Feeling Blue

I'm feeling very sad and lonely tonight. It's new year's eve and Gregg and I are alone again. New Year's Eve should be a time of games and fun and celebrating the new year together with loved ones. Funny how your children would rather be almost anywhere other than with their parents. It's definately understandable. How lame is it that you would spend new year's eve with your parents? They are young and free and searching for their own lives. Just like we were thirty years ago when we would rather do anything other than spend time with our parents. It's a sad cycle. You have to come to some form of peace with it, but at 50, you still want to feel young and exciting. We are getting to the age where we have to do all the inviting in order for our children to spend time with us. They very seldom feel inclined to invite you into their world. I'm beginning to understand how my parents felt. Well, guess I'll go read a book or watch a movie with the one person I can't imagine life without. My husband.

Happy New Year!

A new year is fast approaching and we will be entering 2009. I remember thinking how far away the year 2000 was and could hardly imagine that I would be in my 40's when that year finally arrived. Now 9 years have already past since then. I am 50. More than half way through my life. I believe that the new year is a chance to reflect on your past and reconsider which direction your life is headed. Do you like where you are going? Do you need a clean slate? Each new year can be a second chance. A time of renewal...looking forward to whatever the future holds and embracing it. And so, I too, have made a few New Year's resolutions.
I resolve to embrace every moment that God gives me on earth.
I resolve to spend each of those moments wisely and carefully, realizing that they could be my last.
I resolve to spend each of those moments wisely and carefully, realizing that they could be the last for the people I am with.
I will recognize and appreciate the people around me for who they are and where they are at, not for who I want them to be or where I want them to be at.
I will try to be a blessing to others not an annoyance.
I am resolved to rein in my tongue and harness my hurtful words.
When I see a need, I will try to meet it. I will be a builder and supporter of people, especially my husband and my children.
I am resolved to reconnect with my mother and love and appreciate all she does.
I resolve to see the cup as half full and not half empty.
I will laugh every day to add years to my life.
I will cry once in awhile to keep my heart soft and pliable.
I will remember what Jesus has done for me and rejoice and be grateful.
I resolve to allow the spirit man control of my life and to push my physical man back into the deep chambers of my heart until I no longer see him any more.
I know that when I see my spiritual inner self change, everyone else will see the physical part of me change, also.
I resolve to be a greater giver than I already am.
As New Year's eve approaches and we prepare to enter into 2009, take time to reflect on the past to encourage you to embrace the future. Instead of looking at 2009 with fear and trepidation, look on it with hope and excitement.
Happy New Year!

The Hopes and Fears of All the Years are Met in Thee Tonight

Tonight is Christmas Eve! The night before Christmas! It seems too soon this year. I haven't had time to listen to all the songs, watch all the Christmas movies, and cook all the Christmas goodies I want. The older I get, time seems to just fly by. Before I even blink, it will be Christmas time again next year. I've started to realize how short time really is. How our lives are just a moment in the scheme of eternity. Yesterday, I was watching an old Christmas rerun of Touched By an Angel and she said a phrase that grabbed my attention. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."
Imagine that. Every need has been met in the birth and death of Jesus. Every hope and fear has been met in the birth and death of Jesus. Tonight, as you open your presents, celebrate the season, and enjoy your family...take time to remember WHO has met all your needs, wishes, hopes, fears. He loves you. Don't forget to say thank you to the one who paid your freedom price. Thank you, Jesus..that our hopes and fears have been met in YOU tonight.

What Should I Bring Him?

I was up early this morning contemplating the Christmas season and was meditating upon Jesus and his birthday. I know there is a lot of speculation as to when it actually was, etc. but the point I focused on was that Jesus really did have a birthday. A day he was born, and a day he celebrated with his family year after year. They knew the day. Even his disciples, who spent three years with this man, probably spent his birthday with him. Probably slapped him on the back and said "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" Maybe even had a present for him. So I thought, about his birth in the manger and the shepherds coming to see this special new baby. The kings brought gold, and frankincense and myrrh as birthday gifts. A cute little song, The Drummer Boy, says he had no gift to bring so he played for him on his drum. I watched a movie one time about how a juggler presented his only gift to the mother of Jesus. He juggled and it pleased the child.
So as I contemplated this...I asked myself...what gift would I bring to this child? Although he was a baby, he was also a king. Do you bring him an item he could enjoy, play with? Do you bring him an item of need? Maybe a warm blanket? Some diapers? Or like the kings, do you bring him costly gifts? Would He appreciate an IPOD or a Wii game? Maybe a birthday cake and party hats? Jesus was just like you in every way..He enjoyed surprises and parties. However, I know he was not materialistic. His worth was not wrapped up in owning the most toys and driving the fastest cars. His mission on earth was not about what He personally wanted, but what His heavenly father wanted. He was our gift! So what is our gift back to Him?
We all have the obvious answers such as our hearts...ourselves...things like that....but is that the correct gift for Jesus?
I love giving gifts. I try to find just the right thing that means I know them, who they really are, and I definitely try to please them. Sometimes, however, I often hit and miss. Sometimes my own personal preferences are involved in my choices. I think if I like it, they will definitely like it. Not always true. Is it true that it is the thought that counts? I've heard that alot. I don't know.
What gift would Jesus want on His birthday? What gift would you bring Him?
I never came to any pat answer, but I did think about this...
I honestly believe that Jesus would want something from you that you don't even recognize as a good enough gift for Him. The littlest angel in the children's classic gave him an old box full of childish treasures. (a rock, a feather, etc.)
Jesus, like everyone else would appreciate something from you that means something to you. He loves it that you try to please Him because you know Him so well. He loves it when you use the gifts and talents that He gave to you to offer back to Him. All of the gifts I've mentioned above were pleasing to Jesus. But only YOU can choose the birthday gift that YOU should bring Him.
During this Christmas season, meditate upon the ultimate gift that God sent to earth for you. There is absolutely nothing that you could give in return for that gift. NOTHING you have would ever be worthy of His gift to you....but in recognizing that...you will be able to discover what gift you should give to Jesus on His birthday. Rejoice and be thankful and greatful. Sometimes...a thank you is a good place to start!

We Sure Could Use a Little Good News

The headlines scream at us from newspapers, television, the radio, and other sources the most horrendous stories. Scanning some of the large city newspapers I have listed just a few of the hundreds of thousands of headlines. I am not trying to be depressing, but this is a sampling of what is happening in our nation today.
Man Shot After Answering Knock at Door
Boy 13 is Charged in Stabbing of Brother, 16
Teen Accused of Raping Elderly Woman
Men Recruited Homeless to Steal From Walmarts
Florida Woman Accused of Hiring 4 Hitmen to Kill Husband
New Trial for Minister Convicted of Killing WifeThe news goes on and on and it seems the crimes become more heartless, more disturbingly violent, and having no consciences about wrong doing. Unfortunately, even the small towns we live in have become the source of some of these headlines.
The words to describe these crimes have been watered down to a more user friendly word or phrase. Abortion has become "The right to choose". Rape has become "sexual assault", Murder has been listed as "Crimes of Passion". No one takes responsibility for their own actions. Everything is always someone else's fault. We are raising children who are disrespectful, angry, lazy, materialistic, and think that everyone owes them something. Our children drive better vehicles than we do. Our credit card bills prove that we are a generation who waits for nothing or no one. Luxuries have turned into needs! Yet in foreign soil, children are dying daily from starvation and we close our eyes and say it's not our problem. Where has our compassion gone? Where is our empathy for others? Have our hearts waxed cold? When will the headlines be bursting with positive things? Why have we made the ugly, evil things newsworthy and the everyday feel good stories boring until that's all they will report? Surely, that is not all the news there is.
As the nursery rhyme says "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again."
Our nation is Humpty. We are headed for a great fall. And sadly, all the government programs, and all the Obamas in office are not going to be able to put Humpty (our nation) back together again."
Is there any hope?
Well, I do have a little good news for you.
Long ago, in the city of Bethlehem, a baby was born. He came to deliver us from many things, but saving us from ourselves is one of his greatest, most priceless gifts to us.
While the world around us is seeped in bad news, we have been promised good news. And that is what the word gospel means. GOOD NEWS! The first four books of the new testament in the Bible are called the gospels. THE GOOD NEWS. God sent us a book focused upon GOOD NEWS! Have you read it lately?
In Luke 1:67 Zechariah shouted it when his voice returned, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed (bought back) his people."
And in Luke 2:10, the angels proclaimed: "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord."
And finally in Luke 4: 18-19, Jesus himself proclaimed of himself,"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach GOOD NEWS to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
This Christmas season, take some time to focus upon the GOOD NEWS God has for you. We do not have to remain in the darkness of this world, but we can be illuminated by our Light, Jesus Christ.
Our newspapers may be full of bad news, our nation may be in a downward spiral, but Jesus' own words in John 16: 33 says it best.

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Till He Appeared and THIS Soul Felt Its Worth

Okay. I know Taylor enjoys my funny ones, but every now and then I have to have a serious blog. So here goes.
I do some of my best visiting with God in my car on the way to work. Usually I have Chris Tomlin or Matt Redman playing, but Gregg had switch cd's on me, and had put in Third Day's Christmas cd. As the song came on I recognized it as O Holy Night, so I just listened and for the first time, I really heard the words. I've sang it hundreds of times...sang the words out loud, even..but that morning, I really HEARD the words. There was a couple of lines that really jumped out at me.
"Long lay the world, in sin and error pining..Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth!" I stopped and restarted the song. The world had been in darkness and sin...longing and pining for the arrival of a savior. Someone who could break the curse that they were under and they could stop living in a shadow of that sin and darkness and awaken to a life of abundance and light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." That first Christmas morning...the light had shattered the darkness with a star, and as the light pierced the darkness, that baby's birth started to give hope to all that had been in the darkness for so long. Their mourning souls could finally see their worth to an almighty God who would send His Son, Jesus, to die for us. WOW! That made me see how precious we are to God. WE HAVE WORTH TO HIM! "For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!" We should all fall down on our knees during this Christmas season to worship the one who chose to come to us...in the form of an innocent human baby in a manger, born to die, that WE might have life and have it more ABUNDANTLY! If your life is any less than full of light, hope, and abundance....fall to your knees and thank Him for coming. Rejoice in the night so divine....The holy night that Christ was born! Thank you, Jesus, for appearing and showing THIS soul her worth to You!

The Twelve Days of December at My School Job!

Since it's nearly Christmas...here is my rendition of a Christmas song!

On the first day of December a student said to me,
My boogers sometimes are green!
On the second day of December a student said to me,
My head is itchy and sometimes my boogers are green!
On the third day of December a student said to me,
Bill just let a fart, My head is itchy and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the fourth day of December a student said to me, I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the fifth day of December a student said to me, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the sixth day of December a student said to me, My dad says I don't have to, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the seventh day of December a student said to me, The toilet's overflowing, my dad says I don't have to, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the eighth day of December a student said to me, I puked in the lunchroom, The toilet's overflowing, my dad says I don't have to, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the ninth day of December a student said to me, I can spell #*&*, I puked in the lunchroom, The toilet's overflowing, my dad says I don't have to, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the tenth day of December a student said to me, My mom thinks it's contagious, I can spell #*&*, I puked in the lunchroom, The toilet's overflowing, my dad says I don't have to, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the eleventh day of December a student said to me, Dad's ankle bracelet's pretty, My mom thinks it's contagious, I can spell #*&*, I puked in the lunchroom, The toilet's overflowing, my dad says I don't have to, THE SNAKE IS GONE! I forgot my homework, Bill just let a fart, my head is itchy, and sometimes my boogers are green.
On the twelfth day of December I quit!

Spelling Lessons

Mi pet peev is peeple who hav blogz or rite that can not spel. Gramer and punktuasion is one theeng...butt speleeng shud be sumtheeng that they tri hardr to git rite. Its imbarasing and it luks lik thay rnt very smart. Pleez, pruuf rede yur blogz befour u post thim. thancs.