Don't touch my Christmas Tree!!!

I grew up in a non-Christian home and every year we celebrated Christmas.  The tree was up, glittering and flashing weeks before.  Gifts started piling up and my brother and I would try 'feel' and guess what they were.  The grandparents came through on Christmas Eve, Grandpa handed out the gifts as he was the oldest.  We'd eat snacks and sweets and then my brother and I would go to bed VERY VERY early because Father Christmas would come in the night and fill our stockings with goodies.  We'd wake early Christmas morning, shred our stocking gifts, have a big lunch and generally enjoy the day.

Then.... I became a Christian!  Until I left home Christmas remained the same.  And of course Easter was about easter eggs in every shape, size and form.

But as the years went on and being out of the parental home, being a young wife in a Christian home, and then a Christian mom to little ones my view of Christmas changed!  So now, yes I love the tree and twinkly lights because of all my fond childhood memories.  I still hang up stockings for my teens (smiley face).  But I've modified it.  The tree frames the nativity scene (which I knitted myself - yeah baby).  We choose to see the gift giving as a celebration of the birth of Christ our Lord and Saviour!  We make sure the purpose of Christmas is a celebration of Christ and not just a gift giving holiday.

And Easter!  the focus is so much different now.  All about God's amazing grace, His miraculous power, and His boundless love for us.

Now, what is the point I'm trying to make?

Rom 14 v 5-6(a):  One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike.  Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  (6a) He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.

I am learning I can't convince anyone of my beliefs and convictions.  God is the only One who convicts us.  Those spiritual "light bulb" moments come when God speaks into your heart, not when someone else tells you your way is wrong or my way is right!

We are not to judge others for what or how they do things.  We are to seek God and ask Him to search out our own hearts (Ps 139 v 23) and follow as He leads us.

So if you celebrate Christmas with a tree or without, if you celebrate it at all, or not, so long as you are doing it as unto the Lord and are fully convinced - we should not be judging each other either way.  Its between you and God ONLY!

God bless
Tracy

Linking this week with these lovely ladies:

Click HERE to find links to these linkys:

 and

Simplifying and Streamlining!

My mind has been ticking overtime.  I want to dig deeper into the word.  I have this thirst and I want to know more.  So I started a new blog and a new page for it on facebook.  I loved designing it and building it and then realised I was just adding to my 'work load'.

I am finding that when I am on the computer I am spending so much time duplicating stuff.  For example, I may follow the same person's blog in 3 different forums.  I am spending so much time going to stuff that I already just opened and read.

So.... I decided its time to stream-line and simplify.

• If you see that I have disappeared off your followers list, or off facebook or Network blogs, or wherever, please don't think that I am not following your blog anymore!  I am, just in one place and not in 3 or more.   :)
• I also have taken a lot of stuff off the side of my blog, but its still there, I've just moved it to the pages above.
• I deleted my new blog and will do my digging (deeper in the word) on this blog. 

Isa 40 v 8:  The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Watch this space:  I'm going to be digging deeper, join me?

Marriage - a precious commodity!

I saw this on Facebook and it really touched my heart.  Marriage is something that we need to work on all the time but it is also to be valued and treated like fine china, a precious commodity!  Treated like the blessing it should be and never taken for granted.

Another byte of wisdom gleaned off facebook (who knew?!)

I pray for you all a blessed week full of promise and grace
God bless
Tracy


Sharing with these lovely ladies this week:

You will find links to them HERE:

 and

Things going Well?

Don't get too comfortable!  Don't forsake reading God's word!  Its in times like these where you can absorb and learn at leisure instead of in the usual sink or swim life-scenario!

What you read today in the word will guide, comfort or save you tomorrow!

Prov 119 v 11-12:  Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.  Blessed are You, O Lord!  Teach me Your statutes

I encourage you and myself when I say, spend lots of time in God's word, there is only benefit and life in doing so.

God bless
Tracy

Choices!

I've been thinking a lot lately about choices.  There are many situations every day where we have choices to make.  We need to think before each choice and decide: "Life? or death?"  Not always easy!  Sometimes, very easy!  But always.... a choice.

Duet 30 v 19:  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;  Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

We have choices to make in our relationships.  For me, marriage is my most important relationship after God.  Do I always make right choices?  Clearly not because I argue too quickly, want my own way sometimes, get stubborn or prideful.  These are not choices for 'life' in my marriage.

What about what we eat?  When I consider I have been on diet 28 years of my 21, um 43 years and my girth groweth it is obvious not all my choices have brought 'life' to my body.

Well its time to grow up!  Time to mature!  For me anyway.  Making the same mistakes everyday is not growth.  Making mistakes is human but there are those 'mistakes' that if I'm honest with myself are more 'bad choices' than 'genuine mistakes'.

One way to achieve this growth, in fact the most effective way to grow, is by reading and absorbing God's word!  It changes you from the inside out and growth does take place.

From Pinterest

"Choose the word" It brings life!  God's word also helps clarify out choices.  So we start making better 'life-growing' choices.

God bless my friends
Tracy

Linking this week with these lovely ladies:

You will find their links HERE:

Juggling with Joy!

I feel like this!  Each item is an issue in my life...

• Fear of this or that
• Family divisions
• Questions, etc
• Day to day issues
• Problems...

But I feel ridiculously joyful!  I can't help smiling!  Nothing is different.  There are still problems and issues that need resolution.  Nothing is different - IN THE NATURAL - But, IN THE SPIRITUAL, I just know God is up to something.  He is working things out together for my good because I love and trust Him.  His word says so.  

Rom 8 v 28:  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

My encouragement to you is, in the 'natural' things may look the same, but, in the 'Spiritual', God is moving on your behalf. - BELIEVE IT and be JOYFUL!  Why?  Because the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh 8 v 10)

God bless

Tracy

Linking this week with these lovely ladies:

You will find their links HERE:

 and

 and Shari

and Eileen

Acrostic Fun - OBEY

I have developed this odd interest in taking words and making acrostics out of them.  They are far from perfect but it makes me think about my faith and is a fun way to find truths in words.  This is my latest offering:

O - pen
B - elief
E - ffective
Y -earning!

Obedience demonstrates faith, obedience demonstrates a willingness to live your life Christ's way.

Josh 24 v 24:  And people said to Joshua, "The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey."

My encouragement to you is obedience always results in blessing in God's time.

God bless
Tracy