Jan 1, 2014 | Living Well
Sometimes I loathe the idea of ringing in the New Year because of the focus on self-improvement resolutions. It means I have to think about my life–what is good, what is bad, and what do I want to accomplish. It is so much easier to just accept the status quo. Nevertheless, this year I am going to try something new. And I am inviting you to join me in the challenge.
It is pretty easy to keep a resolution for a week—although I must admit that I have been known to break a resolution in the first few hours. My research said the reason most people do not keep their resolutions is because they try to do too much too fast. I am guilty. I generally have four or five resolutions. No one can make that many lifestyle changes at once. I need a different approach.
This year I am going to make a resolution for a day–not for a whole year or forever. Each day I will make a new resolution that must only be kept for one day.
THE CHALLENGE: I invite you to join me in keeping a new resolution each day of January. You only have to keep it for one day. Don’t worry. All of the resolutions will be legitimate personal improvement ideas.
This is how it works. I will post a new ONE-DAY RESOLUTION on my website by six each morning. That evening I will report how I did in the comment section on the blog. You are invited to comment on how the resolution worked for you.
Dec 17, 2013 | Living Well
The caroling caravan
‘Tis the season of many religious activities. Cantata’s, pageants, children’s Christmas programs, and candlelight services are all popular church activities. However, my favorite is caroling.
The carolers gather at our church about five o’clock. The kids and agile adults climb onto a hay wagon pulled by a John Deere tractor. A list of shut-ins and elderly citizens in our community has been made. The local 4-H club has assembled goodie baskets for us to deliver during our evening trek around the community. A few of the carolers who are unable to get on and off the trailer will follow in cars.
The men help carolers step on the wagon tongue then to the ground.
We stop at a designated home, knock on the door, sing two or three carols, present the basket of goodies, and a few of the carolers will visit with the resident(s) a minute or two as the rest of us climb onto the hay wagon. Before we finish, even if the weather is nice, we are cold to the bone. So we head back to the church where some of the women have several steaming crockpots of soup ready. As we ravenously eat the warm meal, we have a fun time of reminiscing about the highlights of the evening event. Caroling is not only fun because church members of all ages participate but also because we are spreading the joy of Christ’s birth in our community.
An elderly couple greet the carolers on their front porch.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
So how are you spreading the joy of Christmas in your community?
Lord, thank you for the birth of Jesus our Savior. Create in us a desire to share this joyous event with our family, friends, and neighbors.
Nov 28, 2013 | Living Well
Have you ever thought about why you do what you do each day?
It is not only those little choices you make each day which make a difference, but it is also your attitude about those choices. You may choose to do the dishes because you have to, or because you find pleasure in providing for those you love. You may buy whatever you want at the grocery store, or you may enthusiastically buy what your husband enjoys eating. You may visit your parents because they need your help, or because you love them.
We rationalize our behaviors and thoughts making it difficult to truly know our motivations unless we examine our words—not only the spoken words, but also the words we want to say.
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34
Because our words betray the true condition of our hearts, Jesus told us to beware of our words.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36
During the Thanksgiving holiday, we will be in contact with a lot of people—family, travelers, shoppers. What will our words reveal about our hearts?
So we must ask Jesus to change our hearts from selfish, self-centeredness to hearts of love and compassion for we cannot do it without him.
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit create in me a loving and compassionate heart.
Nov 22, 2013 | Living Well
As a child I always thought it a bit silly to have food pouring out of a horn-shaped basket. Recently I learned the horn-shaped cornucopia originated in the sixteenth century. The Latin words cornu copiae mean horn of plenty. It was a mythical horn that they believed would provide all their needs. Now the symbolism makes sense.
The cornucopia represents plentifulness, abundance. We usually see it used as a banquet centerpiece stuffed with fruit plus a small pumpkin and maybe an ear or two of multicolored corn. The overflow of food at the Thanksgiving feast is representative of the overflow of the harvest pouring out and around the cornucopia.
We love the feeling of plenty that the cornucopia symbolizes. As we draw near to the Thanksgiving holiday and the accompanying profusion of food, many of us try to focus on being thankful for our blessings. On Facebook it is not uncommon for people to post not only serious but also humorous blessings. Some make daily posts stating why they are thankful. What a relief it is to see grumbling and dissatisfaction replaced with thankfulness!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
So just as the cornucopia is an icon for plentiful physical blessings, may our prayer lives be full of expressing thankfulness to God for the abundance of his spiritual blessings. For what are you going to give thanks to God today?
Lord, you have blessed us with food, homes, and families. For these things, we are grateful. More importantly, you have blessed us with many spiritual gifts. Thank you. Amen.
Nov 19, 2013 | Living Well
I love fall. The weather is cooler. The hot summer winds have abated. Gentle fall rain clears the air and intensifies the panoramic fall leaf color. Everyone is outside enjoying the wonderful weather. We greet our neighbors as they are walking their dogs and playing with children and grandchildren.
Many people look forward to Halloween parties with their costumes while others detest the ghoulish atmosphere of the celebrations. This year I celebrated the fall season with decorated pumpkins. I had an artistic friend paint happy faces on pumpkins and then gave them to others as gifts.
Too often we Christians have a reputation of being sourpusses and party-poopers. Nothing should be further from the truth for we have a joy that others cannot experience. According to a hymn we sang in my childhood church, we have joy unspeakable and are full of glory.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 ESV
So what are you doing to spread joy to those who encounter you as you go about your daily tasks?
Lord, make me aware of the joy you have put into my heart no matter what is happening around me. Show me how to spread your joy to those you place in my path each day. Amen.
