Usually I hate forwards but this one while cheesy in some parts, actually has some good points:
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking
My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the
town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of
our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 – 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.
They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all
the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be
praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up… It will be nice
hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they
don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I
came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I
love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life
this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who
that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the
difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a
kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that
doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If
the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their
employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary– especially
one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My
name.
9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town
who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any
presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them,
buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some
other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about
your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do
things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your
actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I
have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above
and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your
court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Today on the liturgical calendar marks the beginning of Advent. Advent is a special time for me. I was never a big fan of Christmas until I started to celebrate Advent. Advent means coming and it’s a time to prepare my heart for Christmas…the coming of Jesus. I expected that today at church there would be Christmas decorations, an advent sermon, and Christmas songs.
I was surprised when I walked in and there were no decorations. Okay I thought the office was closed for Thanksgiving and they didn’t get around to it. Then, I glance at my bulletin and see there’s going to be a guest speaker. Vince Antonucci. He’s starting a church on the Vegas Strip. A place that is so dark, so full of emptiness, so full of people who need Christ~people who Jesus loves. Vince was funny and real.
As I was listening to Silent Night in my car, leaving church everything came together.
Silent night, holy night! Son of God love’s pure light.
This is why Jesus came. He came to love people. People who are empty, lonely, and feel unlovable. He came to offer hope.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face. With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus is the light in the darkness. Life is hard, people are ruthless. It’s easy to feel beat up, to feel like the world is so cold and no one cares. Jesus’ love and grace can transform lives. He doesn’t care where I’ve been or what I’ve done. There’s nothing I can do to make God love me more and nothing I can do to make him love me less. That kinda grace is brighter than the sun.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus wasn’t just a good man or a preacher. He was God from the moment He was born. Because He is God, his love and grace free me from the weight of my sins.
Jesus loves the people of Vegas just as much as Mother Teresa. He came to earth for everyone. He demonstrated that by hanging out with everyone from tax collecting thieves to prostitutes to poor fishermen. Vince’s message was the perfect kick off to advent. Jesus came to offer love and redemption…how am I going to pass that on?
I found this quote:
During Advent opportunities for works of charity abound calling out for Christians from every side: a sack of food for a needy family, money dropped in a Salvation Army kettle, a donation to an Indian school, a toy for ‘Toys-for-Tots,’ etc. Unfortunately, these works of charity so easily can assuage the Christian conscience, while doing nothing to being about a solution to the root causes of the problem.
“Works of justice, on the other hand, follow the road less traveled of Advent’s hope to pursue solutions for difficult problems. Hope comes through works of justice rather than simply performing works of charity. -Fr. Brian Cavanaugh
Vince and his team are living this…passing on hope through works of justice…I hope I can too.
I <3 Thanksgiving. It is such a GREAT time of year. It’s Fammer (fall+summer). Lovely 75-80 degree temps. Being with family…eating yummy food…football…Macy’s parade…shopping…$4 candles at Target (family thing) I feel that as a country we have forgotten to be thankful and skipping right to the gimme, gimme, gimme. I wish the stores would slow down on Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but in the end it’s all about the dollar.
In the path of “being the change you want to see in the world” I am going to change 5 things I love Monday to 10 things I am thankful for Monday…really taking the time to be thankful.
my family
I have such an AWESOME family!
My best friend
She’s the best 
My job
I am SO thankful to have a job. It isn’t ideal but it is working with children. And it’s motivation to move on to better things!
Yummy food!
I am thankful to live in a place where I have so many delicious food options! I don’t think I’ll ever realize how good I have it in relation to food.
Beautiful parks
I LOVE all of the parks and trails around Orlando. And I LOVE this beautiful weather that makes me want to stay outside ALL day long!
Little Stellan is HEALED!!!
I’ve been doubting whether or not God really does heal people. I’ve seen a lot of suffering. Then, little Stellan who almost DIED today was healed by God. The story truly is a miracle. God whispering in my ear, I love my creation. And I AM in control. Trust me.
My Church
At first I didn’t want to go to Summit, but I obeyed. Every Sunday God confirms me being there by speaking to me directly. Every Sunday I leave hearing from God. Things haven’t been the easiest there, but I have learned and changed SO much. I am almost ready to come out of my cocoon. I am SO thankful for this place.
These boys
I am SO thankful that I get to work play with these boys every Saturday. Even when I am dead tired from the week and don’t feel like going they still bless me. They are SO much fun!
Health Care
For the first time in 4 years I have insurance. I can’t wait to take care of some medical things I have been putting off. SO thankful to have this!
Right now I feel like Bella (from Twilight) where she was silent for months or Job when he sat and God just talked. I am being silent, just listening to God and comtemplating my life a lot. I know a lot of changes are coming in my life. I am trying to follow them and not fight them. But it’s HARD. Leaving what I know to be safety and security. However, I know if I stay too long security will turn into quicksand. Because I don’t live for myself, my life is not my own. I seek comfort in this:
Put your hope in the Lord.
Travel steadily along his path.
He will honor you by giving you the land.
(I title in Spanish just because I can)
Jewelry Holder from Urban Outfitters
I NEED this because I have this little thing called an earring addiction with 90% being from Forever 21 and I’m always losing my “valuable” earrings. HEY they maybe $3.80 but they make me HAPPY
Halloween with my best friend
Sisters...because they are the best
Imagination
I LOVE how she gets lost in play <3
My Sister
She’s the best mama and she is such a good friend to me.
Once again life isn’t going how I want it to. Frustrated and overwhelmed 
Listening to my favorite morning show and they were just talking about being in a funk and having that cloud over you and how thinking positive can help turn it around…so here I am 1 minute later writing this
Got my Owl City Tickets in the mail
Seeing these girls tonight!
Love this weather…I think I’m the only one though
I LOVE Halloween! I love dressing up and everything fun about Halloween. I am planning a BIG surprise to spread Halloween love. Here’s a sneak peak…
I LOVE that is is still warm enough to go to the beach and it’s almost November!
A DELICIOUS Fall dinner and dessert courtesy of my best friend <3
A new place to live
I LOVE that I always have SO much fun with this girl
A friend donated a HUGE bag of clothes in AWESOME shape that I was able to divide up among 5 boys (2 are in the same family)…people helping STRANGERS…AWESOME!
What I put on my mirror to remind me
To say I have a HUGE trust problem is probably an understatement. Trusting is VERY hard for me. Trusting God. Trusting Friends. I have come to realize without trust the world falls apart. Relationships break. Here’s some ramblings straight from my journal:
Beauty in trust. I don’t have to have all the answers. I am not on my own. I have God to guide. I have friends and family who love me. I am directing my own path. The one who goes before me loves me unconditionally and has an awesome plan for me. When I trust I can release everything. Take his yoke~follow His teachings for they are easy and light.
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
—Annie Johnson Flint
And to end with a quote from my pastor “To think that your life will always stay the same is a LIE from the pit of hell. ” Issac Hunter
That really struck me, so many times I believe “This is it? Seriously, God???” Especially with certain issues I have. But this is not it…as Switchfoot says, “We were meant to live for so much more”
This week I am focusing on trusting and living for so much more
I’ve had such FULL days this past month and right now I am SO exhausted. Yesterday, I left my house at 8 am and didn’t return until after 11 pm. But I am suffering from the best type of exhaustion…I am exhausted from days at the park, long talks with good friends, laughing, being with family. Yeah work isn’t that great and it makes me tired, but having days jam packed with AWESOME people makes me tired in a beautiful way.
