Happy New Year!!

Well, today is officially the last day of 2005. I pray that all of you will have a safe and happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope I'll see you in 2006!

Hold Onto the Good Things

The end of the year always brings me to a time of reflection. I look back over the year, and I think of the good things, and I think of the bad. Now it's human nature to take those bad things and hold onto them, but we shouldn't do that.
If we've committed terrible sins, and we've asked God to forgive us for those sins, then they are forgiven. God doesn't remember them anymore. As a matter of fact Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
So if God has forgotten our sins, why do we hold onto them? Why do we let the guilt of the past keep us imprisoned? John 8:36 tells us, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Christ has freed us from our sin. He has made us a white as snow. So as you think back over the year, remember the lessons you've learned, not the guilt of your sin. Hold onto the good things. Remember the joy of God's total forgiveness.

All Dressed Up

I'm sure you've all heard the phrase, "All dressed up with no place to go." The question is why would someone get all dressed up if they had no place to go? One of life's many mysteries.
The thing is that we all have someplace to go. Whether we like it or not, our lives are leading somewhere. As a Christian, I am striving to keep my life in the center of God's will. That is the direction that I want to go. You see, I have a calling on my life. A calling to use my writing for God's glory.
Now I'm still in the learning phases of this, but I am striving to seek God's will as I learn more. The best thing that I have is friends who back me up in prayer.
Our lives are meant to be used for God's glory. I Corinthians chapters 3-4 tells us about using our talents for God's glory. Specifically chapter 4:2 says: "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
We are to live our lives in faithfulness to God. You see one day we will live with Him eternally in heaven. He will dress us up in robes of pure white, and we will worship Him forever. I want my life to be ready when He tells me its time to go!
So check out your life today. Is there something He wants you to do? Find your place in His will. I promise there's no better place to be!!! What better way to start the New Year off right?

Countdown to the New Year

I can hardly believe it. Christmas has come and gone, and 2005 will soon be a memory. When I was a little girl time seemed to drag between Christmases, but now time seems to race by while I'm standing still wondering where it went.
So many things have happened this year. Things that have helped me to grow in my faith. Things that have brought me closer to God. I experienced some things that I never imagined I would. But most importantly I've learned that God is with me each step of the way.
Since singing is a huge part of my life, songs are something I identify with. The song that I would call my "testimony song" for 2005 would have to be "Safe Thus Far." Take a look at the words to the first verse:

I just came from the throne room today, I've been talking with Him.
And I was reminded where I am, and where I've been.
I've sailed many waters rough and deep,
But Someone has sailed EACH one with me.
And safely and surely, I rode life's storms with my dearest friend.

This year has been one where I faced some storms, but He never left my side. He has brought me safe thus far, and I know He'll continue to lead me through each step.
So remember, you are never alone. He is with you all the time. Remember the words of I Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Cast your cares on Him today. Your cares about the past year and the new year!

One Big Happy Family

Christmas was a huge day for my family. My brother proposed to his girlfriend. It was beautiful. He sang her the song "The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, and we had a total cry fest.
Now Ben would be the first to tell you that he's had some bumps along life's road. But in the last several years he has made a huge effort to put God in the center of his life. And it has paid off because God has blessed him with a wonderful Christian girl to spend the rest of his life with.
Psalm 37:4 talks about this, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
If we delight in the Lord and in His will for our lives, He will give us the desires of our hearts. Now that doesn't mean we'll get whatever we want. It just means that because we are living a God-centered life, we will want the things that God wills for us, and we will understand that those things are the best things for us! So delight yourself in Him! And if you think of it, leave a comment to congratulate my brother and his fiance!

One More Sleep

Ever since I can remember my cousins, Tracy, Scott, and Will have been the best of friends. We have a whole host of traditions, one of which is to watch "The Muppets Christmas Carol." Its just funny, and we're the type of people who notice the crazy little things about movies that no-one else would, so we just roll with laughter when we watch it. We also, of course, sing along with Kermit the Frog when he sings, "Tonight there's only one more sleep 'til Christmas Day!"
I'm thankful that God gave me people that I can have fun with, good clean fun! I'm glad that we can get joy out of the smallest things in life. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
So on this Christmas Eve day take some time to thank God for all He's given you. Especially for the little things that make life special!

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

My almost two year old niece has found a new favorite movie in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." When we put her Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving, we sat her down to watch it, thinking she might be interested in it for about two seconds, but she watched the whole thing. And since then, she's watched it at least twice a day, EVERY day! Needless to say my sister and her husband are a bit tired of the Grinch!
I think its cute though, being that I don't live there, and I don't have to watch it over and over. I've always loved the movie myself, but it is one of my cousin Tracy's all-time favorites. She loves it because of this line:

Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas is a little bit more.

As Christians we know that Christmas is a LOT more. Christmas isn't about getting things. It isn't about the delicious food. Its not about Christmas trees and Christmas lights. It isn't about stockings on the fireplace. Its about love. More specifically, its about God's love. God's love shown to us through our Savior's birth.
So though there might seem to be a lot of "Grinches" out there trying to steal Christmas, remember Christmas is in the heart of every believer. They can take down every "Merry Christmas" sign, but they can't take the true meaning of Christmas out of our hearts!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

My favorite TV Christmas Special has always been "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Why? I guess because it always pointed out the true meaning of Christmas and made you realize that some things just aren't important. Even as a little girl I always got excited when Linus would take the stage and say, "Lights please!" then tell the Christmas story.
In these days of rushing through the holiday season, I sometimes feel like Charlie Brown. I want to scream, "Does anyone know what Christmas is all about??" Then I see a Christmas play where a little girl plays Mary and a little boy is being forced to stand by the manger as Joseph, and I realize that some people still remember. Some people still know the true reason for the season. And they're passing the story on.
Or I see a group of carolers at a nursing home, and I realize that some people still remember that Christmas is about love, about giving.
Now sightings of the true Christmas spirit may be fewer, but they're still out there, we just have to take time to look for them. We also have to make sure we are all doing our part to keep the true meaning of Christmas alive. So take some time today to share Christmas with someone.
Read the Christmas story to a child. Offer a helping hand to a neighbor. Spend some time with a lonely person at a nursing home. Sing a carol for all to hear.
Maybe, just maybe, someone will see you and say, "So that's what Christmas is all about!!"

Our Wonderful Christ

My pastor (aka my grandpa!!) has been going through a series of sermons for Christmas about "Our Wonderful Christ." The series has been awesome so far.

He's been focusing on Isaiah 9:6-7: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Just imagine, this awesome mighty God was born unto US! Words can't describe how truly wonderful and awesome He is. And to think He came to earth for US, though we were so undeserving just boggles my mind.
That's what Christmas is all about to me. The Glory of heaven left His throne to come to earth as a Savior. He will one day set up His eternal kingdom, and He wants to make each of us a part of that kingdom. And did you see what the last line of verse 7 said, "The LORD of hosts will perform this." Not He might or He could make a kingdom, He WILL!
I know that I have a place reserved in that kingdom. If you don't, I hope you'll make a reservation today!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Okay, so really this isn't one of my favorite songs, but it fits today. It is cold! They say it will warm up to 40 degrees, which in my book isn't warm at all. Of course these are the people who said this when predicting Saturday night's forecast, "It could snow. It could rain. We could get a wintery mix, or we could get nothing at all!" So really I don't trust them a lot.
No, seriously though, we have to go through all kinds of seasons. Life is a series of ups and downs. We go through the heat of summer and the cold of winter. We go through beautiful springs and colorful falls.
Sometimes we grow tired of the heat, and we long for rain. Sometimes we grow tired of the cold and long for the flowers of spring. But every season makes us grow. Even the coldest winters in our lives are working for our good.
Just remember when you are facing a hard season in your life that seasons change, and a new day is coming if you just hold on. Remember Ecclesiastes 3:17 tells us, "for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

Christmas Cantata Day!!

Okay, well the day has arrived. We are performing our cantata today at church. The only problem is that my dad (the choir director) and my brother (one of the soloist) got called to SC to restore power from an ice storm. At first we were like, we need them, they're two of the strongest male voices. I go to a pretty small church so when you lose two strong voices, it makes a difference. But then we started praying. Praying that God would work it out somehow. Last night we practiced, minus my dad and my brother, and it went fine. Now this might seem like a small thing to you, but its a God-thing to me.
You see, the cantata has a very powerful salvation message, and several unsaved people are going to be at church to see it. So we were worried that we wouldn't be able to carry the message in the right way. But we laid it at God's feet. He handled it. I heard voices from those men that I've never heard before. So I have a peace about the cantata this morning.
The whole thing is that sometimes things won't turn out in the perfect little way we planned. Sometimes things go wrong (at least in our way of thinking!) But God still has a plan, and Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Now, we prayed and felt led to do this cantata. A few glitches along the way are not going to stop God's purposes in our performance.
So I leave you today with the words to my favorite song from our cantata:

Lord, I need You, when the sea of life is calm.
Oh, Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.
Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.
Lord, I need You. Lord, I need You.

Let It Snow!!!

There's a lot of controversy around the song Let It Snow around my house. Some people want it, some don't.
I personally love snow. Its a beautiful thing when a clean white carpet of powdery snow covers the ground. All ugliness is hidden under its beauty.
Thats just what Jesus does with us. He takes all of the ugliness of our sin and covers it with His blood. Psalm 51:7 shows us what happens when we ask Jesus to take away our sins: "wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." He can take the vilest soul and make it clean.
So wherever you are today, whether the ground is covered with snow, or ice, or if its nice and warm, take some time and thank Jesus for His sacrafice. And if you've never done so, ask Him to make you whiter than snow!!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen has always been one of my favorites songs. For one reason, I love to sing it. My sister and I have this whole arrangement we sing, and its fun! But I also love the words. Take a look:

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let NOTHING you dismay.
REMEMBER Christ OUR Savior was born on Christmas day,
To SAVE us ALL from Satan's pow'r,
When WE WERE GONE ASTRAY.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!
O tidings of comfort and joy!

We can rest in God's promises! He sent His son to save us. Even though we strayed far from God, He sent a Savior. And His gift of salvation is offered to everyone!
So if you ever find yourself in dismay, remember Christmas. Remember that our Savior was born that day. And remember that He took our place. I Peter 3:18 says: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

So take comfort in Christ's gift of salvation and celebrate the joy of the season!!!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Okay, so I know this isn't a Christian song. But it's one of my favorites. Why? Because it talks about home. Home is special to me. I talk a lot about my family because they are some of the most important people in my life. And I'm not just talking about my mom and dad, brother and sister. I have a brother-in-law, a niece, a nephew and a soon to be sister-in-law. Not to mention more cousins, aunts and uncles then I can mention.
When I think about being home for Christmas, these are the people I think about. The people that God has blessed me with. Sure Christmas can get a little loud and crowded, but its wonderful. Its wonderful to have to step over people to find a seat. Its wonderful to search for a free space to eat in a living room overflowing with people.
Sure, we're not perfect. Far from it, but despite all of our differences, we love each other. We care about what's going on in each others lives.
So if you wonder what I'll be doing for Christmas, I'll be home. (Actually, I'll be visiting several places I consider "home," but you get my drift!)
No, Christmas isn't about snow (we hardly get any in the piedmont of NC) and it isn't about mistletoe (haven't found the right one to kiss yet!). Its not even about the presents. It's about love. It's about family. It's about the family of God. And the best part of all is that He has invited everyone to join in the celebration!
So join in, celebrate. Gather with your family. Whoever they may be!

Mary Did You Know

Did a new star shine on the day you were born? Did angels announce your birth? I know that nothing so spectacular happened on the day of my birth. But Jesus' birth was the most wonderous event that ever happened.
The angels spread the word of His birth to the shepherds. Why the shepherds? They were lowly people who spent more time in the company of sheep than humans. Why did they deserve to know? Because Jesus came to save everyone. The poor and the rich. He came to be the Savior of the WORLD.
And what about the star? The wisemen in the east saw that star. Why weren't Jesus' own people looking for it? They claimed to be looking for the Messiah, but they missed the most spectacular event in the world. They missed their Messiah's birth. But they wisemen came and worshipped Him and gave Him gifts.
Yes, Jesus' the awesome events surrounding Jesus' birth, showed just what an awesome Savior had entered the world. I wonder if Mary knew just what was in store for her tiny son. She just pondered the events in her heart. She was probably speechless. I would have been. The song "Mary Did You Know" puts it best I think:
Mary, did you knowThat your baby boy will one day walk on water? Did you knowThat your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know, That your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered,Will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know, That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Did you know, That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know, That your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little boyYou’ve kissed the face of God, Mary, did you know? The blind will see, The deaf will hear, And the dead will live again, The lame will leap, The dumb will speak, The praises of the lamb. Mary, did you know, That your baby boy is lord of all creation? Did you know, That your baby boy will one day rules the nations? Did you know, That your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb? This sleeping child you’re holding, Is the great I am.

These words are so powerful. I couldn't imagine giving birth to the son of God. I couldn't imagine the thoughts that must have raced through Mary's mind when that new star started shining. I can't imagine what she thought of the shepherd's description of the angel's song. But she did what we all should do. Luke 2:19 tells us, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

We should all take to heart the importance of the Christmas story. We should all remember what the Savior's birth means to us. Take some time this season to ponder these things in your heart!

Narnia - Short Saturday Post

Okay, the months of waiting finally ended. I got to go see The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe last night. Awesome movie. Right by the book.
The most touching part of course is when Aslan lays down his life on the stone table. The whole time I was watching it I couldn't help but think of how Jesus laid down His life for me. Now I know its Christmas time, not Easter, but isn't that why Jesus came? He came knowing His purpose was to die. And the most awesome part is that He rose again.
Some time this Christmas take time to read the story of the crucifixion in the Gospel of John. Remember that the greatest gift we ever received was Jesus' death on the cross!

A Break From the Music

Today I'm sharing a story that really blessed me rather than a song. It reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. It reminded me why Jesus came.

Here's the story:
About a week before Christmas, Mom bought a new nativity scene. When she unpacked it, she found two figures of the Baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel, and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have two."
"You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a Baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there." The manager of the store copied down mother's message, and the next time we were in the store, we saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing Baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long we waited for someone to call. Surely, we thought, someone was missing that important figurine.
Each time the phone rang, mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus." But it never was. Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country, and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time. He suggested that she just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it. "Put Baby Jesus back in the box?! What a terrible thing to do," said mother. "Surely someone will call. We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone does."
When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father "just run down to the store" to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight." "Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!" "Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you!"
We began to put on our coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. We ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Tommy got to the store first and pressed his nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," he shouted. "Every set must be sold. Hooray! The mystery will be solved tonight!" Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home.
When we got back into the house, we noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra Baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called, and she went out to deliver the figurine," father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present."
Then the phone rang. Father yelled "answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk. "Now what has she gotten us into?" father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets, or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this."
When we got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street, it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room, and the moment we set foot on the porch steps, mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here! Oh thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies."
"Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way."
"Never mind all that now," mother interrupted. "There is no heat in this house, and this young mother is so upset, she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her, and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy. My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch.
The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down. "I been doin' washin' an ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept goin' through my mind....7162, "Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight, and I called your missus. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace."
"Okay, okay," said father. "You've come to the right place. Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."
Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of Baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them.
Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes sir, you came to the right place." Father grinned. On the way home, father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed? Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here. I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?" By this time the rest of the family was pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after our bedtime when we were wrapping gifts.
The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let us ride along in the back of the truck. No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all. Jesus saves, that's what He does.
Author Unknown

I know that things can get crazy this time of the year. And like the father in this story sometimes the little things can seem like a hassle, but sometimes the little things are what matter the most. Remember to look out for the little opportunities you have to help others this year. Maybe you'll be able to show them what Christmas truly means!

Mary Wrapped A Present

I love to wrap gifts. It's one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season. Just the thought of the excitement on someone's face when they open my present thrills me. I especially love to wrap gifts for my niece and nephew (though my nephew really isn't old enough to understand whats going on yet!) I just love to give gifts.
But I couldn't imagine giving my son as a gift to the world. John 3:16 tells us thats just what God did.
The song "Mary Wrapped a Present" tells the story from Mary's perspective:

Mary wrapped a present to the world,
On that first Christmas morn,
When Jesus was born,
Mary wrapped a present to the world.

When she wrapped her tiny baby in swaddling clothes in Luke 2:7, she was wrapping up a present to the entire world. I don't have children of my own, but my niece and nephew are precious to me. I couldn't imagine giving them to someone, for any reason.
But Mary knew that her child would be the Savior of the world. She knew she would have to give Him up someday. As she held Him in her arms, I wonder if she held Him a little too tightly. I wonder if she cradled Him closer.
She probably didn't know exactly how it would happen. She probably didn't even imagine that one day she'd have to see her son hang on a cross. But she knew He was not her own. And as the shepherds and wisemen came to worship her child, she shared Him with them because she knew He had come to save them all.

C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S.

When I was young, I remember one of the ladies in my church singing this song. I never forgot it. In this day of commercialism, it's something we all should remember.
Here's the song:
When I was but a youngster, Christmas meant one thing, That I’d be getting lots of toys that day. I learned a whole lot different, When my Mother sat me down, And taught me to spell Christmas this way:
"C" is for the Christ child, born upon this day,
"H" for herald angels in the night,
"R" means our Redeemer,
"I" means Israel,
"S" is for the star that shone so bright,
"T" is for three wise men, they who traveled far,
"M" is for the manger where he lay,
"A"’s for all He stands for,
"S" means shepherds came,
And that’s why there’s a Christmas day, And that’s why there’s a Christmas day.

The reason we celebrate Christmas is because Christ was born. It's because we have a Redeemer. Read Luke 2. Remember the real reason for the season.

Joseph's Lullaby

The song "Joseph's Lullaby" is one that touches my heart in a special way. I believe this song off of Mercy Me's Christmas CD will become a standard.
The words are so powerful. I'll just share them all since the songs pretty short:

Go to sleep my son, this manger for your bed
You have a long road before you, rest your little head.
Can you feel the weight of your glory?
Do you understand the price?
Does the father guard your heart for now
So you can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my son, go and chase your dreams.
This world can wait for one more moment.
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of heaven is lying in my arms tonight
Lord I ask that He for just this moment, simply be my child

Go to sleep my son, baby close your eyes,
Soon enough you'll save the day, but for now, dear child of mine,
Oh, my Jesus, sleep tight.

Have you ever wondered about the baby Jesus? This tiny boy had the weight of the world upon Him. What about Mary and Joseph? They were the parents of the Savior. They knew God's eternal purpose for their child. They knew he wasn't their own.
Think about the Father in Heaven. He sent His son to earth. He knew what would happen to Him. He knew Jesus would be crucified. Yet, He allowed Him to come. He loved us so much that He sent His son.
The miracle of Christmas is in the awesome gift God sent us through His son Jesus. The gift of eternal life. On this holiday remember Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

All I Really Want

Okay, today's song isn't going to be a "traditional" Christmas carol. It's a song thats recently touched my heart in a big way. It's the song "All I Really Want" by Steven Curtis Chapman. It talks about a little boy who lives in a foster home, and his one wish for Christmas is a family. There are 50 million kids out there looking for just that. While I'm enjoying the lights and the tinsel, some kids just want to find someone, anyone who will love them. I couldn't even imagine such a life.
The chorus is the most touching part of the song to me:

All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in,
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win.
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need,
All I really want for Christmas is a family.

Christians are to be the family to this children. James 1:27 tells us: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To VISIT THE FATHERLESS and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
We are to love these children and show them Christ's love. After all, where would we be if God hadn't adopted us?
So this year while your opening your gifts with your family, say a prayer for those who need one. And go a little further, ask God what He would have you to do about it!

O Come All Ye Faithful

I couldn't find out much about the history of the carol O Come
All Ye Faithful, but I believe the writer, John Francis Wade must have had a heart of praise. This has always been one of my favorite carols because it reminds me that Christ deserves my adoration. He deserves my praise. This is my favorite verse:
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.
So take some time today to worship Him. Remember who He is and what He has done for you. Lift your voice in song. Make a joyful noise. The psalmist often reminds us to praise, but my favorite reminder to praise is in Psalm 150:
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
If you are alive today, you have reason to praise Him. Use your breath to praise the LORD!!!