Friday, December 29, 2017

Live Like You've Been Changed


Live Like You've Been Changed 

Ladies, Please don't be fooled.
Believers can also be in bondage to the control of evil.
Evil lurks around waiting whom to devour, setting traps and will use anything to set you into a tailspin. As you know, once you take the bait, you are now a puppet in the hands of evil. And the torment begins...

In most instances these traps/offenses are from a close relationship in your life, ex: friend, sister, sister-in-law, roommate, co-worker, or neighbor. 

You know, that one person that makes your life SO very difficult?? This is so hurtful, so much so to the point you are complaining/gossiping about them to others because you have allowed her to get under your skin. We tend to stew on these hurts and annoyances and this only adds fuel to the fire. 

The word of God says that The Truth Will Set You Free.
The word of God is healing balm, some days it's actual oxygen for me. It takes away the burden, stress, hurt, and pain as you read along. Please try it if you are in one of these unhealthy cycles of hurt and pain.

I would often tell my children when they were arguing, "You are only responsible for your behavior." And one day the Lord reminded me of the exact same thing. 

This is why God's word says, 
To Love your enemies. 
To Forgive.
To Love unconditionally.
To Give a blessing for a curse.
To Give the coat off your back.
To Walk the extra mile...

Someone cannot chase you if you don't run. 

Choose not to react and to pray for them.

Live FREE.
Choose LOVE.
Be JESUS 

They truly need Him.

Come Out Of The Grave And Into His Glorious Light


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood..."
Ephesians 6:12

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:44 

women encouraging women







Sunday, December 24, 2017

Advent Christmas Eve


Advent Celebration - Happy Birthday Jesus


“To you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, 
who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:11

Candle to Light: All Candles
 

Family Scripture Reading: Luke 2:11-20 / John 3:16
 
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the amazing gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in accepting the free gift of salvation He provides for all people. Please help us to be ever aware of your mercy, grace and love. Guide us to understand Your will for our lives. Amen
 



Friday, December 22, 2017

Dawn Of Redeeming Grace


Dawn Of Redeeming Grace

Jesus came to serve and not be served. Humility is his banner. 
His law is LOVE and His gospel is PEACE
Let's be Jesus.
As we are, so is He.

Dear Lord, 
Do not let us miss you this Christmas. 
Help us to simplify our activities and traditions so we may focus on your son's birth. Thank you, Jesus, for being the Prince of Peace, and we pray for your supernatural peace to reign in our hearts and homes. 
Thank you for the simple but life-changing message of your love for us and the eternal salvation that is just a matter of our choosing.
In Jesus name, amen

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

"Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ." 1 Peter 5:14

women encouraging women





Wednesday, December 20, 2017

What I Want My Children to Know: How to Keep Jesus at the Center of Christmas

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

As the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." Yes, I love Christmas! I love the songs, the food, the happy spirits, the decorations and the Christmas cups, plates and coffee mugs that fill our cabinets. However, what I really want is my children to know the true meaning of Christmas.

How can we as moms make sure that we keep Jesus first during this time of year?  A few things my family has done this year include:

Putting our Advent wreath on our kitchen table.  We are reminded at each meal of the coming of Christ.

Setting up our Mangers first before any other decorations

Selecting Christmas cards that highlight the birth of Jesus

Attending church / Serving our church

Giving to Christian organizations like Operation Christmas Child

Watching Christ centered movies like The Star and The Nativity with your traditional selections

Reading the Bible with our children (Readings are posted under Advent)

Including a Spiritual Gift under the tree for your child

There are lots of ways we can remind our children that yes, this is the most wonderful time of the year, because Jesus was born to be our Savior. Hallelujah!!  Christ is Born!

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Advent Week Four LOVE

Advent Celebration Week Four- LOVE
By Carri Pratt



“God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life.” John 3:16.

Welcome to Week Four. The theme for this week is "Love" because Jesus is the original ‘Love Child’ given for all of the earth.  The angels were thrilled to see Jesus being born into and for the world:





“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, 
and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
Luke 2:13-14

As you go through this week, focus on the fact that God made the ultimate sacrifice by giving you His son.  What can we give back to Jesus this year for his birthday present?

Celebrating Advent is a special way to keep Jesus Christ at the center of your Christmas Season. All you need is a Bible, a few candles and a willing heart to share the true meaning of Christmas with your family.

Instructions for Celebrating Advent Week 4:
Day to Light:         Sunday  December 16, 2017
Candles to Light: 3 Purple & 1 Pink (the center white candle is for Christmas Eve/Day)

Prayer:  Father God, 
                Joining with the Heavenly Hosts we sing “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will toward men!” 
                Father, we pray that your love would shine through us on earth, to our fellow man. May we be thankful for Your sacrifice and may we reach out to others as your Son has done for us. Amen.

Family Scripture Reading: Luke 2:13-14

REMINDER:  All five candles will be lit on December 24 & 25th.  Check back Christmas Eve for final instructions.  Merry Christmas!


Friday, December 15, 2017

Joy To The World!


Joy To The World! 

 C- Charity
    H- Humility
     R- Reconcile
   I- Inclusive
        S- Sentimental
T- Trust   
      M- Memories
      A- Accepting
 S- Sincere

Let us pray:

Father, 
We praise your Holy Name! Your name is holy, high and lifted up. We trust you and your plan. We surrender to your will and plan.
Lord, help us your daughters, believe that Jesus came to save each and every person. 
Please remind us that we should forgive much because we have been forgiven of much. 
Jesus is the one true reason for this special season. 
Lord, help us put on love as Jesus did with no expectations, no judgements or labels, but just pure unconditional love.
Help us Father, to give with no strings attached, no expectations, with no past hurts, no bitterness or anger.
Lord, please bring warmth and joy into our hearts, homes and celebrations. Help bring healing to each family relationship that is strained, broken, or in need of repair.  
Father, Bring the teenagers out of their rooms and help each family have precious time for togetherness, fun and play games, sing songs, bake cookies, and truly enjoy one another this season.
Most of all, 
help us to make time to worship you together and remember your Perfect Gift, Jesus Christ our savior!
In Jesus name we pray, Amen

"Here is the Lamb of God!" John 1:29

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:25-26

"Let Love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

What I Want My Children to Know: How to Handle Stress

How to Handle Stress

My daughter had a total stress breakdown the other day. I had been warned, by her principal, that this was coming (as all new middle school students would have a "freak out" moment he said).

"I can't do it!" she cried out through tears streaming down her face.  As any mother would probably do, I pulled her close and gave her a big hug.  I asked her to tell me what was going on and she opened the floodgates and poured her heart out to me. It all came down to some homework assignments and her first band concert. She was feeling overwhelmed, a feeling we can all relate to but don't always deal with properly.

Lesson Learned: Our children are under tremendous stress but do they have the tools to deal with it?  

She and I talked it out and here is what we learned together:

Step One: Admit you are stressed! Help your child to see what is stressing them.  Let them talk it out, cry and give them a listening ear first (advice comes later) and lots of hugs/attention.

Pray ... let them know that they are able to deal with this because they have Jesus Christ in their lives and the Holy Spirit living inside them. Invite God to be in this moment.  Pray Philippians 4:13 with them,  
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Make a list ... help your child to prioritize what they need to do and help in whatever way you can (try to refrain from doing the work yourself). 

Give them Grace ... let your child know that they are not expected to be perfect! Yes, we all want our children to do well at whatever they attempt but this is a huge part of the stress upon them. Allow them to do their best, accept that and celebrate their results with them.  Your opinion matters to them.

Keep God first ... remember to make all decisions based on God's love and His willingness to bare our burdens. He is amazing! Share that blessing with your child.


"Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." 
1 Peter 5:7







 

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Advent Week Three JOY

Advent Celebration Week Three - JOY
By Carri Pratt

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people.”
Luke 2:10

This week is a great and JOYFUL celebration of advent! The theme for this week is "Joy" because Jesus has come into our world to free us from the bondage of sin and darkness. We have much to be joyful for in our lives!

As you go through this week, focus on how Jesus has brought joy into your life.

Celebrating Advent is a special way to keep Jesus Christ at the center of your Christmas Season. All you need is a Bible, a few candles and a willing heart to share the true meaning of Christmas with your family.

Instructions for Celebrating Advent Week 3:

 Day to Light:     Sunday December 9, 2017
Candle to Light: The 1st 2nd & 3rd candles (traditional = 2 purple & 1 pink)

Family Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-12          read at www.Biblegateway.com

Prayer:  Father God, may we experience the great joy proclaimed by the angel sent to earth by You. Help us to overcome anything in our lives that might stand in the way of our joy. Help us to focus on the greatest blessing we could receive, the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ.


Digging Deeper…
Week Three is also known as “The Shepherd’s Candle” because the good news was proclaimed first to the Shepherds, by Heavenly Angels.

About Advent Wreaths - Candle Colors
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christ

Friday, December 8, 2017

Steer Them To Jesus


Steer Them To Jesus

Our daughter is a first year college student away at school. She called me recently really needing to talk. I could tell by the tone of her voice this was serious. She began to tell me that her grades had fallen and that she was completely over-whelmed, but hesitated to call because she was afraid that we would be upset with her. 

I started with, Thank you SO much for trusting me with this and I assured her that nothing is more important than her well-being. 

We then spoke of the scripture that says, When we hope in The Lord we will soar on wings like eagles.

I wanted her to visualize the difference between doing it all in her own power and exhausting ourselves and doing all things with Hope in The Lord. 

By keeping our hope in Him we will soar with Him and He will carry us through. So, when birds fly up and find wind currents they are able to save their energy and just be carried and soar effortlessly. 

She really needed that good cry, she dropped a course that was over-whelming her, she re-grouped,  and now feels much better and is back in the fight, so to speak. She also recently asked me to mail her bible to her at school.

I have her little Christmas tree up in her room and waiting for her when she gets home for the holidays. And I found her the perfect ornament for her freshman year of college, 
and it's an eagle. 

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 

"Brothers (Sisters), if you have any word of exhortation for the people, come and give it." Acts 13:15

"For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16

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Saturday, December 2, 2017

Advent Week Two PEACE

Advent Celebration Week Two- PEACE
Carri Lynne Pratt



“For a child will be born for us, 
a son will be given to us, 
and the government 
will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, 
Mighty God, Eternal Father, 
Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6



Welcome to Week Two. The theme for this week is "Peace" because Jesus is known as The Prince of Peace. As you go through this week, focus on the peace that can be yours by simply calling on the precious name of Jesus. He was sent here for you.

Celebrating Advent is a special way to keep Jesus Christ at the center of your Christmas Season. All you need is a Bible, a few candles and a willing heart to share the true meaning of Christmas with your family.

Instructions for Celebrating Advent Week 2:

Day to light the candles:     Sunday, December 2, 2017
Candle to Light:                   The first & second candles

Family Scripture Reading:   Luke 2:1-7

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus Christ, to bring peace to our world. Please help us to have peace in our family and to enjoy Your peace this Christmas season. In Jesus name, Amen.

Read Luke 2:1-7 at Biblegateway.com