"Wish I Had Never Been Born" That Famous Line

Watching "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie" was a real treat for me this season. There were things that were said that got me thinking. One line was about the meaning of Christmas. It's about letting people know how much they are worth but not through material things. 

Next scene was about how much one person (Kermit the frog) makes a great impact in other's lives.  Kermit got to a point where he wished he had never been born (same as "It's a Wonderful Life). His friends were affected by the tragedy that he, Kermit, was not in their lives. Kermit was transported back in time and it was as if he was never born. He witnessed how his absent in their lives affected them.  

I then thought about our "Christmas Wish" outreach we have done two years. I have seen people be transformed from being lost in this dark to pressing into a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the celebration of this season, right? It's not all about the material things, right?  Yet, I have seen God use the "things" of the world to reach those who need him most. I then thought about friends I have made through this outreach and what may have happened without it. Sure, there are other outreach programs, toy giveaways, and more, but not like Jesus' outreach program. 

Last, I imagined what life would've have been like if I had not been born. I am overwhelmed thinking how my children wouldn't exist today, nor my grandchild. I can't say that I've saved anyone from suicide. I haven't made a huge impact in my community or personal life that is as great as our Presidents. 

What would a world without Marjorie be like?  I don't know and I no longer want to find out. 

I want to live life to its fullest. So, if you hear or have heard me say something crazy, just remember it and laugh. If I do something odd, then cherish it because I may never do it again. 

If I have opened your life have a small piece of heaven, then I am the blessed one and it's because you are special to me. 

One person alone cannot change the world, but one person can make life good. I think that is what Kermit and George Bailey were attempting to share. It's okay that we are not perfect and it's okay to just be me. 

~Be encouraged, you help to make someone’s life a little better even if they haven't told you.

"While You Were Sleeping"

I was listening to 91.3 Hope FM this morning. I heard the song "While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns. The line in the song "Save the trees, kill the children" really made me think about how people value one thing over another. 

Have you looked back and asked "where was I?" when someone has talked about something that took place in history? I know I have.  That song really spoke to me about that.  People may remember the killings at the schools, but they may never remember all the names of the students. We place our focus on gun control instead of looking at the value of life.  

One day we are going to wake up and ask "what happened and why wasn't I informed!" It's really time to pay attention to the things that are taking place around us.  It's time to really look at where values are placed from the Washington down to our cities. What do we value more, saving trees or killing babies? 

If God would give me "one more" I will use every breath I have to tell them that they are loved beyond the trees, beyond the world, beyond the galaxy. I'd tell them about how they can live life and be relieved from all the stress of the world. I would tell them about how they can trust in what they cannot see. I love seeing the veil lift off of people's eyes because of who God is~love. 

So, while you were sleeping what took place that you missed? Do you want to miss the good news like Bethlehem did while they were sleeping? Check the manger, I am sure you will find love there.  Make room at your Inn for Him today. 

We all become so complacent that we allow for things to pass right by us. 

Maybe today, you won't.  

 

They Took Their Eyes Off of the Maker

Genesis 3:17 says, "Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of  your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying 'You shall not eat of it':"
Reading this passage I had the thought; on this day Adam took his eyes off God and onto his relationship with Eve which changed their way of life and brought a curse upon them.
Next, we see how Aaron also took his eyes off God also and it caused a problem for him.
Moses was gone for a long time up the mountain to talk with God and the people confronted Aaron. The people demanded  that Aaron build them a god. So Aaron took all the people's gold and built a golden calf.
This angered the LORD and he was ready to cast fire down on His people.

I've had the pleasure of meeting people along my journey who have taken their eyes off God and all that He has in store for them.  It saddens my heart to know that history repeats itself so often. People place their trust in what they can physically see and it is then that their lives becomes unmanageable.
I have asked people where they put their trust. Some don't respond and others say they trust in certain people in their lives. God tells us to put our trust in Him.

Most of us would agree that when life is good, we take our eyes off of the maker. When things go wrong, it is then we press into God. Our money, stuff, and things do not help us. It didn't help Adam when he took his eyes off God. God knew Adam was clothed with fig leaves before he said anything to Adam.

So what makes you different from Adam and Aaron? I know I am no different. I sin just like they did. I take my eyes off of God and suffer for it when I do. Life gets better when we remember who God is and what He can do and that we can do all things through Him. Apart from God we cannot do anything.

Times are tough in today's society and it is going to keep getting tougher. We will need one another in the darkest of days to come. It is going to be worse than waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain. It is going to be worse than eating an apple and blaming it on a woman or a serpent.

For those who do not know who God is, I pray for them. I can only talk to who God wants me to. I can only share my story with those who will listen. I can't save the whole world and neither would Jesus. If He would have, the world would not have condemned him to death. He gave us free will to choose.

Be encouraged today to keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, the maker. Take an inventory of yourself and figure out who or what you put your trust in. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, the world is going to end. It is not going to be as you know it today. No one knows the hour or day when it is going to happen.

Be encouraged ~ Adam and Moses took their eyes off the maker too.

Too Busy or Distracted?

Do you have someone who really listens to you? If so, you are blessed!
How about those that you become too busy to listen to?
This time of the year can get us so busy doing the right things that we miss making the right choices. It happened to me the other day.
Two ladies walked in to write out a letter for our Christmas Wish program. It was while I was in the middle of juggling three other tasks on my "to do" list.  After they finished writing their letter, I scanned over it to ensure we had all their information. This was the right thing to do. I explained the next step in the process and sent them on their way. I missed making the right choice to pray with them.  I was too busy and/or distracted to take the time and really listen to them. They may have had a hurt in their life. They may have needed some Godly direction. I did not allow myself to slow down long enough to make a true difference in their life.
I recognize that we all get busy and miss opportunities like this. However, there is Someone who does not miss anything. There are many places in the Book of Psalms that declare God is never too busy or distracted to hear from you or others.

Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.

Psalms 66:19

But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psalms 116:1-2

I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
² Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

So, know you are very blessed because Jesus is always ready and willing to listen even when no one else is. 

He is your friend who will listen no matter what the rest of your friends are busy doing or distracted. 

Expectations are Premeditated Resentments, Enjoy Life A Little!

It's the most wonderful time of the year and it can also be the most emotional, stressful, and argumentative time of the year.  Most of the time this happens because we expect higher things of ourselves and others.
Often times, we expect to have the house cleaned up perfectly. We expect the decorations to be thoroughly set and the food to be completely delicious to everyone.  Yet, we get frustrated when these things don't get done to our expectations.  We overlook the possibility that we set our standards too high for people. Why?  We become down right disappointed, frustrated, or even angry when it doesn't turn out the way think it should.
I'm not saying that setting our standards high is a bad thing; on the contrary it is good. However, we cannot expect too much at all times.

Sometimes settling for good is better than settling for the best. It will help us appreciate the things that get done. We will appreciate the people around us that assist us in completing our task list. We give our peace away.  This time of of the year is suppose to be about peace, not stress, not anger, and not over achieving.

Settle for what can be done, accept the things you can change, change the things you are able to, and ask for wisdom to know the difference. Sure, it is going to take time to set up the lights, cook the meals, and clean the house. However, do it with an attitude of gratitude. Don't expect everything to get done in one day. Remember? Rome wasn't built in one hour or one day.

So, feeling overwhelmed with your to do list? Take some time, step back, take a deep breathe and then set your priorities. As you get to the bottom of the list, make sure they are items that can wait until after the party, after the guest leave, or can wait for another month.  Enjoy the celebration is about remembering what God through His Son has done for us.

Jesus was on earth for 33 years. He went to Martha's home to eat. She was so worried about getting her to do list done that she became resentful of Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to everything he had to say.  Martha expected Mary to get up and help her. When Mary didn't she got frustrated and said to Jesus. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Don't you get this way?  You've asked your husband to help you fix something in the house and he says half hearing you "sure, in a moment."  You've told the kids to clean their rooms and they respond, "Sure, mom, give me a moment." Then when they don't do it in your time, you get upset.

"Martha, Martha,," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."  (Luke 10:38-42).

Spend time this season reflecting, remembering, and enjoying what cannot be taken away, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason you are hustling and bustling to get things done. That is why you have guest over. To enjoy the moment you have with one another. So, do what you need to do and leave everything else for another day.

~Be encouraged to stop and enjoy the things that cannot be taken away from you.

Leftover Turkey Ideas

Don't know what to do with the left over turkey in your refrigerator?  You can always substitute chicken in recipes for the turkey.
I came across this Southwestern Chili recipe on My Daily Moments Recipe of the Day.
It looks yummy and I like a little cha cha in my dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Pure Wesson® Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2-1/2 cups chopped cooked turkey
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes with Roasted Garlic, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce
• 1 can (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 can (4 oz each) diced green chilies
• 1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn
• 1 tablespoon Gebhardt® Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Nutrition Information

215

CALORIES

6g

TOTAL FAT

18g

PROTEIN

Serving Size: 8 servings (1-1/4 cups each)

View Complete Nutrition Information >

Directions

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add onion and bell peppers. Cook 4 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in turkey, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, chilies, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Wassail

I enjoy Christmas goodies, but the most wonderful treat of all on a cold day is Wassail!
You can put some in a thermos to keep it hot and warm not only the body but the spirit too!

2 Cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 quarts apple cider
1 orange, sliced


Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice in a double thickness cheesecloth; bring up corners and tie with a string from a bag.
Place cider and brown sugar in a slow cooker, and stir until sugar dissolves.  Add spice bag.  Place orange slices on top. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Remove spice bag when ready to serve.

YUMMY!

Out of This World!

My husband, Rodney, would talk about heaven with excitement. He would use his child like imagination to describe what he envisions it will be like. No matter how much joy he showed or words he used to describe heaven, I just could not arrive there. Until recently.
The other day at a friend's memorial service the pastor began to talk about how heaven will not have any pain, tears, worries, fears, and most importantly; Satan will not be there. Oh, how the string hanging from the ceiling turned the light on! It was a turning point for me. I began to get excited. The pastor began using scripture to back up what he was saying. I thought "of course, it's in the Bible, why couldn't I see it before?"
I know that I've heard Charles Stanley, Dr. David Jeremiah, and other pastors talk about heaven, but the understanding did not show up until I was ready to really listen. So, here I was crying because I was missing a friend, empathy for the family, and then tears of joy. Wow!
I couldn't wait to tell my husband how I've arrived with him in his joy for going home to heaven. It was so exciting! I called my daughter, who worries, and told her. I wanted to go tell it on the mountain that Satan will not be in heaven!  I don't know about you, however, I get tired of being accused that I have said or done the wrong thing when I didn't.  I don't enjoy being tormented in my dreams.  I'm sick of the devil and his evil schemes to get me upset. I'm looking forward to going to a place where He can't and won't go!
I look forward to not being hungry or thirsty, having no more pain, sorrow, or tears after I die.
 No more torment! Doesn't that just make you want to shout?  Yes, you will leave loved ones behind, but they have to go on. There is a torment and fear right there if that was your concern.
It's not about you, honey. It's about what you will experience after you are out of this world!
There is a flip side to the experience you may face after you are out of this world. Perhaps you are someone reading this that has not thought about where you will go after your death. Perhaps you do not realize that there is a place where there is joy and freedom. Perhaps you are not aware there is place of eternal torment either. God created the Universe and all its vastness. He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to save us from that eternal torment. It is a choice we make to believe this truth and receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I encourage you today to search your heart and ask yourself where you want to go when you are out of this world. Talk with a friend, call a pastor, visit this website: www.needhim.org, just call up and your questions will be answered.

~ Be encouraged

The teacher appears when the student is  ready