Color Your World With Creativity

Color Your World with Creativity

Nothing gets whatever creative juices I have going like a new box of crayons!!  If it was up to me, we’d all color something every day for 15 minutes or so.  I think we’d all feel a lot better.

God created the world.  He saw what He made and declared, “It was good”.  Our Father pulled out all the stops, so to speak, when it came to His creation.  Look around at His world in the spring—all the beautiful colors of nature.  Robin egg blue, lilac purple, dandelion yellow (they’re such cheerful looking flowers!) and all the variations of green—grass, wheat, bushes, tree leaves.  Think of all the variations of creation—in plants, trees, animals, fruits, and people.  God approves of variety and creativity!

Because we’re created in God’s image, He put a spark of creativity in each of us as well.  Being ‘creative’ can take many forms—in writing, art, music, design, inventions and even in everyday pursuits and activities.  People tell me I’m creative.  I don’t think much about this because God gives us all “gifts” and to take credit or praise for those would be foolish as we’re given the gift God chooses for us.  It is up to us to be willing to use our “gifts”, however.  I sometimes write skits for the wedding showers and events at church.  I don’t know that being “creative” is a good thing. What makes it easy for me to write skits is that I see people who aren’t there and hear voices in my head!!!  It just happens!  Other people can design beautiful rooms from thrift store finds, play wonderful music and even write it, create amazing meals, teach thoughtful Bible story lessons and other subjects, create lovely clothes or quilts, entertain children with a few props, make Bible School crafts out of toilet paper tubes and rocks,and make a warm welcome for others wherever they are.

One of my favorite definitions of creativity comes from George Washington Carver, a pretty creative man himself.  He was the black scientist who revolutionized farming in the South by inventing about 300 uses for peanuts.  Here’s what he said:

“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”

           

I’ve been thinking about that phrase a lot…”doing common things in an uncommon way.”  Isn’t that what creativity is?  It’s setting the table with different types of plates, instead of the usual.  Tucking a note written on a napkin in your child’s lunch.  Having an ice-cream-only supper some summer night.

Putting together an outfit that is daring in color or texture.  Planting gardens or pots in wild or quiet combinations of colors. 

God made us co-creators with Him.  We can create and design what we wear, what we eat, things we see and do, and even how our environment looks and functions.

“But I’m just not creative, you say.”  Au contraire, ma chere. (That’s French for “on the contrary, my dear!”) (I was trying to be creative in how I said that)  Everyone can be creative in some way.

Take writing, for example.  You may not be able to write a book, an article, a research paper, or a poem, but you could write a great letter or Thank You note.

You may not compose or even sing or play music, but you can hum along or clap with the best of them.  As far as art goes, while I can’t paint or draw, I’m a decent doodler and enjoy “primitive” sketching—and I do mean primitive!  I’ve tried pottery (my bowls are lopsided), building and playing a dulcimer, and even making jewelry.  While I struggle to be even mediocre at some of these things, I’ve found some things that I really enjoy doing and using to bless others.  Be a creative cook—try new things, or bake a plate of chocolate cookies to deliver to a neighbor and tell them that Jesus loves them and so do you!  (This was the “cookie” ministry that Ann Kimmel Anderson used)

 Reserve the right to try to things, even if your results are not quite what you had in mind.  Your results don’t have to be perfect!  Being creative means being willing to challenge yourself to use the gifts you’re given to do “common things in uncommon ways”.

One of my favorite examples of creativity comes from Ann Voskamp, the writer of the book, One Thousand Gifts, and also author of the blog, www.aholyexperience.com.  She found creative ways to praise God for the many blessings and gifts He sends to us each day.  If you’d like to start counting His gifts, too, visit her website for a free downloadable booklet to get started.

Ann homeschools her children and did a column on Creativity.  Some tips she gives are:

-“When we stop fearing failure, we start being artists.”

-“Quit trying to fit.  Why try to squeeze your extraordinary into ordinary?”

-“Creativity is good theology, it’s what God did in the beginning.

-“Don’t let the sun set till you’ve done one thing that sort of scares you”.   

-"The only trees that grow tall keep relentlessly stretching into unknown territory.”

-“Art, it’s the second person present indicative of the verb “to be”.  Art is a way of “being” and when you make your life art, then thou art”.

She says, When did I forget too “be”?  Make time to do something creative each day.  (see ideas already mentioned)

When you’re using your creative talents, you truly lose yourself in what you’re doing.  It is a true form of “re-creation, the best form of recreation.  It refreshes you because that’s what you were made to do!  If we bury our gifts or talents out of fear, we bury part of ourselves and can not use that talent for God or others.    

Go ahead.  Get out the crayons.  Eat in a different language one meal this week or start a cookie ministry. Wear a different combination of clothes/jewelry than usual.  Buy a jewelry kit and make a necklace.  (I enjoy this, but haven’t mastered the knack of attaching the back hook.  My necklaces tend to fall apart as I’m wearing them!)  Write a great thank you note or note of encouragement.  Learn the words to a new song and hum/sing to practice.  Learn how to knit—I love all the different kinds of yarn and while I can still only knit squares and rectangles, I’ve enjoyed using yarn creatively. Grab your scraps and make a quilt.  Some ladies I know are having a wonderful time sewing their fabric scraps into dresses for little girls in Africa. Find some great jokes or a story to tell.  Memorize some scripture or a poem.  Rearrange a room.  Write a love note to your honey and kids.  Write a love note to your Creator who gives you so many gifts everyday.  Do the common things in your world in an uncommon way and praise the way our Father made us!!

Spring Cleaning

Ahhhh…Spring. God’s creation is being renewed all around us. Grass and wheat fields are greening, flowers and trees blooming, birds singing and nesting. Here in my “nest”, I’ve gotten spring cleaning under way.

In a quirky turn of events, I began cleaning out closets and drawers just as our LBM Bible study focused on the book of Colossians. It turns out that the Apostle Paul had a lot to say about what the well dressed Christian man or woman should wear, and what should go to the rag bag.

Remember how we used to wear new dresses for Easter? They symbolized new creation and new life. Read what Paul says in Colossians 3:1
“Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power.”

Here is another great verse to remind us of our new life in Christ:
“If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come.” 2 Cor 3:17

Paul goes on to say that since we are new creations in Christ, we need to look the part. My husband has a favorite shirt that he likes to wear around the house, a definite rag bag candidate. This shirt is old, with ground in dirt and grease stains, threadbare cuffs and collar, and now both elbows are ripped completely across. Sigh. He’s like a dog with a bone with that shirt. I’ve tried to get him to let it go and wear any of the nicer work type shirts he has, but no. He tells me this particular shirt, and this shirt only, is the most comfortable and easy wearing. It is the very essence of what Paul says “not to wear”.

“Away then with sinful, earthly things; deaden the evil desires lurking within you; have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust and shameful desires; don’t worship the good things of life, for that is idolatry. God’s terrible anger is upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world; but now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing, and dirty language. Col 3:5-8

This is the part that reminds me of my husband’s shirt. Paul says now is the time to throw away the rotten garments of our sinful nature. God is ready to clothe us as daughters of the King, so why do we cling to our old “apparel”--our old habits, thoughts and self? We’re just like my husband—we hang on to the old because it’s been comfortable and easy. However, if we’re going to make room for our “extreme make-over” wardrobe, as a new creature in Christ, we have to get rid of the old rags.

It’s like a spring cleaning our soul, hearts and minds. Let in the light of God’s love and sweep out all the filthy thoughts and cobwebs of old hurts and bitterness, and discard the piles of destructive habits and thought patterns.

“Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others…Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Most of all, let love guide your life…and always be thankful".

Col 3:12-14

I love to think about being clothed in gentleness, tenderheartedness, mercy and kindness. One Bible version I read said, that over all those we need to put on love. These virtues are our new garments befitting new creatures in Christ. Wearing them, we’ll always look our best and never be out of style! Best of all, we’ll be marked as Christ’s own.

If we want more of God, we need to make space by getting rid of lesser things. Actually, if we want more of God, we have to empty ourselves so there is “less of me”. My will, selfish plans, and desires and more of God’s—but it’s like a glass of water. You can’t pour any more into a glass already full. It has to be emptied first.
For example, my daughter was showing me how to get on Pinterest the other day and we were having fun looking at all the ideas. My son walked by and said, “We all have our idols, don’t we?” Ouch! What a killjoy. But, oh how true. We settle too often for “filthy rags” instead of the higher things of God. (I haven't been on Pinterest lately as I gave it up for Lent!)

Having more of God means paying less attention to my interests, and paying more attention to His. The words He speaks to me in the Bible, the love He shows me in hundreds of blessings every day, the people He puts around me to love and serve, and the things He has for me to do for Him. These are the things He longs to pour into me until "my cup runneth over".
One More Wardrobe Note

My best present this Christmas was a little pair of purple KSU socks that will never fit me. This was the clever way my son and daughter-in-law chose to tell us that we’re going to be Grandparents!! Me, a Grandma. It takes a little getting used to. Many of my fellow blog writers love their Grandma status and I see new challenges ahead for me, which brings me to:

Never Underestimate the Power of a Grandma
This is a sign my friend Mary Hildebrand has and she is one awesome Grandma. We were discussing people who had brought “more of God” to us at Bible study the other day and all of us mentioned something a Grandmother had done to strengthen our faith walk. What a joy!! What a responsibility!! I want to put “more of God” into a new generation!

Easter reminds us of new life and new possibilities because God made us “new” in Christ. Make time for more of God and Jesus as we enter Holy Week.
I grew up celebrating the “seasons” of the church and I still like the lessons and reminders found in some of our traditions. A great project to do is an "Easter Garden" in a basket. Go to www.aholyexperience.com for directions(part of her blog on about March 23) and great devotions. This is the web site of Ann Voskamp, the author of the book , one thousand gifts . If you haven't read it, or you aren't counting the gifts God sends us every day, join us....you will be blessed! Other ideas to celebrate Holy Week are:

Palm Sunday—Order Palm branches for the kids in Sunday School. It makes a great visual reminder of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
The Last Supper-or the first communion.(Thursday) Explain the events and how Jesus was actually celebrating the Feast of the Passover also. We continue to take the wine and bread at communion in remembrance of Jesus giving his life for us, His body and blood given for us.
Passover—this is a great reminder of what God did for the Jewish people and for all of us. Discuss the symbolism of the different foods: unleavened bread as they had to leave Egypt in a hurry, bitter herbs and salt water for the bitterness and tears of their slavery, lamb for the slain sacrifice and the blood over the doors (use catsup, it washes right off) so the angel of death would “pass over” the Jewish homes without harm.
Good Friday- Read to your family of the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and the reactions of those around him. Remind yourself and others that it was a day of sorrow and fear. I’ve read of families who unplug all the entertainment and even lights, symbolizing that the “light of the world”, Jesus, seemed to have left us in darkness.
Saturday- a day of waiting and preparation. Clean house, get your Easter clothes ready, dye eggs to enjoy tomorrow morning.
Easter Sunday—“He Is Risen!” Greet your family with this greeting, and they respond, “He Is Risen, Indeed”!. Rejoice, the tomb was empty!! Jesus is very much alive and we celebrate that. (Look back at some of my old blogs and the Kids and Others section for other ideas)
This week, and this month, let’s make space in our lives for more of God. Do some spring cleaning --in your house and your heart--to get rid of the earthly clutter that takes our time, energy and focus away from God. We need to empty ourselves of ourselves to let God pour more of Himself into us. Remember to “put on” tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others, gentleness and forgiveness, and above all, put on love. Then we will truly be new creatures in Christ.

Let it go- It's the right thing to do

Let It Go---It’s the Right Thing to Do
In thinking about this month’s theme, Right and Wrong, I could talk about the importance of teaching your children right from wrong, and believe me, as a teacher I have plenty to say. (The Ten Commandments is a good place to start, and teaching consideration and respect for others is another) I also thought about God’s principles of right and wrong, but I happened to read something in a book that “knocked my socks off”, it was such a radical idea for me.
It’s the whole idea of yielding your “right” ideas, or “right to be right”.
Remember the show Happy Days and the character Fonzie? Fonzie was one cool guy, a biker in a leather jacket, but he also had strong ideas about doing what’s right. He had a real problem, though, ever admitting he was wr..wrrrr…wrrrrooo…wrong. (This is the way he said it, he could barely get the word “wrong” out)
Like a lot of us, he liked being right. The problem is being right sometimes causes a lot of wrong.
As Mr. Wood, our high school math teacher tells his students,
“You can be right, but you’re going to get pretty hungry by supper time.”
My sons found this highly entertaining, but like a lot of the wisdom Mr. Wood dispenses, if they remember the principle involved, it will serve them well in their marriages. (They’ll remember this much longer than how to solve quadratic equations)
Mr. Wood points out being “right” comes at a cost. When we insist on being right, or people doing things our “right” way, we can cause damage to relationships, and loss of personal integrity and witness. We can get pretty ugly and nasty sometimes defending our “right” position or way of doing things—think about some of the meetings you’re attended when things get heated…often, what is being decided doesn’t really make a big difference, so why does it have to be our way? Even if the sakes are high, we need to remember to be gentle and kind when expressing our opinion! We often behave in ways that do not honor Christ! We lose the chance to honor others’ preferences above our own (which Jesus commands us to do, by the way) and we miss a chance to trust God to work things out even if our way is not chosen. We give up times of living in peace with our families and extending grace just to be “right”….which we find is a hollow victory.

Priscilla Shirer in her book, The Resolution for Women, (The companion book of The Resolution for Men, from the movie Courageous) gives us several ideas of how Letting Go can make things “Right”. In the chapter, Living with Grace-A resolution to make my home a welcome place to be, she urges us to give up being “right” and take hold of chances to extend grace and peace instead.
What got my attention the most was the power of OK. A woman is quoted, saying: “Sometimes when I just say, “OK”, the walls come tumbling down. Those two little letters put an end to so many arguments. It’s amazing. Outside of calling on the name of Jesus Himself, I think this is the next most powerful word in our language.”
(My mouth dropped open upon reading this..what, you mean just agree?) Shirer goes on to say: “We feel like our sentiments deserve the right to be heard, then understood, then agreed with and acted upon. And so we talk, and discuss, and quit listening, and run the other person down. Into the ground. Into submission….All because everyone wants to be right. But it won’t be right. Not until someone is bold enough, confident enough, courageous enough, gracious enough, to kindly, lovingly carefully acquiesce and say…’OK’. To finish it. Once and for all. Not because their demands were met or their preferences catered to but because they prefer peace to madness. They desire restoration above discord….One little OK makes the difference. “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”-Proverbs 15:1
…With two simple letters, and one great big trust in God, she completely recalibrates this whole experience, not only for herself but for everyone involved-those she loves and is resolved to nurture. ‘OK’, she whispers. And in the end, she wins the greatest victory of all.” (Shirer, p.135,6)
So, Let It Go… It’s the right thing to do! (Unless your husband wants to invest your savings in the lottery—I don’t think OK is the right response in this case!!)
I’ve noticed these principles in our own family. My husband is a very studious, methodical person and when faced with a task, he has a definite idea about how it should be done. I am an organized person, but like to get things started. I get impatient when he wants to keep planning and I want to start doing!!! We each think our own way is “right”, of course. I’ve gotten a kick over the years as my husband will watch one of our kids doing a job and he muses to me, “Why are they doing it that way? They should…” As long as the job gets done fairly satisfactorily, I figure that’s good enough. The people my husband lives with (me included) may be a little more random in how we go about things, but we get there in the end. I, on the other hand, have believed it my duty as a Mom over the years to comment and give advice on the kids’ plans, ideas, etc. When they were younger, this was ok and maybe helpful, but now that they’re grown, I’m trying to Let Go and Let Them Be! Bless their hearts, they still ask my ideas sometimes, but I’ve learned they can carry on without my input.(Sigh—it’s so hard) My son Josh called yesterday to tell me he was headed from Manhattan to Lexington, Ky. He and some friends were leaving Friday and coming home Saturday night/early Sun. morning) It’s about an 11 hour drive each way! In the old days, I would have felt obliged to wonder if that was really a very good idea, ask if he didn’t have any homework in his college classes, etc. But, I simply told him to stay safe and have a good time! What a breakthrough!! I let go, (praying for his safety of course) and let him be!
People around us can relax because we offer peace and grace instead of telling them they’re “wrong” in some way.

Hold On-As for myself, I need to focus on acting right and doing what is right rather than being right. Former President Harry Truman had a plaque on his desk that read:

Always do what is right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
How do I know what is right? By spending more time in God’s word where He instructs us in righteous living, and holding on to His promises to help me become more like Jesus. And, if letting some things go will give me more peace and help me give others more grace, that’s OK with me! It may take duct tape over my mouth, but I’m willing to work on it. I’ve thought of a little reminder, set to the tune of the old Beatles song, Let It Be. You’ll find me roaming around the house, biting my tongue and humming: “Let It, Go, Let It Go, Let It Go, Let It Go…Trust God in sweet surrender, Let It Go--ooh”.

Hold On To Your Hats, it’s Spring
Wheww..it’s been really windy here already, and here comes March. It’s time for some fun. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family by having a baked potato bar and telling the kids about how he came to Ireland to bring the news of Jesus. Legend has it that he used a 3 leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity; God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You can make a rainbow by buying red, orange, yellow, green blue and purple lengths of tulle (fairly cheap, or use fabric scrapes or crepe paper) knot the ends together and hang. If you really want to go all out, put a pot of “gold” at the end. You could use chocolate gold coins, or something you think is a treasure...like a Bible.
This month, Let Go and trust God, enjoy Spring, and Hold on to God’s grace and peace, OK? It’s the Right Way.

Willing Hearts

I saw a poster on Pinterest with the picture of an empty bed.
The caption read something like: “be the kind of woman, that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the devil says, “oh, rats, she’s out of bed”.
Our theme this month is “Willing Hearts”. Oh, how I wish my heart was willing and fearless enough to be the kind of woman described above. The devil knows I usually pose little risk to his schemes as I am usually too self-indulgent, lazy, distracted or timid to be much of a threat.

Being a woman of God with a willing heart would take a strong and fearless spirit, also.
A Willing Heart serves others with love and courage. Life is messy. Life is painful. My first instinct when faced with the pain and heartache of others is to try to escape. But God can not use us if we guard our hearts—from Him or from the pain of others. We have to be ready and willing to go where there are hurting and needy people and the only way we can do that is by trusting in God’s strength. There have been many times when God called me into situations where I was woefully inadequate, and yet He gave me the ability to do what needed to be done. Each time we step out for God, He grows our faith and our courage so we can be more “willing” the next time. Each one of us has many opportunities to make a difference for God—if we’re willing. Serving our families, friends and others with love is a mark of a willing heart. Look around at the needs of others and be ready and willing to give what you can—a smile or words of encouragement, a hug, pat on the back, a meal, some money or time, or help with tasks, child care, etc.
We never know how much difference we can make until we’re willing to try!
As women of God, we’re friends, wives, mothers, daughters, aunts, and grandmothers who all have an opportunity to take care of and influence those around us. One of the most willing and courageous women of God ever, Mother Teresa, said this: “We can not all do great things, but we can all do little things with great love.”

A Willing Heart speaks the truth in love. We need courage to speak out sometimes, We need to give others the words of life from God’s word. Doing so may not make us popular. Our words can empower others to see themselves as God sees them—worthy of love and forgiveness. We can’t keep that a secret!

A Willing Heart is willing to take risks. Relying on God to do big things often appears foolish to others. My friends at Lovely Branches Ministries have relied on God to do big things through them by planning this Vine Press Newsletter, hosting special events and Bible Studies, and especially buying and refurbishing a building in Stafford, Kansas to serve as the Taste and See Coffee House. We will be having our next Bible study there as the building renovations are almost complete. Who knows how God will use these things?

I have other friends who are willing to use what they have for God. A good friend was in town last weekend and I am amazed by what she's done since we knew each other at KSU. Marcia rediscovered her artistic ability and began painting and using multi-media in her creations. She's done scriptural things for her church's Advent calendar, art work and note cards and even teaches art classes for cancer patients and care givers. Kim, who writes our Food For Thought column uses her photography, writing and musical talents for God. I have other friends with the gifts of friendliness, cooking, and practical sorts of talents who are willing to share with others. When you receive the product of their talents, yoiu are blessed indeed!

One of my favorite LBM Bible Studies was on Nehemiah. He tried what looked to be a completely impossible thing--rebuilding the huge wall around Jerusalem. He didn't even live there and had to get his King's permission to leave. After a lot of prayer and fasting, Nehemiah was sure this was his to do for God, and the King was not only favorable to his plan but even gave him needed supplies. Again, we may not be called to do big things--but sometimes even the little things we do for God can seem "big" in trying to accomplish them and our job is to be willing and to leave the results to God. God is pleased by our faith in stepping out and looks for people who are wholly committed to His plans. If we don’t try or ask Him for big things, we can never fully understand how BIG God

Other Matters of the Heart
Besides having a willing heart, we need to have healthy hearts. February is National Heart Health month, so take these suggestions “to heart”!
*Get your heart pumping-Walk, walk, walk! One of the best things you can do for heart health.
*Concentrate on heart healthy foods: fruits, veggies, whole grains (I made biscuits tonight from whole wheat pastry flour—not exactly light and fluffy!! I’ll have to keep tinkering with that recipe!) I’m using Extra-Virgin Olive Oil , Canola and Grapeseed oil to cook with as they have heart healthy fats.
*Avoid heart “aches and attacks”—anything that causes stress takes a toll by elevating resting heart rates and causing blood pressure to increase. (I don’t know about you, but I feel more stressed each time I read about stress causing these problems) There are some things we can do to eliminate some of our stress—maybe a life style change, giving yourself more time, decluttering so you can find things, working on some relationships. Depression is a literal heartache and causes heart problems as well. We need to find ways to reduce our worry, fear, anxiety…it is true for me, and for you that Jesus promises to hear our prayers for help and to give us the “peace that passes all understanding”.
*One other big heart or peace “attacker” is unforgiveness. We let other people live in our minds and we keep ourselves in a dither when we dwell on situations, words, and deeds that we won’t forgive. Not only does unforgiveness shorten our physical life, but it keeps us from enjoying life. Let It Go!!! Ask God to help you forgive and you’ll find it is yourself that becomes free!! As Proverbs says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body’.
*Give out hugs—loving touches spur the release of oxytocin, a chemical that brings blood pressure down. By the way, Mom was right. You really can “kiss an owie and make it better”. Researchers at Ohio State found that married people with the highest levels of oxytocin healed almost 1.5 times faster than people with low levels.

Bless Their Hearts
Celebrate God’s love for us and your love for others at Valentine’s Day. Funny Valentines, love notes, dark chocolate goodies (dark chocolate is good for your heart!), a special meal like heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, or an all red meal. Write “I Love You’ in red lipstick on the bathroom mirrors—and put some smooches with it—it will wipe off. Make a “love jar” with heart verses written from the Bible on cut out heaerts and put in a jar to be opened and read. Use the same idea only write things you love about a person on each heart instead and give it to them with some “kisses” candy—or the other kind—your choice!

My prayer for us this month is that we would be women of God with willing, fearless hearts who get out of bed each morning ready to spread His love and speak His truth!

Look, It’s Here—A New Year!

Happy New Year! There’s something about a new year—blank calendar pages hinting at new beginnings and new possibilities.
January for some people is a let-down after the holidays, but for me is a time to re-focus and regroup. Our theme this month is “Vision”, and it reminds me of the Bible verse,

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.—Proverbs 29:18

We may not perish if we don’t make plans or set goals for the future, but we will lose sight of our purpose. Some of my favorite hymns are related to sight. Be Thou My Vision, My Faith Looks Up to Thee, Open My Eyes That I May See, all remind me that God and Jesus are the only way to keep our focus and improve our vision.

One of my favorite words is “Look”. I am a visual person, so I spend a lot of time looking. As a reading teacher, I teach the word “Look” by adding little dots in the middle of the “o”s , so the word has “eyes” in it. Just for fun, imagine all the “Looks” coming up with little dots for eyes-maybe crossed, looking sideways, etc.

Look Ahead--January is a great time to re-evaluate the use of the resources God gives us. We all have the same amount of time, differing amounts of energy and money. Be intentional in how you spend them--we too often just let things happen, or hope for the best instead of being purposeful and careful.

Set goals for yourself—Mental, Physical, Spiritual and Social. Small steps are best. For instance, in “mental” you might memorize a Bible verse once a week, or learn expressions in another language. Physical goals could be as easy as eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, drinking 8 glasses of water, and walking for 30 minutes every day. Reading a book of the Bible each month or attending a Bible Study could be a spiritual goal. Making plans to get together with friends you haven’t seen for awhile could be a social goal. You may want to make these types of goals for your children and family, too, and celebrate victories!

Look at things differently-reorganize some things at home for a smoother routine. What things make you crazy? What is always a problem? Decide what things could be done to make the situation better. If planning meals is a problem, take the time to plan a week or two of menus. (Sloppy Joes, carrot sticks, peaches, ice cream. Chili with shredded cheese, cinnamon rolls, relishes and applesauce.) After you come up with 14 meals, you can plan weekly grocery lists and rotate the menus. Keep adding new ones and ask family input. Have a Mexican food night, or Italian. Get out your crockpot and try a different recipe each week. Repurpose spaces in your house. We recently cleaned extra things out of my husband’s office to make room for a treadmill. (see Physical goals above!) Move things around to store things where they are used. Unless it’s set in concrete, you can change things up to make life easier. You just need to “look with new eyes” or “think outside the box.”

Look Out—the holidays may have caused excessive spending and acquiring of things. Resist spending and shopping this month! It’s time to combat excesses. Take a sabbatical from shopping and spending. Try to use up what you already have and save money in January. Plan meals around freezer and pantry items.
Vow not to bring in any more stuff this month. Try this challenge:
End the year with less stuff than you have now!! ( or less weight, fewer grudges and resentments, less “self” focus, etc.)

Look Alive (Rejuvenate)- You may not get outside much, but you can still work on eating healthy foods, getting rid of the sugary stuff left from the holidays (toss it out—don’t eat it!), and MOVE. Walk outside or inside, do exercise videos, treat yourself to a homemade Spa Day. After exercising, soak in a nice warm tub of Epsom salts and scented water, slather lotion all over your dry skin, do your nails and even give yourself a facial.

Looking Good-Revamp your living spaces. Set up a mud room area for snowy boots and coats and school bags. A bench with a drip tray under it for boots and wall hooks for coats/bags helps a lot.
Redesign your family room for “cocooning”’. Put some afghans and blankets in a basket for snuggling, set out board games and jigsaw puzzles, read aloud each evening. Light some candles. Get the mugs, hot cocoa and spice tea mixes, and popcorn. Have soups and homemade bread. Play in the snow and make snow ice cream as needed for relaxing family times.

Looking Back-(Rewind) This is a good time to stay inside and tackle all those family photos—scan them if you have a computer and store on a CD. Put old negatives into a safety deposit box, or scan. Organize pictures into events or chronological order in albums or indulge in some scrapbooking.

Look Up
Realize God’s blessings and Rejoice in His promises. Really Look at those around you. Some days are so hectic that you realize you haven’t even looked in the eyes of your loved ones. Focus on them, listen, and pay attention!

Don’t look now-what we focus on enhances or distorts our vision. When we focus on
the shortcomings of others, it’s like using a magnifying glass—their faults become bigger and bigger to us, blocking our vision of the good things about them.
Sometimes overlooking the actions and faults of others is the kindest thing we can do.

To really improve your vision, Look through our Father’s eyes.
My husband has bifocals that give an interesting effect around lights after dark—everything has a halo. While that is very annoying to him driving at night, wouldn’t it be great if we saw things with the halo effect, seeing the good around us? I often wish I could see others through God’s eyes. My vision is clouded and blurred, distorted by my own perceptions and experiences. The Bible tells us:
God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Corrective lenses-the only way to improve our vision and our focus is to look at others through the lenses of His love, grace and compassion.

Enjoy your January and remember, everything always looks brighter when viewed through our faith in the One Who loves us and gave Himself for us.

[COMMENT BOX BELOW]

Light of the World

At Christmas, Some of my favorite symbols of Jesus' birth have to do with light.
Glowing light from candles and stars remind us on these long, dark December days that Jesus is the light of the world to save us from all kinds of darkness!
Spread the light and love of Jesus this Christmas by your words, thoughts, and actions.
Every good and perfect gift is from above." -James 1:17
For many, Christmas is all about gifts. Jesus is our indescribable gift as the Bible says, and the Wise Men brought Him gifts suitable for a King. It must have seemed odd to bring a young child the gifts that a full grown King would appreciate, but the Wise Men knew the real destiny and identity of this child. This is good gift giving advice for us, too..some of the best gifts are those given by others who see the real person we are and the possibilities of who we can become.
We all have a special way to feel loved--the "love languages" theory, and you may want to tap into this as a gift giving guide! See ideas below.
(the 5 love languages are: physical touch, acts of service, spending time together, words of encouragement/affirmation and receiving gifts)
First, Give the gift of a warm welcoming heart and home
Christmas is the time to set the stage to worship our King! Engage all the senses...
Smells of cinnamon, fresh greenery, Christmas cookies
Sight of the Christmas tree and decorations, candles and stars
Tastes of special Christmas foods your family enjoys
Sounds of Christmas carols and music playing, bells ringing (we tied little bells to our toddler's shoes one Christmas--what a way to keep them entertained in their car seats)
Touch of warm flannel sheets on beds, warm quilts and afghans to snuggle up with.

All these things make your home a warm, welcoming place to be.
However,the most important way to celebrate Christmas is in your heart. Remember the first Christmas? No one has any room for Jesus and His family , and everyone is too hurried and busy to even notice the baby in the manger. Make room for Jesus in your heart this Christmas, and in your activities. Make time for Him and celebrate His coming. Keeping Him at the center of your Christmas will help you keep His light and love in your heart to share with others.
Give the gift of Time
Scale down whatever activities and preparations you can so that you have time to enjoy your family and friends. One of my favorite Christmases was one when our oldest son was 2weeks old and it was one of the coldest winters on record. We stayed inside and spent Christmas Eve listening to Christmas music and just reflecting on the gift of Jesus...and the gift of our new son. Many other Christmases were spent with juggling the activities of three kids and not having much time at all to even be home to enjoy the decorations and each other! Plan a special outing or two...just loading the kids into the car, playing Christmas music on the radio and driving around to look at the lights makes a special memory. Attending a special service at church, or musical performance can also be special. Read Christmas stories about the real meaning of Christmas together each evening ...my kids still talk about some of our favorites. Grab the popcorn and watch some Christmas movies. Find some friends and take yourself or the kids caroling. Most of all, take the time to look your loved ones in the eye, give a smile and some moments of your complete attention.
Give the gift of Encouragement
So many of us need a kind word, a caring word, an encouraging word! Your words are gifts when you take the time to sincerely notice others and how they make a difference in your world. Make the effort to talk to others about how they're special to you, or how they have helped you. A letter is even better. Erma Bombeck wrote a great column once that has always inspired me. It was the story of a dying mother who left each of her three sons a letter to be read at her passing. In each letter she wrote, "Don't tell the others, but I always loved you best". She went on to describe the special things about each son in her letter..what a gift! A letter of appreciation is such a gift to those who receive it..write one to frame for your parents, a friend, spouse or others. I'm making copies of a letter written by one of my great, great grandfathers about his faith for my kids and framing it for Christmas.
Going along with words could be hugs, shoulder pats and other actions of affection. Hold you little ones on your lap when reading. So many people crave a hug, so pass some out!
Give the gift of giving
It truly is more blessed to give than receive--teach this to your children early! In this of all seasons, think of ways you and your family can bless others. Rethink the gift thing in your family and decide to scale back so you can help others--send some money to an organization like Samaritan's Purse, Compassion, Heifer Project International and others. You can buy chickens, goats, drinking water filters, books, medicine and other items for families who need them. There may be a family or person close to you who could use some money or items--how blessed you both would be to meet their needs! Help your kids go through their toys, clothes, coats, etc. to find still good items to pass on or donate.
Give to others with the gift of service. Do something for someone needy or for someone in your family. You may help someone paint a room or house, clean out a closet, make food to stash in the freezer, go shopping, or teach a new skill.
Give the gift of imagination...just say no to plastic and batteries! Some of the best gifts I've given have been those that help kids use their imagination. Dress-up clothes from the thrift store, cardboard box castles , tulle gathered up in a hoop and appliquéd with flowers and hung from a ceiling, a fabric cover for a card table with "doors and windows" appliquéd on for a barn, fort or clubhouse can be great ideas. The only exception to the no batteries clause is flashlights. (I've loved flashlights since I was in 3rd grade and smuggled one under my pillow to keep reading at night after bedtime--I was busted from sneaking into the closet to read(my parents saw the light) so the flashlight became my new best friend!) And on that note, books are always an excellent gift! (Include a personal inscription about your selection to that person)
Surround yourself with the sights and sounds of the Christmas Season, gather those you love for some memory making and gift giving of all kinds , and above all thank God for His indescribable gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. He who is the light of the world saves us from the darkness of sin, death, despair and our own human selfishness.
This is not a traditional Christmas song, but it reminds us that God is constantly sending His love our way. May you have a Merry Christmas and abide in the love, hope, peace and LIGHT of Jesus Christ!

Overflowing with Thankfulness

"Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7



November and the beginning of the Holiday season makes me sentimental about families and God's faithfulness to all the generations. When we gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving and look forward to Christmas, memories of our families and loved ones abound. The tree in the picture and the verse also remind of our "family trees". I was visiting my Mom's house a few weeks ago, and she gave me copies of letters written by my great, great, great and 2 great grandfathers during the Civil War. The father was writing to his son (he had three sons who fought for the Union side in Missouri) and urged him to keep close to God, pray and take encouragement from Scriptures. After the war, two of the sons, including my gg grandfather became ministers.
I was so touched and grateful that my roots go back to believers who prayed for their generations to come--including me!
It's nice to know my roots go back to family members who were rooted in Him---and taught me to grow stronger in my faith.
Every family has traditions and a legacy--and you're making your family's right now!! You are the one who can build a legacy of faith, of roots and being built up in God, and praying for your family members to come...they will be blessed!

Be Ye Thankful
Aren't there days when you are absolutely "overflowing with thankfulness?" I have days like that...the beauty of fall, a loved one's call, good news, feeling at peace with God and others all make it easy for me to be grateful. God more than supplies all my needs.
This month, really try to focus on all the things God has done for us. Try this with yourself or your family.
When you first wake up, tell God thank you for a new day. (This one's from my Mom who is 89!)
Tell 5 people "thank you" during each day--do this as a family, and talk about the results.
Write "Thank You" notes to 2 or 3 people each week. (Stress this to your children--we need to thank others when they go out of their way for us)
Make a leafless tree on poster board and have family members and guests write something they're thankful on construction paper leaves to put on the tree
Each evening at supper have each person tell 3 or 5 things they're thankful for--keep a "Thankfulness Journal". Write down each person's responses, and continue this each evening with no repeats !
Preparing your heart and home for Thanksgiving
When you think of the coming holidays, what is your default mode? Are you excited and happy, or anxious and stressed?
I am some of each. Gathering together is a time to make memories, share the love and warmth of family and friends, but it's also a time full of extra work and tasks, more activities to juggle and unrealistic expectations.
If we're going to enjoy Thanksgiving and our families, we need to start with welcoming hearts.
1. Check your heart attitude--if you're practicing hospitality with a grateful heart, everything else will fall in place.
What is our motivation when we have others to our homes? Are we making memories and sharing loving times or are we trying to impress others? Too often, I get too involved in trying to make things go smoothly and be 'just right' which leaves me grumpy and tired. (I had a typo here and it said "fried" which is also true--I do feel fried during the holidays sometimes!) It's hard to balance wanting things nice for your guests with knowing when to quit so you're not frazzled! (or fried!) This brings us to point 2.

2. Strive for imperfection!! Embrace it and changes in plans, culinary mishaps, flu bugs and bad weather! Many, many years of holidays with kids has taught me that if anything can go wrong, it will. Try to make the best of it and keep being thankful! My friend Kim writes the lovelybranchesministries.org "Food For Thought" column which is quite good and highly recommended. But I read an article once from another source that certainly gave me a different taste of hospitality. The author said that she was so stressed by entertaining that she would never have people over until she went to an acquaintance's home for a meal. Her hostess had her come to the kitchen to help finish the simple dinner, the house was pleasantly cluttered, and things were pretty casual. Her hostess explained that she would rather focus on people and making them welcome--and the best way to do that was to keep things simple and to not try to impress anyone. This was contrary to what most of us think when entertaining, but the lady in the story agreed that she enjoyed the evening and felt no pressure when inviting this hostess over!
The most important thing when entertaining is not to have a perfect home, or meal (thank goodness!), but to have a welcoming heart. Your guests and family would rather you delight in them by being with them than spend your time trying to create the "perfect Thanksgiving".

3. Plan Ahead--keeping in mind that plans change. Pull out your "go to" recipes, plan your menus, stock your shelves and bake/freeze what you can ahead of time. Buy snack food items and keep on a special shelf for surprise guests, freeze some chili or have pizzas in the freezer, chips or crackers and dip and you can make a party in a hurry!
For Thanksgiving, decide what to have (gasp--it doesn't have to be turkey!"), and if the crowd is headed to your house, then cook ahead, set the table ahead, get your crock pots to keep mashed potatoes, turkey and gray hot, etc. Planning and making lists now does help you not to be quite so flustered when everyone is coming.
Figure out where everyone will sit for the meal, find serving platters and dishes, and ready your home.
A Beverage Bar is fun--set up hot coca mix, marshmallows, mugs, hot cider in a crock pot, and coffee with flavored creamers in an area for guests to help themselves. Be sure to keep hot water, cider and coffee containers away from small children.
4. Prepare your home for the holidays
When having guests, the things you really need are: a clean bathroom (check the toilet paper supply!), a clean guest room, space in the refrigerator, a "picked up" living room or dining room. Get the troops involved--everyone can vacuum, dust and pick up. If that fails, you can resort to my Dad's "company's coming" cleaning method--take some trash bags and load up all the farm publications and newspapers you haven't had time to read and put them in the bags and stash them in the trunk of your car! (This probably explains why my car looks like it does--I call it my traveling closet) If you feel really ambitious, go after cobwebs and clean the windows one last time before winter. Keeping the lights low and using candles gives a warm welcome and hides dust!
Fall decorations are nice--go out and get some tree branches, put in a rustic container, add leaves or nuts on the table, or do a Horn of Plenty with pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. Simmer some cinnamon sticks and orange or apple peels on the store for a nice smell.

5. Make some Memories--plan some fun activities.
When the clan gathers, have some activities to bring togetherness --you can keep old traditions or start new ones!
At the Thanksgiving meal, people can list their blessings on a Thankfulness mural, or on index cards to read at the table.
Mix It Up--Place cards at tables can help generations mingle, and then switch again for desert so people can visit with different people.
Play games-flag football and taking post meal walks is our family tradition, but you can also: sing around the piano, watch movies together with plenty of pillows and blankets, play board games or charades.
Look at pictures of past holidays together, make cookies, have a fire and roast hot dogs. Make a cardboard box Mayflower and let your little Pilgrims set sail. Build some tepees in the back yard and have the Native Americans help the Pilgrims as in the first Thanksgiving.

6. Remember why we're thankful--read or tell the story of the first Thanksgiving!
One of my favorite ways to explain the Pilgrim/Thanksgiving story is CLASH DAY. Dress in terrible loud, bright clothes that don't go together, like plaids and stripes, etc. Hopefully your family will notice and question you (and your fashion sense). I do this with my AWANA kids. I explain that the Pilgrims, because of their beliefs in God and wanting to worship Him their way, stood out and clashed with the rest of the people in England. They came to America to have the freedom to worship God their way and pass their faith down to their children. (Roots and growing strong in faith again). Their faith kept them going when the voyage was perilous and they were sick and starving the first winter.
I like to use these verses from the Bible:
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
You are the world's seasoning (salt) to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? Matthew 5:13
As God's people, the Pilgrims tried to flavor their world with His word and ways--we're called to do the same in our world.
Make a mixture of "seasoned salt" with sea salt and your favorite herbs, then sprinkle over pop corn and enjoy.

Have some pumpkin or pecan pie (or both), sing "Count Your Many Blessings", and most of all, look hard at all your loved ones and thank God for each--give them a hug, a kiss, and tell them you're thankful for them.
Remember to "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 106;16