You are the reason I blog. Believe me, it’s not because I like to write or have so much to communicate. I write because you read. Based on feedback we receive, we know you’ve grown as our influence has affected your heart and mind. You’ve been teachable, you’ve trusted us, and you have benefited. We’re grateful! Many who read my blog also connect to Celebrate Kids through my speaking and our products, email newsletter, and website. New beliefs, new ideas, new strengths, healthier relationships, deeper connections, lasting change, smarter children, fewer frustrations, more peace. Praise God! You can help us influence more parents, teachers, grandparents, teens, and children with an end-of-year contribution. We have ongoing … [Read more...]
End of Year Contributions: Help Celebrate Kids Influence More in 2012
Christ Chose Peace for Us
Christ’s roles and names have been on my mind this month. Isaiah 9:6 is a rich Bible verse, full of great Truth. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ was born that He would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Peace. It eludes so many people. My mom was an amazing woman. I am proud to be her daughter. In the last 7 years of her life, before she passed away 2½ years ago, she had two different cancers occur several times and many surgeries, including triple bypass. Her faith grew and she glorified God as she struggled. Before a surgery for thyroid cancer, I sent her an email that began, “Know that I’m praying peace for you. Peace may occur if you choose to focus on the … [Read more...]
The Gospel According to A Five Year Old at Christmas
The five-year old son of friends drew this insightful picture (full picture below.) He showed it to his dad who asked him, “What does this mean?” The boy answered, “This is Jesus lying in the manger thinking about the cross, and this is Jesus on the cross thinking about the manger.” He gets it. I hope you do. Enough said. … [Read more...]
The Shepherd’s Bell
My brother and I grew up just four blocks from my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We played with our cousins often, sometimes near our homes and sometimes on the school playground or field which was nearby. Tag, kick-the-can, and hide-and-go-seek were favorites. (Our neighborhoods were safe back then.) We also enjoyed tennis or baseball in the summer, by adding just a few friends, and ice-skating in the winter as the field was converted to an ice-skating rink. “Did you hear it?” one of us would tentatively ask. “No, what?” was often the first confident answer. “You know, the bell. Was that it?” Maybe we’d quiet down or maybe we’d increase the noise level in hopes we wouldn’t hear it. “There! Was that it? I think … [Read more...]
The Three Kings and The Nativity
I need to confess. I normally use the Bible as my standard for all things. If something doesn’t line up with Scripture, I reject it. Usually. One exception for me is my nativity collection. I own about 80 from around the world even though most include three kings and no shepherds. What’s the big deal? There’s no Scripture that mentions there were three kings. We just know there was more than one. (Matthew 2:7-8) Also, we do know their journey was so long that they didn’t arrive until Jesus was a toddler. (Matthew 2:9-11) The kings shouldn’t be a part of my nativities. But, they are. We do know, from God’s Word, that shepherds did arrive while Jesus was a baby. (Luke 2:16) They should be a part of the nativities, but … [Read more...]
It’s Not About Me; How Can I Bless You?
My sister-in-law, Debbie, is a fabulous cook. She makes delicious food and consistently puts the right foods together to make a great meal. When I visit her, my brother, and their children over the Christmas holiday, I will eat very, very well. Because Debbie enjoys cooking, it’s easy to visit her. She enjoys having others in her kitchen and she never makes anyone feel like they’ve made her work any harder than she wanted to. I appreciate that. Debbie learned from the best. Her mom was an amazing cook, as well. That might be especially true when I think about their many Christmas cookies. Dorothy taught Debbie well and Debbie has passed the tradition on to her children. And, even others. This year, like several others. Debbie … [Read more...]
Christmas Is The Gift
Tomorrow night I’ll be having dinner with three fabulous, faithful friends. I’m looking forward to it. Until last year, we exchanged Christmas gifts when we got together. Last year, because of changing financial situations, we didn’t. This year, we’ve agreed to bring gifts if we want to. We’ve stated, “No pressure.” It’s awkward and freeing all at the same time. What if I give a friend something more expensive than she gives me? Will she feel bad? What if someone gives me something more expensive than I give her? Will I feel bad? Will she? This dilemma just makes me realize more and more how incredible it is that God’s gift of salvation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, truly is free. No strings attached. … [Read more...]
Who Can You Make Room For?
The tables were full and yet people kept coming. Men set up extra tables quickly in the back and on the side of the room. Dana kept looking toward the door. Concern registered on her face as she quietly commented that Grant had entered the room alone. I knew she didn’t want anyone from our small group sitting with strangers. As she became more concerned, I admit to thinking that Grant could handle meeting new people. He’s confident with a comfortable personality. Plus, since we were all from church there were bound to be other people in the room he knew or at least that he’d be willing to know. But, Dana kept looking. After a few more minutes, when it was clear that there were no spots available at tables with members of our … [Read more...]
Year End Tradition – Taking a Spiritual Inventory
As the last month of the year begins today, allow me to share one of my end-of-year traditions. Although I do this regularly, I especially look forward to doing it as one year closes and another begins. What is it? A spiritual inventory. Some will write (as we’ve already done in this week’s Celebrate Kids email newsletter) that the focus this month should be on Jesus and not decorating, shopping, making more and better cookies than our neighbor, or whatever you and your family get caught up in. What if I suggest that our life’s focus should be Jesus? Let’s get our focus correct this month and continue it into 2012. He doesn’t just want to be our priority this month, but every day of every month. To assess how I’m doing, … [Read more...]
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