HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

"Behold, I will do

a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth..."

Isaiah 43:19 KJV

TELL GOD "THANK-YOU"

"Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the things

that they had heard and seen. . ."


Luke 2:20 KJV

CHRISTMAS 2009

"Glory to God

in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill

toward men!"


Luke 2:14 KJV

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.

~ John 10:10 ~

If we've done any Christmas shopping this year, we can readily agree that things are indeed expensive. Even the so-called sale items are creating havoc on our tight budgets.

Many of us have made major cut-backs on gift-giving and have had to make do with what we can afford or possibly create.

Changes to long-held holiday traditions--in whatever form or fashion--creates unbelievable stress. No doubt, holiday shopping can stress even the best of us. And if our priorities aren't aligned properly, we suffer needless stress.

Sure, gift-giving has been a huge tradition throughout Christmases past and present, but the true essence of Christmas centers on JESUS.

When born as a baby on that first Christmas, Jesus brought abundant life to us all . . . including peace that surpasses all understanding.

One can buy, buy, buy with all the money in America, but one cannot buy peace. True peace cannot be bought or borrowed. TRUE PEACE CAN ONLY COME FROM THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

God has given us all the greatest gift of all. . .Jesus. Our abundance for all things at Christmastime and any time thereafter rest securely in the arms of the Prince of Peace.

Peace I leave with you . . .

WHAT WE BELIEVE

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see
the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
~Psalm 27:13~

IT'S BEGINNING to look a lot like Christmas . . .

Could it be that it looks and feels like Christmas because of what we believe?

Each year this time, wherever we are and whatever we are doing-- despite our stresses--we anticipate having a joyous Christmas season. We believe in "Merry Christmas," no matter who says what.

Isn't it awesome how we believe in the tradition of Christmas? Whether it's adoration for the merry season or the Majestic Savior, we harbor a deep-and-abiding belief.

This same fortified faith should dominate stress as well. True stress-survivors realize that what we believe sets the stage for what we'll receive.

Just consider how we conduct our lives and condition our hearts at Christmastime. Imagine dedicating identical energies and efforts to reducing stress.

When oppressed with stress, we can easily loose heart if we don't have a strong belief in a strong Being. When we insist on believing God for His best and refuse to waddle in senseless stress, we maintain that peace and joy in our hearts sought by so many at Christmas.

During the holiday season and all through the year, if we expect our hearts and minds to be filled with "heavenly peace," it's essential to examine what we believe.



Peace I leave with you . . .