The Impact of Compromise...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul.

If you take the time to post on my blog in February, you may win a $10.00 gift card to either Caribou or Target (your choice). So drop me a note and say hi!

Years ago I was involved in Beth Moore's wonderful "Believing God" Bible study at my church. She encouraged each of us to wear a blue bracelet which signified our commitment to "up our level of sanctification."

We all have areas of subtle compromise or sluggishness, and the challenge was for us to step it up in our commitment to holiness.

Though we know that only God by His Holy Spirit can affect real change in our lives, we are the ones who who take the first steps in either flirting with compromise or walking away from it.

So what about you?

Can you think of an area of your life where you have let down your guard or simply blended with a godless people?

During one of our family meetings when our sons were young, we all stood in a circle, holding hands. I looked each of them in the eyes and said, "You are so important to this family. You are a gatekeeper. Whatever you allow in your life, you allow in ours. Your decisions will always impact more than just you. God has made you that important."

God has been speaking to me lately about that truth in my own life.

Because of the authority God has given my husband and me in our home, our choices carry even more weight than our sons' choices.

With all my heart I believe that where I compromise, I open the door for my sons to struggle even more so.

I'm that important.

And so are you.

This morning I was reading about Lot and Abraham.

Two men.

Both with a knowledge of God and an awareness of right and wrong.

One blended with a godless people, the other interceded for them.

My commentary wrote this about Lot:

(Because of Abraham's intercession...)

"The angels insisted that Lot and his family leave the city. But when he tried to persuade his sons-in-law, they thought he was joking. His backslidden life nullified his testimony when crisis came...We know from 2 Peter 2:7,8 that Lot was a just man, but because of his worldliness, he lost his testimony..." (Believer's Bible Commentary, p. 57).

Now here we see the incredible impact of Lot's decision to compromise:

"Leaving Zoar, Lot fled to a mountain cave. There his daughters made him drunk and enticed him to commit incest with them...Thus began the Moabites and Ammonites, who became recurring thorns in Israel's side. It was the Moabite women who later seduced the men of Israel to commit immorality (Numbers 25:1-3) and Ammonites who taught Israel the worship of Molech, including the sacrifice of children." (p.57)

When most people think of Sodom, they think of sexual perversion, of which there was an abundance. But in Ezekiel 16:49 it says this:

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

What a sobering word for us!

We live in a blessed and abundantly wealthy country and as a result, we mistakenly think that life is good because we are good. While many die of starvation every day, we struggle with eating, drinking, and buying too much. And though we are aware of the needs around us, we often think mostly of ourselves.

You've heard it said that whatever issues you have as a single person will only be amplified once you're married.

I submit that in whatever ways we compromise, so will our sons and daughters, and even more so.

Not to say that they cannot make the choice to repent for the sinful tendencies we've handed down to them. They can do that, and God will redeem the low areas in their character, but do we really want to leave them that kind of legacy?

If you have a tendency to gossip and judge, I can almost guarantee your kids will follow suit.

If you tend to be the one to grab the best seat, your kids probably do the same thing.

If you tend to cut corners and tell partial truths, turn around and watch, because your kids are learning from you.

May we understand and embrace the impact of our choices today and everyday!

Take an inventory today and ask God to show you what in your life has to go, so you can lay hold of more of Him.

Have a blessed and fruit-filled week!

The Road Narrows...

Hello, Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday, and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

Before I get into my topic, I want to mention that next week I will be giving away a $10.00 Caribou gift card to one of you who posted on my blog in January. Like coffee, smoothies, green tea? Post a note and share what God is doing in your life! Your name might be drawn for a sweet treat!

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend and we enjoyed a candid conversation about the church, our lives, and the world in which we live.

"This is a different day than we've ever known" my friend said. "If we want to make it, we can't pretend; we have to talk about stuff. There are too many temptations to pretend that they don't exist, and there's too much at stake to just pretend everything is okay."

She's right, you know.

If you've heard me speak or read some of what I've written, you've no doubt heard the analogy I've repeatedly shared with my sons:

The Christian life is like a winding, country road - with deep ditches on each side. One ditch represents your rebellion, the other, your response to someone else's rebellion. Satan could care less which ditch he gets you into, he just wants you off the road.

Last night as I tossed and turned and battled sleeplessness, I found myself thinking again about that analogy.

Many today are painfully pretending to be something they are not. In public, they look like the stereotypical Christian, but behind the scenes they are embroiled deep in addictive behavior.

Other Christians are squeaky clean on the outside, but their hearts are hard with pride because they love to look down on those who struggle with such blatant sins.

As I pondered my analogy, I pictured more and more of the road giving way, creating cavernous ditches on both sides, and leaving a very narrow road on which to walk.

As the love of most grows cold, the ditches will widen and the road will narrow.

Daily we'll be faced with the choice:

Do I forgive or do I pick up an offense?

Do I love or do I hate?

Do I offer grace, or do I hold a grudge?

Do I believe the best, or do I assign a motive?

Do I chase after a pure heart, or do accumulate unloving assessments towards others?

Will I reach down and rescue someone from the fire or will I straighten up and with my hands on my hips declare, "Thank God I'm not like them!"?

If we are committed to this walk of faith, we are committing ourselves to love and forgiveness, obedience and mercy.

Did you ever play King-of-the-hill when you were young?

Well imagine this: you're on the narrow road, and your faced with the various temptations that seek to pull you down (the temptation to drink too much and or the temptation to judge the one who does). Now picture those temptations as the neighborhood bully who is trying to join the game just so he can send you flying off of the hill (or the road in this case).

Every time you're tempted to rebel - one way or the other - take that thing and fling it into the ditch. Refuse rebellion; it's not cute and it's not funny. But refuse pride too; it's an insidious sin.

Keep your heart pure and guard it for everything you're worth.

Cherish your oneness with God as your highest and most precious treasure.

As the days grow more evil, the road grows more narrow.

You may feel like you're walking alone at times, but you never are.

Greater are those who are for you and with you, than those who are against you.

Finish the race with grace and strength.

God is on your side.

Blessings to you this week~

FAREWELL 2007!

Dear Readers:
WELCOME! May I be the first to wish you Happy New Year! Susie Larson is spending
time with her family today, but will return tomorrow! I know you
will miss her inspiring words, but I'm honored and delighted to be
with you today! if this is your first visit make sure you come back
tomorrow for Susie Larson, 'BLOGGER EXTRAORDINNAIRE!!! Be sure to scroll down for end of the year inspiration, suggestions for keeping New Year's Resolutions and yummy recipes for a traditioal New Year's Day Dinner!

What I love most about the
New Year is that we have a fresh new start . . . . a clean slate. A chance to change
our ways, overcome bad habits, and start anew at page one!
"Behold! Old
things are passed away." Revelation 21:5
"Therefore, if any man in Christ, he is a new creature." II Corinthians 5: 17

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Susan Wales
Guest Blogger
Author of THE CHASE, THE REPLACEMENT and THE CANDIDATE (BAKER/FLEMING REVELL PUBLISHERS, A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN I & II with Ann Platz (Multnomah)
A CHRISTMAS KEEPSAKE AND KEEPSAKE FOR A MOTHER'S HEART with Alice Gray, Thomas Nelson, Publisher
COMING SOON IN 2008 - GRANDMOTHER  . . . ANOTHER NAME FOR LOVE! Howard/Simon Schuster Publishers
And other books available at amazon.com

.

My Favorite Diet to start the New Year

This is a specially formulated diet designed to help WOMEN cope with the stress that
builds during the day. I have found that this really works!!

BREAKFAST
* 1 Grapefruit
* 1 slice whole-wheat toast
* 1 cup skim milk

LUNCH
* 1 small portion lean, steamed chicken with a cup
of spinach
* 1 cup herbal tea
* 1/2 box Twinkies

AFTERNOON TEA
* The rest of the Twinkies in the box
* 1/2 gallon of ice cream with chocolate topping

DINNER

* 4
bottles of wine (red or white)
* 2 loaves garlic bread
* 1 extra large Dominos pizza
* 3 Snickers bars

LATE NIGHT SNACK
* 1 whole cheesecake and a pint of Ben and Jerry's New York Superfudge crunch (eaten directly from the freezer)

FINALLY REMEMBER:

• "Stressed" spelled backwards is desserts"

My kind of diet, ladies! Isn't the new year a time of introspection for us all? I'll start this diet today, how about you? I spoke with my friend Betty today,  who said she could hardly wait for 2007 to come to an end. "This has been a terrible year! I need a fresh new start in 2008!" She groaned. Are you glad too glad 2007 is coming to a close? Or was it such a great year that you are wishing it never end?

The words of Charles Dickens best describe my year . . . 'it was the best of times and the worst of times!' I'm guessing these words probably describe your year too! Jesus says, "the rain will come into our lives."

The Best of Times - My granddaughter Hailey lost her first tooth and learned to read. In good health, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and their 80th and 90th birthdays, as well! After seven years in development, my husband Ken's film, AMAZING GRACE, came to the big screen. If you haven't seen it, you must! It will inspire you to change the world. We often say, "but I'm just one person. I can't make a difference in the world, but Amazing Grace, the true story of William Wilberforce, will show you that God will bring all the people you need to do the task he has called you to do . . . his wonders to perform! While at the London premier of Ken's movie, I enjoyed a reunion with my maternal grandfather's family. It was the first time in 200 years the American branch was reunited with the family members who stayed behind in England. My great-great grandfather left England to pursue religious freedom. Not until I visited the cousins did I realize the magnitude of the sacrifices my great-great grandfather made to worship in the way he had chosen. Was I ever surprised to learn he left a castle behind? I was profoundly touched by his sacrifice.

The Worst of Times - I lost two friends to unexpected deaths this year. I lost another friend over a misunderstanding. After several attempts at reconciliation and lots of prayer, I had to walk away from the friendship. It hurt. It was painful. It's still difficult to talk about. Another close friend is fighting a heroic battle with cancer. I can't bear to lose her. I long to nail down the pages on the 2007 calendar for I know her days are numbered in 2008 - - - without a miracle. But the pages of the calendar keep on turning and the clock keeps ticking.Life goes on with all its twists and turns carrying us on the journey even when we are unwilling to go. As Christians there is a place of quiet rest for us . . . just as the hymn says . . . near to the heart of God.

As we reflect on the new year we are reminded of the second chances God gives us day after day, year after year. As you read these words, is your life a tangled mess? Maybe you have a prodigal child or perhaps you've received a frightening medical diagnosis. Or did your husband walk out on you or your boyfriend broke up with you? Is a loved one dying? Maybe your bank account is empty and you're not sure how you'll pay your bills? Well, I am here to tell you there is hope in Jesus Christ! Not only does he have the answers but he has the solution to whatever problem you are facing. Maybe not the one you want, but whatever has befallen you he has promised to never leave us! 'Seek and you will find.' Matthew 7:7

And if you don't know him, what better way to begin the New Year  . . . 2008 than asking Jesus into your heart. Confess your sins and ask forgiveness. Start 2008 with a clean slate!

A relationship with Jesus won't magically make all your problems disappear. But for now,  "his grace is sufficient for our problems." No matter what valley you walk through, he promises to be there with you. And then there is a day that is coming where they will be no more valley's or pain or suffering.I can think of no Scripture more appropriate for the New Year than to meditate on Revelation 21:21-5

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be
no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more,
for the former things have passed away." And he who sat upon the throne
said, "Behold I make all things new." ---Revelation 21:5

Amen!

Now it wouldn't  be the New Year without resolutions. Below are the 10 most popular resolutions in no particular order. I have also offered a few suggestions on how to keep those resolutions.

TOP 10 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS!

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

HOW?
SCHEDULE A DATE
Spouses - Date night once per week.
Friends - Meet for dinner once per month.
Children - Game night, outing or family night once per week.
Parents - Plan a dinner once or twice or month.
Long Distance Family and Friends - Schedule a phone call or get a camera for your computer and visit in Cyperspace. I have a friend who schedules a call with her mother and they both have a cup of tea while chatting with one another across the miles.

2. Get physically fit.



HOW?
Walk - Form a walking group with other busy moms. Meet and walk for and hour. You can talk while you walk.
Prayer Walk - Combine your prayer time with walking.
If your budget allows, buy a treadmill and exercise any time of day or night when you find the time!

Join a gym

Find an exercise buddy.
Romance & Fitness - You and your lover can exercise together. Take a walk. Do stretches together or go to the gym together.
If your budget allows, hire a personal trainer.

3. Lose Weight!

HOW?
Choose from an array of diets and just do it.
Get a dieting buddy.
Make
a bet with a buddy or spouse. Makes the stakes high.Tickets to sporting events, concerts, a day at the spa, a trip or smaller size clothes are good choices.
The winner who loses the most pounds gets the prize!
See a doctor before going on your diet.
If your budget allows, join a weight loss center.
Cut your portions in half.
Cut sugar out of your diet.

4. Quit Smoking

HOW?
You gotta do it!
Nicotine gum
Psychologist
Cut down!
Pray!
Save cigarette money and buy yourself a reward.
Find a support group.

5. GET CLOSER TO GOD

HOW?
Read the Bible
Join a Bible study
Go to church
Read books
Pray
Join a support group or Sunday School class
Spend time with Christian friends

6. Quit Drinking

HOW
Go
to AA if you have a problem!
If you don't have a problem and just want
to quit, cut down gradually. Allow yourself one beer or drink per day
and then cut down to 2-3 times a week.
Some friends only drink on
the weekends.
Get professional help.
if you've really got a problem, go into a treatment center.

7. Get Out of Debt

Formulate a plan to pay off credit cards.
Apply for lower interest credit cards.
Get a loan to consolidate your debts - home equity loans are an option for this.
Negotiate with creditors.
Tithe 10% of your income.
Save 10% of your income.
If all else fails, make an appointment to see a credit counselor!

8. Learn Something New

HOW?
Take a new job.
Finish up your college degree
Learn a new language
Take art, singing, or cooking lessons
Learn to play tennis, golf or another sport - this will help with fitness and weight too!

9. Help Others

HOW?
Find Volunteer opportunities in your area.
Find a family in your neighborhood who needs help.
Do something special for a needy or hurting child.
Donate clothes and household items to charities.
Donate a portion of your income to charity.

10. Get Organized

HOW?
Organize!
Everyone would like to be better organized.
Find organizational tips online.
Read books on organization. Check them out of library or purchase books.
Hire a professional organizer.
Stop procastinating!


RECIPES FOR A TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR'S DAY DINNER



In the South if you want to be healthy, wealthy, and wise you must eat the following on New Year's Day:

Scroll down for recipes:

GREENS
- Symbolizes green bills and health. If you don't eat your greens you
won't make much money in 2008 so you'd better believe I'm going to eat
greens! You will also have good health. My family's favorite greens are
collards. The hardest part of cooking them is cleaning them. Was I ever
happy to find a bag of collards, washed, cleaned and packaged like the
bags of lettuce in the supermarket a few years ago! It saves at least
an hour of preparation!

BLACK-EYED PEAS - Symbolizes wisdom. Eat plenty of peas if you want plenty of brain power!

PORK
- A symbol of prosperity. Those who could afford hogs to slaughter for
food, were considered prosperous. Eat pork if you want to be prosperous
in 2008!

CORNBREAD -  Prosperity! 

SUSAN'S PORK TENDERLOIN

INGREDIENTS:
2 pork tenderloins, about 1 pound each
2 large cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
dash ground cloves
salt and pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 - 16 ounce cans whole cranberries
12 ounce can mandarin oranges with syrup
1/2 cup sugar
juice and zest from 1 orange

Preheat oven to 425°. Lightly oil a roasting pan.

Mince garlic and blend with spices, herbs, salt and pepper; mix with 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Rub spice mixture over the pork tenderloins. Roast until pork registers about 155° on a meat thermometer.

While
pork is roasting, combine the cranberries, mandarin orange slices and
syrup, sugar, orange juice and zest in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until cranberry
mixture has thickened.

Cover pork tenderloins with 1/2 of the
cranberry mixture and roast meat 10 additional minutes.  Remove pork
from oven and let cool for five minutes before slicing. While pork
cools, heat remaining cranberry mixture to accompany sliced pork. Place
sliced pork on a platter and garnish with sprigs of rosemary.

Serves 4-6

FAMILY RECIPE FORCOLLARD GREENS

4 Bags Collard greens
2 ham hocks
Water
Salt and pepper to taste

CONDIMENTS TO SERVE WITH COLLARDS
Pepper Sauce
Tomato Chow Chow
Vinegar
Onion Relish

Wash greens thoroughly.

Place
ham hocks in an extra-large pot with enough water to completely cover
them. Add salt and cook ham hocks at least 30 minutes before adding
collards greens. Add collards greens. Cook for 45 minutes, stirring
occasionally and test for tenderness by piercing with a fork. Continue
to cook until greens are tender.

Remove from heat and drain in a
colander, reserving the juice (potlikker). Chop collards a knife. Add
some of the potlikker if the greens are too dry. Salt and pepper to
taste. Serve hot or at room temperature with choice of condiment.
 

The secret to Southern Cornbread is in the cast iron skillet. If you
don't have one, a baking pan or dish will suffice, but the crust won't
be as crispy!

Southern Cornbread

• 2 cups yellow self-rising cornmeal
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 2 Tablespoons cooking oil or bacon grease
  
• 1 ½ cup milk or buttermilk
• 3 Tablespoons butter or margarine

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place 3 Tablespoons butter or margarine in the pan and place in the oven to melt.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add the cooking oil and milk, mixing well.

Measure cornmeal and add to the mixing bowl and stir until cornmeal
lumps are mixed into batter. Don't stir too much, or the bread will be
tough.

Once the butter is
melted, take the pan out of the oven and swirl the pan until it covers surface evenly.

Spoon the Southern Cornbread batter into the pan or baking dish. Some
of the butter will come up over the edges and make a ring.

Slide the pan back in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

I use the 10-inch cast iron skillet for this recipe, but if you're using a
bigger skillet, you'll want to cook for a shorter
time as the bread is not as thick.

This recipe is also good for muffins or for bread-sticks.

OPTIONAL: Add diced onions to the batter for tastier cornbread.

FOR MEXICAN cornbread, add an 6-8 oz. can of corn and  a cup of grated cheese.

Bon Appetit!

May God bless you abundantly in 2008!

Protect Your Treasure

Greetings, Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

Lately I've been studying the different parables in the Gospels. I've so enjoyed taking my time, walking through the history, and understanding the context of Jesus' teaching.

Something struck me the other day and I can't wait to share it with you.

Do you remember the old fable, Jack and the Beanstalk?

Jack and his mother were destitute and yet Jack "irresponsibly" traded their last material possession for the seed that would someday save them.

In one of the parables, Jesus taught how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of seeds, it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so the birds of the air can come and perch in its branches.

In her study, "Secrets Jesus Shared," Jennifer Kennedy Dean wrote this: "The leaves of the mustard shrub were believed to help everything from stomachache to toothache. The mustard plant, once planted, was nearly impossible to eradicate."

To the world, it seems foolish to sell out and base all our hopes on the promises and the love of God. But to the Believer, we believe because we know we are receiving more than we could ever provide for ourselves.

The Kingdom of Heaven comes to us in seed form and we lay hold of it by belief.

When we first come to Jesus, and we receive His seed planted in us, we have no idea what a treasure we've received.

Some come to Jesus because they want to know for certain that they're going to heaven.

Others come to Him because they are sick and tired of the heavy load and want to enjoy a measure of peace.

We all come because we have a need, but none of us can truly comprehend that to which we've been given access.

We receive the seed, when we receive Jesus as our Savior. And as we grow and live and walk in Christ, we comprehend more and more what it means to belong to Him.

What first came to us in seed form will be the very thing that will heal us, restore us, revive us, and nourish us. As God's Kingdom increases and spreads its roots in every area of our lives, we are strengthened and prepared for our marvelous calling.

That little seed will grow all of these things in us - that is - provided we cultivate an environment for growth.

Jesus offers another parable of the various seeds that fall on different types of soil. All but one kind of soil thwarted the destiny of the planted seed.

Due to the weeds of worries and stresses and the endless pursuit of wealth, the healthy seed can be choked and its life cut short.

If we really believe that the life of God planted in us has the power to save, restore, refresh, forgive, and establish us, we will protect God's incredible investment in us.

Just as a pregnant woman makes daily choices with her baby in mind to give it the best possible chance at life, we too must make daily choices to protect what God has deposited in us, for if we do, it will produce such life in us that we will not be moved!

Jesus was planted in the womb of a young teenage girl. He grew to be a young man that forever changed history. He'll come back again as the Lion of Judah, in command of legions of angels and heavenly hosts. Oh, the treasure that was planted in the womb of sweet Mary!

And oh, the treasure of God that was planted in you!

Let other things go, but don't lose sight of the promises God has planted in your soul.

Guard the treasure, for in due time, you will reap beyond your wildest dreams.

A Special Note:

Dear Friends,

I will be taking the next several weeks off from posting on my blog but guess what??? You are in for a real treat! I've arranged to have a number of my author friends post in my place. Some of them are bestselling authors; all are amazing women.

Treat yourself to a wonderful surprise and stop by each week to see what they have to say.

Bless them by leaving a nice comment.

I love and appreciate you all so very much.

Peace and Joy to you this season~

Growing in Gratitude...

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!

Susie Larson here...

I pray this note finds you well.

To those visiting I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my goal is to bless and nourish your soul along the way.

I love this holiday season. For me, it's a time of reflection and remembrance. For many years our lives were marked by crisis and deep character cleansing.

But God has and is restoring every lost thing.

One day, many years ago, I pushed a heavy cart of groceries through the parking lot. I made sure my three little boys each hand a hand on the cart so I could keep an eye on them.

Once we loaded the groceries in the car and I buckled the boys in their seats, I slid into the driver's seat, put my forehead on the steering wheel, and prayed, "Oh, Lord, how can I ever thank you enough? We have groceries! We have choices about what to eat. We can go to our cupboards and find food there. Oh, God, I thank you for your goodness to us."

I looked over my shoulder to see my three little boys with heads bowed and hands folded in prayer.

The reality was that we had tens of thousands of dollars in medical debt. The reality was that our house was falling apart and we had no money to fix it. The reality was that my husband was working two and three jobs and I was battling a disease while trying to care for three active boys.

But the superior reality was that God was on His throne and totally with us in that place of desperation. And when I bowed my head to thank Him for His provision, our car became a sacred place, and I knew my boys were affected by His presence that day.

A different day we found ourselves at the doctor's office. One of my son's had an ear infection. When we got out to the car, my prayer went something like this, "Father in Heaven, I thank you for providing us with insurance. Thank you for a simple, treatable diagnosis. Thank you for taking such good care of us."

Every time I thanked the Lord in front of my kids, I felt the heaviness of our situation lift. In fact, I now understand that my lessons in gratitude were the very things that made my kids feel that all was well in their world.

I always found it curious that they didn't have a clue that we were in the crises of our lives. Now I know that their lives were full, because my heart was full of thanksgiving.

Not that I always did it right; on the contrary. I had my cynical, frustrated days like everyone else, but whenever I returned to praise and gratitude, the climate around me changed.

Have you ever made the choice to forgive someone long before they even knew what their offense cost you?

Isn't it grueling at times to forgive and love and bless someone when they still have no clue how deeply they've wounded you?

The Bible says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The longer I walk with Him and the more I grow to love Him, the more I understand that I really don't understand just what my sin cost Him (or others, for that matter). In fact, I submit that none of us will really know the depth and impact of our sin nor the miracle of having it wiped away, until we see Jesus face to face.

When I was first saved as a teenager, I was thankful for salvation. But now I know in the depths of my soul that every gift comes from His hand.

We all have reasons for praise this season.

No matter if you're in a season of favor, or one of small offerings, God's promises are true for you and His provision is available to you.

Most of us have running water, a roof over our heads, people to love us, and food to nourish our bodies. If you own a computer you are considered to be in the upper one percent of the wealthiest people in the world.

Even when we are poor in material things, we are rich in the Lord. And most of us are far more wealthy than we know.

God loves it when we praise Him. The Bible says He draws near to listen when we thank Him.

It matters if we're grateful.

We shape our children's perspective by the perspective we choose.

Choose thankfulness and share your grateful heart with others, especially your children.

Be blessed this holiday season.

Until next week~