I'm back

Well, it's been a long time, hasn't it? With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I haven't found much time to get on here and blog. Of course with the new year nipping at my heel, it's time to make a resolution to continue with my blogging and to try not to take month long sabbaticals! There is much to write about but I'll just start with this for now and write more later. It's time to look back on all that happened in 2008 and to look forward to all that is to come in 2009.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Boys & Girls for Jesus

When I was growing up we used to listen to the Children’s Bible Hour on the radio. I really remember hearing it Sunday mornings while we were getting ready for church. Uncle Charlie and his cast really made an impact on me and that’s why I think so fondly of them even now. I remember the opening song, “Boys and Girls for Jesus”. I used to get their kids devotional called, Keys for Kids. I actually still have one! As I was walking down memory lane the other day, I decided to look up the Children’s Bible Hour on the internet and lo and behold I found it! Not only is their ministry thriving today but you can also take a step back to the days gone by. They have a link where you can actually listen to the older radio programs on your computer! The other cool thing is that they have the old programs on CD’s that you can buy. I just thought this was such a neat thing and really got me excited! I love how I can go back and hear things and experience things that I did as a child and experience them again as an adult.

If you have kids or if you remember listening to the Children’s Bible Hour, go back and check their website. It’s exciting to see what they are doing now with technology and the new devotionals and story times for kids.
http://www.cbhministries.org/home.php

wholly to you

This is a song that I've enjoyed ever since I heard it. It's really a prayer and testimony of what I strive for in my Christian walk. To give myself wholly to God and allow Him to use me in the way that He sees fit...less of me...more of Him!

All I have, all I am
And all I ever hope to be
I give it all, all to You
Watch and see, I will be true


Chorus:
Lord Jesus, You are Holy
Lord Jesus, You are Mighty
And I give myself wholly to You


All I've said and all I've done
Has been erased by Your blood
And I am amazed by Your grace
I raise my hands and praise Your name


Now I stand alone before
You and Your kingdom, Lord
And I want to see Your blessing through
Less of me and more of You.

The song should start on it's own...if not you can play it here.

thinking outside the box

At Christmastime, it always seems that people get too much or get things that they don't need or want and we end up spending so much money during a season that should be focused on our Lord Jesus Christ. As we approach Christmas I've received a couple of catalogs for gifts outside the traditional Christmas box. Instead of getting another tie for your dad, another cookbook for mom, another toy for the kids, why not think outside the box and give a gift that will benefit a person in need? World Vision is one organization that allows you to do something truly unique. You can actually buy chickens, goats, cows, a water well, or even help sexually exploited girls. You can check out their website at www.worldvisiongifts.org

The other program I've heard about this year is WorldCrafts. Since I attend a Southern Baptist Church, I've just recently become familiar with this. The Women's Missionary Union sponsored a WorldCrafts event at our church. This organization goes to villages that are poor and desolate and they facilitate a way for their handmade goods to be sold thus bringing income to their village. There are some beautiful crafts that would make excellent Christmas gifts. Their website is www.worldcraftsvillage.com

Think about it...think about doing something different this Christmas. Even as a family you could decide that instead of spending money on things that will end up in a garage sale or Goodwill, you can take that money and invest it in something that will mean so much to a person or family in another part of the world.

Philippians 4:6-7

Great passage...different versions.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God's peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God's peace can never be completely understood. (NIRV)

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.(MSG)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.(NLT)

my soul must sing

Don't you just love to sing praises to the Lord? Being a person who loves to sing, that is my main form of worship. Every time I sing I try to make it a time of worship with my Savior. It doesn't just have to be on Sunday's during service. Worship happens all week long. I praise the Lord when I'm driving, when I'm getting ready in the morning or even when I'm cleaning house. God is so wonderful, amazing and truly beautiful and my soul must sing to Him for all He has done!