Friday, December 23, 2011

"So......Are you Ready for Christmas?"

It seems as though everywhere I go, this is the question on everyone's minds.  Either someone is asking me personally, frantic shoppers are asking each other, or friends are contemplating this dilemma over their lunch break.  In any case, the Question of the week seems to inevitably be.........
........."So00000000....are you ready for Christmas?"  
Some answer "no".  Some answer "almost".  Some answer "I think so".....but rarely have I heard someone answer with a resounding "yes!".


Take heart ♥ my friends.  It is my guess that some 2000 years ago, those Shepherds in the fields weren't ready either.  Quietly tending their sheep, ready to go home and throw the hook in the closet and call it a night, put their feet up, tend the fire, and warm themselves up with some stew & hot milk... 
But you and I both know that's not what happened ....... don't we?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  
(Luke 2:8-9)


Can't you just hear the shepherds amongst themselves? 
"Oh no! We're not ready!!  We have nothing to bring and no time to shop, nothing to wear and no time to pick up the good cloak, no food made for such a trip and no time to ask the wife to whip something up"......  


But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  (Luke 2:10-12)

Sweet Friends....the day Jesus Christ was born, Heaven came to US.  On that cold winter night, in the form of a newborn baby, Heaven came to us.  God sent His Son to US, because, although the World may not have known it, 
WE. WERE. READY.  
Ready for a .......
Wonderful Counselor.
Holy Comforter.
Prince of Peace.
Everlasting Father.
Mighty God.
Ready for..............................IMMANUEL.  The name above ALL names.  Immanuel. GOD WITH US. †

As God's children, we are BORN ready. ♥

Before I made you in your mother’s womb,
   I knew you.
Before you were born,
   I CHOSE YOU............................(Jeremiah 1:5, emphasis mine)


God's Peace, Love, Joy, and Abundant Blessings be yours this Christmas Season ~
xo Tera


 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Heart ♥ of Christmas

It's been a long time since I have written.....too long actually....  I could give you a million excuses....stress on the job, increased responsibilities, kids' activities, family obligations.....Am I alone?
The truth is, I haven't taken the time.  The time to stop. pause. realize. recognize.

I just finished watching "The Heart of Christmas"...a new world premiere movie on Gmc.  Can you believe I even convinced the entire family to watch it with me?
  Yes, even the husband and the teenage boy.  All five of us, gathered together, in front of a fire and a tv set....
It was the true story of the Locke family.  A family touched by cancer.  A family that eventually lost their son in the battle that claimed his physical body.  A family that, in the end,  allowed Faith to win...with the love, help, support, and encouragement of Family, Friends, Strangers, and the Dedicated Staff of St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, FAITH won.
What touched me the most about this story, this personal story, and what prompted me to write tonight is, as the title explains, what is truly at the HEART♥ of Christmas (and every other day of our temporary time spent here on Earth). At the heart, is EACH OTHER.  For Love, Help, Comfort, Support, Encouragement, Time, Energy, and Healing, God GAVE us the greatest gift....EACH OTHER.

Jesus gave such a strict command.....one last command before HE went home.......LOVE EACH OTHER. 
"I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you."
....John 13:34

I realized tonight as I watched this film, that the GREATEST SINGLE GIFT that God has given us is..........EACH OTHER.
THAT ......is why it was His final command.  His final instruction.

The time we spend here is short.  God has our home prepared for us when we leave....
 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.".......Exodus 23:20

If you are reading this blog and you are holding a grudge.......forgive them.
If you are jealous of someone.......bless them.
If you are angry with someone.......pray for them.
And above all else........when it comes to each and every human being that God places in your path.........LOVE THEM.

Sweet Friends ~ Love Each Other. Days it's easy. Days it's hard.  Days you want to. Days you don't. Each and Every Day - - - Love Each Other. It was God's Plan.....for ALL of us - His CHILDREN, to be there for each other in every way we are able.....until He calls us back HOME. ♥

* Last Christmas, our son Thomas made donations to St.Jude's Hospital on behalf of each of his family members.  It touched our hearts and changed lives in the process.  If you would like to donate to St. Jude's, please visit their website at
www.stjude.org

~~~~~~~God's Blessings to you all as we celebrate the Love, Hope, Peace, Joy, and  HEART♥ of Christmas~~~~~~
Tera

Monday, September 5, 2011

Blessings & Birfday Cake

"Mama, Mama...I wanna some birfday cake!"  

Out of nowhere, the toddler began to ask for "birfday cake" each and every day. We haven't celebrated such an occasion in a couple of months now, and his own special day doesn't land until the final day of each year.......so where was this odd request coming from?

Like many "2-year old-isms".....we may never know.  But what we DID decide, was this........

Why NOT have Birfday Cake?  Isn't it true we are born new each day?

His great love is new every morning.  Lord, how faithful you are!.....Lamentations 3:23

And isn't childlike faith EXACTLY what we are called to?

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these..........Luke 18:16

When we awake each morning----
Acknowledge God the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.......
Die to Our Self........
and Submit to His Will...........
........aren't we then NEW....New each Day?

Sounds to me like a Beautiful Reason to Celebrate with Birfday, oops.............BIRTHday Cake. 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

What's Your Wind?

Peter and the fellas were in the boat. They had been all night. Early in the morning light, they saw him walking toward them on the sea.  "It's a ghost!" they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Don't be afraid guys, it's Me!"  Peter wasn't convinced, so he asked, "Lord, if it IS you, command ME to come to you on the water."  So he did. Peter got out of that fishing boat and started walkin' on the water towards Jesus. .......that's when the wind picked up.  When Peter noticed that strong wind, he started shakin' in his galoshes, began to sink, and cried out "Lord, save me!"  Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, exclaiming, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Friends,
What are your Strong Winds?
We all have them......Strong winds of circumstances that cause us to take our eyes off the One who can save us from sinking.... 
Perhaps it's the wind of debt? the wind of marital problems? the wind of greed? of jealousy?  Perhaps it's the wind of self-doubt? of fear? Or the wind of anger? of unforgiveness?

Whatever your Strong Wind is right now........Remember you are not alone.  You are within arm's reach of the Lifesaver. †

Acts 2:21  And Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

Peace <><
Tera 

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Pearly Whites

I've always despised the Dentist.  Not my dentist personally mind you, but the entire check-up/visit process.  I would spend hours worrying about it - "Would I have cavities? Would it hurt? Would he be able to tell that flossing was something I engaged in only when I had sweet corn or popcorn seeds lodged?".........

But THIS time......... was different.  For starters, I completely forgot about the appointment.  Until my "reminder call" the night before, I hadn't given a visit to the dentist the slightest thought (and from what they tell me, it had been a year since my last).  After all, I hadn't had any pain, nothing was poking me, and from what I could tell, they were all still there.

The beauty of the "forgotten appointment" was that I saved myself hours of worry.....unnecessary worry.  My mouth was going to display exactly what I had been up to over the past year (that last minute "really good" brushing we do is most likely obvious to the professional).

So I arrived at his office.  As I sat in the waiting room, I again wondered... "Suppose he'll be able to tell I don't floss unless necessary?"  Nah......

They called me in.  I took my place in the chair and gripped the arm rests (standard procedure - -  am I alone in this?).  I shut my eyes, opened up wide, and prepared for the invasion........Aside from a little poking, a little prodding, and a little polishing....it was painless.  PAINLESS.  A trip to the dentist!  Painless!  *Please keep in mind that this had not been my typical scenario.  I was fully accustomed to bleeding gums, tears, novocaine, more tears, drilling, still more tears, and cramped wrists and fingers from gripping those vinyl arm rests.

The entire visit lasted about 20 minutes.  When I opened my eyes and sat up, my sweet dentist was staring down at me.  "Looks great Tera, a strong healthy smile with no signs of decay"  ........Excuse me, could you repeat that?  Please?  40 years I've been waiting to hear those wonderful words!  I looked back at him and exclaimed, "Here's to Healthy Living!  Less pop, more water, better choices!"  He smiled his gentle smile and I knew that he agreed completely with my excited declaration (although I'm not sure he's ever witnessed such exuberance from a simple teeth cleaning...).

I left his office and began to think.....
When we make changes to our life......changes that aren't always easy but that we know are right, we have the amazing opportunity to see the fruits of our labor.  My newly polished Pearly Whites weren't a result of that morning's last ditch effort to brush fervishly in hopes of covering up months of neglect....they were a direct result of changes I had made in my life ..... they were the Fruits of my Labor.
 The same is true of our commitment to Christ.
I spend time with Him............so I can bear Good Fruit.
I Worship.........so I can bear Good Fruit.
I read his Word.........so I can bear Good Fruit.
I Pray.........so I can bear Good Fruit.
and it all takes TIME......Dedicated TIME.....in a world that demands anything & everything we have left some days, it requires TIME.......But you see my friends, when we TAKE that time......and Commit to a new Habit ....we have the ability to bear Good Fruit.....and flash a Pearly White Smile too.


It took me 40 years to realize I was on this Journey with Him.
It took me 40 years to get that desperately hoped for A+ on my dental report card.
Making Positive Life Changes is not always Easy.....but the Fruit is Delicious.

Sweet Shining Blessings,
Tera

**Ps.......I still don't floss........unless it's sweet corn season.

Monday, July 11, 2011

40 years.........just me...and those Israelites.

Ok Holy Spirit ~ ~ ~ ~ Let's DO this thing.  I have been thinking & praying for months and months about the possibility of starting my own Blog.  There were, of course, a few rocks in the road that I encountered.....First, the small pebble... "Tera, you are NOT computer savvy, a blog? really?".......Next was the stone......"Tera, you are NOT an expert in the area of Bible history & knowledge...what if you mess up on the important "stuff"?......and finally, the undeniable boulder blocking my path..."Tera, there is NOT a person out there who wants to hear from a girl with such a simple story to tell".........That's when it hit me.....that's when HE hit me...our REAL Rock.......Perhaps I'm not alone?  Perhaps I'm not the only 40 year old Jesus Girl that spent 40 years in the Wilderness before finding her way out? Perhaps the Israelites have gotten a bad rap throughout  history? I mean, after all, I too had witnessed God's Love, Light, Grace, & Mercy throughout the years (truth be told, I never gave Him the credit), and yet I had remained in the Dark.....So let's Do this Thing God.....Let's show your Kids how to get out of the Dark ~ and SHINE in the Son ☼