Why you don't even know what will happen tomorrow!

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Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  James 4:14 NIV 

Happy New Year!

 

I gave myself a two week holiday.  I know it’s not quite up yet, but I couldn’t wait until Monday to wish you a wonderful new year. 

One year ago, I couldn’t have imagined all that 2013 would bring.  It was filled with many surprises, many wonderful events, much happiness as well as some disappointments and sadness. I know many of you have expressed the same thoughts about the year you just left behind. 

In reality, we don’t know what tomorrow holds. 

This unusually cold weather has me checking the almanac and online sources for the extended forecasts. 

What’s the weather going to be like? 

But again, the truth is, we really don’t know what tomorrow will be like. 

It’s all in His hands.

We can refer to sources for the time of sunrises and sunsets, patterns of the moon and tide, seasons and weather for weeks in advance, but we really don’t know what tomorrow holds.  Even with that in mind, I’m already mapping out my big plans for 2014.  

I know…It’s all in accordance to His will.

I’m a firm believer in embracing the moment.  And I look forward to a happy tomorrow. But I think the best approach would be to live today like tomorrow may never come.

The good news is, God’s promises for us are timeless.

Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, to day, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

So, grab hold of His hand, and go with God each step of the way this new year.

I want to ask Him each day what He expects of me and do my best to put my LORD first. 

Blessings to each and every one of you in 2014.  It was my pleasure to spend some of 2013 with you and hope we'll meet here often.

Please come back on Monday when I’ll introduce to you a lovely Christian lady, and author, and tell you about a great FREE promotion coming up with the kindle version of God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea.

Come Quickly Lord Jesus

On the way to Bethelem ~ Google image

Dear Friends and kind supporters of Write Moments with God,

I pray you have a very merry Christmas filled with His peace, joy, and love.  I wish you a blessed new year.  I'm thankful for you.  I can't express how much you mean to me. 

I pray that I have ministered some of His peace and love to you this year through my words and prayers, and that together we have lifted up the name of Christ and drawn closer in our relationships with Him. At this time, I'm thinking a little break would be suitable.  I'll be back on the 5th or 6th of January 2014. 

Today I'm giving you one of my favorite messages.  I wrote it last Christmas so some of you have read it already, but it will be new to many of you.  I hope you enjoy it. 

***

 



I’ve heard it said that we are in God’s waiting room.  At first thought somber images come to mind, but those are quickly displaced by the sweetest memories of waiting in the delivery room.  We’ve all awaited the birth of a baby.  An expectant mother learns best what it means to wait.  She anticipates in trepidation the long awaited event.  Although she may fear the unknown and the pain to be endured, she expects to joyfully welcome the baby into her arms and her heart and her life.  I remember well preparing with tender care for the arrivals of my own six children. I would clean the house, and pack my overnight bag, having prepared a place for the baby, and gently folding and touching every piece of the tiny layette.

Mary waited for the arrival of  her child--the long anticipated, foretold through the ages, arrival of our flesh and blood Savior.  Like every young mother, she watched for signs that the day was approaching.  Every little flutter deep within, as close as her heartbeat, caused her to be still and know that the day was coming.

Advent marks a season when Christians everywhere relive those events which led up to the birth of the Messiah.  Advent is a season of waiting in which we prepare our hearts to receive our Lord.  Every year we celebrate with renewed joy because we know it is eternally relevant to us who live by faith. 

Yes, you might say, we are in God’s waiting room. 

With his humble birth, the Word of God was made flesh, and God lived amongst us.  

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into Heaven, the apostles and believers awaited the promise of the Father, and the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. 

Today we await the final manifestation of His glory for which we pray every day . . . thy kingdom come . . .  the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And it will surely come, just as surely as the child was born, and the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven.

May our hearts be filled with joy this season.  We serve a faithful and living God who always delivers what He promises. He will not disappoint us.  Today let us pray as Mary must have prayed, Oh come quickly Lord Jesus. 

Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he comes shall find watching.  Luke 12:37a (KJV)

Window in The Church of the Most Holy Trinity

Augusta, Georgia

God bless you! 

Thanks to all of you who left your kind comments last week.  They are always appreciated.  I'd like to announce that Janis Cox is the winner of a signed copy of my devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.  It's a perfect devotional to begin with the new year.  Congratulations!  

Merry Christmas!

 

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea Book Give-Away ~ Getting Ready for Christmas

Our manger scene

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

 

One of my friends described the Christmas scene at her house, naming decorations and symbols of Christmas that she has put in place. 

“But this is my favorite Christmas decoration of all,” she wrote about her manger scene. 

A tiny figure of baby Jesus surrounded by figurines of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and magi represent the greatest story ever told.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10-11 (KJV)

We also like to decorate with evergreen  trees and wreaths .  To me, the evergreen represents eternal life.  (John 11:25-26)

And all the beautiful lights, to dispel the darkness, like Jesus does, and as he asks us to do.

Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world:  he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  John 8:12

Indeed, Jesus is the best gift of all, the reason we decorate and celebrate His birth.  I hope these symbols and decorations will bring joy  to you and your family this holiday season and remind you of God’s promises.

 

Now, as promised, I’m giving away another copy of my devotional journal.  I hope you’ll participate.  I love getting this blessed seller into the hands of more readers.

If you would like to win a copy of God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea—it’s easy:

1.       Leave a comment with your email or Facebook page info for me to message you there if your name is selected.  

2.      PLUS, share this blog post on your Facebook page.  I’m going to ask that at least eight people do this in order for the drawing to take place.

3.      If you’ve already read God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, please share your thoughts about the devotional.  You too will be included in the drawing to win a copy perfect for gift giving.

4.      EXTRA CHANCE to qualify, those who are Followers of this blog and comment will get an extra chance, and all new Followers as well.

The WINNER will be announced on Saturday, December 21^st.  Thanks for participating.

IS WEALTH A TEST THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE WEALTHY FAIL? GOD'S Free Gifts are in infinite supply.

Photo ~ Google Image

A video is floating around social media that calls attention to the distribution of wealth in this country and people’s assumptions about it.  (click the words if you want to see the video)

            Provocative, yes; but, I wonder what difference it makes to us believers, or whether it should make a difference.  Depending on the concrete circumstances of our worldly worth, this information might play on our jealousies, or possibly, it could inspire some to acts of compassionate giving.

            I’ve come to think wealth is a test that the majority of the wealthy fail. 

I can’t get around the fact that Jesus’ said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23-24)   

After all, what people do with their money is their business.  If we have above and beyond our needs, we can satisfy our vanity, greed, and lusts if we so desire.  But, frankly, I believe God wants to see what we will do with it to bless others and further His kingdom on earth. 

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  Colossians 3:2

We know that all earthly riches are eternally grounded. (Most of them—silver, gold, precious gems—have to be dug out of the earth.)

Why trouble ourselves about the distribution of it? 

God promises to supply our needs.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

The fact is, if we could have all the riches and all the things money could buy, still the things most precious to us would be the things that money cannot buy--things like

HOPE and LOVE and PEACE

Good relationships with FAMILY and FRIENDS

And the good HEALTH to enjoy it all.

God’s love freely given is in infinite supply.  All the fruits of the Spirit are available in abundance to us who are in Christ Jesus.

Our human hearts can receive these divine treasures daily—these spiritual riches.

Let’s celebrate God’s all sufficient love and grace.  Rejoice in His abundant blessings of salvation in our lives.

Photo courtesy of Fay Lamb

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.  Isaiah 55: 1-2 NIV

~~~~~

Thank you all so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  If you'd like to leave a comment below, I love to hear from you. 

Now, to announce the winner of a free copy of my devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.  (My son had to draw the names from a bowl--I haven't got tech savvy on that one yet.  :-) )

Laura Hodges Poole

 

will be receiving a signed copy this week.  Laura, I pray you enjoy it immensely and I know the Lord will bless you as you draw close to Him. 

I'll be giving away more copies before Christmas, so come back everyone and be sure to leave your comments.

GOD, ME, AND SWEET ICED TEA ~ BOOK GIVEAWAY!

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments
 

Today is the first Monday of the month--the day I feature a Christian author and give away a book. 

I'm taking the liberty of grabbing the spotlight since I want to give away a copy of my devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea:  Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.  I hope you don’t mind.  It's a joy for me to get this devotional into readers hands.

But first, let me say, I unintentionally skipped a week on Write Moments with God because I had so much happening at home—new grandbaby, 3 major dinner gatherings, overnight guests, and a birthday dinner party for my youngest child, Robbie, who just celebrated his 18^th birthday. 

I’m happy to be back with you today. I appreciate you so much, and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones. 

***

Since most of you already know about me and my writing journey, just let me tell you a little about God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea:  Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.  

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is uniquely appropriate for working mothers, but it’s also for anyone who wants to put their Christianity into practice in their everyday moments and go deeper into God’s Word.  I’ve received wonderful testimonies from men as well as couples who are reading God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea and finding it inspirational and helpful in their own spiritual journey.   As Tiffany Colter said, this devotional is simple enough for the newest believer, yet deep enough to make a life-long Christian feel challenged to go higher.  

There are 52 devotions followed by questions for consideration and space to write your thoughts, suggested scriptures for further reading, a prayer, a sweet tea moment (thought for the day), and a prayer focus.  These extra helps allow the reader to go beyond reflection and meditation to make this devotional more meaningful as a personal or small group study. 

Most of the 52 devotions are engaging personal stories which relate everyday life to God’s Word.   You will find many of these devotions  touch your heart and mind in such a way that they stay with you as you go about your day.

Some people have asked: What’s the significance of “sweet iced tea”?  Besides the fact that I am a true fan of sweet iced tea, let me share this summary from the back cover which better explains the concept. 

 

In the South, nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced

tea. Nothing, that is, except experiencing God in those small, everyday

moments. God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is a deeply personal collection

of spiritual treasures designed to help readers experience new mercies

each morning. Seasoned with insight and grace, this tender devotional

points to the divine presence of God in everyday moments. Whether

purchased as a personal resource or given as a heartfelt gift, God, Me,

and Sweet Iced Tea will help readers develop a daily habit of turning to

God in those quiet moments of reflection. 

If you’d like to read excerpts from the devotional, click here to go to Amazon and take advantage of the “Look Inside” feature.

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through your local independent book stores.

Yep!  just like home...sweet iced tea

photo Google image

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  1 John 1:3-4 NKJV 

 

If you would like to win a copy of God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, leave a comment with your email or Facebook page info for me to message you there if your name is selected. 

If you’ve already read God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, that’s great--please share your thoughts about the devotional.  You too will be included in the drawing to win a copy perfect for gift giving.

The winner will be announced here on Write Moments with God on Monday, December 9th.

Thank you for visiting and may God bless you all…

Action Speaks Louder than Words ~ Living with Integrity

Keeping it real ~  this dirt road reminds me of home ~ photo courtesy of Wanda White


 

The other day, I read again the expression "walk the walk and talk the talk" , which is all about living with integrity.  And I thought about how often we don't live up to our ideals.

All too often we talk (preach) one way, and walk (live) something entirely different.

We preach love and live indifference.

We preach mercy and live condemnation.

We preach holiness and live hypocrisy.

We preach grace and live judgment.

So, today, I want to bring you a meditation on this theme.  It's an excerpt from my devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments. 

 

Action Speaks Louder than Words

 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 (NIV) 

Our actions communicate.  Even in subtle ways, our body language reveals our unspoken feelings.  When actions and words don’t jibe, we pick up on that incongruence.  The bottom line is actions trump words. 

 

Leave it to American writer and humorist Mark Twain to quip, “Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often”.  Not only does this adage hold true on a practical level, but also on a spiritual level.

Jesus said, “Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).  These words of our Lord cause me to pause and reflect. 

 

 Lip service does not impress God.  Our actions reveal our love for Him.  

 

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:21).  He takes it personally when we show kindness and love to our neighbor.  He wants us to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, take care of the sick and destitute (see James 2:15-16).  Three times, Jesus asked Simon Peter how much he loved Him.  When Simon Peter answered Him each time, Jesus responded with an imperative: “Feed my lambs, Feed my sheep” (Mt. 25:35-36).  Jesus expects love to result in action. 

John said, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV).  Let’s not be guilty, as Mark Twain pointed out, of speaking so much more than doing.

 

The grandkids bringing birthday cake

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  It means so much to me that you would take time to read this. 

Just a brief note to let you know that my devotional ~ God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea ~ is on sale right now at the lowest prices ever on Amazon, in paperback and kindle version.  If you don't order online, ask your local Barnes and Noble or Christian bookstore to order it for you.  You'll be blessed.

GIANTS and How to Slay Them ~ plus winner of book giveaway

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques ~ Collage of Life

 



 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you hast defied.  This day will the LORD deliver you into mine hand.  1 Samuel 17:45-46a

 

After my devotional time the other day, I praised God for the beautiful day.  As I sipped my coffee, I enjoyed the view from my window -- golden leaves fluttered on the dogwood tree with the morning sun sparkling through.  I smiled. I felt peaceful.

All was right in my world. 

The first thing on my to-do list was to choose my insurance plan for 2014 during its annual open enrollment.  I sat down at the computer by the window expecting to be done within fifteen minutes.  I signed into the website.  To my dismay, when I got to the screen where I’d make a selection, the screen was grayed out, and NO Coverage was already selected for me.  I couldn’t move forward or backwards.  I had to resort to the 1-800 number. 

So, with that I began a series of back-to-back calls to my insurance provider until I finally got a place in line, and held for a little over an HOUR before I could talk to a live representative.  During the 2 ½ hour process (at the end of which all was resolved) I had time to analyze what was happening in body as a result of that predicament.

My lovely happy view out the window was the same.  The leaves swayed in the dogwood tree, and squirrels played on its branches, as I held the phone to my ear and glanced back and forth at the computer screen.  Earlier I was all smiles.  Now unpleasant changes were taking place in my body as a result of this unexpected inconvenience.

My heart rate rose.

Tension across my forehead warned that my blood pressure was rising.

My shoulder began to ache; my neck got stiff.

I was afraid.

All because of an unexpected “glitch” which resulted in insurance complications.

I had to stop myself and note, HEY, everything is still right with my world!

 

This was just another giant.  (Okay, maybe I made a mountain out of a mole hill.)  But, it seemed like a giant, and we have to face these GIANTS daily in some shape or form…but, still, the things that mattered most had not changed. 

I want to be like David. Just think of that little shepherd boy who faced a real GIANT.

He had confidence in God’s presence, God’s protection, and God’s provision.

If we focus on the negative—the problem, the opposition, the pain, the loss, the sickness, the sorrow, the FEAR…

It will GROW in proportion to the attention we give it, and DOMINATE our mind, and TORMENT our physical body with the weight of that burden we take on.

That’s why we have to FOCUS on God—His presence, His protection, His provision.

To maintain that godly perspective that assures us

All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26b)

and we can walk on water (Matthew 14:29) and move mountains (Matthew 21:21) and slay all our giants without breaking a sweat. 

That’s when all’s right with my world.

 

Photo courtesy of Marissa Nicole Photography

 

 

Many thanks to all of you for visiting Write Moments with God.  I appreciate you.  Thanks also to all of you who visited last week and met Elaine Marie Cooper.  We love reading your thoughtful comments. 

 

And now to announce the winner of Elaine's new release ~ Fields of the Fatherless.  Veronica Leigh will be receiving her own signed copy.  Congratulations Veronica! 

 

Remember the first Monday of every month, we give away a book.  Blessings!