The Perfect Gift

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things, not the great occasions, give off the greatest glow of happiness.

 

Bob Hope's words are so true.  Sending little gifts to someone out of the blue, for no reason can make perhaps a blah day into a special one.  I used to do this for my Mom and Dad all the time.  Many times the postage was more expensive than what was in the package. To hear their happiness in a thank you phone call or a note told me that receiving that $2.99 item wasn't about the gift, but my time and thought that mattered the most to them.

 

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions -- the little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimal of pleasurable and genial feeling. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

 

"The Gift of the Magi" is a heartfelt story by O. Henry about a young married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money.

Their perfect gift for each other, came with a sacrifice to themselves.

 

Stop your search, wander aimlessly no more for Jesus is the one Gift which we need. When that Gift becomes ours through Spirit-given faith, our sins are forgiven, and we are granted a new home in heaven. There we shall live forever, giving thanks for God's perfect Gift -- the Gift better than gold.

 

 

 

Dear Lord, as we go searching for the perfect gift or plan the grandest of occasions for friends and family members, may we remember that -- by Your grace -- we have received the perfect Gift of a Savior and blood-bought salvation. May we share that Gift with others. In His Name. Amen

 

 

 

 

Give Thanks

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

I am grateful for all the insightful writers out there in cyberland, and the ability and resources to find their wonderful words and pass them collectively along to you. thank you
jmcee

think happy
heaven knows i'm not the best at balancing my responsiblities,

but i think it's important that i remember that i'm grateful for them....
all my chores mean that i have a home, a warm bed, utilities, a sweet little family to take care of,
and a life full of purpose...read more at http://angiedunn.blogspot.com/

The "Secret" is Gratitude

I have been very blessed in my life. I recognize that these blessings come from sharing what I have with others and giving gratitude for what I have been given....read more at http://thesecretisgratitude.blogspot.com/

********************

I'm utterly convinced that the key to lifelong success is the regular exercise of a single emotional muscle: gratitude.
People who approach life with a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what's wonderful in their life. Because they enjoy the fruits of their successes, they seek out more success. And when things don't go as planned, people who are grateful can put failure into perspective.......read more, you'll be glad you did http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/gratitude-true-secret-to-success.html

 

Faith Unlocks the Door

Faith shouldn't die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God's way of working his will in our lives. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers

When you feel tired of praying, know that God is present, always listening, always answering--maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways that he knows are best.

 

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Colossians 4:2, NLT

Prayer is the key to heaven but faith unlocks the door

Words are so easily spoken

Prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar

Have faith when you speak to the Master
That's all he asks you for

Prayer is the key to heaven but faith unlocks the door

great lyrics by Don Gibson

 



Integrity

Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."

Integrity is one of the most influential traits that we could have. If our society would embrace this single value with more passion, more strength and more power... the darkness of crime, corruption, and deceit would fade to nothing.     

Integrity - Noun; Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; the state of being unimpaired; soundness; the quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness
Integrity is the result of preparation and choice
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1889285    

Billy Graham once said:

"Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost."

 





 

 

The Best Place to Be

We continue to climb ladder after ladder to our own detriment and often to the detriment of those around us. We focus more on achieving the next rung than on God’s call on our lives. I don’t know what your ladder is – career goals and success, social connections, having an enviable family and home, your own gifts and talents. There are so many ladders in life, and it isn’t that our pursuits are bad, it is just that when we are seeking the top rung of the ladder, it is very hard to die to the self, and we often don’t, unless and until the ladder collapses. Then we are reminded all too well of our fragility, our temporariness, and our enormous capacity for self-delusion.
taken from a sermon by Desiree' Urlich.

The best place to be for any human being is in the middle of God's plan for his or her life

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2395717

You can find out what God's plan is for your life and change the course of your life forever

• First of all, we have to contact Him. We have to slow down, change direction and search for Him. He promises to always come to those who search for Him with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
• Second, we have to learn about Him. God has a much higher way of thinking than we have, and He wants to teach us to think that way. Failure, lack, worry and defeat are not part of His vocabulary, and He does not want it to be part of yours! The best way to renew your mind to God's way of thinking is by reading His Word and by hearing anointed messages about Him!
• The third step is to spend time with Him daily. Just like in any friendship, you have to invest time and effort to get to know God intimately. It is only then that God will reveal His secrets to you.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2395717

Proverbs 16:9  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps".
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Change

 

I have often heard it said that the only easy way to deal with change is when you are the one doing the change.










 Truth be told, many times we are not in control of the change and therefore we find it hard to adjust.

Some changes beautify our world and are welcome with all they offer to our daily activities and plans.

God Does Not Change

 “God cannot change for the better, for He is already perfect; and being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.” ~ A. W. Pink

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed [changed] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Let My Heart, Be Good Soil

LORD LET MY HEART BE GOOD SOIL

Text and music, H. Hanson

Lord let my heart be good soil,

Open to the seed of your word.

Lord let my heart be good soil,

where love can grow and peace is understood.

When my heart is hard, break the stone away.

When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.

When my heart is lost  lead me on your way.

Lord let my heart,

Lord let my heart,Lord let my heart be good soil.

Because of "hymn of the month" I found a new wonderful song, but more than that, a prayer that I may be an example to spread the Love of Jesus, no matter the circumstance.