A NEW YEAR

"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."  (Philippians 3:13)

The year is like a journal.  The page is white to begin with.  At times I will write and then have to mark something out.  It is then that I start over.  But not so with each day.  When the day is gone we can't go back. 

Get a journal and let's begin!!

There are a few things I want to write in my journal this year.  First, I want the will of God done each day.

Sometimes it isn't easy to know His will so that means I will have to spend more time in the Word and Prayer to get the will of God.  This I want to do.

Next, I want to be more compassionate and thoughtful of others.  I want to make a difference in someone's life.  Do you know that just a "Thinking of you" card might make a difference in someone's life?    It is not a great big difference so that others will notice.  It is all the little differences that will add up at the end of the year.  

I want to write encouraging words down.  As I have grown older I realize that young people need to be encouraged.  Pastors need encouragement.  The Saints need encouragement from each other. A blogger friend might need encouraged.  Let's be an encourager!

I want to write pleasant thoughts.  Positive thoughts!  I don't want to dwell on negativity.  I don't want to dwell on self.  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight."
If we would pray that prayer each day we might  find ourselves saying less.  I want to watch my heart and my mouth.

I want to be a peace maker.  Sometimes being a peace maker is not easy.  Especially when it comes to family.  But if giving up something to keep peace in the family, then keep peace!  It is worth all the effort.  The lord will make up the difference.   This is just a few things that I want to do in 2012.

            I have always like this poem.  It has such a good meaning.

THE BRIDGE BUILDER

"An old man going a lone highway,

Came at the evening, cold and gray.

To the chasm vast and deep and wide,

Through which was flowing a raging tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim:

The sullen stream had no fears for him;

But he turned when safe on the other side,

 And built a bridge to span the tide.

'Old man' said a fellow-pilgrim near;

'You are wasting your strength building here;

Your journey will end with the closing day;

You never again will pass this way.

You've crossed the chasm deep and wide,

Why build this bridge at eventide?'

The builder lifted his old gray head.

'Good friend, in the path I have come,' he said,

There followeth after me today;

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm which has been as naught to me,

To the fair-haired youth may a pitfall  be;

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."

Now that I am older and have crossed many bridges that someone built for me ~ I realize how important it is to be a bridge builder for the younger generation.  This I want to do.   I may not accomplish everything I set out to do in 2012 ~ but we need a journal to write some plans.  At the end of the year I want my journal to be pleasing to God. What will  you put in your journal?  At the end of each day, let's look back over our journal and take inventory.  Whether our journals are written on the fly leaf of your mind, or written down on paper ~ let's just take a peek at it.  Tomorrow is another day!

Adoring Him

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  The most wonderful part about mine was going to church.
I did not know how many would be there on Christmas Day, but the church was full..  Our Pastor preached a message on  Come and adore Him.    He then ask if anyone wanted to say "I adore the Lord because"... and
you fill in the blank.   Many testimonies of why we adore Him.  Of course we only said one.  But we have many
reasons to adore Him.  Not just at Christmas but throughout every day. 

Just began to think of the reasons why we need to adore Him!   I am going to try at least once a week to write about something He has done and adore Him for it.  If you want to join in let me know and we will have a  time of praise at least one day a week.  Or we can sent others to your blog.  Let's adore Him this coming year. 

 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty god, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
 
To try and write something new about Christmas is beyond my ability. But there is something about the Christmas Story that never grows old. I'm so thankful for The Christmas Story.


We think of the circumstances of Jesus' birth. They are very important because His incarnation is the foundation of the Christian Faith . Had He been born an ordinary man, even though a good man, He could never had become our Savior. Sinful man can be saved only by the Sinless Man, and this Sinless Man could not have been born in the usual way. God intervened supernaturally to provide a lost and dying race with One who is able to redeem us from all our transgressions.

God sent an angel to Mary with a very special message. She was to bring the Savior of mankind into the world. It was Gabriel that brought the message to her. It is interesting to me that God did not choose someone from the nation's capital, Jerusalem, to be the mother of the Messiah. He went outside the religious establishment and chose one who lived in a place far removed from that part of the nation.

Mary did not understand a lot of things. She was already betrothed to Joseph. Bethrotal was as binding as marriage. Mary's reaction to this announcement by Gabriel reflects her godly, humble nature.
She was to have a son and she was to call His name Jesus. (Mary was not even free to name her own child.) But Gabriel began to tell her that Jesus meant Joshua, meaning "Jehovah saves." Mary learned that she was to bear a special Child and His greatness could not be compared with that of any others who had ever lived. His Name would be exalted above any other name in heaven and earth.
"He shall be Great, He shall be called the Son of the Highest and God will give Him the throne of David."

Jesus' virgin birth, through the agency of the Holy Ghost, is something beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Yet, His coming to earth as a babe is something with which we can identify.  We, who have children know the process of growth and development that took place through the years. But perhaps we have not stop to consider the significance of Jesus coming as an infant. By doing so, Jesus fully identified even with the earliest of human experiences. Jesus knows what it is to be human. He understands the struggles we face. And because He understands, He is able to help us in our times of difficulty.

I'm so glad for a young maiden, Mary, that was willing to go through whatever came. She put her reputation on the line. She went through the years with Jesus - knowing she had a responsibility in raising Him. She suffered heartache and sorrow and felt pain just like we do. I have often wondered what Mary's thoughts must have been as Jesus grew up. She knew He came to earth with a purpose in view. I know she has been lifted up as a saint. 

I'm not trying to minimize the part she played as the Mother of our Savior, but she surely is not the one to pray to. Roman Catholic theology teaches that Mary, herself, was full of grace and is now the giver of grace to others. Wrong! Mary was the recipient of grace, not the giver. She was "highly favored " as the one that God used. Highly favored in Ephesians 1:6 literally means "made us acceptable" or "graced us".
Her high favor and praise are the result of God's grace being extended to her.
In dealing with Mary - God was saying that He would go to them that sought Him. Those who fear Him enjoy His mercy

It is still the same today. He comes to where we are and lifts us to where He is.

Thank God for His faithfulness especially during this Christmas season when we celebrate His birth. Keep you focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Like the song writer, 
Merry Christmas All Year Long. Wrap the gift of me and place it under the tree. 

THE DARKER THENIGHT ~ THE BRIGHTER THE LIGHT

Christmas, to me is about Love.  The more I seem to go through ~ the more He shows me that He lets some things happen because He loves me.   I somehow have changed my focus of a Babe in a manger.  I think more now on that Babe becoming our Great High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.  Our weaknesses, our failures,  our helplessness.  He knows how frail we are, yet we are His child and, He, like a earthly father should, takes our hand and leads and guides us.  I am so thankful for that Leadership. 

I love Him because He first loved me! I cannot comprehend His Love but I am so glad He Loves Me!  Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."  

This scripture means so much to me. Several years ago I was going through a trial and had no idea what to do. It seem mighty dark to  me. It seemed that I was weighed down and this trial was consuming me. I prayed and prayed and could get no peace. I read the Word but just could not latch on to anything. One morning, in my devotion, I was all alone. I took my Bible and went before the Lord. I remember praying outloud and saying "Lord, this is your Word and I know there is an answer for every situation found here. Please help me~give me an answer~I can't bear this without your help."

You know those dark days that come in a Christians life? We are all alone not knowing which way to go or what to do! Not wanting to do the wrong thing~we do nothing but carry on. That particular morning after praying for awhile I opened the Bible and was reading in Jeremiah. 

 I read down to about the 15th verse when suddenly I felt impressed to stop and go back. I realized that I did not know a word I read. I started Chapter 31 over and verse 3 stood out like it was outlined. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with tender mercies have I drawn thee."    

He loves me and there's more! His love is everlasting. I started dwelling on His Love and before I knew it I was weeping and thanking and praising Him for His love. I don't know how long I was in His presense~I just know His Sweet Presense was there. Suddenly I realized I had forgotten all about the heavy load~I was just bathing in His Presense. Did I get an answer to my problem? No~ but He loves me~Did I know what to do? No~but He loves me! I knew that He was all I needed. The load that I was carrying suddenly became lighter and I knew I could trust His Love. His Everlasting Love! 

Just to think that He loves even me. A nothing, a nobody~ I am reminded of a song that a couple sing  in church."Nothing but a speck of dirt, but He loves me."  I had never heard that song before but it touched me. 

I want to remember  some things this Christmas and not just take them for granted. 

His Love, His Tender Mercies that are new every day, His way of answering prayer.  I am amazed at how the Lord answers prayer. Sometimes we come to Him with a problem and go our way just knowing how He will have to work to solve this particular problem!  In our egotistical pride we think we know the answer. May I say, He never works like I thought He would. He works in His time and in His way and I am always amazed. I want to remember that I can't even walk without Him holding my Hand.

I have no idea what 2012 may bring. It may bring heart ache, it may bring sorrow, it may bring sickness ~ But it may be this very year the Lord will come. Until then we must carry on and not give up the battle. Just remember He Loves you and me with an Everlasting Love, a Love that will not let go. Go in His Love and be a blessing to someone. If the night gets dark, remember the  darker the night, the brighter the light, when we walk with Him.

 

TWO BABES

Two Babes In a Manger

The author of this story is not known but I came across it and thought it was good.

In 1994 twoAmericans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics in the public school. They were invited to teach at prisons, and a large orphange. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused and left in the care of a government- run program were living in an orphanage.They related the story in their own words.

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable,where the baby Jesus was born, and then placed in a manger. Through out the story, the children and orphange staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

Completeling the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, which was cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Some squares of flannel, cut from worn out night gown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought form the U.S. The orphans were assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about six years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately ~ until he came to the part where Mary put the Jesus in the manger, then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said... "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had no place to stay. I told him I had no mamma and pappa, and I have no place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have have a gift to give him like everyone else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good gift?" And Jesus told me "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody has ever given me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and told me I could stay with him~ for always."  

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that fell down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his little shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abondon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him ~~~for always  

I've learned that it' not what you have in your life, but  WHO you have in your life that counts " Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5: 16-18

What gifts would you bring to the manger?

Scrap Heap Projects

These are the tote bags that I made out of old jeans
that I picked up at the thrift store.  These are for my grand daughters.  I am going to fill them with bath stuff and different odd and ends that I think they might enjoy.  I might put a gift card in the pocket.  The black is the front and back.  The pocket is on the
back.  They are square at the bottom.






These are the bigger ones.  The jean one I cut so the pocket of the jeans would be the back side.  Then I sewed a  pocket on the inside.  The trim covered the seam that showed.  I them took the trim material and
finished off  around the top and the straps.

The red one is canvas.  I put the pocket on the outside and also a pocket on the inside.  They are closed at the top with vel-cro sewed in so they won't come open.  I re-did and old bag that was still good.
I will not use canvas again.  It is too heavy to sew.

I had planned on trying to perfect this project but my plans got changed.  Maybe during the year  I can work on it.  In the adult ones I might put footie's  or whatever I see when I go shopping.   My imagination might  improve a little more and I will get them like I want them.     Just thought I would show you my scrap heap projects.

Doesn't this verse, that we all know by heart, sum up what Christmas is all about?   We are so blessed.

God gave us His only Son that we might have live forever with Him.
Had Jesus not come we would have no Christmas.  Jesus is the Light of the world.  We would be in darkness had He not come.  He came that we might live.  We would be dead in our trespasses and sins had He not come.  He came because He loves us.  Oh, what Love!  


I cannot comprehend His love and His blessings but I sure am going to enjoy them.  Not that I am worthy, but because He is a God that loves to bless His children.

I  suppose I have thought more on how to be more compassionate this Christmas.  I see so many needs. So many needy people.  They are just waiting for someone to show them a little love.  

What are we doing with our time?  In the hustle and bustle of  the season ~ are we taking time out to send someone a "Thinking of You" card?  Will it hurt us to take a little time out to make a phone call and check on the sick?  Will it hurt to give someone a hug?  Will it hurt us to take a few dollars and buy a Christmas gift  for the needy?  Look around in church and you will find needs if you look for them. 

Last week as I came home from the hospital I was weak and did not have the strength to do much.  But I felt I wanted to bake a cake and send it to a friend from church  who has been sick.  I got the cake baked and ready for my husband to bring it to her.  Before he could go  ~ this friend pulled up and knocked on our door.  She said she just wanted to get out and she just decided to stop by.  She had never been here before.
As we sat and visited we found we were an encouragement  to each other.  Today I sent her a thank you card for being such a blessing


It just takes a little time and effort to encourage someone.  I feel I have failed along this line but the Lord is helping me.


Today I sent a couple cards to some that have been sick, some that are going through decisions that aren't easy.   One young lady is having to put her Mom in a Nursing Home.  This is not easy because I have gone through this and I know the heartache of having to do this.  So I sent her a card trying to encourage her.

I am not tooting my own horn ~ I am just trying to do what I think the Lord wants me to do.   I want to have compassion and make a difference.  To do this will have to be on purpose.  We will always find ourselves too busy with our own things.  Let's take time to show a little more compassion and pass around a little more cheer and love.
We never know what a difference we might make!   It might make someone have a little more Christmas cheer.  Give it a try.  At least, you will feel better.  I am always reminded of the little song :

JESUS AND OTHERS AND YOU

WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPELL JOY,

JESUS AND OTHERS AND YOU

IN THE LIFE OF  EACH GIRL AND EACH BOY.

J  IS FOR  JESUS FOR HE HAS FIRST PLACE.

O IS FOR OTHERS WE MEET FACE TO FACE.

Y  IS FOR YOU IN WHATEVER YOU DO.

PUT THEM TOGETHER AND SPELL JOY.

LETS GET BUSY AND SPREAD SOME CHRISTMAS JOY!

Cold and Blessings

Don't you like this picture?  It looks so friendly and cozy.  I do love   the snow and am I imagining a little smoke coming out the chimney?   We, yes, we southerners have been having weather in the upper twenties.   I know some of you from the cold part of the US  ~ that is nothing to you.  But with the rain and the cold together ( which Louisiana is known for)  the chill factor is even lower.  But it is cozy to be able to sit by the fireplace.  Do you ever see things in the fire?  Pictures, I mean!    It's like the clouds.  I can imagine so many things in the clouds.


Christmas is getting near.  I know it is a time when we celebrate our Savior's birthday.  But my mind has been on those that will have no Christmas.  Those that have lost  their jobs, their homes.  I am made to realize the needs that are out there.  Wondering how compassionate are we as Christians?  Sometimes we get wrapped up in our own little world and forget that not everyone has family.  Not everyone has a home to call their own.
Some cannot afford to rent a place.  Some will not have food for Christmas, much less gifts.


We know several that are really needy.  What can we do?  What will we do?  We are so blessed!  We want to pass some blessings along to others.  We can do with out gifts.  That has never been our big thing too much for each other.


I know we all like to get something.  But I have always said  that  having the family together and just to have
my children to hug me and say I love you would be the nicest gift I could get.    What about those that have no family?  I want to center my focus on others and be more compassionate and be a blessing.   The needs are out there.  We might not have to look far to see then. 

 I just want to praise the Lord for touching my body.  I have been in bed almost a month.I was not able to function by myself at all.  I was getting weaker and weaker.  I know my heart was in A-Fib, and when I went to the doctor Monday he put me in a wheel chair and brought me straight  to the hospital.  

 Sunday (the day before) as I was in bed meditating, it seem that the Lord brought a blood pressure med  I have been on for a few years to my mind.  I started researching.  Silas came in from church and said something to me about the same med ~ not knowing I had been thinking along the same lines.  We found out that it could cause everything I have been experiencing for a year or more.  I went to the Cardiologist  Monday and he took me off of it and that is when he put me in the hospital. 
The med that I was having trouble with could even caused the fast heart rate that I have been having.   I have been home two days and yesterday I stayed up all day without getting so breathless and weak.  I even walked in the yard several times.  I made coffee for my husband this morning.   So again, I  just want to praise the Lord and thank you for praying for me.     He is a God that still specializes in healing, not only our souls but our bodies.   

I am thinking better now so maybe I will be on here more often.  Blessings to each of you.

                       Always,  Aliene

JUST COULDN'T HELP MYSELF

 I know, I know,   more grandchildren.  Nope!  Same ones  but just a new picture I got yesterday.  Yesterday I showed you Caden,  the day before was Tessa Rose.  Today, here they are together.  Don't you love that smile with his teeth showing?   Well, if you don' t- you ought to!  Naw!  You don't have to ~  Just let me brag.


When their Grandpa was born, (our son,Rick)  I remember my Father in Law walking around at camp meeting showing Rick off.  When we were in church one Sunday when Ricky was just learning  to talk ~he saw his Paw-Paw preaching.  He hollered out "Paw Paw."   His Paw-Paw just smiled and kept on preaching.  Caden and Tessa are the 5th generation.   They have their own Paw- Paw now.  Also greats.

Well enough about my sweet hearts.  One day I just might post pictures of  Silas and me~ when we met  etc.
If I do that ~ will someone call the patty wagon?    What ever that is!  Do you know where patty wagon came from?   

I just want to tell you that I have been pretty sick..  I did not want to post all negative  stuff ~ so I would not post.  My heart has been going into A-Fib (fast heart rate) for months.  I was in the hospital a couple days just to monitor my heart and get it back into rhythm.  I was okay a week  or so ~ but it happened again.
The meds reacted on me.  I have not been able to get up because I was so short of breath.  Went back to Cardiologist and he put me on a new blood thinner, since I  can't   take Coumadin.  My weight jumped  up with fluid and he put me on a fluid pill.  In two days I had to double it.  Yesterday I was in despair.  We decided to go to E.R.   But felt like we needed to call the  doctor again before we went.  We were advised not to go to E.R.  They sent out  something for my heart to slow it down.  It won't keep the A-Fib, but will help my blood pressure and slow heart down  temporarily.   This morning I can get up and walk some without huffin and puffin.    I know this is not life threatening, but it sure makes you feel like your breath may be the last..  We are asking the Lord to heal this if it is His will.  He has helped so many times when we have prayed.
We know He is a prayer answering God for He is real in our life and He loves His children,


I'm so glad I am a child of the God.  We have so much to be thankful for.  We praise Him everyday. He just blesses and blesses until sometimes our blessing cup runs over.  We lift our hearts to Him everyday and place the day and whatever it brings into His hands.  He is so worthy of our praises.


We had a Christmas Miracle at church Sunday night.  You remember little Logan Watts that I posted about quite a bit.  In April he feel  on his head and there was little hope he would live.  Doctors gave up on him.  Said he would never come out of the coma, (he did) ~ then his motor skills were gone, he would never be able to function (he does) he would never hear again (he does)  ~~~ I could go on and on.  The days of miracles are not over.  Sunday night he sang  AT THE CROSS on the platform in church.   Every word was very clear.  Logan asks that everyone pray for him to be able to walk again.  He can walk with someone holding his hands, but that is not what he wants.  God has brought him and his parents this far and I know He will not fail them now.  I have never seem such faith as these parents have.  They have been a blessing to the whole church family.


This is a hodge-podge post.  Hope you can untangled it.  Have a blessed day.