Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks… and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, What’s your name?”
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name. He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are
on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says “You better not cry”
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”
Santa’s little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

shared by my friend Denise ~ Author Unknown

"This Is Your LIFE..."

I haven't done so well lately, but I try to get to the gym M, W, F mornings. I check the girls in and head up stairs to plug away at some type of cardio and some weights- I've got my hot pink i-pod and it is jam packed with over a thousand songs- it's funny, lately I stick to the handful I have purchased from i-tunes.

One of my favorites that always makes the cut is "This is your life" by Switchfoot. I like the music, I like the lyrics- makes me think, stirs me to do and be better. It's one of my theme songs- but, for me it goes deeper. It's not only about me (even on Thursdays)- I believe I am here for a bigger purpose than myself... I remember the scriptures of Psalms 139:13-16. God has a plan and purpose for my life.

"This is your life, are you who you want to be?"- even deeper- "This is my life, am I who God called me to be?" I want to LIVE the legacy I aspire to leave. (another favorite song- Nichole Nordeman- Legacy)

I have many roles I take seriously; I am a woman, wife, mother and keeper of my home. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, friend... I want to be the best and all that I am called to be in each.

I did a study last year that really helped me clarify, answer some of my questions, get connected, centered again and helped me move ahead. Sometimes we lose sight of the bigger picture in the midst of our daily "stuff". It was a personal study that asked me a million questions and in the end revealed my personality type, gifting, love language, strengths- weaknesses.. and on and on. I believe knowledge is power. I have been able to save myself a lot of grief by knowing these things. It helps me be intentional about the "projects" I take on and the direction we are taking our family.

It's a daily prayer- God, you have a plan and purpose for me- show me, help me. I want to be intentional about how I live, not just react to what is on my plate for the day. Help me see your big picture for me, my life, my family.

My mission for this year: Be intentional with a teachable heart. Reflect Gods love, hope and peace to my family and those who know me.

Back to the gym for another personal revelation- even if I spend every morning in the gym -if I do not eat right- I will not get the results I am looking for- I will not see the fruit of my hard, sweaty workout. Note to self: stay away from Paradise Bakery cookies!!!

Spiritual picture- practice what you preach. A healthy tree bears good fruit (Matthew 7:12-20) As a christian and believer, I live for someone other than myself... prove it. Am I showing it daily- Oh God, please help me...

"Legacy"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi4nSrhRxo
"This is your life" http://www.last.fm/music/Switchfoot/+videos/+1-ESDosGlpvi0

My Toothless Wonder

If we are close- you have probably heard me talk about how Lauren amazes me. It starts with her sweet, sensitive, loving heart - she has a concern for people, their feelings, health, needs... and she loves Jesus and wants to make sure everybody knows about him. Both, often pull me from my quiet, safe comfort zone. She's a deep, thorough thinker like her Daddy and tends to push limits, question, and voice her concerns. Her free side is creative, artsy- and loves to perform on her private stage(bed) in her room. She has creative ideas, a strong sense of right and wrong and BIG emotions to wrap it all up.

That said, I am usually either on my toes or my knees :)

I feel like I have a good handle on knowing my girls- their personalities, love languages, strengths, struggles. And this summer I wanted to be intentional about learning their heart- "where is she coming from- when she does/ says this" I also wanted to work on our life skills- aka character qualities of Christ... using self-control, forgiving, loving, team players, being respectful, truthful- it's an ongoing lesson- for me too. As Mommy, I am called to be a daily example of Gods love, grace and mercy to them- I am still learning!! The lessons & reflection has been insightful and encouraging in my own life.

I started this post with this thought in mind- Lauren amazes and inspires me at how she faces her day. I drop her off at the curb inside her school parking lot- she says "bye mom", flashes me our "I love you" sign and tilts her head with a smile and walks into school. Normal- for you maybe- but not for me. As a kid, I rarly felt prepared for what was ahead- Now, I sometimes feel the same- but I am reminded and assured in God- his grace is sufficient and his mercy is new every morning. 2 Corinthians 12:9, Lamentations 3:22-23

...and as Lauren would say (in her favor, at the most opportune times) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13