The Power to Change Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV).

Using plain paper and a pencil, my eight-year-old granddaughter created a birthday card I will always treasure. It wasn’t just the simplicity of the card but the words that touched my heart. On the front, Cheyenne had drawn an angel. At the top were the following words: “Happy Birthday, Nana. We believe in God.” At the bottom, she had written, “I love you.”

Her artistic endeavors spilled over inside, where two more illustrations—one of a heart sporting wings and one of yours truly—graced the pages. What captured my heart, however, were the words, “I love you to the moon and back,” and “You have a giant heart as big as this.”

How could a grandmother not love a card fashioned from a child’s imagination as well as her heart? It’s the best gift I could ever receive.

Who doesn’t enjoy giving and receiving presents? However, there is a difference between presents and gifts. Lawyer James E. Faust explains the difference. “The true gifts may be part of ourselves—giving of the riches of the heart and mind—and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store. Of course, among the greatest of gifts is the gift of love. Love seeks to give rather than to get. Charity towards and compassion for others is a way to overcome too much self-love.”

Self-love has led consumers to camp out days before Black Friday at superstores, hoping to be first in line to purchase big screen TVs. Self-love has led to shoppers fighting over bargains and spending more money than they can afford. Whatever you call it, it’s not about Christmas. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior over 2,000 years ago.

How can we return the focus to what really matters? While commercialization has blinded many to the real meaning of Christmas, as parents and grandparents, we have the power to change it.

A recently-released children’s book, “The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas,” was written by Jill Hardie. Because Hardie saw how easy it is for families to be ensnared in the commercial blitz and forget the deeper reason for Christmas, she found a special way to show her children the joy of giving to others and that giving, itself, is a gift. In this heartwarming, powerful book, families can rediscover the true joy of “giving unto others.”

“Each year we have continued the tradition (of the Sparkle Box) and have realized that it’s not only a gift to Jesus and to those in need, but a powerful way to center Christmas,” says Hardie.

In a “me-first” society, it’s up to us to make the change. “The Sparkle Box” is more than a book. When people band together to spread the news, in the end, it transforms the giver and the receiver—all in Jesus’ name.

 Carol’s new book, “by FAITH alone,” is now available at amazon.com.
Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are you lost?

Posted on June 11, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

In my late 40s, I began to keep a prayer journal because I was lost. I began to ask myself, “Who am I?”  My nest was empty. I no longer felt needed by my sons, one of whom had married. The other had just started college. I also went through a divorce after my 28-year marriage ended. I no longer could identify myself as a wife or a mother. Through journaling, I rediscovered the most important part of myself. I was a daughter of the most High God—a God who cares about me, a God who hears my prayers and a God who wants a relationship with me.

Since that time, more than 10 years ago, my life’s journey has become intentional. Instead of allowing my peers and the whims of passing fancies to lead me, my goal has been a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father, who longs to meet each of us at the heart of who we are and all that we hope to become.

I had no idea the trials I would face after rededicating my life to Him in the fall of 2001. My journal has become a place to record my cries for help as well as the outcome of many of those times of despair. The pages of my journal have helped me to find the beauty of God’s activity in my life and the lives of those I love. When my ink pen flows across the page with words inspired by the Holy Spirit, I find clarity in my life.

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It is peace I find after spending time with my Heavenly Father each morning, pouring out my heart to Him in praise and supplication on the written page.

If I could choose the most important differences in my life since I began keeping a journal each morning, it would be the following:

  • A peace like no other. When my world and the world around me is in turmoil, I know where my peace comes from.
  • The knowledge of who I am and whose I am. I spent most of my life living up to other people’s expectations. Now, I live for Him.
  • Contentment with who I am and what I have. Many of us live our lives in discontent and seek things outside of God to satisfy that longing that can only be filled in a relationship with Him. Material possessions will never satisfy.

James 4:8 reads, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Do you want to draw closer to God? By expressing your thoughts, your feelings and your insights in a journal, you will be surprised when you discover God in the process. In turn, He will use your journal as an instrument to transform you. Your journal will also become a way of holding yourself accountable to spiritual maturity.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Journaling, Prayer, Relationships, Tough Times, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Can You Connect with Non-Christians?

Posted on May 24, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” – James 4:8 (NKJV).

 In today’s technologically-connected society, networking has never been easier. I would hazard a guess that it began with the computer and then the Internet. However, we could probably trace it back to several earlier inventions like the telegraph and telephone. It really doesn’t matter. However, the proliferation of communication devices now available to us can be overwhelming.

In fact, some of these new means of connecting can actually cause disconnect. Take, for example, email. According to the website, pingdom.com, there were 3.146 billion email accounts worldwide in 2011. Email is great for all kinds of reasons because it creates instant communication anywhere in the world as opposed to snail mail. However, for establishing personal relationships, it leaves much to be desired and miscommunication is always a problem when you can’t see someone’s expression and, once you hit the “send” button, you can’t retrieve it.

Text messaging is another example. It’s a great tool for instant communication. However, miscommunication arises when you send short, snappy answers. Without seeing the other person’s body language, you can misinterpret the meaning.

What gives life meaning? A personal relationship with our Abba Father is the beginning of a meaningful, joy-filled life. He desires an intimate, authentic relationship with each of us. Sitting on a church pew, praying, singing and listening to a sermon every Sunday morning does not automatically translate into a deeper relationship with the One who desires a heart connection with us. While those things are part of our spiritual growth, spending quality time with Him each morning before our day gets hectic is the key to becoming a mature Christian.

Setting aside the first fruits of your day in Bible and devotional reading and journaling your prayers and thoughts to God is one of the best ways I know to grow in your faith. I began prayer journaling over 10 years ago, pouring out my heart to Him on the written page and it has led to a closer walk with Him. Why is it important to have a more intimate relationship with God? In John 15:4, Jesus tells us, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Therefore, if we want to bear fruit and lead others to understand the wonderful grace of God, we must abide in Him. Through an authentic relationship with God, we can have a deeper connection, which will translate into a more caring, natural communication with others.  While non-believers are often alienated by “Christianese,” most can relate to the trials we all face in life. Sharing your personal journey borne through a healing relationship with Christ leads to real connections. However, we must first build a personal relationship with our Abba Father by spending quality time with Him in Bible study and prayer journaling. When you draw close to Him, He will draw closer to you.

(For more information, how-to’s and inspiration about prayer journaling, go to www.journalingwithjesus.com)

Posted in Faith, Journaling, Prayer, Relationships, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment