away in a manger

"... and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."  Luke 2:7

No room in the inn... but may we always have room in our heart, for our Savior and Redeemer.  Thank You, Father!
Merry CHRISTmas!!

have a blessed CHRISTmas filled day! 
veneal

surrounded by CHRISTmas snowflakes

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17


It was my first gift of the year... a snowflake cookie.  So right and perfect.  I couldn't help but smile remembering a few years ago when i first realized my friends were flakes.  This truth stirred the words below in my heart:

All flakes are unique and straight from above,

A true gift from our Father sent to us with His love.

No two are alike and each has a special part,

That helps to keep us together with Him in our heart.

And when our job here on earth is done,

He will call us back home because His Will has been done.

You are a great flake to me!  Thanks for “sticking” with me through difficult days and for “building me up” when I have been down. Thank you for helping to make me who I am.  

Love, joy, peace and hope to you this blessed CHRISTmas season,   
veneal

do you hear what i hear?

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born... She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 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. But the angel said to them, "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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:6-14

He didn't like CHRISTmas, and why should he?  He had never had a tree, never had presents, and had no good memories of it.  All he knew about CHRISTmas was what the world told him and what he saw around him.  So when asked to write about CHRISTmas memories, he couldn't.  Seeing his discouragement, the teacher told him about CHRISTmas, the real CHRISTmas.  He had never heard it, but now he has... and hope is made possible where there  once was darkness.  

If you are stressed out, disheartened, discouraged... then maybe you need to hear the story, the real CHRISTmas story, again too.  Let us escape from the make believe and usher in truth and peace.  Then we can celebrate no matter what the circumstance around us might be.  For God has given His Son for us to have eternal life... can that not be enough?  If we are to give anything to others, may it be the sharing of Him.

Let's go forth now in song and praise to our Father.

"Hark" the herald angels sings. Glory to the newborn King,

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled;

Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem,

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

May your CHRISTmas be filled with love, joy, peace, laughter, and mostly with Him!

have a peace-filled day!
veneal

sshhhh... silent night

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

There is peace in the day, when we remember silent night.

(click below or copy and paste in browser)

http://faithtap.com/964/silent-night-by-clarkson-yearwood-mcentire/#t/964/

Have a Peace-filled day!
veneal

where is he?

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

The kindergarteners were on a mission and filled with excitement.  The gingerbread man had escaped their room; luckily he had left them a clue.  They followed the clue, only to find another clue.  And that clue led them to yet another clue.  On their quest, i noticed their spirits were not dismayed by the continuous journey, and anticipation only mounted with each clue found.  They were determined, focused and stayed on the right path. Much to their delight they were soon sweetly rewarded... the gingerbread man was recovered.

What have you been hunting for this CHRISTmas? A special gift, unique gadget, five minutes of peace?  When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we uncovered the greatest gift of all.  He never runs or moves from us.  But unfortunately, we sometimes run from Him or cover Him up with other priorities and push Him in a small corner.  

If you feel your relationship with Jesus is broken, now is the time to find/restore it.  My gift to you is this reminder -- you have all you need. And here is your clue of where to find Him... "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart."

So, let's say is again... Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Know it, believe it, live it... and be filled with Him always.

have a Jesus-filled day!

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ holy

"The virgin will be will child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel -- which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23

Unto us a child is born... sing unto the LORD -- for He is good.  His love endures forever.

(click on the link below, or paste in your browser)
enJOY!

http://www.godvine.com/Six-Contestants-Join-Together-For-This-Amazing-Christmas-Mash-Up-4375.html#.UqhMCdNf7D8.email

have a JOY-filled day!
veneal

do you believe?

Jesus said -

"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life..." John 6:40

Yes, i believe i can get through the next few days.

Yes, I believe it is okay to eat lots of sweets... now during the holidays.

Yes, i believe it FEELS like snow.

Yes, i believe hot chocolate is better with marshmallows.

Yes, i believe CHRISTmas was, is and shall always be about the birth of Christ.

Yes, i believe we all have something to give... even if it's just a smile.

Yes, i believe we, as believers, have already received the greatest gift ever!

Yes, i believe Jesus is my Savior.

Yes, i believe the best is yet to come.

The big question is -- are we living like we are believing?  Let our actions reflect what we believe... always.

 

have a believing-filled day!

veneal

you better watch out!

"Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

He is out there just waiting to steal your joy!  Has he succeeded with you?  This has to be one of the deceiver's favorite and most successful times of year.  Just look around you or in the mirror.  Many are in a festive-frantic hurry, scribbling to-do-lists one after the other.  Some are dreading the "holy-days" due to illness, loss of income or separation from loved ones.

I pray for you, especially now.  We still have a choice on how we feel about CHRISTmas.  I pray you stop each day and find a few quiet moments to remember the reason for the season.  Remember the gift that can't be topped, the one that you can share or "re-gift" yet also keep... the incredible gift of eternal salvation... thank you Jesus!

So, say a pray to our Father, listen to some wondrous CHRISTmas music, read His Word... or just stop, and take a breath of thanks.  May your attitude be one of gratitude.   Just don't feed that lion!!

have a bless-filled day!

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ work

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..." Colossians 3:23

             If I was Rudolph I would be happy and pull Santa's sleigh


Be a Rudolph!!
May we have JOY in our hearts as we go about our necessary work today.  It is good to serve God and others.

have a Light-filled day!
veneal