Sweet and Sour 365

This Christmas can you?

A new week - let's practice loving.  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." ~Matthew 22:37-39

http://annvoskamp.com/2016/11/light-candles-advent-reading-first-sunday-hope-video-experience/

A favorite for Advent 

"Sounds like somebody needs to sing a Christmas Carol!" ~Buddy the Elf

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  Today, my heart is breaking for some. I'm thinking of families that are struggling...sometimes family can be hard and some of you may feel that you are headed into battle. Others of you may be feeling the weight of loss. I pray that you feel His arms wrapped around you today and all days. I pray that you feel His presence with you...because He is with you. We may not always feel like He is but He is as close to us as our next breath. Fill your heart with praise and thanksgiving. Go for a walk or a run and breathe Him in deep. List off your thanks and then tell Him what you need. He already knows - but tell Him anyway. 

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,      for he will speak peace to his people ~Psalm 85:8 (ESV)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~John 1:5 (NIV)  

Someone said to me today, "You know that feeling where you feel like a failure because you haven't stayed current on it?"   Yes, I know it all too well!! Oh and isn't that what the enemy wants us to believe? That we are failures and too far gone to dig into God's word. He wants us far away from God and he will do anything to make that happen. Don't let the lies speak louder than His truth. It's so easy for me to quit at something because I feel like I couldn't keep up or missed the opportunity - but God! God wants us to come as we are. He wants to meet us in our mess. He wants us to let go of trying to be perfect and just rest in His perfectness. When we feel like giving up He whispers, "Come here, chosen one...my beloved."  And we think...me chosen? YES - look to Him! Lean into Him and drown out the lies.  The more we lean the less we believe the lies. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to look a certain ...

Give thanks for this day...

Giving thanks today to all who serve our country and for the freedom we have!

Tomorrow – vote. Exercise your freedom. The world is a hot mess, but He goes before us. We don’t need to fear or be afraid. Stop hating on your friends (and family) and love them. Be kind to one another. Bring hope. Be the change you want to see in this world. Give grace 1,000 times over and live love. Regardless of what happens and who is in the Oval office – the One who causes that sun to rise and set every single day remains in control.  

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. ~John 12:24

The God who filled the skies with light,      His love never quits. The sun to watch over the day,      His love never quits. Moon and stars as guardians of the night, His love never quits. ~Psalm 136:9 (MSG)

Practice Presence

...so, maybe yesterday didn't go as planned and maybe you said some things you wished you hadn't. Maybe you replayed your day in your head while laying in bed and thought, "God, I am doing this all wrong!" But guess what - He makes no mistakes and YOU are the Mama your kids need. Amen? YES! Remember this as you go about your day!