Month: December 2012

The Twelve Days of Christmas


The Twelve Days of Christmas
    by – Carroll Roberson


On the first day of Christmas Jesus gave to me: salvation full and free. 

On the second day of Christmas Jesus gave to me: everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the third day of Christmas Jesus gave to me: Peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the fourth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me: love for all men, Peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the fifth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart,  everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the sixth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me; power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the seventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.

On the eighth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the ninth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  mansions above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the tenth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  streets of pure gold, mansions above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  a thousand tongues to sing, streets of pure gold, mansions above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free. 

On the twelfth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me:  eternity to praise, a thousand tongues to sing, streets of pure gold, mansions above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.

 

Seize Opportunities

Seize the moment to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord.  Our nation may have  gone over the moral cliff and it seems that doors of opportunity to spread the gospel have been closed.   Large numbers of individuals may have rejected God’s moral law, they may, in fact, reject you and the message of the gospel — but the doors are not closed.  The darker the night, the brighter the light of one candle.  Will you seize the moment and share the Light of the gospel to a dark and sin laden world?  You have the life God has given you… how will you use your life today?
Only One Life
CT Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Consider the opportunities you might have this Christmas season…

Gifts from your ♥ home

Each year, about this time, I refer to a “Christmas” page I created on our website and though it’s probably been up (and rarely updated) for the last ten or twelve years, it remains a great resource for me — and I hope it will be for you, too.  Regardless how you spend the holidays or Christmastime, there are, no doubt, special things you like to incorporate into your days and evenings with your family.  These special things might be traditions or celebrations, family recipes or gifts you prepare and send.

Whatever the case, as always, we mothers need to remember (and be often reminded) that it won’t matter so much to our children all the stuff we did, all the things we made, all the places we went… they’ll most remember how it all felt –– how we felt about them.  This is a painful time of year for many women… it’s an anxious time of year for still more… but! But we can still have joy and we can still give our families the love and devotion they deserve from mama.  Joy isn’t the absence of pain or regret or whatever —————– joy is the presence of Jesus.  Joy is the present of Jesus.  Be present.


more:  A Christian Home Christmas Celebration Page
On my Pinterest boards you’ll see more decorating, gift and baking/recipe ideas

Gifts from your heart & home

bullet Cookies In A Jar
bullet More Unique Gifts in a Jar
bullet Gifts you can make
bullet Gift “Baskets” of all Kinds!
bullet Gifts from Your Pantry
bullet Gift Ideas for Any Occasion
bullet Make  a  Gallon  Jar  “Topper”  for a  Gallon Jar  Gift

Martha, Martha…

O, Martha, Martha, where is your Mary heart?  O, Martha, Martha, would you seek to have a Mary heart?  My husband has whispered to me at different times in different seasons.

I reflect on years gone by and all the many Christmases through the years.  And quickly my mind is brought to the thought that it’s all going to be an avalanche of emotion for any number of us… all the Christmas wouldda, couldda, shouldda’s will bury us in anxiousness, disappointment, frustration, regret and, if we’re not careful, resentment — unless we determine to be rested in the fact that only one thing is needed.  Simple acknowledgement will not prevent the fretting and fussing.  Even a decision to keep things simple (famous last words) will not prevent the longing to make things special at. any. expense.  All the previous year’s decisions to not get caught up in the frenzy of shopping, decorating — all the getting and doing — will be forgotten unless we intentionally, gracefully carry ourselves through this Christmas season.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10.40-42

Martha, Martha…would you have a Mary heart?