Tag Archives: Love

Dead Lizard!! Dead Lizard!!

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I had the most amazing conversation with a little boy on a bicycle, while I was taking a walk around my neighborhood last week!

I was just past the new construction site I told you about in a precious post…

Haven’t Seen One Of These Around Here In A While!!”

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I was listening to my inspirational Gospel tunes on my iPod, and thinking…

“Things are progressing nicely at the construction site!”

My Dad was a carpenter, so every step in the building process interests me!

I remember as kids, my Dad would ride us by every house he had built, and proudly say, “I built that house!”

I perhaps didn’t appreciate it then, but after having built all our houses over the years…

I appreciate it now…

Great job, Dad!!

Anyway…

Suddenly,  this little boy, perhaps 6 or 7 years old, came barreling at me on his bicycle…

While I was thinking, reminiscing, and listening to my music…

Shouting, “Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

I pulled out one ear bud…

And said, “What!?!”

He repeated it again!

“Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

“Where?”  I said…

He pointed up ahead…

“Want to see it?” he asked…

“Of course!” I said…

I just love kids!!  Don’t you???

I see people on my walks all the time…

Mostly those walking their dogs…

I don’t walk mine, my husband does that…

Because my crazy Siberian pulls my arm out of its socket!

It’s not a calm walk!!  Ha!!

Anyway, I talk to a lot of people on my walks, pet their dogs, say “Have a nice day,” etc.

And not once has anyone said anything as amazing as,

“Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

That’s why I love kids!!

So the kid on the bicycle turned his bike in the direction I was walking…

And raced to show me the way to the dead lizard you see in the photo!!

Soon, he turned back to me as I was apparently following too slowly!

“Come on!” he said…

“Can’t you run???”

Apparently he doesn’t understand age!  Ha!

So I walked a little faster to please him!

When we got to the dead lizard…

He proudly pointed to it, and said, “There it is!”

“Ahh,” I said.

“You’re right, it’s definitely dead, alright!

How do you think it died?” I asked…

“Did you run over it with your bike???”

In FL, little lizards run back and forth, and in front and around you all the time…

I remember when we came to FL for vacation, before we moved here, when my son was young…

That he went to grab one, and it let go of its tail to get away…

My son started crying, thinking he had killed it…

But we explained to him that it’s their defense mechanism…

And they can grow their tail back again!

Quite amazing little creatures, these “Lizzies!!”

So the little boy on the bicycle says…

“No, I didn’t run it over…

I found it this way!!”

I’m glad I came along for him to share his “find” with!!  Ha!

After we looked at it for awhile, I said…

“Merry Christmas, and thanks for showing me the dead lizard!”

And he turned to ride back the way he was going, and I continued on my walk…

Quickly though, he had another thought and said…

“When you go around the corner and see a black truck…

That’s my Dad’s truck…

Say to him, ‘Bryson said, Hi!'”

“Oh, you live around the corner?” I asked…

“We’re renting!” he said…

“Okay, I’ll tell him!”  I said as I continued walking…

He turned his bike around, and sped off ahead of me, to make sure I gave his Dad the correct message…

And beat me there!

Sure enough, there was his Dad washing his black truck!

So I said, “I’m supposed to tell you that Bryson said Hi!”

He laughed, that laugh that’s says, “Yup, I know my kid and that’s exactly what he’d say!!”

Bryson called to his Dad, “We saw a dead lizard!!”

His Dad said, “Great!

And Bryson, remember, stay where I can see you!”

While doing the “I’m-watching-you” motions…

“I know  that, Dad,” he replied…

And then he pedaled away, but on his own block this time!

So I said, “Merry Christmas, Bryson”

And he said, “You already said that!”

Yes, he’s right…I did!

Dear Jesus…how can anyone hurt a child???

“If you look for Me at Christmas” by Valerie Kingsbury

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Someone sent this to me through e-mail…

Perhaps you’ve seen it, too!

It’s worth sharing!

I love it!

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Dear Santa…I Want!!

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Dear Santa…

I want a brand new…

And much better camera…

I want my husband to agree to let me get the floor tiles in my house professionally cleaned…

I want Play tickets to see my friend’s daughter in “Sister Act”…

I want to lose weight, even though it’s Christmas…

I want…

I want…

I want…

Dear Santa…

I really, really need you to gimme all the things on this list!!!

Dear Jesus

I want a little peace right here…

So, I need only You

Ahhhhh…

The Peace in having the right perspective this Christmas!

Listen to…

“I Need A Silent Night”

By Amy Grant
Our Drama Team will be acting out this song for our Christmas Outreaches…
Here are the lyrics:
“I’ve made the same mistake before…
Too many malls…too many stores…
December traffic…
Christmas rush…
It breaks me…
‘Til I push and shove…
Children are crying…
While mothers are trying…
To photograph Santa and sleigh…
The shopping and buying…
And standing forever in line…
What can I say?
I need a Silent Night…
A Holy Night…
To hear an Angel voice…
Through the chaos and the noise…
I need a midnight clear…
 
A little Peace right here…
To end this crazy day…
With a Silent Night!
December comes…
Then disappears…
Faster and faster every year…
Did my own mother…
Keep this pace…
Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home…
Wishing for snow…
Watching three channels on their TV…
Look at us now rushing around…
Trying to buy Christmas Peace…
I need a Silent Night…
A Holy Night…
To hear an Angel voice…
Through the chaos and the noise…
I need a midnight clear…
A little Peace right here…
To end this crazy day…
With a Silent Night!
What was it like back there in Bethlehem…
With Peace on Earth…
Good Will Toward Men?
And there were…
Shepherd’s out in the field…
Keeping watch over their flock by night…
And the Glory of the Lord…
Shone around them…
And they were so afraid…
And the Angels said…
‘Fear Not!
For behold…
I bring you Good News…
Of a Great Joy…
That shall be for all people…
For unto you is born this day…
A Savior…
Who is Christ the Lord…
And His Name shall be called…
Wonderful!
Counselor!
Prince of Peace!’
I need a Silent Night…
A Holy Night…
To hear an Angel voice…
Through the chaos and the noise…
I need a midnight clear…
A little Peace right here…
To end this crazy day….
With a Silent Night…”
Ahhhhh….
Thank You, Jesus…
For ending this crazy day…
With a Silent Night!

Give Birth In A Stable!

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Re-posting of my previous post called “Living In The Stable”

Part of the glorious Christmas Story…

Involves living in a stable!

How do we go from “Living in a Stable” to

“Sitting in the Heavenly Throne Room with Christ?”

How do we get from the hardship of the stable to the glory of the throne?

We trust and wait!

What do we do when there’s no room in the Inn?

We give birth in a stable!

Here’s my definition of a stable:

“A Stable is a place we find ourselves physically, emotionally, or spiritually, where we don’t want to be!”

Mary & Joseph wanted to be back in their home in Nazareth in Galilee, or at least in the Inn in Bethlehem…

Especially when Mary was ready to give birth!!

But, they found themselves in the stable!

It’s a mistake to label someone in a “stable” situation as:

A transient…

A fugitive…

A drifter…

An orphan…

Often a gradual process of circumstances got us there.

I know my All-Powerful God…

Could have delivered…

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph…

Out of the stable…

Kept them in Nazareth in Galilee…

And not sent them to Bethlehem in Judea…

But there was a purpose…

And a prophecy that had to be fulfilled!

What is the prophecy concerning us…

And our families?

What is our promise from God…

That needs to be fulfilled…

Because we’re in a stable right now?

Are we…

Like Jesus…

Headed for the throne room?

We are…

If we know Christ!

How did baby Jesus get from the stable…

To the throne?

Through suffering and trials…

’Til He went back to the Father…

True for us, too!

Suffering and trials…

‘Til we return to our Father in Heaven!

But, we can bless our Father through our trials…

Jesus did!

How long did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph stay in the stable?

One day?

Two days?

A while…

What were the conditions?

Stables are smelly…

Loud with animal sounds…

Uncomfortable…

Lacking the simplest comforts…

Lacking family support…

And it’s a lifestyle…

That is at the mercy of strangers!

Have we ever found ourselves in a stable?

Was there stress?

Mary glorified God…

Even after submitting to a pregnancy…

She could never explain…

Months of village criticism…

And all God’s requirements for bearing the Son of God!

Our belief…

And obedience…

Is what magnifies God!

From The Fruit Of The Spirit Bible, we read:

“It is always the heaviness of the burden…

That teaches us the best song.”

Mary was faithful…

Which I define as:

“Always doing what God tells us to do…

Exactly when He tells us to do it!”

Amen!!

Patience never argues with God,

And it has a habit of praising God…

While it waits for miracles to take place!

There’s never any reason to hurry God!

“May it be to me as God has said!”  Mary prayed…

And then she sang as she waited!

Who was there with them in the stable?

No family…

But God knew where they were!

And He blessed Mary and Joseph…

With the birth of their son…

Jesus…

In a stable!

And worship…

And support…

Came to the stable from everywhere…

Even Shepherds need a Savior!

He knows where we are, too…

Even if we’re in a stable…

And, He will bless us with birth, too!

Perhaps, the birth of a needed job…

The birth of a home of our own…

The birth of a long-held dream…

The birth of a vision…

And the birth of a purpose!

What was the result of Mary & Joseph’s stable experience?

Christmas!

Jesus’ birth in a stable…

Brought joy…

Brought faith…

Brought hope…

Brought vision…

And brought a promise for us!

It got the attention of angels…

Kings…

Magi…

And shepherds!

In our stable experience…

We can’t discount the enemy at work…

But don’t give him any glory either!

Satan’s a liar!

We shouldn’t ask…

“Why are we here in this stable, Lord??”

We need to ask…

“What are You trying to birth in us, Lord…

Right here in this stable?”

We must know that God plans…

To take us from the stable…

To the throne…

Just as He did for His Son…

Jesus!

But, we’ve got to let Him!

Hope is here!

We’re children of God!

And, this is the season when God reminds us…

Of His Love!

Christmas is for those of us in the stable…

So God can show us…

That His purpose…

Is to bring us out of the stable…

To His throne!

We’ve got to go to God…

And want everything He wants for us!!

We need to be faithful…

To God’s favor and guidance…

Even in the stable…

Of small beginnings…

To get to the glorious ending…

The throne!!

Even if we’re in a “stable” situation right now…

We must accept the gift of Jesus…

Because even in the stable…

God’s right there with us!!

Remember!

His Son was born there!

And, once we’re out of the stable…

Don’t look back…

Just look up…

To where the throne is!

Amen!!

I preached this sermon last year when our Drama Team ministered at our local Homeless Shelter…

I preached it for me…

And I needed to hear it again…

Thanks for letting me re-post it!

From Pastor Ron Gray’s Christmas Newsletter:

“One of the great truths concerning Christmas is that Christ came to us.

So many times we tend to think that we came to Him.

It was the love of God for His creation that caused Him to send His Son.

He came to redeem us.

He came to bring us abundant life.

He came to be our Savior, Lord, and King.

Today…

Jesus comes and brings light, hope, and a future…

I believe that God will come to you today in the middle of whatever you are going through.

You may think He is not interested,

but I believe He cares,

and He knows what you are dealing with.

Jesus is making Himself real to you today.

Give Him an opportunity to work.

Stop for just a moment and talk to Him.

He has come to you to bring you joy.

I trust Him today to work a miracle in your life.”

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself RESTORE you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”  I Peter 5:10

You can’t have Christmas without Christ!

Christ is the heart of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

And God’s Abundant Peace to all of you!

Christ Is The Heart Of Christmas!

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CHRIST IS THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS!

God  in Heaven Gave His Son…

For You and Me…

Divine Birth…     Angelic Voices…     Nativity Scene…

Shepherds, Wise-men, Angels…

All Worshiped Him!

And Experienced the Miracle of His Birth!

When…Love Came Down To Us!

May your CHRISTMAS reflect all these Miracles…

From our Family to Yours!

Praying Jesus is in your heart

And in the heart of your Christmas!

“….Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us…”  

Matthew 1:18-24

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:9-14

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

John 7:38

Christmas…

Jesus

is the

 Light of the World

Love          Joy          Peace

Life

It’s All About You, Jesus!

May God Richly Bless You This Christmas!

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

No More Tears!

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Listen to:

“There Will Be A Day”

By Jeremy Camp

Several years ago, one of the girls in our drama team did a solo lyrical dance to this song

for the Penn Florida District Fine Arts Competition in Orlando…

Beautiful!

Here are the lyrics…

“I try to hold on to this world…

With everything I have…

But I feel the weight of what it brings…

And the hurt that tries to grab…

The many trials that seem to never end…

His word declares this truth…

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew…

But I hold on to this hope…

And the promise that He brings…

That there will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day when the burdens of this place…

Will be no more…

We’ll see Jesus face to face…

But until that day…

We’ll hold on to you always…

I know the journey seems so long…

You feel you’re walking on your own…

But there has never been a step…

Where you’ve walked out all alone…

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart…

‘Cause joy and peace He brings…

And the beauty that’s in store…

Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting…

But I hold onto this hope…

And the promise that He brings…

That there will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain, and no more fears…

There will be a day when the burdens of this place…

Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face…

But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always…

I can’t wait until that day where the very one…

I’ve lived for always…

Will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced…

To touch the scars that rescued me…

From a life of shame and misery…

Oh, this is why…

This is why I sing…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day…

He will wipe away the tears…

He will wipe away the tears…

He will wipe away the tears…

There will be a day!”

Jesus, I Am So In Love With You…

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Listen to:

“Let My Words Be Few”

By Phillips, Craig and Dean

Ever notice how a song can expressed your thoughts exactly…

Well, this is exactly how I feel!!

“You are God in Heaven…

And here am I on earth…

So I’ll let my words be few…

Jesus, I am so in love with You…

And I’ll stand in awe of You, Jesus…

Yes, I’ll stand in awe of You…

And I’ll let my words be few…

Jesus, I am so in love with You…

The simplest of all love songs…

I want to bring to You…

So I’ll let my words be few…

Jesus, I am so in love with You!”

I’ve Decided To Love…

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Yes!

To love you!!

Even though…

You…

My spouse, my father, my mother, my son, my daughter, my family or my friend…

Whoever you are…

Make me crazy at times…

Or annoy me with your habits…

Don’t appreciate me…

Or pay enough attention to me…

Get on my last nerve…

Or make a mess for me to clean up…

Bark orders…

Or give me the silent treatment…

Aren’t punctual…

Or snore…

Don’t call…

Or call too much…

Expect too much of me…

Or give too little of yourself…

Are too negative…

Or too needy…

Too loud…

Or too intolerant…

Whatever we disagree about…

Or however different we are…

I choose to love you…

Because God does!

I want to love like this…

As God does!

I want to live like that!

Listen to:

“Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets

“Sometimes I think…

What will people say of me…

When I’m only just a memory…

When I’m home where my soul belongs…

Was I love?

When no one else would show up…

Was I Jesus to the least of those…

Was my worship more than just a song…

I want to live like that!

And give it all I have…

So that everything I say and do…

Points to You…

If love is who I am

Then this is where I’ll stand…

Recklessly abandoned…

Never holding back…

I want to live like that!

Am I proof…

That You are who you say You are…

That grace can really change a heart…

Do I live like Your love is true?

People pass…

And even if they don’t know my name…

Is there evidence that I’ve been changed…

When they see me, do they see You…

I want to live like that!

I want to show the world the love You gave for me…

I’m longing for the world to know the glory of the King…

I want to live like that!”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient and kind…
Love does not envy or boast…
It is not arrogant or rude…
It does not insist on its own way…
It is not irritable or resentful…
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing…
But rejoices with the truth…
Love bears all things…
Believes all things…
Hopes all things…
Endures all things…
Love never ends…”
So it’s final…
I’ve decided to love!

Lord, Thanks For Giving!

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Psalm 69:30  “I will Praise the Name of God with Song, And shall Magnify Him with Thanksgiving.”

Gracious Heavenly Father…

Thanks for Giving Me…

All Your Promises…

Your Precious Word to Guide Me through this Life…

Your Beloved Son to Give Me New Life…

And Your Holy Spirit to Teach me all Truth!

For my Parents who Brought Me Up to Love You…

For my Husband who Works to keep us Safe…

For my Son who never ceases to be the Delight of my Life…

For Our Precious Siberian who Gives us Unconditional Love and Affection every Day!

For my Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who Know How to Pray…

For Good Friends wherever we have Lived and Worked…

For Caring Believers wherever we have Worshiped…

For Helpful Acquaintances along the Path of Life…

For our Jobs over the years that have been Blessings from You…

For the Safety and Protection of our Home, Cars, and Finances…

For our Health in Body, Mind, and Spirit…

For Your Gift of allowing us to Retire to the Town and Neighborhood of our Dreams…

For Teaching us to Delight in You…

To Love Others…

And to see Everyone as You see Them…

To Minister with Grace and Encouragement for Your Kingdom!

I Pray Your Blessing on this Blog, to be a Powerful Ministry for You…

And that I Always Know how Very Blessed I Am…

In Knowing Who You Are!

Lord, Thanks for Giving…

I Welcome You Into My Life Always, Lord!

Collide With The Healer!

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Are you hurting???

Listen to  “The Hurt & The Healer”

by MercyMe

Here are the lyrics…

“Why?
The question that is never far away…
The healing doesn’t come from the explained…
Jesus, please don’t let this go in vain…
You’re all I have…
All that remains…

So here I am…
What’s left of me…
Where glory meets my suffering…

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

Breathe…
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do…
Pain so deep that I can hardly move…
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You…
Lord, take hold and pull me through…

So here I am…
What’s left of me…
Where glory meets my suffering…

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

It’s the moment when humanity…
Is overcome by majesty…
When grace is ushered in for good…
And all our scars are understood…
When mercy takes its rightful place…
And all these questions fade away…
When out of the weakness we must bow…
And hear You say ‘It’s over now!’

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

Jesus, come and break my fear…
Awake my heart and take my tears…
Find Your glory even here…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…”

Take your hurt…

and…

Collide with the Healer!  Amen!