Merry Christmas!!
As you gather with your precious family today, remember that it isn’t all about the presents under the tree but rather those that are gathered around the tree with you – the wonderful family that God has blessed you with! Invite the presence of God into your celebrations today. Thank God for sending His son, Jesus, as a little tiny baby boy born on Christmas day. God has given us all the greatest gift we could ever receive – the gift of Salvation through this tiny baby that grew into a man that would die on the cross with outstretched arms as if to say, “This is how much I love you!” If you haven’t already done so, please consider giving your heart to Jesus this holiday season. Ask Him to come into your heart and into your life as your Lord and Savior. Have a personal relationship with Jesus, and I promise that you will walk into the year 2014 a completely changed person living for Jesus. If you want a better you for the new year – start with Jesus!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope
Advent – God’s Peace
The week of Christmas is here!! In just a few more days, we will all gather around our Christmas trees with our families on Christmas morning. The children’s eyes will sparkle with delight and smiles will spread across their faces as they wait in great anticipation of what is to come. With great wonder, joy, and excitement they will open their presents to reveal the gifts that have been given to them. Ahhh, but nothing could ever compare to the precious gift that Jesus has given to us all – the gift of eternal life if we only believe in Him and ask Him to come into our hearts as our Lord and Savior.
We are all familiar with the story regarding the birth of Jesus, but it is one that I will never get tired of hearing or reading. Allow me to share it with you now.
Luke 2:6-21 King James Version (KJV)
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
I would like to thank Good Morning Girls for their inspiration this Christmas and their efforts in keeping our hearts focused on Jesus! This is the first time that I have ever done an Advent bible study, and it has blessed my heart completely. I hope it has done the same for all of the readers out there on their site as well as here at Light, Love, Hope. They have written beautifully on finding peace this holiday season:
Are you still looking for peace this Christmas? Jesus came to bring peace to a broken world. To every.single.detail of my broken world, and to yours.
Run to Him as the only source of true and lasting peace, and then stop… and simply rest in His presence. (Courtesy of Good Morning Girls)
As you gather with extended family this week to celebrate Christmas, you may find it hard to find peace as you feel pulled in all kinds of different directions. It is then that we need to seek His peace most of all. Allow God’s peace to fill you as you shine His light for all of the world to see!
Blessings to you and your family!
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope
Positive Thoughts Leading Into The New Year
As the year draws to a close, we pause to reflect back on this past year. We think about the memories we made with our friends and loved ones. We think about how situations have changed throughout this year. We reflect on every thing that has occurred in the year 2013. Some look back with a smile, some with sorrow. We all look forward to the beginning of a new year.
As we are practically staring a new year in the face so to speak, let’s be intentional about our thoughts this coming year. Often times we are tempted to only focus on the bad things that have happened, things that caused us sorrow or tears, things that threatened to cripple us emotionally … so often the happy moments are left in the shadows of problems that crop up and threaten to steal our joy. There are certain situations that we alone cannot change. There are things that happen to us that are beyond our control, but what we can do is control how we react to these things and try with all of our might to gain control of our thoughts. It is a constant struggle, believe me, I know! It is easy to get caught up in complaining about all that has happened and only share the bad things. We reason that we just need to get it out and have someone to talk to, and that is great! We ALL need that special person in our lives that will listen to us – often times we aren’t seeking advice so much as someone to actually “hear” us and validate what we are thinking and how we are feeling. We just want some one to hear us out. I believe in releasing what is troubling us so that it no longer has that hold on us. At the same time, though, we have to be careful not to focus too much or too long on the negative things. Be sure that in the mist of sharing your troubles that you focus also on your joy! Focus on the good things, the positive things, the things that offer you joy in your life. Look around – God provides plenty of daily inspiration from the air you breathe to His beautiful landscapes, as if He is painting the perfect portrait just for you and I. His beauty is all around! He provides so many blessings in our lives. Soak it all in. Absorb it, let it fill you completely with the joy from Heaven above!
Leading into the new year, let’s try really hard to direct our attention to positive thoughts. If you are tempted to murmur or complain, re-direct your thoughts and instead say something positive, uplifting, encouraging, or just simply begin to sing God’s praises. You cannot continue to be in a dark place if you intentionally begin to praise God. You may not feel like praising God if you’re feeling beat down and as low as you can possibly go, but if you will just lift up your hands and lift up your voices in praise, I can promise you that your mood will improve! If you’re determined to continue with your negative thought process to get it all out of your system, try turning the negative into something positive at the end – intentionally try to end the conversation, thought, moment on a positive and see the difference it makes. You simply cannot continue to feel bad when you focus on something good instead! We have to make conscious choices here – and I hope you will join me in focusing on positive thoughts! Power thoughts, if you will.
For every dark, negative, and difficult situation that you encounter this coming year speak light, love, and hope over and into the situation. If you are having trouble on your own, turn to God’s light, love, and hope to see you through!
We truly have to retrain ourselves to focus on the good, the positive, the light … it is not an easy task that we have at hand, but I hope that you will accept this challenge leading into the new year.
Join me on this adventure … a new year … a new you … with positive thoughts … with guidance from Heaven’s light, love, and hope!
