New Year’s Eve!

Something new is on the horizon. With the new morning dawn comes a new year! And, with a new year, comes a new start!

I encourage all of my readers to reflect over 2012 and think about how you want to improve for 2013.

Be determined that this will be your best year! Be determined to be the best you that you can be, because life is too short to be less than your best!

Be safe tonight, and ring in the New Year with a new attitude of love, hope, and new beginnings!

Love,

~Elle

 

Scripture Sunday

Colossians 3:12-15 NLT

 

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must take allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace."

Branch out in Faith!

And She Walked Away…(Re-Post)

Trust is an incredibly important element in your spiritual life. The Lord has been dealing with me on trust. I trust the Lord, I’ve seen the Lord deliver on promises, and I’ve been on the receiving side of HIS goodness, so why would I need to be schooled on trust?

I can say that I trust and believe all day long, but does that show trust? No. Why? Because actions speak louder than words. It’s not enough to just say that I trust; I must also behave like I trust. And to be fully open, I struggle with this. I struggle because my flesh wants to get answers, and it gets anxious, and I start to worry, and I think about the situation over and over and over again. My flesh needs to get a grip. All the things my flesh wants to do, does not show any signs of trust…but my heart really is in a trusting place.
So what do I do?

I need to become still. I need to ask the Lord to help me get through the day; take one day at a time. When I catch my flesh acting out, I must say out loud, “I’m trusting the Lord with this.” God does not need my help; I can truly trust HIM.

Mary is a great teacher to me, because she shows me how to deal with trust. The first miracle that Jesus ever performed was at a wedding. The wedding needed more wine. Mother Mary went to her son and asked Him to perform and supply the need for more wine. It is my opinion that Jesus had to be a little nervous to perform HIS first miracle. In fact, Jesus even says to His mother… “My hour has not yet come.”

We are talking about trust. We are talking about our behavior and how we show trust. When we go to our heavenly family, we can trust them to give us what is the best for us. We do not need to beg or figure things out. Trust. Trust that the Lord hears you and is working, and then back off so HE can continue to work. Leave your request with HIM and trust. And once again, Mary shows us just how to do this:

When Mary asked HIM to fix the wine problem, HE hesitated; feeling as if HIS time to perform a miracle has not come. Mary simply and powerfully displayed trust by walking to the servants (waiters) and telling them, do whatever Jesus tells you to do…and then she walked away.

Do you see how powerful her actions are? She asked. She said, “Do whatever HE says.” And then she walked away. It was done; she had enough belief and trust to place the answer, whatever the answer was, in HIS hands…and she showed trust by walking away. It doesn’t say she went and begged Jesus for the wine. It doesn’t say that she went and worried about the wine. It doesn’t say that she got nervous or got impatient. She knew how to leave the request in HIS hands, and she probably went and enjoyed the rest of the celebration in peace…and how did she do this? She trusted and she walked away.

 

Quote

"Hope is a light diet, but very stimulating."

~Honoré de Balzac

MCX3

This is our third Christmas together, Readers!!!!

 

Wishing you and yours a very special

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in

 believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you

may abound in hope.”

 

 

 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Wouldn’t you Agree???

 

ü The hot chocolate is poured in my holiday mug.

ü My favorite Christmas movie is about to air.

ü The lights are strung high and the stocking are about to be stuffed.

ü Hanging ornaments on the tree while listing to my favorite Christmas CD.

(These are a few of my favorite things!)

There are carolers, and sleigh rides, and snowmen outside…oh, my!

There is a scroll with a list of fun activities during the holiday season…wouldn’t you agree???

Christmas is undoubtedly a personal favorite time of year. Something magical and hopeful laces the crisp winter air during Christmas…wouldn’t you agree???

As fun and fairytale the season can be, we shouldn’t let these things bring distraction to what the season is meant to bring. Wouldn’t you agree???

Christmas is a celebration. We celebrate the fact that Our Savior was born; we recognize the gift, the beauty, the miracle within that midnight hour in Bethlehem. It’s important to take a time out from the tinsel and remember this…wouldn’t you agree???

It’s not about how much money you spend, or how many Christmas parties you get invited to. It’s not about finding the “perfect” gift, or having the fanciest Christmas tree.

It’s about having the joy of Christ in your heart and enjoying what you have with whom you have it with!

Enjoy the festivities that will continue to come, but stay mindful, of the reason for the season…wouldn’t you agree???

 

 

 

Scripture Sunday: Rest

Psalm 116:7

^{7 "}Return to your rest, my soul,

for the Lord has been good to you."

 

Let it Snow!

No two snow flakes are the same;

they are unique and one of a kind…

just like you and I.

May blessings fall on you like freshly fallen snow,

and to that I say:

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Forward Friday

Friday is Forward Friday; A day where we celebrate the art of kindness by doing something (big or small) for someone else.

We need to be a light in this world.
Never underestimate the act of kindness.

Your smile, your encouragement, your offer to help, or your compliment, might be the thing someone needs to keep moving forward!

~♥~

 

ElleCross references:

1. Jeremiah 29:11 : Ps 40:5
2. Jeremiah 29:11 : Isa 55:12
3. Jeremiah 29:11 : S Job 8:7; Zec 8:15

 

Illuminate

Things may seem confusing but they are not. The answers you seek may seem far away but they are not. There is always a spot of light that leads to the path of fulfillment. Illuminate my steps. Oh what a romantic journey we are on to see our dreams and prayers unfold in mystical ways. My day is filled with wonder and expectancy, because I choose to see the spot of light that calls my name. My faith filled eyes can see the promises and my heart has decided to stop questioning what it sees. Illuminate my intentions. I don’t need to know everything, because I believe in the one who does. I don’t need to worry about my life, because I believe in the one who already has every answer to my needs. Illuminate my divine destinations. I must be still to find that flashing light that never extinguishes. Illuminate my purpose. I will not fight the gentle hand that lights my northern star; instead, I will stretch out my hand back to you and we’ll walk this illuminated path together.

Scripture Sunday

Numbers 6: 24-25

²⁴ “The Lord bless you

and keep you;

²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you”

Forward Friday

Hi Readers!

It’s so nice when someone thinks of us, remembers us, and does something kind for us. We all want to feel appreciated! So today, be that someone for someone else and forward an act of kindness!

 

 

Kindness Quote

“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

~Scott Adams

Picture Perfect

 

 

Christmas Novena

During the Christmas season a special prayer is recited, and it’s called the “Christmas Anticipation Prayer,” or also known as, “Saint Andrew Christmas Novena.”

Typically, you would recite this pray from November 30 until December 25. Yes, this prayer is being posted late, but don’t let that discourage you from starting this novena.

It’s noted that if you say the Christmas Anticipation Prayer, you are praying to God Himself, even though it’s known as the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena. The Novena is recited 15 times a day with the focus on the birth of Jesus Christ, and what this time of year represents. Present your prayer request(s) and desires alongside your novena; you’re asking God to grant your prayers in honor of HIS son’s birth.

Christmas symbolizes miracles and hope, if you believe!

 

 

"Christmas Anticipation Prayer"

 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.

Amen.Cross references:

Jeremiah 29:11 : Ps 40:5

Jeremiah 29:11 : Isa 55:12

Jeremiah 29:11 : S Job 8:7; Zec 8:15

 

 

Scripture Sunday: Your Future

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Cross references:

1. Jeremiah 29:11 : Ps 40:5
2. Jeremiah 29:11 : Isa 55:12
3. Jeremiah 29:11 : S Job 8:7; Zec 8:15

 

Quote & Thought

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

~ Helen Keller

 

 

 

There are moments when God wants us to move forward or change with the season. Change is good. Change is inevitable. Don’t get stuck looking at the closed door, instead, go with the flow with the change that is in front of you, calling you, growing you, and causing you to reach a new level!