Merry Christmas!

We Walk in the Light!

My daughter communicated to me sometime in September that she was going to tell her six year old daughter that there is no such thing as Santa Claus. I thought, “Let her be a child; then I said (knowing Santa is not symbolic of Christmas), “If that’s what you feel in your heart, do it! It’s your house and your daughter”.

Dylan and her little brother!

Well she told her that day and the conversation went like this:

Tara (My daughter): Dylan, Mommy wants to tell you something!

Dylan (My Granddaughter): What Mommy?

Tara: I want to tell you that there is no such thing as Santa Clause. Mommy and Daddy buy your toys, wrap them up and put them under the tree

Dylan: Oh, so you and Daddy are magic huh?

Tara: (chuckles)! No, we are not magic Dylan; we work to pay for the gifts you receive.

Dylan: I don’t believe you, because Santa goes to all of the kid’s houses and leaves gifts for everyone!

Tara: Well Dylan, there is no Santa Clause and one day you will understand that the parents buy the toys the children receive!

October, November and we are finally in December and six days ago, while driving my daughter to work in her car so I could run errands; I ask her what prompted her to tell Dylan there was no Santa Clause. She responded, “Mom, I heard in my heart God say, “What about the children who wake up with nothing at all and go to school telling the other kids, I didn’t get anything! Dylan will know that Santa doesn’t go to all houses! Besides I want her to know why we truly celebrate Christmas.

I added, “That is true, because your Father was one of those kids who received nothing every Christmas”!

I was raised believing in Santa Clause and did not know, as a Christian, we are to celebrate Jesus’ birth only! I am very proud of my daughter; whereas, she is not allowing the world to dictate or compromise her belief in Jesus Christ and why He was born. Are you teaching your children the “true” meaning of Christmas?

We should anticipate Christmas with joy in our hearts!  Advent is one way to give you that feeling of joy instead of dread of the arrival of our Christmas season. Which is what Advent means - birth or arrival. It was established by Martin Luther (A Protestant Reformer). Advent Sunday begins with placing four candles in an Advent wreath [the four candles can be either purple or blue] with a white candle in the middle. The first Sunday and candle represents expectation, the second Sunday hope, the third Sunday joy and the fourth Sunday (which can be pink or lavender) represents purity. The white candle is lit, depending on the church, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day that represents Jesus; who is the “Light” of the world!

As a Christian, how can you be a light in the world? You might be a perfect match for someone needing a kidney, or a neighbor’s son has no way home from college; whereas, the Mother is strapped financially. You catch wind of her dilemma; and without her knowing, fund the transportion to bring her son home from college for Christmas ~ and the transportation back!

Yes we are to celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors to commemorate Christmas, but it will bring more joy in your heart knowing someone’s life is better from your giving! And because Jesus first loved you!

For the yoke of [Israel’s] burden, and the staff or rod for [goading] their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, You have broken as in the day of [Gideon with] Midian.

⁵ For every [tramping] warrior’s war boots and all his armor in the battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

⁶ For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

⁷ Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:4-7 AMPC) 

Sucker Punched!

In our world today we are separated and divided by Black and White. We all have our own stereotype of what it is to be African-American and what it is to be Caucasian. Society has portrayed being African American as a race afllicted with poverty, anger, deceit and ignorance. Whether the accusations are true or false, the news media focuses on people of African descent to keep the weak in mind and spirit believing its true – including African Americans!

I do not own the rights to this photo 

The past is not uncovered to keep you in bondage; but to keep you humble and rely on Jesus! If you read your bible faithfully, you have read the story of God telling Abram that his people will be slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. (Genesis 15:13) After their captivity, they were let go to possess the land promised to them. Although the journey to the Promised Land was eleven days, it took them forty years to arrive. (Deuteronomy 1:1-11) Why? There vision and God's vision did not coincide with each other! God knew they were victorious, but in their mind they saw defeat - and their actions showed it!

Oppression of how black slaves were treated is painful to read about, but with the right heart, spirit, and mindset it can be a stepping stone for the next generation to allow God and His Glory to be beacons of light to direct lost ships to their destiny. You ask what does that look like. It has many faces and paths; but it begins with chipping away the hurt, anger, resentment and hate!

The first step will be to forgive [which is healing] and transform the mess into a message. Such as: You were exposed to gardening from generations past. They possessed the skill from being in bondage, but never used it to their advantage once freed. You decided that you want to utilize your passion and gift to open your own floral shop. You do not have the start up money to purchase the necessary resources and property needed; so you start it out of your home. Over the years, it flourishes and you are able to move from your home into a more efficient place to grow. By the grace of God, it becomes the most widely used floral shop in your city. Now what?

Look for ways to give back and there are many paths, but one idea might go like this:

You freely give classes once a week to educate anyone interested in becoming a florist of the labor, the cost, and the passion needed to plant beautiful gardens and vegetables that could prosper as your business has; whereas, a student may use this opportunity to acquire the skill and open a landscaping company. In addition, you offer through your local church [with your students], to neighborhoods that are lacking in curb appeal free labor and supplies; utilizing student talents and your resources (Marketing your business as well). That’s how you build rewards in Heaven! It also keeps our youth and adults who are stagnant from evil temptations.

Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.

²⁸ An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

²⁹ Wickedness loves company—and leads others into sin. (Proverbs 16:27-29 TLB)

I didn't say it was going to be easy. You will be criticized, lied on, condemned and others will  be jealous (Persecution). Remember to stay in prayer! What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] (Romans 8:31 AMPC) And don't give up or give in!

²⁵ And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?

²⁶ Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?

²⁷ And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

²⁸ And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].

²⁹ And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

³⁰ Jesus, taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened.

³¹ Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

³² A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].

³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],

³⁴ And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

³⁵ And the next day he took out two denarii [two day’s wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return.

³⁶ Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?

³⁷ He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. (Luke 10:25-37 AMPC)

We can step over the wounded just like the priest and the Levite as if no one is lying there half dead. Every day we see people half dead in their thinking and living that need the right attention. Be like the Good Samaritan and show pity and mercy for your neighbor!

I do not own the rights to this photo 

There are churches on every corner in every city, whether you are located near a neighborhood poverty stricken, or [by human standards] one that is rich. Do not step over anyone as if you did not notice the affliction in them – God is “Love” and if we are true Christians, Jesus is in us and we are in Him; therefore, we have the power He has to transform mountains into plains! We are always at war with Satan, so run quickly to the battlefield with all of God’s armor to “VICTORY”!

Weather Alert!

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a costly process where the egg is fertilized by the sperm in a glass (outside the body). Some of you may know someone who has or are currently attempting the process.  

When we want something so bad, we become weary in the wait process and can hinder God's best! Doing it in our own accord or fleshy ways will complicate matters more than they solve them. Yes, there are couples who have successfully conceived by IVF, but more have not! 

Refinancing your home, accumulating medical bills from multiple surgeries, and purchasing tools to monitor ovulation, body temperature, hormone treatments, etc. with hopes of conceiving will rock the boat. Add in self loathing and degradation and it tips over!

My hair stylist of approximately 7 years is pursuing this route; although her and her husband have attempted pregnancy the natural way for more than five years. As you already know, it hasn't happened yet and many friends are creating fund raisers to assist with the cost. 

The last time I saw her, the frustration and questions of "why" had escalated! Even though she has health issues that could complicate the pregnancy, none of us knows "why" God has not allowed her to conceive yet. 

I do know that when we are working, Jesus is resting; and when we are resting (enjoying life; like focusing on our health); Jesus is at work – turning the boat "right" side up!

On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him. And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him? (Mark 4:35-41 AMPC)