My husband and I hosted a great Christmas party yesterday at our home. It was great because the people seemed to be having a good time and they were happy. There were lots of laughter and just plain old Christmas cheer. It was not great because of anything we did, but it was great because it gave people an opportunity to get together and share their stories and their lives. Many people remembered loved ones who were no longer alive, many remembered past Christmases when they were children, and many just shared of themselves with those who were there.
As we approach the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, I think about the gift that God gave to us. It was truely a sharing of life in the literal and spiritual sense. Even though we are busy with all of our Christmas preparations, we should think about the reason why we are celebrating. The real reasons for celebrating are the gifts we have received in love, life, and community. God gave us his son as a gift of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Those are treasures beyond words.
The ipod or TV or socks you give to someone will wear out in time and will need to be thrown away. They are surely nice, and the gifts I receive from people are truely appreciated. However the gift that will never wear out, quit working, or become lost is the gift of God's love for us.
Enjoy your celebration of Christmas, but don't forget to thank the ultimate gift giver, God.
May you recognize God's blessings in your life and find peace during this season.
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
An Attitude of Gratitude
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
I am in Denver for a graduation this weekend. It has been a great time to reconnect with family and count blessings. God has been very good to me. I spent a wonderful lunch with my two stepdaughters just talking about all the wonderful things in our lives. It is so easy to become negative and focus on things that are going wrong. You have to develop a habit of looking at the bright side of things, things you can be grateful about. I realize the I have been very blessed in my life with family and friends that I love to spend time with.
It is easy to find fault with everything and everyone especially when things do not seem to be going our way. But, don't you know people who are always happy. They can be very annoying, can't they. Always looking on the bright side, always looking for the positive. These people also seem to be happy most all of the time.
Getting into the habit of being positive and grateful can also make for a happier person. You probably also know of someone who is always negitive, always going through some type of disaster. There is always something wrong with their lives. They also seem to be very unhappy
people.
God has given us such a beautiful world. We just need to recognize it and be grateful for it.
It is worth a try, anyway.
Peace and love to you all.
Sue
I am in Denver for a graduation this weekend. It has been a great time to reconnect with family and count blessings. God has been very good to me. I spent a wonderful lunch with my two stepdaughters just talking about all the wonderful things in our lives. It is so easy to become negative and focus on things that are going wrong. You have to develop a habit of looking at the bright side of things, things you can be grateful about. I realize the I have been very blessed in my life with family and friends that I love to spend time with.
It is easy to find fault with everything and everyone especially when things do not seem to be going our way. But, don't you know people who are always happy. They can be very annoying, can't they. Always looking on the bright side, always looking for the positive. These people also seem to be happy most all of the time.
Getting into the habit of being positive and grateful can also make for a happier person. You probably also know of someone who is always negitive, always going through some type of disaster. There is always something wrong with their lives. They also seem to be very unhappy
people.
God has given us such a beautiful world. We just need to recognize it and be grateful for it.
It is worth a try, anyway.
Peace and love to you all.
Sue
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Recognizing your Gifts
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
First I have to say a big "thanks" to my daughter, Katie. I appreciate her support and of course, her love. I am grateful to God for her and feel very blessed to have someone like her in my life.
She is a gift.
That ties in to what I want to say today. At this time of the year, we are busy shopping for gifts for the people in our lives. Giving is wonderful. It is a delight to see the happiness in the face of someone who has just received a gift. However do we stop to think of all the ongoing gifts we receive from God in the form of the people in our lives. You may not remember the gift someone gave you ten Christmases ago. But you will remember the kindness and love you received from someone, all your life.
During this time of the year, we celebrate the gift that was given to us over two thousand years ago in the form of Jesus. He is our ongoing gift. We are all fortunate to have this great person in our lives who was willing to die for us. This is the ultimate gift.
We are also gifts from God to each other. Think of the people in your life who are there for you in times of great happiness and also great struggle. In the cards you send out to one another, thank someone for being a gift in your life. In, addition, remember that you are a gift to others. Don't worry if you do not get the absolute right gift for someone. To that person, you are the gift.
So, at this time of gift giving, remember to acknowledge the ongoing gifts in your life. Remember to acknowledge the love and friendship that freely come from these gifts. Also remember to thank God for these gifts. Really enjoy the season of Christmas, surround yourself with your gifts. We celebrate the gift of Jesus during this season. It is not so important that we remember the date of his birth. It is important to remember this gift of love.
Peace and love to you all.
Sue
First I have to say a big "thanks" to my daughter, Katie. I appreciate her support and of course, her love. I am grateful to God for her and feel very blessed to have someone like her in my life.
She is a gift.
That ties in to what I want to say today. At this time of the year, we are busy shopping for gifts for the people in our lives. Giving is wonderful. It is a delight to see the happiness in the face of someone who has just received a gift. However do we stop to think of all the ongoing gifts we receive from God in the form of the people in our lives. You may not remember the gift someone gave you ten Christmases ago. But you will remember the kindness and love you received from someone, all your life.
During this time of the year, we celebrate the gift that was given to us over two thousand years ago in the form of Jesus. He is our ongoing gift. We are all fortunate to have this great person in our lives who was willing to die for us. This is the ultimate gift.
We are also gifts from God to each other. Think of the people in your life who are there for you in times of great happiness and also great struggle. In the cards you send out to one another, thank someone for being a gift in your life. In, addition, remember that you are a gift to others. Don't worry if you do not get the absolute right gift for someone. To that person, you are the gift.
So, at this time of gift giving, remember to acknowledge the ongoing gifts in your life. Remember to acknowledge the love and friendship that freely come from these gifts. Also remember to thank God for these gifts. Really enjoy the season of Christmas, surround yourself with your gifts. We celebrate the gift of Jesus during this season. It is not so important that we remember the date of his birth. It is important to remember this gift of love.
Peace and love to you all.
Sue
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Where is God in Your Life?
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
It has been a while since I have posted anything. It would be an excuse to say that I was very busy, but I was. My book has been published and you can find it on Amazon.com.
The title: Where is God in Your Life?: Three Retreats in Christian Spirituality.
Sounds like a lofty title, but it is not meant to be so. All that is meant to do is to pass on a message. This is a message which certainly did not start with me. It began about 2000 years ago with the birth of an extraordinary man. Some call him a King, some call him a fake, some call him a great Prophet. I am very happy to say that I call him God. It is appropriate that I should have "his" book published around the time we celebrate his birth. Even though the book might list me as the author, I am another instrument he has used to put forth his message of love, hope, faith, compassion and forgiveness.
When we say the Our Father at Church or at home or anywhere there is a line I find very significant. It is "Forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who tresspass against us". Far be it from me to change a word in the Lord's Prayer, but I feel that the translation we recite is a little vague about God's forgiveness. The translation should read "Forgive us our sins, which we know that you do, but do not forgive us as we forgive others". I God were to hold us to our own standards, most of us would be in serious trouble. God forgives us inspite of the fact that we do not always forgive others. For me, that is a great comfort.
So during this season of Advent, as "we wait in joyful hope of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, reflict on your own ability to forgive. Are you withholding forgiveness for someones past transgression to you? Are you waiting for someone to ask you for your forgiveness? If so, keep in mind the words of Jesus on the cross, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. He neither withheld forgiveness, nor waited for his executioners to ask for his forgiveness. He gave it freely with no strings attached; no hoops to jump through, no begging, but forgave out of love and compassion.
Enjoy this blessed season of waithing for Jesus. He has come, he is coming, and he will come again.
Peace and love to you and your loved ones.
Sue
It has been a while since I have posted anything. It would be an excuse to say that I was very busy, but I was. My book has been published and you can find it on Amazon.com.
The title: Where is God in Your Life?: Three Retreats in Christian Spirituality.
Sounds like a lofty title, but it is not meant to be so. All that is meant to do is to pass on a message. This is a message which certainly did not start with me. It began about 2000 years ago with the birth of an extraordinary man. Some call him a King, some call him a fake, some call him a great Prophet. I am very happy to say that I call him God. It is appropriate that I should have "his" book published around the time we celebrate his birth. Even though the book might list me as the author, I am another instrument he has used to put forth his message of love, hope, faith, compassion and forgiveness.
When we say the Our Father at Church or at home or anywhere there is a line I find very significant. It is "Forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who tresspass against us". Far be it from me to change a word in the Lord's Prayer, but I feel that the translation we recite is a little vague about God's forgiveness. The translation should read "Forgive us our sins, which we know that you do, but do not forgive us as we forgive others". I God were to hold us to our own standards, most of us would be in serious trouble. God forgives us inspite of the fact that we do not always forgive others. For me, that is a great comfort.
So during this season of Advent, as "we wait in joyful hope of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, reflict on your own ability to forgive. Are you withholding forgiveness for someones past transgression to you? Are you waiting for someone to ask you for your forgiveness? If so, keep in mind the words of Jesus on the cross, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. He neither withheld forgiveness, nor waited for his executioners to ask for his forgiveness. He gave it freely with no strings attached; no hoops to jump through, no begging, but forgave out of love and compassion.
Enjoy this blessed season of waithing for Jesus. He has come, he is coming, and he will come again.
Peace and love to you and your loved ones.
Sue
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
We are not self sufficient.
Spirituality is the quest for a connection with God, the Divine Creator, or the higher power that put us here. Spirituality is a lifelong journey that cannot find completion until we leave this life and attain full communion with the deity of our quest. Prayer is an important way that we construct this relationship with God or higher power. We all think that we know how to talk to God, but we do not always know how to listen to him. My spiritual journey has taken me from a reliance on self to awareness that self is not sufficient. It has taken me from a belief that success is related to power and acquisition to the knowledge that success is related to my connection with God and knowing that everything good comes from God.
Life is a journey and we are all travelers. The spiritual journey is a quest to find the meaning to life, the secrets of creation, or to connect with the higher power that put us here. My spiritual journey has put me on a road that has taken me from the depths of despair and desolation to the heights of joy and fulfillment. I have not found God, because he was not lost, but I have found my path to God. God had been patiently waiting for me to allow him to lead me and in the passage of time, I have become trusting enough to allow him to do so.
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Life is a journey and we are all travelers. The spiritual journey is a quest to find the meaning to life, the secrets of creation, or to connect with the higher power that put us here. My spiritual journey has put me on a road that has taken me from the depths of despair and desolation to the heights of joy and fulfillment. I have not found God, because he was not lost, but I have found my path to God. God had been patiently waiting for me to allow him to lead me and in the passage of time, I have become trusting enough to allow him to do so.
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
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