Luke 2: 10-14 - but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
What does Christmas mean to you?
To some it is the excitement of shopping for the perfect gift, to others it is driving around looking at the beautiful Christmas lights, for some it is the anticipation of what they will receive under their Christmas Tree. Still others Christmas means spending time with loved ones, great food, singing Christmas Carols, and attending the candlelight services at church.
Several years before I retired from teaching first grade, one of my students asked me when was the first gift given. I had my children sit on the carpet around me and I began to tell them a story. Long ago Joseph had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. Joseph and Mary began a long journey to Bethlehem in Judah. Mary was expecting a baby. When they arrived it was time for the baby to be born. Mary wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid him in a manger. There were so many people and no room left in the inn (like a hotel) so all the inn keeper had left was a stable.
Nearby some sheepherders were camping keeping watch over their sheep, when suddenly an angel appeared, all bright with God's glory and told the shepherds that a great and joyful event had just happened. The very first gift / the greatest gift had been given to everyone in the world. A baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in the manger was Jesus.
What does Christmas mean to me? It is a time to be grateful to God for the gift of His son Jesus. It is a time to celebrate Jesus' birthday by sharing His love with others.
Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Remember God loves you and so do I.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
LAZY BONES
Proverbs 6: 6-11 - Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
When I taught First Grade, I used Fables to teach lessons about daily living. Have you heard Aesop's fable of The Ant and The Grasshopper? In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was bouncing about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "Instead of toiling and moiling in that way?" "I am helping to lay food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same". . . . . When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger . . . . The moral to this story is: It is best to prepare for days of necessity.
Solomon tells us to consider the ant and become wise by watching its ways. We all need to guard against spiritual laziness. The Bible makes it clear that our Salvation is not something we work to earn; it's a gift from God, but our response to this gift should be a life of service dedicated to doing the good works God planned ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2: 8-10.
In the New Testament we find active words like: run, pursue, flee from, fight, to describe Christian Life. Our lifestyle as a Christian needs discipline, training, and working hard on behalf of God's kingdom. God wants us to live a balanced life: hard work & a time for rest. But we should resemble the ant more than the grasshopper.
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. (Hebrews 6:12NLT). Remember God loves you and so do I.
When I taught First Grade, I used Fables to teach lessons about daily living. Have you heard Aesop's fable of The Ant and The Grasshopper? In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was bouncing about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "Instead of toiling and moiling in that way?" "I am helping to lay food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same". . . . . When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger . . . . The moral to this story is: It is best to prepare for days of necessity.
Solomon tells us to consider the ant and become wise by watching its ways. We all need to guard against spiritual laziness. The Bible makes it clear that our Salvation is not something we work to earn; it's a gift from God, but our response to this gift should be a life of service dedicated to doing the good works God planned ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2: 8-10.
In the New Testament we find active words like: run, pursue, flee from, fight, to describe Christian Life. Our lifestyle as a Christian needs discipline, training, and working hard on behalf of God's kingdom. God wants us to live a balanced life: hard work & a time for rest. But we should resemble the ant more than the grasshopper.
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. (Hebrews 6:12NLT). Remember God loves you and so do I.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Love All You Can For As Long As you Can!!!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16, 17 ESV)
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2, 3 ESV)
People ask: Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why does God take people we love away from us?
On June 25, 2003 our son Ronald Marc Chaufty died of cancer. He was 39 years old. Ron, his wife, and I traveled to MD Anderson. After several days of testing with negative results, I felt so frustrated, alone, and helpless. Ed was in Texarkana and I missed his love, encouragement. My role as a mother had changed. Ron wasn't a little boy anymore, he had a wife and they made all the decisions as I stood by and observed. I cried out to Jesus: "What am I suppose to do? Jesus I would gladly trade places with our son. What is my purpose, how can I help?
Suddenly I had an urge to read. I headed to the hospital library located in the basement. It was so peaceful, and I began to browse through all the numerous books ending up in the fictional section. As I looked at the many titles, I kept returning to Wish You Well by David Baldacci. I checked it out and began reading it. It was a fictional book and I had no idea that my prayer would be answered as I read this book. It was a novel filled with bone-deep emotional truths. It dealt with life and death issues, suffering and joys of daily existence.
Diamond ran into the mine to retrieve Jeb his dog. There was an explosion and Diamond was killed. Diamond was Lou' friend. She was very young and didn't understand why Diamond had gone in the mine after Jeb. Mr. Cotton a friend of her grandmother said, "Jeb was all Diamond had, and when you love something you can't just stand by and not do anything". After several minutes, Lou asked, "Why do things like this happen, Cotton?" He sighed deeply, "I suppose it may be God's way of telling us to love people while they're here, because tomorrow they may be gone. . . ".
That's it. My answer. I knew immediately God's answer to my prayer. He was telling me my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could. Instantly I felt so peaceful. I felt Jesus' loving arms surrounding me. Yes, I can do this! I can love our son, Ron and be grateful for every moment, be grateful that God allowed us 39 years with this beautiful boy, our son. Does my heart heart? Sometimes. Do we miss him? Yes, everyday. We thank God for all the beautiful memories! I tell myself that I would be selfish to want to keep him here with us, because he is home in the loving arms of Jesus, experiencing all of God's glory. Of course we had to let him go home. One day we will be reunited and we too will experience all of God's Glory!!!
Remember God loves you and so do I.
Ul
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16, 17 ESV)
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2, 3 ESV)
People ask: Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why does God take people we love away from us?
On June 25, 2003 our son Ronald Marc Chaufty died of cancer. He was 39 years old. Ron, his wife, and I traveled to MD Anderson. After several days of testing with negative results, I felt so frustrated, alone, and helpless. Ed was in Texarkana and I missed his love, encouragement. My role as a mother had changed. Ron wasn't a little boy anymore, he had a wife and they made all the decisions as I stood by and observed. I cried out to Jesus: "What am I suppose to do? Jesus I would gladly trade places with our son. What is my purpose, how can I help?
Suddenly I had an urge to read. I headed to the hospital library located in the basement. It was so peaceful, and I began to browse through all the numerous books ending up in the fictional section. As I looked at the many titles, I kept returning to Wish You Well by David Baldacci. I checked it out and began reading it. It was a fictional book and I had no idea that my prayer would be answered as I read this book. It was a novel filled with bone-deep emotional truths. It dealt with life and death issues, suffering and joys of daily existence.
Diamond ran into the mine to retrieve Jeb his dog. There was an explosion and Diamond was killed. Diamond was Lou' friend. She was very young and didn't understand why Diamond had gone in the mine after Jeb. Mr. Cotton a friend of her grandmother said, "Jeb was all Diamond had, and when you love something you can't just stand by and not do anything". After several minutes, Lou asked, "Why do things like this happen, Cotton?" He sighed deeply, "I suppose it may be God's way of telling us to love people while they're here, because tomorrow they may be gone. . . ".
That's it. My answer. I knew immediately God's answer to my prayer. He was telling me my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could. Instantly I felt so peaceful. I felt Jesus' loving arms surrounding me. Yes, I can do this! I can love our son, Ron and be grateful for every moment, be grateful that God allowed us 39 years with this beautiful boy, our son. Does my heart heart? Sometimes. Do we miss him? Yes, everyday. We thank God for all the beautiful memories! I tell myself that I would be selfish to want to keep him here with us, because he is home in the loving arms of Jesus, experiencing all of God's glory. Of course we had to let him go home. One day we will be reunited and we too will experience all of God's Glory!!!
Remember God loves you and so do I.
Ul
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