My story

(source)

Will you [Did you] wake up on January 1, 2012 and say to God: “I don’t need to read your Word or pray or listen to your voice today. I am competent on my own. I can keep my New Years' resolutions all by myself, thank you very much.”?

Of course not!  We would never dare say these frightfully arrogant words.

But if we neglect God’s Word and prayer, we are saying with our hearts and actions: “I can do it all by myself.”

Jesus has a different perspective: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” He says in John 15:5.

We can’t start a new diet, stick to our budget, or kick that bad habit without Him. None of these things—no matter how hard we work at them—will have any “eternal value or…produce spiritual fruit” without God (ESV Study Bible).

To bear fruit, we must sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his teaching (Luke 10:38-42).

We must renounce our self-sufficiency.

We must repent from our arrogant independence.

We must come to the God of mercy who is eager to forgive.

And we must sit.

When we sit at Jesus’ feet, we are saying: “I need you! I can’t obey you without your help. I can’t serve you in my own strength. I can’t walk in a manner worthy of the gospel by myself. I need your grace.”

And you know what? He will give it! God doesn't correct our self-sufficiency to push us away. He wants us to draw near to sit and listen. He wants to speak to us, to teach us, to give us grace to bear fruit.

So let’s say—with our words, our hearts, and our actions—I need you, Lord, today and every day this year!

Sitting in the New Year

by Carolyn Mahaney 

Good Eats for Christmas

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What's For Dinner?

Crockpot Barbecue Chicken

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I'll let you all know how it tastes! :)

Advent

Do you all have Advent Calendars? Do you do special activities or read special books or selected passages from the Christmas story? We started our Advent tradition this year with an Advent wreath. Each Sunday, starting last Sunday and for the next four Sundays, we will light a candle and read a selected passage from the Christmas story. I want our family to remember the true meaning of Christmas and look forward to Jesus' birthday! I found this excellent resource on the Desiring God website. It is an Advent Guide from the Village Church in Texas. Take a look and use it for yourself and/or your family.

Free Advent Devotional Guide

Happy Turkey Day!

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My Heart is Filled With Thankfulness

Verse 1

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who bore my pain

Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace

And gave me life again

Who crushed my curse of sinfulness

And clothed me with His light

And wrote His law of righteousness

With pow'r upon my heart

Verse 2

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who walks beside

Who floods my weaknesses with strength

And causes fears to fly

Whose every promise is enough

For every step I take

Sustaining me with arms of love

And crowning me with grace

Verse 3

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who reigns above

Whose wisdom is my perfect peace

Whose every thought is love

For every day I have on earth

Is given by the King

So I will give my life my all

To love and follow Him

Copyright © 2006 Thankyou Music

My prayer is that God would give me this heart of thankfulness today and everyday. Whatever He gives me, may I see it as a gift from my loving Heavenly Father.

Made especially for 3 little girls....

Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats - YUM!

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