Christmas Baby: A Holy Night for a Holy Knight
The first Christmas was a silent and holy night.
I’m familiar with silent nights, they track me down and schedule dates on my calendar. Because I lose my voice about once a year, unable to squeak out a single word.
Laryngitis sets up residence in my vocal cords. But it’s never a good time.
A few years ago, silence struck with a job interview the next day.
And it happened recently with three speaking events coming up, the first in only three short days. Still, I was rendered silent against my will. My voice takes short vacations without even asking me for permission to leave. The nerve!
Silent Night
Late into silent nights, I try every known home remedy. I sip on herbal tea with honey and fresh lemon. Under the canopy of a bath towel, my face hovers over steam rising up from the sink. Also, I pop throat drops in copious amounts.
It’s no secret, I’m fond of talking. Me and words are BFF’S. “Verbose” should be inscribed on my forehead or near my mouth. Rest assured of my family’s reaction to periods of silence: “Praise God!”
Yet, words in considerable number usually adhere to my wishes whenever I need them. But on silent nights, words fail me.
Have you ever fallen silent, unable to speak? Or, maybe something or someone left you speechless.
Holy Knight
December 21, 2017 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Free Worldwide Delivery: Letter From Santa Vs. God
A letter from Santa keeps the Christmas magic alive!
Scrolling through email, a subject line caught my attention. “Great Christmas Gift Idea: Letters from Santa.” It piqued my interest enough to take a further look.
Instead of our kiddos writing out a wish-list for Santa, then begging us to make sure it arrives at the North Pole before Christmas, Santa sends a personalized letter to our children.
The company’s website, complete with sample ideas and pictures, promises an authentic-looking letter from Santa. It arrives at our front door in an envelope stamped from the North Pole.
So, we send the company whatever information we choose, but they suggest: name, age, relatives, name of best friend, hometown, etc. And a parent can add special achievements, acts of kindness, or good behavior for Santa to mention. I guess a confirmation the child made Santa’s Nice List.
The site assures this gift will keep the magic alive for Christmas.
Yet, this gift idea caused me to reflect. As God’s child, I hope to keep Christmas alive in another way.
Letter Stamped From Heavenly Places
December 14, 2017 at 9:03 am | Uncategorized
4 Ways to Paint the Town Red This Christmas
Joy marked the occasion. So we painted the town red.
Born the first day of December, I enjoy celebrating my birthday in the same month as Christmas.
Every year my special day proves fun-filled and momentous.
But where did the expression “Let’s paint the town red!” originate? And how exactly does one go about it?
Painting the Town Red
I found a plethora of answers for painting the town red. Here’s a few:
- From Google, “go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.” Synonyms: “celebrate, have a party, live it up, have a ball.”
- “Go on a drinking bout; get drunk. Some believe it refers to setting something on fire” (The Free Dictionary).
- Violence. Dating back to the 1800’s, an article in The Phrase Finder, “The allusion is to the kind of unruly behavior that results in much blood being spilt.”
It’s sad a phrase of merriment is associated with drunkenness and violence.
Still, there’s no unruly behavior going on when the Friday’s celebrate. For my birthday, keep in mind the glitter and sparkle of painting the town red.
Entourage of Red Painters
December 7, 2017 at 9:29 am | Uncategorized
A Little Talk with Jesus: Book Giveaway
Let’s have a little talk with Jesus.
Today we’re talking about having a talk with Jesus. Simply, prayer. A talk of the highest nature.
I’m sharing some of my own thoughts on prayer and reviewing a great book on the topic for a giveaway.
Maybe, like me, you’ve experienced times of uncertainty when it comes to prayer. And perhaps we all go through times of wondering if prayer really works or even matters.
A Little Talk With Jesus
Oh, great prayer quotes float around online. But here’s some of my favorite words about prayer:
November 30, 2017 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Grateful Gobbling: Finding God in Thanksgiving
No question, Thanksgiving Day stirs up thoughts of pilgrims, turkey, and pumpkin pie. But is it possible to find God in the holiday?
The pilgrims came here seeking freedom of you know what.
When they landed, they gave thanks to you know who.
Because of them, we can worship each Sunday you know where.
A fourth grader’s report on the first Thanksgiving when the classroom teacher requested students make no reference to God (source unknown).
While believers remain disturbed about Christmas devoid of God, what about the holiday before the birth of Christ?
How Do We Find and Keep God in Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving celebrates more than pilgrims and gobbling up turkey.
First, review this summary of definitions for gobble:
1) The sound a male turkey makes.
2) To eat, devour, grab, or use something up in a speedy or greedy way.
And some definitions also cite to eat noisily. That’s another article on etiquette but try not to do this at the Thanksgiving table.
“To gobble” suggests:
November 16, 2017 at 9:32 am | Uncategorized
3 Truths Google Autofill Showed Me About Marriage
You may be asking, what in the world do marriage and autofill have to do with each other?
No matter what web browser we use, Google Chrome, Safari, or other, most have developed computer programs to enable autofill.
Also known as autocomplete.
The Ease of Autofill
First of all, it’s especially helpful when completing forms on the internet.
And it automatically populates fields like our name, email, mailing address, etc.
Even mobile Safari lets you scan credit cards. Autocomplete is a great time saver.
Yet when I searched for what autofill provides, I came across many different articles:
- How do I enable autofill on my computer?
- Need help getting autofill?
- How can I update autofill information?
Seems like autofill is popular. Because we want easy and comfort and fast when it comes to doing anything these days. And when we find ourselves on the internet ordering items and signing up for freebies, we desire simple and little work on our part.
Due to autofill, web browsers store this data and repopulate it for our use later. What’s not to love? In addition, there’s less typing and quicker results.
But should we approach marriage the same way?
God created us and the union between husband and wife.
November 9, 2017 at 9:50 am | Uncategorized
4 Popular Bible Verses and What We Missed
Certain Bible verses make the most quoted and popular list in church and Christian circles. But sometimes we miss important truths or gloss over the context of the passage. Or, we memorize a verse without considering the Bible verses before and after.
So I highlight 4 Bible verses in this post and discuss their neighboring Scriptures.
Popular Bible Verses
1) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.
You see, to know God has plans for our welfare, future, and hope, taps into our longing to be affirmed and loved and cared for.
But Jeremiah pens God’s words in a letter to God’s people in exile. “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my promise and bring you back to this place” (verse 10).
Yet, the Lord planned to restore the exiles and bring them back to Jerusalem. And God has restoration plans for us.
November 2, 2017 at 10:01 am | Uncategorized
Making Jesus Known to Leaders of this Retail Giant
“Karen, we want our people to hear the gospel.”
Tears pooled and released like water freed from a dam. My mouth hung open as I re-read the message.
Speak at Walmart Women’s Leadership Conference? And boldly talk about Jesus?
Lord, you answered my prayer. Why my surprise? You gave me this heart for the lost.
Knowing Jesus
A personal mission of my speaking and writing ministry is to know Jesus more and make Him known.
What a privilege to not only introduce others to Christ, but to also help believers know Him more.
And I never want to assume that every attendee at church events knows Christ. Because my heart is drawn to the lost…to those who need Jesus.
So I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead me in sharing the gospel message of Calvary’s cross and an empty tomb every time I step on stage.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV, emphasis mine)
Making Jesus Known
October 26, 2017 at 10:33 am | Uncategorized
3 Things to Remember When Life’s not Good
We hear it spoken. We see it on clothing and as a framed quote. It’s posted across social media.
Life is good.
The phrase rolls off our tongues and scatters across our devices. It takes the spotlight when our online friend or family member has a new boyfriend, a new pet, a new car or a new “something.”
Perhaps the words are in order when we land the ideal job, get a promotion, win a contest or an award, receive good news on medical tests, or anything that makes us feel on top of the world.
But what about when life’s not good? What then?
Good and Pleasant Things
Because if we put our hope in the ever-changing nature of real life, at the first hint of things going south, we won’t be on top of the world. No, we find ourselves at the bottom of the world—life’s pit of despair.
You see, I’ve never been a fan of the phrase. And here’s why, look at Merriam-Webster’s definition of good. “The pleasant things that happen to people.”
Oh, I want pleasant things to happen to me. I’m betting that so do you.
October 19, 2017 at 10:39 am | Uncategorized
Smell Good and Stand Tall in Jesus’ Name
“You smell good. You’re tall. That’s a pretty name.”
Is it just me or do you sometimes feel compliments ring of empty flattery? Maybe we receive or even give insincere comments meant to gain favor or win someone’s approval.
But this time the words came from a sincere place. You see, a special young man, Jason, spoke the words to me during a ministry event—authentic and from his heart.
And by the end of the night, the Lord not only nudged my soul about the deeper spiritual meaning, but He also asked me to write about it…how to smell good and stand tall and be known by name.
Flattery and Smooth Talkers
The Bible warns of flattery and smooth talkers who dazzle with flowery verbiage. (Psalm 5:9, Psalm 12:2) Yet as believers, Scripture encourages words spoken in truth and speech full of grace. (Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 4:6)
A few years ago, I spoke at a women’s event where I met Jason. Jason’s mom brought him along to help tear down and clean up at the conclusion.
When the program ended, I mingled and chatted with the ladies.
But then I noticed a young man in his mid-twenties blowing out the autumn candles decorating each table. Smiling, he approached me and the pastor’s wife. He possessed an endearing charm and a fun persona.
And Jason has a unique view of the world. He overcame tremendous disadvantages and obstacles in life. A childhood full of abuse and heartbreaking circumstances.
Still, Jason loves to tell his story and the good life he has now. God used this man to teach me a few lessons.
That is so like God. To use those dear to His heart to show us the way. So…
October 12, 2017 at 10:24 am | Uncategorized