 12:1-2

Global Portuguese Outreach (Small Steps through that Open Door)

GPO.

We are just in the baby-step stage of our new ministry called  Global Portuguese Outreach...so please check out our website...www.globalportugueseoutreach.com   And then please begin to pray for us we take this step of faith.

 

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

I should specify that this small step should be forward, with a plan and a goal that helps you along the way!!!

My first walking steps (they tell me)took place at the age of 9(nine) months.  And apparently (also they say) I haven't stopped yet. Maybe because where I grew up every step could have been onto something venomous.  As children we learned to keep our eyes always alert for snakes and spiders and poisonous frogs and if (our vision) they failed us we sure learned how to scream"bloody murder" yes, it would put any opera singer out of business for sure......but that will be for another blog.

Let's go back to as far as Moses in the Old Testament as an example for a small step.  And I bet it was a small one too, probably his big toe first; if he was a temperature-testing freak. But what an outcome it had.

Then I remember listening on our old Zenith radio, deep in the Amazon Jungle the famous,"Neal Armstrong quoting

"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." as he became the first to literally walk on the moon..  One of my favorite TV shows is dancing with the stars...all those amazing dance steps.  I have threatened my husband into taking dance lesson because I am so impressed.

Of course even if there's a doubt about the future or direction you are going to take you won't know or/give it the benefit of that doubt, unless you do take IT!!! That SMALL step.  Trying is always the way to go.

Faith....is one of life's long time companion.Without it there wouldn't be Hope. And with out them life would be very boring.

That is me(below) in my designer diapers...worlds first bikini-cut style taking my first  small step.

Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

Whatever doesn't kill you....like driving through a tremendous rain down-pour to pick up Lawrence this after- noon.....saw a car hydroplane off the road,  the whole time thinking it's going to ME  next..  I gripped the stirring wheel so hard my knuckles turned white, and I had to practically peel them from the stirring wheel after I got there because they sort of froze in place.

Did it make me stronger?  Probably,  because of the experience-and the fact I arrived safely to my destination.(a little late, but none the less I arrived) with more courage to do it again.(maybe)

The whole time I kept saying why do I have to be going through this and Lord make it stop raining.

Such is life, there are struggles/fears/situations/issues  we will have to go through that we say I can't do this  it's "killing"me but in the end it really does make you stronger.

I promise!!!

Cindi's Very Simple Black Beans.

2 cans (15) black beans...I like Bush but most any are good. Progesso skimps on the beans...
1 small onion
2 chopped garlic teeth
2 fresh tomatoes or 1 cup of diced canned tomato
1-1 1/2 cups of beef or chicken broth
1 handful of slightly minced cilantro/cheiro verde
1 bay leaf
dash of cumin.
dash of chili powder (OPTIONAL)
salt and pepper to taste
olive or veg. oil

SAUTE: chopped onion, garlic.and tomato in oil until onion is transparent.
Add cilantro and bay leaf
broth
salt/pepper/cumin/chili bring to boil
rinse the beans and add to broth
turn down to a simmer and simmer for at least 30 min. as you make the rice.
Don't over boil it.
Sometimes I add bacon instead of oil for variety.
I serve garnished with Jack cheeses and wedge of lime...o and maybe a dollop of sour cream.
Enjoy!!
P.S. This goes especially with Pork of any kind... pork chops,Loin.pork steak. pulled pork roast

Time heals almost everything, give time time.

I've heard it say that everyone should allow any kind of tragedy at least  eight years to stabilize itself  into acceptance. In other words your life will feel normal again or will have adjusted to the present state of living. I will try to list some of these things that I assume would cause pain or that have me personally. Not all but some of these are personal or necessarily in this order.

Death

Divorce

Barrenness

Gossip

Being lied to

Cheating

Perverted film

Moving

Sibling  rivalry

Near death experiences.

Words

Own actions.

Boarding house Life

ETC.

"They"say to talk about how the hurt is affecting you both physically and mentally.  Then, "they" say, ask yourselves why you react this way and/or that way and it goes on and on tell the prognosis is blamed on something else or one.( which to me really doesn't fix it at all.)

My opinion is this if after,said eight years and the pain persists then it was there for the purpose of helping others heal. So at least reach-out and  help some one else. Lending them a shoulder to cry on or arms to hug could subdue pain a bit. But don't give up give TIME time.

Take a deep breath, it calms the mind.

Lawrence called yesterday morning informing that he had a arrived safely but very tired.. His luggage arrived too.  He is a trooper and goes with the flow, I even think he makes friends and it almost becomes a social affair for him on these incidences.. After what should have been a 8 hour day(turned out to be15) he barely hit the pillow before he conked out. Not me!When I am asked,  why don't you go....I don't like mechanical situations and then rerouting issues and  then worrying if the luggage got on the rerouted flight  to the same destination.  I don't love flying either.  I have had too near to crashing experiences. Nope, don't enjoy it much at all.  Now I like and will make the effort to see family members....  but the shadow of doom and gloom begins haunting me half way into the visit knowing I have to get on the plane to get back home...I know there is a name for this syndrome...that's right  Sindrome. But I just can't help it...I have this chant, as we are taking off mostly...I say, absent from the body present with the Lord...absent from the body present with the Lord....Psalms 139, is a good one too. My husband has this upgrade card that is so wonderful because in my mind, first class section won't crash, right. Lately', I have been taking Victoria Josephine with me, for some odd reason this 10 lb. Min Pin is quite the comfort.  I suppose it helps me take my mind off myself ....plus when I leave her home she sits wherever she knows I should be and howls her little self to death.. She looks like a coyote in a western film...this is what they tell me and it is so pitiful too I understand.  Plus, To-Jo(nickname) is such a good girl..yes she is;  yet no one jumps to dog-sit for her like they will for our Sofie Marie our nine year old Min. Schnauzer.

I have decided to post a reliable recipe every Friday blog...and for those that know me I have tweaked these to make them my very own  so stay tuned for Fridays Food Preparation Fun..segment.

What the famliy means to me....

Taking time to smell the roses can mean many things. But it means the most when you are around family.  I don't think I could be friends with anyone (well maybe almost, I should say, couldn't relate to...or it would be like the ying without the yang for me if...) that person could  just look at a beautiful, open, bloom of a flower and didn't take the time to smell it's fragrance. No, sis-ta that ain't right!!! No way, no how.

So it should be with our family. Each one should be enjoyed for what and who and why they ARE!!! Each has it's own special beauty and they are the ones that have had a special spot in my garden of life, and (I might add) will for ever be itched in my memory. I have so many wonderful people in my life that I hope I have taken the time to express that to ALL of them.

Like, for instance, today was one of my most precious sisters birthday.  Of all  my loved ones she ranks pretty high up there. Suely', you have been one of the rarest of all.  I thank you!

So, join me, if you like in ...this beautiful God-tied bouquet, that has been my Life.  ENJOY!

I better get to the news...hope all is well.  I also am waiting for Lawrence to call after his awful day of travel to tell he arrived w/baggage to his destination!!! 

Here's a shout out o my beautiful namesake...she doesn't know this but she has inspired me to start blogging...love you Cindi Lou Roo!!!

Taking time to see...

The Fall in the Adirondacks.