Random Thoughts on Christmas

1.  I refuse to be offended if someone says, "Happy Holiday!" instead of, "Merry Christmas!"  Life's too  short, folks!

2.  I refuse to be offended if someone uses "Xmas" instead of "Christmas" because I understand the Greek origins of the X.

3.  "Jesus is the reason for the season" is a clever use of rhyming words, but I wonder about the theology of the statement.  I tend to believe that I'M the reason for the season.  After all, if it weren't for my sin and yours (for ALL have sinned) there would have been no reason for Him to come. Isaiah 53 makes that pretty clear!  Just saying!

4.  Jesus didn't ask us to remember His birth (although I don't think He minds that we do), but He did ask us to remember His death and resurrection.  Shouldn't we celebrate that at Christmas as well?

Just thinking out loud.

Dark Clouds

The last two years have been difficult for my family.   Sometimes it seems as if I have a little black cloud hovering over me!  I lost both of my parents.  I lost a job.  My husband has health issues and was unable to work for three months.  Medical bills have stacked up adding to financial stress.  I had one of the most difficult school years in my 30 years of teaching.  Sometimes God has seemed very far away! Okay, I'm done complaining!

We took a little day trip to southern Arizona a few weeks ago.  On the drive home, the sky turned gray and we anticipated a nice rainstorm.   Then the sun started to shine through the clouds.  It was beautiful!  The sun's rays shone through and the clouds were outlined in beautiful silver.  I was reminded of an old song that my Dad used to sing.  I could only remember two lines so I looked it up (isn't the internet grand?)

"Back of the Clouds"

Never fear tho' shadows dark around your path may fall;
Do not let your heart be troubled;
From His throne in heaven,
God is watching one and all,
He will ever care for you.

Back of the clouds the sun is always shining,
After the storms your skies will all be blue;
God has prepared a rosy-tinted lining,
Back of the clouds it's waiting to shine thru.
                                      Carolyn R. Freeman

God is not far away.  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.  I choose to put my hope in Him, even when the way is dark.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."  Psalm 42:5

Only One Life

"Only one life
         'twill soon be past
Only what's done
         for Christ
                will last."

"for to me to live is Christ."  Philippians 1:21

I don't know the origins of this quote, but it was one of my mom's favorites.  I came across it today and it brought back memories of one of our last conversations.  It's a good quote to remember;puts life into perspective.

Thank you!

THANK YOU!

Spring in the Desert

My Star Jasmine are fragrant as well as beautiful!



The Iris were lovely as usual!

Mexican Primrose is spreading like crazy!

A rose is a rose is a rose!

Our desert is beautiful in the Spring! I'm reminded of the new life I have in Christ. God is good all the time!

From the mouths of babes!

I told my kinders the story of Jesus and the little boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Through this story I wanted my children to sense how great and powerful our God is. I said, "After everyone had eaten and were full, the disciples collected 12 baskets of food! Wow! God can do great things." Thinking they would recognize this as a "miracle" I asked, " What do we call this, boys and girls?" Their instant answer: "leftovers!"

Step by Step

I am a creature of habit. I habitually drive the same way to work each day. I drop my daughter off at school and then head straight for the nearest QT for a 32 oz. iced tea with lots of ice! Because I take the same route each day I see the same businesses, the same people at the bus stop, and even some of the same cars that pass me on the road.

But there is one thing that I see every day that touches my heart and causes me to think. I see an older woman walking with a cane or a walker struggling for each painful step. She moves ever so slowly; if she moved any slower, she wouldn't be moving at all! I can tell that she has to think about each step as her brain tells her legs and feet to move. Maybe she's recovering from a stroke or an accident or a debilitating disease, but there she is every day putting one foot in front of the other moving slowly from point A to point B. She never makes it across the street before the light turns. I worry that someone won't see her still in the crosswalk and I hold my breath every time until she finally approaches the curb!

I admire this woman! I admire her perseverence and courage and her willingness to get out there and face the struggle EVERY DAY! She just doesn't give up!

Sometimes, in my spiritual walk, I feel like that woman. Each step seems slow and deliberate and I wonder if I'm getting very far at all! Satan tries his best to discourage me and keep me from making it from Point A to Point B! But praise be to God who leads me one step at a time! "If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." (Psalm 37:23)

"God, give me the perseverence, courage and willingness necessary to get out there and face the struggle EVERY DAY! Help me to keep in step with the spirit and not give up. Thank you for this daily example and reminder to hold on to your hand and walk one step at a time."