Happy Snow Day!

This month, two different weather systems have promised snow, but it never came.  Today, the promised snow is falling and sticking!  Reminds me of the song from the movie "White Christmas" called "Snow."  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G47k6qSKgPw

And THAT reminds me of a family tradition that started when our daughter was just a little girl.  Every time the first snow of winter began to fall, Joe, Hannah, and I would get bundled up and drive to Dairy Queen to have ice cream!  It falls in line with other traditions - the Red Plate - the Vegetable Dance - and a few others that will have to wait for another blog at another time.  Today, our daughter is at home with her husband and their two daughters.  I don't know what traditions they're building for themselves, but I hope somewhere along the line it will involve a trip for ice cream!

Other traditions when it snows?  I cook a beef roast on snow day.  I make a pot of chili the next day.  The next day I make vegetable soup with the leftover roast and broth.  The snow may be gone, but the traditions are always there.  I love traditions!  What are your traditions?  Share them with me in the comments section of this blog posting.  

Always remember: If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

The Stupidity Factor

 Before I deleted my Facebook account, I saw this post and knew I needed to save it.  This is so me!

            Even though this made me laugh when I first read it, I soon realized that it’s true!  God put a calling on my life to be in ministry with my husband, to be in music ministry, in radio, and even in comedy.  And when God called me, He called ALL of me…my talents, my personality, my sense of humor, and anything else He would use!  That means, my shortcomings as well.  

My mother never liked me to say the word ‘stupid’ and would get after me when I did.  But in this case, there’s no other way to put it.  We simply do stupid things sometimes!

God knows everything about us, y’all – including the parts of us that mess up on a regular basis.  Like the post says, “…He already factored in” the stupid things we’d do.  Well, that’s a relief, isn’t it?  He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He loves us!  All the parts of us!  That’s the most comforting thing I can say to you today.  

 

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (NLT)

“If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

  

January 1, 2022

Christmas is in the rear-view mirror. We work and plan for that special day and then...poof! It’s gone for another year. And here we are in a new one! As we walk into a new year, a lot of us make New Year’s Resolutions. (I’ve already broken a couple and it's only the first day of the year!)

Making New Year’s Resolutions can force us to look at our past. A lot. Have you ever felt like your past mistakes were following you around…like they define who you are and how your future will be shaped?

God’s word says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Even believers forget and fall into dwelling on the past. The Word of God is a constant stream of renewing power as the Holy Spirit reveals our loving Father's truths about who we really are and what His plans are for us! When we step into that stream...it is easier to get a grip on what God has planned for our lives.

I have the above scripture printed and posted on our bathroom mirror – as a reminder. I’m trying to keep that scripture at the forefront as I've stepped into this new year. I guess I've made this scripture my new year’s resolution!

May God’s richest blessings be yours in the coming year!

And always remember...if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!