Encouraging Women Today

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON CHRISTMAS

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

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 was. 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, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.

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

A good friend of mine sent this to me and I think it's one of the best I've ever read. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

> MERRY CHRISTMAS
>
> Nine Precious Gifts
>
> Consider the following gift suggestions for your loved ones. The beauty of it is, none of these gifts needs to be bought, wrapped or bow-tied! stocks are UNLIMITED and all the suggested gifts are on SALE throughout the YEAR!
>
> The Gift of Listening
> The best gift you can give anyone is to listen - really listen. Do not interrupt, do not daydream and most important do not plan your response. Just listen.
>
> The Gift of a Smile
> Besides making you look beautiful, a smile is contagious and helps to spread happiness.
>
> The Gift of Laughter
> Enjoy your moments together. Share articles and funny stories. Clip cartoons. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
>
> The Gift of Solitude
> There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
>
> The Gift of Service
> Everyday, go out of your way to do something kind for someone...... it could also be a stranger.
>
> The Gift of a Written Note
> It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.
>
> The Gift of a Compliment
> The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
>
> The Gift of Affection
> Be generous with your smiles, hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds as appropriate. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for your family and friends.
>
> The Gift of Prayer
> The most precious gift of all! Never fails to work!!
>
> MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
>
> LOVE AND PRAYERS FOR EVERYONE...

These gift suggestions were sent to me from a dear friend. We love unwrapping gifts but some of the most precious gifts are those we give without spending a dime. Think about it this Season and remember the Reason.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

AND THE GIFT GOES ON

A GIFT is either GIVEN or RECEIVED

One of the most memorized scriptures is: “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE…”


Forty-five years ago a Christian lady gave her life to Christ to go to India as a missionary.
Forty-five years ago a Church gave sacrificially to missions so that missionary could go.

A little nine-year old girl gave her heart to Christ in India when this Missionary told her Jesus loved her and died for her sins. When this little girl went home to tell her parents the good news, she was forbidden to return.

This young girl became a woman, got married, gave birth to 3 children in America.

Thirteen years ago a Pastor’s wife who gave her life to Christ in ministry had lost the Joy of the Lord. Sometimes we give of our time & service without being replenished. At this time I once again gave my life over to Christ’s leading.

My next-door neighbor rang our doorbell in the morning asking if I could tell her about God. When she got up that morning she prayed to God this prayer: “If there is a God in heaven, lead me to someone today who can show me how to receive Him into my life once again.” She never forgot that experience as a nine-year-old girl and wanted it again.

I led this troubled woman to God and we prayed together for 2 years every Friday morning. We prayed for her family who did not know Christ as their Savior. Their religion did not believe that God gave His only begotten Son that they might receive
forgiveness of their sins.

Two weeks ago while attending the church my husband and I had pastored for 17 years, a young man came up to me. He told me that he had been our neighbor and his mother was the one that I had prayed with for 2 years for her family to find Christ. His mother and I gave of our time to pray. The Holy Spirit brought conviction and this young man received Christ as His Lord and Savior.

It took 45 years of giving and receiving over and over again for precious souls to find Christ. AND THE GIFT GOES ON. The Joy of the Lord comes through the areas of giving the message. At this Christmas season may the GIFT GO ON IN YOUR LIFE.
MERRY CHRISTMAS. I want to share a true story with you about "gifts". Whether we GIVE or RECEIVE, THE GIFT GOES ON.

AND THE GIFT GOES ON

A GIFT is either GIVEN or RECEIVED

One of the most memorized scriptures is: “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE…”


Forty-five years ago a Christian lady gave her life to Christ to go to India as a missionary.
Forty-five years ago a Church gave sacrificially to missions so that missionary could go.

A little nine-year old girl gave her heart to Christ in India when this Missionary told her Jesus loved her and died for her sins. When this little girl went home to tell her parents the good news, she was forbidden to return.

This young girl became a woman, got married, gave birth to 3 children in America.

Thirteen years ago a Pastor’s wife who gave her life to Christ in ministry had lost the Joy of the Lord. Sometimes we give of our time & service without being replenished. At this time I once again gave my life over to Christ’s leading.

My next-door neighbor rang our doorbell in the morning asking if I could tell her about God. When she got up that morning she prayed to God this prayer: “If there is a God in heaven, lead me to someone today who can show me how to receive Him into my life once again.” She never forgot that experience as a nine-year-old girl and wanted it again.

I led this troubled woman to God and we prayed together for 2 years every Friday morning. We prayed for her family who did not know Christ as their Savior. Their religion did not believe that God gave His only begotten Son that they might receive
forgiveness of their sins.

Two weeks ago while attending the church my husband and I had pastored for 17 years, a young man came up to me. He told me that he had been our neighbor and his mother was the one that I had prayed with for 2 years for her family to find Christ. His mother and I gave of our time to pray. The Holy Spirit brought conviction and this young man received Christ as His Lord and Savior.

It took 45 years of giving and receiving over and over again for precious souls to find Christ. AND THE GIFT GOES ON. The Joy of the Lord comes through the areas of giving the message. At this Christmas season may the GIFT GO ON IN YOUR LIFE.