Happy Second Sunday of Advent, my friends! It’s the Sunday devoted to the subject of JOY.
Last year at this time, as I looked forward to Christmas and New Years, I was thinking about what to give for presents. I also gave thought to what I was wishing for… what I was expecting for Christmas and for the year to come. I posted this wish for 2019:
Did I expect my wishes to come true? You bet!
Joyfully, I can report that we have been blessed with good health and a wealth of friends and loving family, and blissful days. Not EVERY day was perfect, of course, – we all face challenges from time to time – but I am eternally thankful – daily for the JOY and peace and the love that are mine.
And now we are back in that holiday season again – looking forward to Christmas and the new year. As a congregation of worshipers, we all were drawn into that expectant mood today.
Here are my sermon notes. (If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know I take notes poetically as I listen to the sermon each Sunday.)
Today in church, Pastor Steve Hundley’s message was titled, “What Are You Expecting?”
What are you expecting for Christmas? Reindeer on your rooftop or Santa Claus Coming down your chimney? Better reset your sights because…
Clyde came dressed up as Santa. He was a crusty old guy, And he looked like Ghandi. But the problem was, he was high.
Clyde was high on Moonshine. He was a jolly old soul, But I was not impressed. Clyde was far from my expected goal.
I was expecting the real Santa, And I knew Clyde wasn’t he. Like expectations of Santa, The world is waiting expectantly…
For the birth of a Savior King, And instead here comes a baby, Born in a lowly stable. He’s not the King He’s s’posed to be!
John the Baptist predeicted The coming of this Royal King. He spoke of confession and judgement. He told the world about everything…
God’s prophets of old had proclaimed, “A Savior of Priestly stock would come.” John was so convincing, folks thought He might in fact be God’s promised Son.
But John assured them Jesus was The Savior King they’d waited for. Even though Jesus was loving and kind, Not the Leader with sword. They wanted more…
More of what they had expected. “Are you really the One?” they inquired. “Don’t look elsewhere; just see what I’ve done – Go,” Jesus said. “Go and be inspired.”
Jesus reminded them that He was Indeed doing what Isaiah said: “The blind will see; the deaf shall hear; The lame will walk. Believe I AM Christ. GOD IS NOT DEAD!”
This quote by Dale Evans is worth repeating!
Have a Wonderful Sunday! I hope you are expecting the Risen Christ! He’s coming again, you know.
There is a reason I am in your life right now You are blessing mine
It’s Gratitude and Kindness month I am grateful for your kindness: Reading JanBeek, Joining me on this blogging journey, Caring enough to leave a comment – Writing your own inspirational posts – Ah yes, you are a blessing!
Thank you! What feels like a blessing to you today?
My blogging friend, BigSkyBuckeye, was nominated for the Sunshine Award. In the process of accepting it, he was asked to nominate eleven other bloggers. I was #11 – Yay!
Thank you, Richard, for the affirmation. In your acceptance, you were told to publish the rules – and you asked your nominees to pass them along.
The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog so others can find them. Thank you, https://bigskybuckeye.com/2019/10/05/sunshine-blogger-award/
List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post. (Here they are … and here it is)
3. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you. (I will do that now… see below)
Questions:
Name one person who always finds a way to inspire you: Derrick in BC
How has blogging benefited your life? It has given me a way to find a group of friends world-wide who read my daily messages and inspire me to share the positivity in my life.
Do you like to experience nature? YES! If so, what is one of your favorite activities? I love four-wheeling in the Rocy Mountains n our ATV with my hubby, my dog, TazE, and our friends.
How important is family to you? Extremely! I am blessed with a terrific son, a darling daughter, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a sister, six loving in-laws and their children, a wonderful niece and her family… ah, Gof is good! That reminds me, my church family is such a blessing, too. Brothers and Sisters in Christ enrich my life… Important is putting it mildly!)
What is your favorite season of the year? Springtime. Why is it your favorite? It seems to spell newness and rebirth. I love the freshness. It feels like “Beginning again” – and it contains Easter, my favorite holiday.
What month were you born? July
If you could visit any place in the world for the first time, where would you want to go? Maine and Nova Scotia. They are on my “Bucket List.”
Who is one of your most favorite authors? Bob Goff: “Love Does”
What is something which you have a great deal of passion for? Two H’s:Honeybees and the Holy Spirit
Share a favorite verse of Scripture or an inspiring quotation. John 3:16
Tell us one interesting facet about yourself. I was “Tammy Tiger” the University of the Pacific’s first female mascot – after it changed from C.O.P. to U.O.P. – and my band director was disgusted that I did that. He said, “Anyone can wear a costume and run around the football field, but you’re my first chair clarinetist… not just anybody can do that!” But, what he didn’t know was, the costume for Tammy Tiger fit my 5 foot frame… not just anybody could fit into that either!
4. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their posts. (This will be done tomorrow)
5. Ask the nominees 11 new questions (I need have time to think about that!)
Here are a half a dozen suggestions that work for me:
1. I Pray –
My faith in the Lord, knowing the Holy Spirit always is with me, is my first line of defense. I simply ask for His Peace to overcome the distress that is causing my stress. Usually that works if I just sit quietly long enough… and smile as I wait for His peace and confidence to flow through me. I know He is in charge – and He has my best interests at heart.
2. Take a walk or a ride
Go into nature and while I’m out and about, notice the beauty. Let the peacefulness of nature wash over me.
3. Reach out to friends.
Share my concerns with others and solicit their help. In the process, look for ways I can help them. Nothing makes me feel happier than being able to help another. My own stresses dissolve in the process.
4. Count my blessings.
Take my mind off the area that’s causing stress and remember all the areas of goodness & success in my life. Rejuvenate the “I can do this” spirit in me.
5. Put on some crazy music 🎶
… and let the theory of Music Therapy (the ISO Principle) wash over me as I gradually change crazy to rhythmic to slower, peaceful music. Watch … wait, and feel my mood change with the mood of the 🎵 music 🎼
6. Color!
Let the act of changing black and white to joyful color succeed in changing my stressful mindset to one of colorful positivity instead.
Which of those half a dozen ideas might work best for you?
Good-bye September!
You’ve been a very good month –
Messages each day.
My take-aways were
Great daily inspirations –
Always carry them!
When glancing to the right,
You see numbers 1-15,
Next page to 30.
Every day I write
The take-away to carry
In heart to guide me.
It provides a list
That inspires me to live
Thankful for blessings.
Lord,
Please strip me of me
Until nothing remains but
YOU!
These are my daily prayers.
It was an inspirational
September.
Daily Guideposts take-aways for each day of September –
Carry these with you:
Thank God for my family and friends
God bless all our laborers
Thank God for our “hood”
God is Always with me
Stay Connected in Love
Rely on God’s Strength
Walk in Step with Jesus
Listen to God’s Wisdom
Lord, Increase my Insight
Trust God with my Dreams
Never Forget 9-11
He walks with Me
Trust Him
Give Love Unconditionally
Jesus Forgives “Missteaks”
Be Consistent; and Treasure People
Use Your Gifts to Praise God
Live in the Hope of the Lord
Focus on God’s Grace
A Hug Includes Letting Go
Bless my Former Students (Thank You, Lord, for giving me chances to positively influence others)
Lift my Hands, Heart & Voice to Praise God
I Am at Home in my Soul with God
Make Wise Choices
Lord, Hear my Prayers
Serve with Compassion
Pray for a Cancer Cure
Thank God for His Gift of Peace
Take Courage in All Circumstances
Lean on God Always
Many of these daily themes in Daily Guideposts were the inspirations for my daily blogs.
The end of the “Daily Devotions for Living by Faith” called These Days features three coloring pages. I will write about them tomorrow … telling about the way coloring can relieve stress.
As September ends and I send this book off to my grandson, I thank God for the people who write these daily messages – and for the way in which they inspire my life. I hope they inspire yours today, too. Thank you for sharing!God bless you!
When glancing to the right,
You see numbers 1-15,
Next page to 30.
