It's Polly Pocket mania!!! I'd been meaning to go through and organize my daughter's Polly Pocket tub for quite some time and last night was the time. She's had boxes of American Girl and Polly Pocket stuff laying around that she's just to "cool" to play with anymore. So, being the "get-everything-out-of-my-house-that-is-not-being-used" kind of mom that I am, I got everything ready to either sell or give away. I didn't find anything unusual in the American Girl tub, but I did in Polly Pocket's. A long-lost Nintendo DS Lite charger (which I previously replaced), a remote control monster truck battery charger, a hand-held Tetris game and a Merry Christmas sign were all mixed up in what was supposed to be in the tub. I thought to myself - this is how my life is alot of the time and easily can be during this Christmas season. What I'm "supposed" to do and who I'm "supposed" to be often takes precedence over what God wants. There are always "extras" running around in my head and heart that really shouldn't be there. I want this Christmas time to be focused on Christ, the true reason for the season. Make the choice with me to stay strong against what the world tells us about Christmas and use this time to truly worship.

Back to our study of James. Vs. 12 "But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgement."

Are you a trustworthy person? Do others expect only the truth from you? Do you exaggerate or lie? By avoiding lies, half-truths, and omissions of truth, you will become known as a trustworthy person.

The other day, I was telling my husband about how angry I was because our puppies had shredded the foam/leather seat on our go-cart. I told him "It's gone - totally gone!" He didn't say much and I wondered why he wasn't as mad as I was. About a week later, he comes to me and says "I just saw the go-cart seat - I can't believe the whole thing is gone!" And the conversation continues:
Me: "Why are you so surprised? I already told you that there was nothing left of it!"
Him: "I know you did, but I thought you were just making it sound worse than it really was."

Ouch! If my own husband can't totally believe each word that comes from my mouth, how could I expect anyone else to?

Like the vs said, let you yes be yes and your no, no. It's as simple as that.

Let only truth come from your mouth - the truth, truly sets us free

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

I just finished reading "The Shack". I was hesitant at first, about reading it, when my mother-in-law gave it to me. I read books that I can learn from, so I'm not ususally in to reading fiction but oh, I'm so glad I did. WOW. It was one of those that I could barely bring myself to put down. It is fiction, but it's not. You will have to check it out to see why. I can't tell you that it is totally biblical, but what I can tell you is that it can give you new perspective on your view of the Trinity. I'm a better person for reading it and I encourage you to read it. It will be worth your while. www.theshackbook.com

Now, back to our study of James - you didn't think/hope I had forgotten did you?

9-11 "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."

Oh no! This is a hard one - do not complain. Not only, do not complain, but do not complain against one another (your brothers and sisters in Christ). Ouch. O.K., here we go - I can say that I'm not much of a complainer but when I do complain, oh do I complain. I'm normally an easy going person, but get me on a rampage and watch out! I normally complain the most to my husband (about him, my children and others). I guess it's easy because he's there. But when you continue on, I am reminded that I really have nothing to complain about. When I think of all that God's prophets/followers went through, my complaints seem so stupid.

Negative thinking seems to be so much easier than positive but we do have the option. Have you ever considered complaining only to God? He wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives - even when we are in the negative mode. Instead of sharing negativity with others around us, let's learn to keep it between us and God. I have a feeling that the negativity will diminish as our communion with God increases.

"We count those blessed who endured"

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Happy Monday all my bloggy friends! I woke on December 1st to find bundles of snow outside! I notice the power going on and off during the night and heard the snow hitting the windows. It would have been a great morning to stay inside and stay in bed, but I went out at 5 am to help my hubby plow snow. Living in the country is definitely much different than living in town. The drifts in the driveway were tall and there was no way even in 4 wheel drive, my husband could get through them. I also was reprimanded by some daycare parents for moving to the country as they too had to endure these lovely drifted roads.

I hope your Thanksgiving and weekend went as wonderful as mine did. Here's a partial recap:

After enjoying a fun and food filled Thanksgiving, on Friday, we put up our Christmas Tree

Saturday, we spent time with my mom, dad, granny and sister during the day and then went out for supper with my brother and his family. When we returned home, my daughter gave me a hip new hair style. What do you think?
On Sunday, after church, we played, played and played. The dogs didn't know what to think of the snow at first, but soon were having fun right along side of us.

Our ginormous snowman that only stayed upright for about 20 minutes before falling over and going to sleep.

Nate - getting some air on the sled

There will be much more fun to have today as the snow continues. Hope your plans include some fun today too!

Have a great one

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

Good morning all! What a cold crisp morning it is here in central IL. It's cold in my house too since we woke up to no heat. The propane people are on their way since the smell of gas is so strong around our furnace and the furnace people should be headed here too. So, hopefully I can get this post done before I freeze! (I guess that's probably not possible since it's still 53 degrees, but that's what I feel like!) or I guess the other option is, until my house blows up.

But don't worry about me, just prepare yourself for a wonderful time of enjoyment with friends and family tomorrow! I'm so excited to have a four day weekend but unfortunately my hubby has to work. The kids and I are planning on decorating for Christmas while he's away. What fun we will have!

I ask that you please pray for my granny. Tomorrow would have been her and my gramps 65th wedding anniversary had he lived just a few more months. I know that it will be a hard day for her and it's one of those times that you just don't know what to say or how to bring comfort. I pray for God to wrap His loving arms around her and give her peace as she thinks on so many wonderful years together with her husband.

I pray that you will be especially thankful tomorrow - no matter what is happening around you - God is enough to give thanks for. Take the time to write all the things you are thankful for and give praise and glory to our Father.

Have a great day, a great Thanksgiving and a great weekend

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

It was a rough night last night. Our daughter's basketball team lost in the 2nd round of regionals. The game went back and forth - staying tied the majority of the time. It was a very intense game but in the last quarter the other team pulled ahead and won. Oh how they cried. They all had worked so very hard and had a really great season at 21-4, but only saw the result of the one game that ended their 7th grade season.

How true is that for us so many times? We get so enthralled with our current circumstance that we easily forget the faithfulness of our God throughout our lives. When times are tough do you wallow in now or do you remind your self of what God has got you through? This is where journaling comes in as a great tool. When you have a record of God's faithfulness, you can easily look back and remember. Now, journaling is not something that I have done but I have found that by blogging, I'm doing something very similar. I have taken the opportunity to go back at times and read my past blog posts to remember God's faithfulness. We so easily forget - use whatever tool works for you to remember.

James 5:7-8 "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near."

How are you at being patient? I can say that I'm better than I used to be but still have a long, long way to go. My patience is tried everyday in my profession of a daycare provider - some days my responses are better than others. I also, can be patient on waiting for some things that I desire, but very impatient on others. Patience is a virtue and something that God desires us to have. The farmer cannot rush his crop just as we cannot rush learning patience - it's a process.

We must look forward to our future reward as we use this time of patient waiting to further God's Kingdom. Our patience will pay off when our King has returned for us.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Yesterday, we attempted to take the picture that would be on our Christmas card. After many tries, with uncooperative puppies, we finally got the shot that I think we'll use. I definitely don't want to continue trying.

The other night, my husband and I drove separately to our daughter's basketball game because we each came straight from work. Afterwards, we all met at a restaurant for supper. Even though I was tired and wanted to go home, I let them all know that we needed to get groceries when we were done eating. My husband, son and daughter all said that they didn't want to go so they would go home while I went. I asked the question: "why is it that I still have to go even when don't want to, but none of you do?" The response from all: "cause your the mom!" So true, I'm the mom, so I'm expected to do even when I don't want to.

I thought about this in regards to my Bible study. In our small group, we are studying the book of Hebrews. In the past, I skip over Hebrews because it is hard for me to understand. Not only Hebrews, but other books of the Bible have been avoided by me due to their difficulty. When I explained to our pastor that leads our small group, that I'm really intimidated by these difficult books and wonder how I'm going to understand them when I start Christian college in February.

I was reminded of the "cause your the mom" story. Even when things are difficult, I can't shy away. Even when I don't want to, I have to. How can I raise children who take risks and trust in God to reveal Himself to them, if I'm not willing to set the example?! I will do hard things not only cause I'm the mom but also because I'm a child of the Most High God.

On to our study of James. 5:1-6 "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Saboath. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you."

What a great reminder of the worthlessness of money! Now, we all of course, need money to survive. Money in itself is not the problem, it's the love of money that James is warning about. People who have alot of money, are not worthless, in fact that can do much for the Kingdom with the money that God has blessed them with. It's all about what a person does with their money.

You may be like me and be thinking, well I definitely don't have alot of money, so I don't have to worry about these "rich" warnings but we certainly must. It is so tempting for us to put money over people especially when we don't have much and think that more would make us happier. Have you ever considered changing jobs for the money even thought it would take your time from your family or doing something dishonest just to make some extra money for yourself? The love of money is something we must all guard ourselves from. I think that is why God warns us so many times in His word about money.

Where is your love? Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Have you ever worried that someone was hopeless in finding Christ? I have to admit that I have. There are people in my life that I have prayed for, for years, because they reject everything I have attempted to tell them about Jesus. Well, yesterday was the end of my prayers for some one's salvation. A man that I often wondered if he would ever get it, got it!!! My husband and I and many others had been praying over the last 5 years and our prayers have been answered! God is so good! God is so faithful! I continue to thank Him for never giving up on us and I also continue to do a happy dance over one more friend that I will spend eternity with.

Now, on to our study of James. 4:17 "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

O.K., you may be thinking that only what you do, causes sin, but James explains that what you don't do can also be sin.

Has someone that you don't really like, told you about their difficult life and you show no compassion for them or help in what you are able?

Have you known the truth about something and not or only partially share about it?

Have you kept your mouth closed when you wanted to speak badly about someone, only to continue the thoughts in your mind?

Have you seen a need and not fulfill it, when you are able?

Have you been prompted by the Holy Spirit only to reject the calling?

What we do or don't do can equally hurt our relationship connection with God. Keep your mind open today. Realize what it is that God wants you to do or stop doing. It is only through a closer relationship through studying His Word, prayer and quiet time with Him that will steer us more clearly.

Have a great day and a great weekend

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie