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Category: Holidays

One Step at a Time

One Step at a Time

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One Step at a TimeWe climb the highest mountain and walk through the lowest valley the same way – one step at a time. We place one foot in front of the other over and over again. Little by little we move forward.

We do the same emotionally. Whether we feel on top of the world or in the deepest depression, we keep going, one step at a time. Faced with a hard row to hoe,  we do what we need to do now. Then we take the next step.

Good teachers guide us one step at a time. If we move too fast or change the order, we often fail. If we take our time and follow directions, we usually succeed.

I rarely make New Year resolutions. If I did, I think this would make a good one. For this year, I want to take:

  • One step at a time
  • One day at a time
  • One task at a time

This one thing I know: Whether our journey fills us with joy or sorrow, we never have to walk alone. If we invite Him, God will walk with us every step of the way.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

What New Year resolution have you made? Please comment.

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Tis the Season

Tis the Season

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Tis the SeasonThe song “Deck the Halls” tells us tis the season (it is the season) to be jolly.

  • Children write letters to Santa.
  • We shop for gifts.
  • Stores sell more in a few weeks than the rest of the year.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

  • We decorate houses, yards, and businesses.
  • Christmas trees pop up everywhere.
  • Music rings from businesses, bells, and choirs.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

  • We read Twas the Night before Christmas.
  • We watch Christmas movies.
  • We practice Christmas plays.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

  • We eat, bake, and eat again.
  • We attend parties.
  • We visit family.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

Charlie Brown yelled, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”  Linus told him, simply and beautifully.

That holy night a Savior came who changed our world. Will you let Him change your life?

“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” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

What does Christmas mean to you? Please comment.

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Tightfisted

Tightfisted

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TightfistedFew people want to be called tightfisted or closefisted. We don’t like to be known as selfish or cheap. A tightfisted person hates giving or spending money. They want to keep it all for themselves.

However, we can be tightfisted with more than money. Too often we fail to share our time and love. We need those much more.

  • How many children wish for more time and love from parents?
  • How many husbands or wives wish for more time and love from a spouse?
  • How many people live alone, thinking no one cares?

We can do something about the needs around us. If we are tightfisted, it is never too late to change. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol provides a perfect example.

Of course, we want to use what we own wisely. We need to save money for future needs. At the same time, most of us can give far more than we do. With money, time, and love, let’s freely share.

The Gaither video Give It Away includes a scene of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with gifts. What a great reminder that we can make our world a better place to live.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for what we have. Then let’s open our tight fists and share with others. After all, we can’t take it with us.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).

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Old Glory

Old Glory

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Old GloryMany people today call any flag of the Unites States Old Glory. However, that nickname began with one flag.

The first Old Glory was a 17- by 10-foot flag with 24 stars. It belonged to sea captain William Driver. We can still see that flag in the National Museum of American History.

Like the original Old Glory, today’s flags have seven red stripes and six white stripes. The stripes represent the first 13 states. However, the number of stars changed as we added states. We now have 50 white stars for our 50 states.

Some people also call the flag Stars and Stripes. Another nickname is The Star-Spangled Banner, the title of our national anthem.

According to PBS, each color of the flag has special meaning.

  • Red — Hardiness and Valor
  • White — Purity and Innocence
  • Blue — Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice

Thousands of people have died to provide the freedom our flag represents. We show respect when we say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag by:

  • Standing at attention
  • Facing the flag
  • Men removing their hats
  • Placing right hand over the heart
  • People in the military saluting

 “I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.”

“Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government” (1 Peter 2:17 TLB).

Do you have a favorite flag story or July 4 tradition? If so, please comment.

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Fresh Start

Fresh Start

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Fresh StartWe all need a fresh start occasionally.

  • We lose a job and need a new one.
  • We hurt someone and need forgiveness.
  • We make bad choices and need another chance.

A fresh start means a new beginning. We start over.

A fresh start gives hope. We look for better days ahead, much like:

  • Springtime arrives after a long hard winter.
  • We build a new fence after the old one falls apart.
  • New flowers bloom through dead grass and leaves.

The message of Easter offers the greatest fresh start of all. Jesus died on a cross on Friday, but he rose from the grave on Sunday. He defeated death and sin.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we receive new life. We gain God’s love, peace, hope, and joy. We still have problems, but the problems will not defeat us. In addition, we have the promise of an eternal home in heaven.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

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Puppy Love

Puppy Love

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Puppy Love 1Puppies are cute, sweet, and make us smile. The same is true for puppy love — children or young people falling in love. We smile at puppy love, but we know it seldom lasts.

The problem: Puppy love depends on emotions alone — how do I feel?

  • If you make me feel good, I love you.
  • If you make me feel bad, I don’t love you.
  • If we have fun, I love you.
  • If we don’t have fun, I don’t love you.

As a result, young people may fall in and out of love several times.

Sadly many adults define love the same way.

The trouble with that thinking:

  • Good feelings come and go.
  • Life is not always fun.

True love – lasting love – means much more.

  •  I choose to love you.
  • I commit my life to you.
  • I will do what is best for you.

That does not mean love is blind. It does mean:

  • I accept that no one is perfect.
  • I will work with you on our disagreements.
  • I love you, even when I don’t like you or your actions.

In any relationship we sometimes feel on top of the world. Other times we feel like we are in a valley. True love says, “I will walk with you wherever the journey takes us.”

Love is a choice. Love is a verb.

Note:  If abuse occurs in a relationship, seek help and protection immediately.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

What do you think true love means? Please comment.

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

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Merry ChristmasMerry Christmas!

We often hear this greeting during the month of December. But what does it really mean?

  • Happy holiday?
  • Enjoy a good December?
  • Have fun?

We may mean all the above. However, for those who believe in Jesus, the Christ of Christmas, it means so much more.

The word Christmas comes from the Old English “Mass of Christ.”

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

Many people celebrate Christmas without knowing the Christmas story. They focus on decorated trees, Santa Claus, parties, and presents. They have no idea Jesus is the greatest gift.

Jesus came to give eternal life and a home in heaven.

He offers His presence and a life filled with:

  •  Hope
  • Peace
  • Joy
  • Love

As with any gift, we can accept Jesus’ gift or reject it.

I pray that you accept Jesus’ life-changing gift this Christmas and share it with everyone you meet.

Merry Christmas! Joy to the world! The Lord has come.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Graveyard Dead

Graveyard Dead

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Graveyard DeadDead is dead.

Graveyard dead emphasizes that fact. Someone or something died with no hope of revival and must be buried. The phrase can be used for the death of:

  • An idea
  • A business proposal
  • Animals
  • People

The redundant description clearly means:

  • No effort will help.
  • No hope exists.
  • We must say good-bye.

But is that all?

If we have no hope, why have the word?

  • One idea or proposal may not work, but we can always try another.
  • The loss of an animal doesn’t remove the good it gave.
  • Jesus promised this short life is not the end.

Claim the message of Easter. Live it every day. Hope endures!

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

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Don't Put All Your Eggs in One BasketAlthough not found in the Bible, egg hunts have become a common Easter tradition. Close to Easter seems a good time to remember we don’t put all our eggs in one basket.

As children find Easter eggs, they usually place them in brightly-colored baskets. Too many eggs make a basket overflow. Extra weight from the eggs can make a fragile basket break.

Using more than one basket, if needed, reduces the risk of losing or breaking their eggs.

Neither should we put all our eggs in one basket.

We don’t want to limit our resources to one possibility.

For a greater chance of success, we must diversify.

  • Invest money in more than one company.
  • Study more than one subject.
  • Learn more than one skill.
  • Apply to more than one school.
  • Develop more than one hobby.
  • Plan more than one vacation route.

We want to keep our options open.

If one goal fails, we have an alternative.

If our dream becomes a nightmare, we can follow a different dream.

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (Psalm 33:11 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Love is Blind

Love is Blind

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Love is BlindOn Valentine’s Day we give flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and other gifts to those we love. This special day also reminds us that love is blind.

We see people differently when we look through eyes of love.

We focus on their good traits and overlook the bad. This happens with boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, and children. Because love is blind, we think our loved one is the smartest, cutest, sweetest person on earth.

That doesn’t mean we never see a person’s faults.

Yet, because we love them, we look for the best in them. We see what we want to see.

A 2004 scientific study verified that love is blind. The University College London found that love suppresses the part of our brain that controls critical thought.

We probably need some degree of blindness to keep loving feelings strong. At the same time, we need to take our blinders off when those faults become harmful. Then, we must clearly see what needs to change and take the steps to change it.

Teaching a child right from wrong requires a strong will. So does voicing concerns to a spouse.

True love is an act of the will, not emotion.

By working through difficult times, relationships grow.

True love says:

  • I will do what’s best for you, whether I feel like it or not.
  • I will do what’s best for you whether you deserve it or not.
  • I will do what’s best for you, because that’s how true love works.

Let’s be thankful love is blind to the little faults in one another. Let’s act with eyes wide open when true love requires it.

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:12 NET)

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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