Merry Christmas

During this busy time of the year, I am thankful for those moments when I just stop and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful for the wonderful gift that God gave us by sending His son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. I am thankful for His love and forgiveness. I am also thankful that in uncertain times I know that I can trust Him with whatever the future holds. Praying you will find time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and be thankful for all that Christ has done for us.
May you have a blessed Christmas.
Marilyn

Jesus is the Light of the world

I love Christmas. I love all the brightly lit homes. The Christmas trees with all the lights. However as you enjoy all the lights this Christmas season, be reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world. I am praying that you will let Jesus's light shine through you this Christmas season because light dispells darkness. So enjoy this time of the year and as you see lights be reminded that Jesus loves you and came to bring light into your life.

Be Thankfull

I was reading a devotional last week that was taken from "Daily Wisdom for Mothers" by Michelle Medlock Adams. I was challenged to be thankful for things that I sometimes complain about i.e. that I pay taxes because that means that I am employed or that I have to clean house because that means that I have a house to live in. So this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving let's remember to look for the things we can be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Marilyn

Wallpaper

The people who lived in my home before me loved wallpaper! However after several years, wallpaper needs to be replaced. Here are a few of the lessons I have learned stripping wallpaper.
1) It always takes longer than you think.
2) There is no easy way to strip wallpaper. It takes lots of energy and hard work.
3) Once you get the wallpaper off you aren't even half done. You still need to texture the walls and then paint.
4) There are always little things that need to be taken care of i.e. cracks, holes, etc.
Lessons I've learned that I can apply to everyday life. Life takes time and energy and it is never as easy as you think it will be. However, I have learned that if I try to do life on my own I will probably mess it up but I need to commit everything I do to the Lord and allow Him to lead and guide me daily. With Christ nothing is impossible with His help.
Praying that you will allow Christ to live in and through you today.
Marilyn

Pray & Vote

I have been in the process of stripping wallpaper at my house this past week and was going to share some of the life lessons I am learning. However when I opened the newspaper this morning I realized I can write about that at a later time. This week I would like to ask you to pray for our country and the upcoming elections. Since a picture is worth a thousand words you can go to http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p308/christianmyspace/graphics/pray123.jpg and find a great picture that will remind you to pray. The other things we need to do is vote on November 4th. Pray and ask for wisdom as you vote next week. Have a great week.
Marilyn

Family

Yesterday we celebrated our daughter Cheryl's birthday. She and her husband, T Jay, drove down from Prescott Valley after church for dinner. Since it was Cheryl's birthday she got to pick what we would eat which included ham, potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, lima beams and mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. I also fixed green beans and corn since T Jay calls asparagus "trees" and broccoli "brushes" and he doesn't think either were meant for human consumption. Later at 5:30 our Life Group got together. I was reminded that just as we enjoy getting together with our biological family, we also enjoy getting together with our church family. I was also reminded that we are each individuals with our own likes and dislikes but we really do need each other to help and encourage one other along our journey which we call life. May you have a great week and don't forget to touch someone's life for Christ.

Just a thought about Alabaster

The past two Sundays we have been collecting our Alabaster offering. Alabaster is a love offering that is used to build churches, schools, hospitals, clinics and missionary homes around the world. As we counted and rolled the coins I was reminded that the coins in my box by themselves didn't amount to much; however, when they are added with the rest of the coins we have collected, the total was over $400. This money will make a difference to some church that needs to buy land or needs cement to complete their building. I am also reminded that as we work together we can make a difference in our world. Praying that you will see a way that you can make a difference in your world this week.

Time Flies

I can't believe that September is almost over. It seems the older I get the faster time flies. Therefore I am reminded that I must make the most of each day and for me that means that I must start each day with Christ by reading my Bible and asking Him to guide me through out the day. I'm praying that as you read this you will be reminded of your need for Christ and allow Him to have first place in your life. It is the most exciting journey you will ever take.
Blessings on you.

A New Week

As we begin a new week, none of us know what this week holds. However I am thankful that God knows and that He has promised to walk with us through this week if we ask Him to. There is an old song that talks about about not worrying about the future because I know who holds the future(God) and He holds my hand. I plan to keep my focus on Christ this week and not on the things that are happening to me and the things that are happening around me. May you have a blessed week as you allow the Lord to lead and guide you this week.
Marilyn

Life Group

On Sunday afternoons a few of us get together and watch a short video together. We discuss the video for a few minutes and then take time for food and fellowship. Check out Turning Leaf Community on Sunday morning, September 14 and find a Life Group that will meet your needs.

A way to change our world.

September is Alabaster month. Alabaster is a way to use the change in your pocket to change the world.