5 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Love all the little children

Remember that old children's song that we grew up to in church?..... "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world...." Well for this week's goal (the week of Thankgiving), I find myself being VERY thankful for all the kiddos in my life! I could be having a rough morning or dealing with some stress-filled personal issues... but oh boy... when I walk into a classroom and see those little precious faces eager to learn.. WOW! My heart just does a flip-flop! Or when a little boy is crying his heart out because his kitty got ran over that morning... I don't have time for my stress. That little boy needs a hug and I give that to him, while fighting back my own tears; or when I walk into a room full of family and friends that I love, the first face that I seek out is my little Chloe Bear's; or when a child let's a fart slip out in the middle of calendar time and even though I'm supposed to be professional, I simply can't help laughing out loud along with all the kiddos! ;) Or when I see previous students who run up to me and almost tackle me down to the ground with such a big hug! I LOVE children, and I'm not sure how I ever survived by not being around them all the time. It amazes me that I almost missed my calling in this life, but I am SO thankful that I didn't. One of these days, I'll be a mother to my own children, and I know I'll develop an even deeper love and connection to all the little ones in my life. =)

Jesus ESPECIALLY loved the little children! Here's why: In Matthew 18, His disciples asked, "Which of us is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Instead of answering right away, Jesus called a small child over to them (I like to picture Jesus picking the child up and cuddling him on his lap, like my dad used to do with me) and then He said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck."

WHOA!!! (Joey Lawrence style... Ha! ha!) Did you just read that? First of all... Jesus said that unless we turn from our sins and become humble as little children, that we will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Secondly... He says that anyone who welcomes a little child is welcoming Him. Wow! And lastly... wow... it shows our Savior speaking very passionately in regards to one of us causing a child to lose faith. If we become as humble as a child, we will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven... so how important is it that we teach our children about Jesus? Children will naturally believe and see through eyes of faith, but we MUST help them keep that faith.... especially as they mature and most especially in this day and age.

Obviously, as I go into my profession of teaching in the public school system, I won't be able to openly profess the message of Jesus, but what I can do is show them LOVE. I can pray for these kiddos and I can ask that through their eyes of faith, they will see and feel the love of Jesus through me. In every hug, in every smile, in every correction or re-direction, in every praise/compliment, etc. Wherever you're at... and however you keep in contact with the children in your life, I challenge you to LOVE them. If you're not able to be around the children in your lives very much, don't forget that PRAYING for them is crucial to expressing your love. Pray for protection, blessings, favor, and pray God's promises over their lives. If you are blessed to be around the children in your life, then maybe just making extra time or giving an extra hug or praise would be a good way to show love. I am convinced that just as it is human nature to want to be accepted, how much more is it that children will want to be accepted? And loved? And what better way to show them our love, than by telling them about our SAVIOR'S love-- the greatest love of all!

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving! xoxoxoxox

6 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Forgive

In John 8, while Jesus was teaching to a crowd at the Mount of Olives, the religious leaders dragged an adulterous woman in front of the crowd to test His philosophies. The law of Moses said to stone her, but they wanted to know what Jesus would say instead. Here it is, "All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!" After He said that, all of the accusers slipped away one by one until it was only Jesus and the adulterous woman left in the middle of the crowd. He asked her, "Whare are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No Lord", she said. Then Jesus said (I love these words!), "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." Now THAT'S forgiveness!

So most definitely... Jesus forgave while He was on this earth, but of course, that hasn't stopped and won't ever stop! If we were made in the image of God, we should practice forgiveness as well. For it says, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15) And it says again in Colossians, "You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."(vs. 13) I know this can be a hard concept to grasp... especially because I know many of us have been deeply hurt or offended in this life, BUT God's word says that we MUST, or are obligated to, make allowance for each other's faults. It's not an option... it's a commandment.

So this week.... be like Jesus and forgive! Search your hearts and ask God to reveal to you who you need to offer forgiveness. Remember.... forgiveness is not forgetting what happened or acting like it never happened, but it's the first step to relieving your heart of bitterness and anger. If you are still hurt, after you take the step to forgive, this is when the Holy Spirit will finally kick in and start the healing process. But first.. you must let go and forgive.

I am here for anyone specifically who needs prayer in this area. Honestly. =) This can be a hard thing to do, but again, but it's not an option and we are supposed to live like Jesus. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

I love you all! Sorry this is late and have a great week! =)

7 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Turn the other cheek

You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.' But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too."

-- Matthew 5:38-39

One thing we know is that Jesus went above and beyond while He was living on this earth! He was totally radical! He taught on completely radical and contradictory issues that didn't make sense to our worldy views. Even now, as the Holy Spirit resides within us, so many miracles and healings and situations occur, that we STILL can't seem to wrap our minds around! People step out in faith after receiving a word from the Lord, and when it looks totally crazy to the rest of the world, they keep moving forward and keep their eyes on Jesus. Why? Because His Word and His promises are truth.

I have learned that if I want to truly live for God, that I must be ready to do and say what seems weird and crazy to our human perceptions. I must give when others take; I must help when others abuse; I must love when others hate; I must let go when others hold on; I must seek the light when others seek darkness; I must see through eyes of faith when others see through their own; I must turn the other cheek when others fight.

While Jesus was on this earth... He was cast out of cities; He was beaten and whipped; He was betrayed and denied by His own friends; and He was given a public crucifixion right along side two criminals. Jesus experienced torment and humiliation, but He did it simply because He LOVES us. God loves us--- a love that we can choose to have in our own lives. When we turn the other cheek, we do it because of love; because that's what Jesus would do. =)

I don't think this picture needs an explanation.... pretty sure we're all familiar with Cousin Eddie from "Christmas Vacation". Hahahahaha!

I hope you all have a blessed and enriched week.

Praying for you!

xoxoxoxox

8 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Pray for the sick

So... concentrate really hard and see if you can think of at least 3 people you know that are currently sick and/or enduring the flu season. Umm yeah.... unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I can name more than 3! Thankfully, I myself, have been staying generally healthy, but it's only by the grace of God and my strong immune system. Thank you Jesus! =)

For this week's goal, I'm asking you to simply pray for the sick. As we know... when Jesus walked this earth, He actually physically healed the sick, but since we're not the son of God, then we can at least pray. =) There is power in prayer. Like I mentioned before, I can unfortunately think of more than 3 people... friends, family, students, peers, etc... who could use some supernatural strength right now. Aside from His sacrificial death on the cross, I believe that Jesus is most renowned for His healings, so I thought it only appropriate that I include this in my countdown 'til Christmas.

As you're driving to work, or in the shower, or straightening your hair, or working out, or even laying down before bed... think of at least 3 people in your life that you can breathe a prayer for this week. Pray for healing and strength and a supernatural refreshing over that person; or even if that certain friend or family member is heart sick.. then pray for that sort of healing as well. Jesus didn't limit His healings to just the physical, so why should we limit our prayers? =)

I hope you all have a FABULOUS week! It's time to start getting into the Christmas spirit! Yay for 98.1 and 102.1 for already playing the Christmas music! I love it! And oh yeah... for each blog, I'm also gonna include a picture from several of my favorite Christmas movies. This one is obviously from the orginial "Rudolph"... love it, love it, love it!

Love you all! =)