In the Nook...Many blessings for a happy and healthy new year to you and yours!!! Now, for some reflection on my thoughts lately. Who's ready for this New Year? I pray we've not lost the spirit of things in all the commercialization of Christmas and the new year... I used to be so happy about a new year to start over with, a new Christmas to celebrate Jesus' birth. I'm very grateful that we have a new time in our lives to start fresh, but why should we be starting fresh just because it's a new year. Shouldn't we be appreciating the fact that Jesus died for us and shouldn't everyday and be grateful to Him because He gave us another day, another year to have with our family and friends. I sat in sadness for a while last night because our power went out and it happened at 10:45, just before the big "ball drop" on television. I've never missed a ball drop on the new year in probably 20 years, and last night I missed the one of the new crystal ball. I was sad and even now I'm ashamed to admit to it because I forgot to thank God for the new day, the new year....wonder how many others forgot to thank Him besides me. Not just how many others, but how many Christians. As I sat in the darkness with few candles glowing I watched my daughter sleeping on the couch and my husband sleeping in the easy chair next to me, and feeling the freezing temperatures around me, I had time to reflect on the years past. I thought about whether I'm truly grateful for the new year or am I just a stick in the mud. I am very happy that we are given this new year from God, I just don't celebrate it the way "society" does. I've never been one to go out partying and showing my behind off because of a new day or even a new year. I can think back and know that usually I do Thank God for the new year in a simple but sincere prayer, "Thank you Lord for the new time in our lives, please Lord help me to be wise and appreciate all that I have and all that you desire to give me, Amen". Is there something wrong with me because I'm not gloating and going around wishing everyone good cheer? I honestly don't know, but I don't think there is, I just chose to be more reverent about my understanding of what there is to be grateful for. I apologize if this seems mixed up but like I said in the beginning, these are the things I've been thinking about....how about your thoughts on the new year....
We did not do much that would be considered celebratory for New Year's Eve- though I did get the kids snuggled up in front of the TV just in time for the ball drop. I did remember to thank God for 2007 and ask for His help in 2008. So I too did not partake of the huge celebration but instead held a small one in my heart. :-)
I made a little change with my Friends List. It's on the left side and to open it just click on the word "Friends" and it pops out! Neat, huh! To close it click on it again! Thank you
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Seven Steps to Raising Godly Children
Principle - Impart God's word on your children and live in a way that you are their greatest example of what a Christ-abiding parent should be.
Pattern - Teach your children a pattern of prayer; when to pray, how to pray, and why prayer is important.
Persistence - Don't ever give up...teach your children to always have faith and not to give up when things get hard.
Participation - Our children crave our attention! The way our children see us is the way they'll see God in thier lives.
Praise - Encourage children, praise them when they do something right and help them when they have a hard time.
Prayer - Teach your children to pray and then to TRUST God for the outcome.
Priority - Make God the Head and Heart of your home and let them live with God's desire coming first in your lives.
