Posts tagged celebration

Toast the New Year Tuesday

December 30, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Let’s have a “toast” !

It’s here again, the New Year weekend. The ending and beginning of many things. We take time to remember the past and look forward to the future. Happy and sad are all mixed together into one giant “toast” – shedding some tears, sharing some laughs………..all seasoned with that element of “wondering” what the future will bring.

The Bible’s book of Revelation explains our ultimate future – culminating the prophecies of the Old Testament with their fullfillment in the New Testament. The timing of these future events are only known to God, our heavenly father – even Jesus stated that only God knows the day and the hour of the rapture,  the second coming…………..Armageddon.

We’ve celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and now raise our glasses to “toast” the New Year – and wonder if this will be the year for Christ’s triumphant return.

Of one thing we are certain – that day will come……….

“…..the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”    (1 Thes. 5:2)

So  “let us watch and be sober”   (1 Thes. 5:6)

and  “rejoice always”   (1Thes. 5:16)

CHEERS !!

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Farewell Friday

May 28, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My Dad has decided to throw a “farewell” get together. He has told us he does not think he will live much longer…….

About forty close friends and family members will be coming together to celebrate my Dad’s life, and life in general. We will eat, drink, sing, and share stories. Even though it is a festive event, a degree of sadness has already cast its quiet, flickering embers to the happy glow.

His life is not unlike many others – ups and downs, happy and sad, satisfaction and regrets. His emmigrant passage into the United States after World War II does present a uniqueness to his story though, setting it apart from those of us who were born here in the States.

Having to flee from his native country of Latvia, a decision had to be made as to where to go. He chose the United States because it represented “freedom”. Having lived under the heavy oppression of Communism for many years, and experiencing first hand the agony and brutality of war – the thought of freedom was a powerful and lifegiving medicine.

Jesus Christ is also a powerful and lifegiving medicine:

“I have come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

HIS truth will bring you eternal life and eternal freedom:

“And you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

Be “free” in Christ – and say good-bye to “farewells”………..!

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Task Tuesday

December 15, 2009 · Filed under relationships · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What task should I do next?

During the Christmas season this question can come up more times than usual. Our lives can be brimming with the “tasks” of Christmas. Shopping for gifts and food, cleaning and decorating our homes, donating to special ministries and charities, sending Christmas cards, baking special holiday treats, contacting friends and family members we haven’t seen or talked to in awhile, etc., etc.

Every so often, we are reminded about the reason for the season, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ – our living Savior. For a little while we can stop all the above and put our thoughts back into perspective and perhaps even cut back on some of the “tasks” we have set before us. 

Too many tasks can cause us to work too hard for that perfect Christmas. The perfect Christmas already happened ! This is the season to celebrate the greatest gift that has already been and still “is” being given – freely given – our saving relationship with Jesus, the Son of God. We don’t need to work for it, all we have to do is believe…….

“What shall we do , that we may work the works of God?”, the disciples asked. Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6: 28-29)

Jesus fulfilled His Holy “task” on earth for all of us – on the cross –

……..it is finished – HALLELUJAH !

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Trick or Treat Tuesday

November 4, 2009 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m glad Halloween is over !

Every year I am faced with a dilemma – do I totally ignore it, or do I participate in it with an element of goodness.

A number of years ago, I learned about the origins of Halloween and the meanings of the “traditional” activities that go along with it. Unfortunately, they are all based on “evil”. There just doesn’t seem to be anything “good” about this so-called “holiday”.  Somehow, celebrating evil just doesn’t seem right.

Well, what about carving pumpkins with happy faces and trick or treating with happy costumes ? Why not try to make this “holiday” good? Can that be so bad?

As Christians we are called to live “holy” lives. “Test all things; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thes. 5: 21-22)

Over the years, my husband and I have abstained more and more from the activities of Halloween and now find it very easy to “pass-over”  to that which is “good” – thanksgiving to the Lord, and the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas !!

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Have a Blessed Easter

April 11, 2009 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , ,

The greatest victory of all time — victory over death !

Celebrate eternal life with the “living” Christ ———-

———-if you don’t have it – “receive it” —–

—-it’s FREE——–

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