Easter will soon be here. To the kiddo’s – jelly beans fill their baskets and chocolate bunnies dance in their dreams. I’m a kid at heart when it comes to holidays. No matter which holiday I’m celebrating it involves ‘chocolate.’
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile, at least it is for me. The big question here is why would anyone want to resist chocolate? It’s good for stress. It’s good for the heart – it’s just good, but then man does not live by bread alone or chocolate, but by the Word of God. And, with Easter fast approaching, we need to be mindful of why we celebrate Easter – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was dead and buried. On the third day he rose again that we might have abundant life with Him ever after.
Forget the jelly beans. Forget the chocolate. Focus on the one who died for our sins – Jesus – Savior of the world! Choose life in Christ and maybe one Kit Kat bar!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
O Spring Whereforth Art Thou?
Just when you think spring is almost here Mother Nature dumps another winter mix on us! Mother Nature and I need to have a chat. I would say to her: I do not like the snow. The rain and sleet it needs to go. I want to run barefoot in the grass and laugh in the face of spring at last.
So, who is this ‘Mother’ that we tend to blame weather disasters upon? Some say, she is the Goddess of Green. Others refer to her as “Mother Earth” so then, she is earth? Or is she the environment? Are the earth and its environment the same? Perhaps she would best be described as Mother Weather. Does she laugh when it’s cloudy and we are sad? When we look into the deep blue heavens is Mother glad? Does she bring the rain, the snow the sleet? The secret of Mother Nature is not for man to know.
The thing that a lot of people cannot comprehend is that Mother Nature doesn't have a bullet with your name on it; she has millions of bullets with “to whom it may concern” on them! And you never know when Mother is going to shoot off some of those bullets.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "In order to adapt to the pace of nature, we have to learn ‘her’ secret – patience.” Mankind prays for snow, prays for spring, prays for the fragrance of summer but Mother Nature does not hurry and yet everything is accomplished in time.
“If we had no winter, spring would not be nearly as much fun. It’s in sitting quietly when we are doing nothing that spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” Zen Proverbs
So, who is this ‘Mother’ that we tend to blame weather disasters upon? Some say, she is the Goddess of Green. Others refer to her as “Mother Earth” so then, she is earth? Or is she the environment? Are the earth and its environment the same? Perhaps she would best be described as Mother Weather. Does she laugh when it’s cloudy and we are sad? When we look into the deep blue heavens is Mother glad? Does she bring the rain, the snow the sleet? The secret of Mother Nature is not for man to know.
The thing that a lot of people cannot comprehend is that Mother Nature doesn't have a bullet with your name on it; she has millions of bullets with “to whom it may concern” on them! And you never know when Mother is going to shoot off some of those bullets.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "In order to adapt to the pace of nature, we have to learn ‘her’ secret – patience.” Mankind prays for snow, prays for spring, prays for the fragrance of summer but Mother Nature does not hurry and yet everything is accomplished in time.
“If we had no winter, spring would not be nearly as much fun. It’s in sitting quietly when we are doing nothing that spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” Zen Proverbs
Monday, February 7, 2011
Worry Accomplishes Little
My mother once told me that I’m the world’s greatest worrier. I even had a plague that said “World’s Greatest Worrier.” And even though I’ve read all the scriptures that pertain to worry, “…be anxious for nothing…” Phil. 4:6 “Do not be anxious for tomorrow…” Luke 6:34, among others, and my favorite in Christ’s own words from Luke 12, verse 29 “…do not keep worrying.” I still manage to do a pretty good job of worrying.
I worry about what the weather is going to be like, especially in the winter…will I get out, and will I be on time. I worry about my children and their children. I worry about whether or not we’ll have enough money to pay our taxes. I worry about everything! You name it, I worry about it. It must be working because half the stuff I worry about never happens!lol
To worry adds nothing to our lives. In fact, (Internet advice) WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today’s PEACE. When you look at it that way, we definitely need to STOP worrying and start living in His peace.
I worry about what the weather is going to be like, especially in the winter…will I get out, and will I be on time. I worry about my children and their children. I worry about whether or not we’ll have enough money to pay our taxes. I worry about everything! You name it, I worry about it. It must be working because half the stuff I worry about never happens!lol
To worry adds nothing to our lives. In fact, (Internet advice) WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today’s PEACE. When you look at it that way, we definitely need to STOP worrying and start living in His peace.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Importance of Walking
Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old
to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
home at $7000 per month.
My grandpa started walking
five miles a day when he was 60.
Now he's 97 years old
and we don't know where he is.
I like long walks,
especially when they are taken
by people who annoy me.
I have to walk early in the morning,
before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
I joined a health club last year,
spent about 400 bucks.
Haven't lost a pound.
Apparently you have to go there.
Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise',
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
The advantage of exercising every day
is so when you die, they'll say,
'Well, she looks good doesn't she?'
If you are going to try cross-country skiing,
start with a small country.
I know I got a lot of exercise
the last few years
just getting over the hill.
We all get heavier as we get older, it's
because there’s a lot more information in our heads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
You could run this over to your friends
But just e-mail it to them – it’s easier!
I got this article in an email from a friend;
hope you enjoyed it. I did.
This enables you at 85 years old
to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
home at $7000 per month.
My grandpa started walking
five miles a day when he was 60.
Now he's 97 years old
and we don't know where he is.
I like long walks,
especially when they are taken
by people who annoy me.
I have to walk early in the morning,
before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
I joined a health club last year,
spent about 400 bucks.
Haven't lost a pound.
Apparently you have to go there.
Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise',
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
The advantage of exercising every day
is so when you die, they'll say,
'Well, she looks good doesn't she?'
If you are going to try cross-country skiing,
start with a small country.
I know I got a lot of exercise
the last few years
just getting over the hill.
We all get heavier as we get older, it's
because there’s a lot more information in our heads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
You could run this over to your friends
But just e-mail it to them – it’s easier!
I got this article in an email from a friend;
hope you enjoyed it. I did.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Baking a Cake
You know what’s fun to do on a cold, snowy day? Bake a cake! When I was a little girl I used to love the smell of cookies or cake baking in the oven, especially on cold snowy days. It was a special time when I could talk to my mother and tell her my problems. All the time I talked, Mom would bake.
Mom knew how to solve all my problems – a cookie and a glass of milk. One Saturday she was baking and I was going on and on about my problems…school, homework, friends…”How about a snack?” she said. What child would turn down a snack, especially a chocolate chip cookie hot out of the oven.
"Here, have some cooking oil." She poured a little oil into a glass.
“Yuck.” I turned up my nose.
"How about a couple raw eggs?”
"Gross, Mom."
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mother, those are all yucky!" I remember the incident well.
“Yes,” my mother agreed, “All those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way,” Mom said.” Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"
And I thought I was baking; instead I was learning a life lesson!
Mom knew how to solve all my problems – a cookie and a glass of milk. One Saturday she was baking and I was going on and on about my problems…school, homework, friends…”How about a snack?” she said. What child would turn down a snack, especially a chocolate chip cookie hot out of the oven.
"Here, have some cooking oil." She poured a little oil into a glass.
“Yuck.” I turned up my nose.
"How about a couple raw eggs?”
"Gross, Mom."
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mother, those are all yucky!" I remember the incident well.
“Yes,” my mother agreed, “All those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way,” Mom said.” Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"
And I thought I was baking; instead I was learning a life lesson!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Curtain Rods
I did not write the following, but it sure made me chuckle when I read it. I just have to share it. Into the New Year we need a good laugh. Enjoy.
She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.
On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.
When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days..
Then slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked
People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.
A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going.
He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back. Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home. And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods!!
I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?
She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.
On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.
When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days..
Then slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked
People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.
A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going.
He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back. Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home. And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods!!
I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Jesus - The Reason for the Season
It doesn’t matter if you’re ready or not, Christmas is here!! Steeped in various traditions, December 24th and 25th, families and friends the world over will gather to observe one of the most celebrated holidays of all time — Christmas.
My New Zealand pen pal of 60+ years will celebrate Christmas in the sun, maybe even on the beach! Jill writes: "Rodger and I have been working steadily through our lists of chores and have almost come to the end of them now, thank goodness. Well, maybe not come to the end exactly, more of a case of running out of time…I'm going to decorate the table in red and white and wanted some covers to go on the chair backs, so I bought some really cheap white pillow slips and I think they'll do the job for me, once I've tied them at the back with a silver bow. I still want to dip some raspberries in melted white chocolate, which look sensational in the recipe book. I've made some green and white coconut ice (mmm, delicious), and have chocolates and other treats here just in case we run out of food on Christmas Day - as if!!!"
For my high school friend now living ‘down under’ Christmas starts with gifts under the tree, to be opened Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at her in-laws place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings is eaten, then comes tea time, a Bar-B-Q for friends and family to get together.
Finnish people believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. (It is only fair to say that the people of Greenland say that really, Father Christmas lives in Greenland!) There is even a big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives. Children receive their presents on Christmas Eve, usually with a family member dressing as Father Christmas.
Germans love to decorate their houses at Christmas. (This is where the idea of a Christmas tree came from.) Many houses will have little wooden frames holding electric candles in their windows, and colored pictures of paper or plastic which look beautiful from the outside at night. Often too, they will have an 'Adventskranz' - a wreath of leaves with four candles. (Advent - meaning 'coming' - is the 4 week period before Christmas). On each Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit. Most homes will also have little wooden 'cribs' - a small model of the stable where Jesus was born, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and animals. (Our nativity scenes).
Father Christmas - 'Der Weihnachtsmann' - brings presents in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve (December 24th), after people have been to a church meeting. The presents are then found under the Christmas tree. One person in the family will ring a bell and call everyone to come to the room. On Christmas Day, fish (carp) or goose will be cooked.
The USA is so multi-cultural that you will find many different ways of celebrating Christmas. A friend writes about Christmas meals, "Our family (Eastern European origin) favors turkey with trimmings”.
My polish friend’s prefer kielbasa cabbage dishes, and soups and wonderful desserts that include lots of polish delicacies. One year my husband's side of the family, just for the fun of it, decided to have an Italian Christmas – we feasted on lasagna!
It doesn’t matter which country your tradition is steeped in; all year long children are told to behave, or they will get coal in their stocking. On Christmas Eve, they hang highly stylized stockings on the mantle of the fireplace, (or in our case hung over the chair backs) then go to bed early so that they will find presents in the morning. For centuries children have believed that at midnight Santa will come, bringing a huge bag of toys. He will come down through the chimney, leave candy in the stockings and presents under the Christmas tree, then plug one nostril and shoot up through the chimney. Cookies are traditionally left for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. I knew long before my mother told me, that my father ate those cookies!
Tradition for our family starts with church on Christmas Eve – that’s a must – no exceptions. Our kids come home for Christmas; Heidi & Dave, Matt, Amanda and Little J (and two dogs) spend the night on Christmas Eve. J is still too small to bound down the hall yelling, “It’s Christmas. It’s Christmas!” – that’s his father’s job! On Christmas morning, the boys cook a big breakfast; eggs, bacon, hash browns, home made bread. Amanda always makes French toast casserole—hum-m, good. The smells of cinnamon rolls or coffee cake baking also permeate the house. Then it’s time for PRESENTS – lots and lots of presents as Heidi and Dave, Matt and Amanda are the most excellent of Santa helpers. By 2:00 we’re ready to receive guests, friends and family who might drop by to enjoy a buffet of munchies – anything from meatballs to cheese balls! And one of Heidi's famous baked-from-scratch cakes! It’s a celebration for sure! And the day after Christmas always includes shopping for ‘after’ sales! A head start for next year.
Advent is celebrated in almost all Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant churches; some also celebrate epiphany and for many Boxing Day is a holiday tradition. I was raised Presbyterian so the traditions of Advent were part of Christmas. We always followed the four weeks of preparation before Christmas in our church services. I found the same to be true in my cousin’s Lutheran Church, and in my friend's United Methodist Church. We also recognize Epiphany in mainline Protestant churches. On the first Sunday following January 6, our service tells again the story of the Magi who came to Jesus presenting their gifts following his birth.
Whatever your traditions, however your family chooses to celebrate Christmas, remember the reason for the season – Jesus. He came to save a dying world. He came as light unto the world. He was born a Savior, died for our sins and rose again and He did this for all of us that we might be with Him through eternity -- What a gift!
Have a Merry Christmas and a 'blessed' New Year. See you next year!
My New Zealand pen pal of 60+ years will celebrate Christmas in the sun, maybe even on the beach! Jill writes: "Rodger and I have been working steadily through our lists of chores and have almost come to the end of them now, thank goodness. Well, maybe not come to the end exactly, more of a case of running out of time…I'm going to decorate the table in red and white and wanted some covers to go on the chair backs, so I bought some really cheap white pillow slips and I think they'll do the job for me, once I've tied them at the back with a silver bow. I still want to dip some raspberries in melted white chocolate, which look sensational in the recipe book. I've made some green and white coconut ice (mmm, delicious), and have chocolates and other treats here just in case we run out of food on Christmas Day - as if!!!"
For my high school friend now living ‘down under’ Christmas starts with gifts under the tree, to be opened Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at her in-laws place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings is eaten, then comes tea time, a Bar-B-Q for friends and family to get together.
Finnish people believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. (It is only fair to say that the people of Greenland say that really, Father Christmas lives in Greenland!) There is even a big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives. Children receive their presents on Christmas Eve, usually with a family member dressing as Father Christmas.
Germans love to decorate their houses at Christmas. (This is where the idea of a Christmas tree came from.) Many houses will have little wooden frames holding electric candles in their windows, and colored pictures of paper or plastic which look beautiful from the outside at night. Often too, they will have an 'Adventskranz' - a wreath of leaves with four candles. (Advent - meaning 'coming' - is the 4 week period before Christmas). On each Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit. Most homes will also have little wooden 'cribs' - a small model of the stable where Jesus was born, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and animals. (Our nativity scenes).
Father Christmas - 'Der Weihnachtsmann' - brings presents in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve (December 24th), after people have been to a church meeting. The presents are then found under the Christmas tree. One person in the family will ring a bell and call everyone to come to the room. On Christmas Day, fish (carp) or goose will be cooked.
The USA is so multi-cultural that you will find many different ways of celebrating Christmas. A friend writes about Christmas meals, "Our family (Eastern European origin) favors turkey with trimmings”.
My polish friend’s prefer kielbasa cabbage dishes, and soups and wonderful desserts that include lots of polish delicacies. One year my husband's side of the family, just for the fun of it, decided to have an Italian Christmas – we feasted on lasagna!
It doesn’t matter which country your tradition is steeped in; all year long children are told to behave, or they will get coal in their stocking. On Christmas Eve, they hang highly stylized stockings on the mantle of the fireplace, (or in our case hung over the chair backs) then go to bed early so that they will find presents in the morning. For centuries children have believed that at midnight Santa will come, bringing a huge bag of toys. He will come down through the chimney, leave candy in the stockings and presents under the Christmas tree, then plug one nostril and shoot up through the chimney. Cookies are traditionally left for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. I knew long before my mother told me, that my father ate those cookies!
Tradition for our family starts with church on Christmas Eve – that’s a must – no exceptions. Our kids come home for Christmas; Heidi & Dave, Matt, Amanda and Little J (and two dogs) spend the night on Christmas Eve. J is still too small to bound down the hall yelling, “It’s Christmas. It’s Christmas!” – that’s his father’s job! On Christmas morning, the boys cook a big breakfast; eggs, bacon, hash browns, home made bread. Amanda always makes French toast casserole—hum-m, good. The smells of cinnamon rolls or coffee cake baking also permeate the house. Then it’s time for PRESENTS – lots and lots of presents as Heidi and Dave, Matt and Amanda are the most excellent of Santa helpers. By 2:00 we’re ready to receive guests, friends and family who might drop by to enjoy a buffet of munchies – anything from meatballs to cheese balls! And one of Heidi's famous baked-from-scratch cakes! It’s a celebration for sure! And the day after Christmas always includes shopping for ‘after’ sales! A head start for next year.
Advent is celebrated in almost all Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant churches; some also celebrate epiphany and for many Boxing Day is a holiday tradition. I was raised Presbyterian so the traditions of Advent were part of Christmas. We always followed the four weeks of preparation before Christmas in our church services. I found the same to be true in my cousin’s Lutheran Church, and in my friend's United Methodist Church. We also recognize Epiphany in mainline Protestant churches. On the first Sunday following January 6, our service tells again the story of the Magi who came to Jesus presenting their gifts following his birth.
Whatever your traditions, however your family chooses to celebrate Christmas, remember the reason for the season – Jesus. He came to save a dying world. He came as light unto the world. He was born a Savior, died for our sins and rose again and He did this for all of us that we might be with Him through eternity -- What a gift!
Have a Merry Christmas and a 'blessed' New Year. See you next year!
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