Category: Christianity

Ask this question of a random group of people and answers will be all over the place.

One person may say, “I guess it’s kind of a nice story, but I can’t relate. I mean, this is the 21st century. How does a story about a baby in a manger have any meaning for us today?”

Another may say, “I think all religions are pretty much the same, so what difference does it make? We’re all headed for the same place, no matter how we get there. Isn’t that the bottom line?”

For people around the world who come to faith in Jesus, the story of that first Christmas is life-changing.

Here’s the true story of one such man, who found this to be true

I heard about a businessman, “Kevin,” who years ago had to spend some time overseas. He noticed he was scheduled for a free day in the city his college roommate called “home.” After a lengthy Internet search he arranged to meet with his old friend.

Kevin and “Abbud,” met in a quiet cafe and found a table toward the back. Immediately they slipped into the easy comfort of good friends reunited and talked for hours. After awhile Kevin mentioned he had been aware his friend came from a non-Christian background, but he hadn’t known how to talk about it.

Abbud carefully looked all around the space, then speaking almost in a whisper, he said, “That was true then, but no more. Believe me, I do not say this to many people. At home my wife ‘Alika’ and I find ways to hear and to watch broadcasts and telecasts from the West. Of course, we are very, very careful.

“When first we heard the good news of the Gospel we right away gave our hearts to Jesus.

Kevin said nothing for awhile, then cleared his throat and murmured, “This is an answer to prayer, my friend. Those years we shared a room it didn’t seem important–and besides, I thought I needed the ‘right’ words to talk about faith. I’ve wished ever since that I said something. I’ve prayed for you, really, I have.”

For awhile the two men sat quietly, sipping their coffee. Then Kevin asked, “Could I ask what differences you find between the two religions?”

Abbud answered quietly, but without hesitation, “It is night and day! We all were taught that God is impossibly far from human beings, but still we must try our hardest to reach toward Him through being faithful in our spiritual practices.

“Imagine what it means now, to know that in Jesus, God came to earth as an infant, just so he could live among human beings. Among people like us!

“It still amazes me every time I think that God came to us!

“You probably don’t remember, but the last day of school you gave me a little Bible and told me to read it on the long flight back home. I just tucked it into my bag and never opened it, kept it hidden all these years.

“Now I could not stop reading. The more I read, the more I was amazed. In Exodus it tells how God dwelt with His people, the Israelites, there in the wilderness. God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. He even spoke to Moses directly!

“Then Alika and I read it was God’s plan all along to send His Son to earth. He came to pay the price of all our sins. He came to set us right with holy God. We could live free from fear, free from condemnation. Right away I felt lighter, as if someone unlocked my heavy chains.

“Jesus did it all! For me! I will never be the same. No matter what comes next, I have peace in my heart–and so does my wife.”

Abbud’s dark eyes shone as he said, “So for us, this is what’s different about the Christian faith. Knowing that Jesus is for us and with us sets our hearts at rest.”

The Christmas story is more than just a charming holiday tale

First, plug into your awareness that this is more than just an unusual story about a baby. In the Bible, Jesus often is called the Word, as in the Gospel of John 1:1-5, 14; 3:16-17:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. he was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The Christian faith is not about a far-off, distant god or a monument

Nor is it about magnificent temples or cities where followers must go and worship to prove their faithfulness. It’s not even about living up to a list of dos and don’ts.

The Christian faith is all about our Lord being up close and personal for every one of us. Our Savior and best Friend. Our Comforter. Our strength. Our Deliverer. Our Peace. Our Joy.

That’s why God came to earth, born as a human baby to a human mother, there in Bethlehem. Fully human and fully God.

He came for you. For me. And for all the world.

That’s the heart of what we call the Christmas story.

Dear Reader, whoever you are and wherever you may be, may your heart be filled with the peace and joy of Jesus this Christmas and every day of the New Year!

Lenore

What do you think? Is the Christmas Story just a story?

December 16, 2025
Okay, I get it. Your mom made you go to church and you vowed you would never do that to your children.

Maybe it's time for a rethink. You may be cheating them–and yourself–by staying away.

How? Let's do a rundown:

Where else can kids be surrounded by grownups of all ages who smile on them and love them even when they don't know their names?

Where else does a "holy terror" kid get loved, time after time, even when said HTK can't sit still, can't be quiet and won't stop pestering whoever sits next to him?

Where else do young children and adolescents interact with older adults–other than their parents–instead of just observing them from a distance?

Where else do youngsters carry on real conversations with adults–listening adults–who aren't relatives or friends of their parents?

Where else in today's world do kids get a front row seat to watch and learn that it takes all kinds of people, each one playing their part, to keep things going?

Where else do children learn grownup songs and get to sing alongside adults? And where else would adults within hearing distance smile benevolently, even if a youngster sings off-key or messes up the words?

Where else can you feel you already know–before you've spent much time with them–many of the values of the people around you?

Where else will the difference between right and wrong be so clearly reinforced to your kids?

Where else will they learn principles like "Love your neighbor as yourself," and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," and all the rest? (These truths sink deep and become a personal code far more reliable than moods of the moment.)

Where else will your kids learn that Jesus came to set things right between God and us humans, that he lived and died and rose again so that all who believe can call him Friend.?

In what other setting–besides at home–will your children be reassured over and over again that Jesus loves them? Or that he watches over them and is with them every moment of every day and night?

It's not "Go to church and do your duty," but rather, "Why cheat yourself and your kids out of the blessing and joy?"

Every mom and dad soon learns that our words don't mean much to our children if they're just words. What really counts with a child is, "Does this really matter to Mom or Dad? Or is it just something I'm supposed to do?"

That is, bring them with you to church, rather than just drop them off for Sunday School and then pick them up afterward.

Being part of a family of faith reinforces what you as a family stand for. It's about support and encouragement–for both your children and you as their parents.

Bringing your kids to church is not just so they can hear the pastor's sermon and/or the children's message or go to Sunday School. It's also so they naturally grow friendships with kids you more likely feel comfortable with.

If you're a mom or dad, your fellow churchgoers are like your backup team.

Think about it. A church family is just that: Family

You may live a thousand miles from relatives, but if you're part of a local body of believers, you're plunked right down in the middle of family.

Family related by faith, not blood, who will be there when you need them.

Folks who if they see you talking to a friend and spot your toddler running across the parking lot, will immediately race after your junior adventurer and deliver your little one safely back to you.

Individuals with whom it's safe to talk. People who will care that you're running on fumes and feeling overwhelmed.

It only takes one to hug you and remind you, "Take heart, it's not the end of the story yet. God will get you through this. I know that's true and here's how. …"

It's been this way since Jesus started it

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Look for a church that's Jesus-centered and Bible-centered, where the pastor and people are real, that is, authentic.

Then go with an open mind and be as friendly as you would be if taking part in any kind of new activity. There's no better way to give your kids–and yourself–a solid base for living. No better setting in which to make new friends. Count on it as a place to grow.

Why bring your kids to church? Because you love them.

Why go to church? Because you love yourself.

Still growing,

Lenore
11 Reasons to Bring Your Kids to Church

January 6, 2022
The other day I heard a story that touched my heart and it's too good to keep to myself.

There are a couple of versions, but they all trace back to fact. Take yourself back to 1920s, when people paid and often traveled great distances to hear dramatic speakers recite poems and speeches.

Here's the story. Step into this scene and enjoy.

Friends of one much-acclaimed actor and orator threw a lavish party in his honor. More than a hundred guests attended, all dressed in their best finery.

Each guest felt privileged to be present since the famous guest traveled extensively and drew large (paying) crowds wherever he went. One of the guests asked, "Would you kindly favor us with your rendering of the Twenty-third Psalm?"

At once the great man in his designer tuxedo and multiple gold rings launched into a dramatic rendition, complete with well-practiced flourishes and gestures. At the end the audience gave the speaker a prolonged standing ovation.

Then from the back of the great room an older man dressed in a well-worn suit stood and asked, "Might I also speak this Psalm?"

With permission given, the gray-haired man slowly, carefully made his way to the front of the room. Surprised guests sat politely, prepared to be unimpressed.

Then the old man began to speak and a hush fell over the room. Listeners sat with tears streaming down their cheeks and many began weeping loudly. Once he finished the roomful of listeners sat without moving for several minutes.

Later someone asked the great orator why the audience showed such different responses to hearing the same Psalm. He answered, "I know that old man, so I know the reason.

"You see, I know the words. But that man, he knows the Shepherd."

Right about now seems the perfect time to revisit Psalm 23

Back then the older man would have quoted the King James Version, so that's what you'll read here. Yes, we now have other translations and paraphrases, but let's remember that for many years the KJV served as an English textbook in many of our schools.

So take time to drink in these beautiful words. They are true for you and for me, as much now as from the beginning–and forever. As Jesus said in Mark 13:30: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Just the words themselves are comforting, aren't they?

I find speaking them aloud soothes my spirit, especially when I'm feeling troubled. If you haven't already made this practice your own, I hope you'll try it.

And may you, too, know the Lord as your Good Shepherd. Let Him lead you through and restore your tired heart.

I promise you He will.

Lovingly,

Lenore

Real faith always shines through–and communicates

January 10, 2018
Right this minute there are big issues issues at stake in our Nation.

If you've read this blog for awhile you know I haven't waded in the murky waters of politics. I do so only because vital issues are getting lost in all the blather.

One involves both our faith as Christians and our rights as citizens under The Constitution of the United States. George Washington said, " . . . its only keepers, the people."

That's you and me, my friend. We are the keepers of our Constitution.

Are we paying attention?

One major issue relates to the often-referenced First Amendment

Amendment I was ratified December 15, 1791. Here's what it says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

From the beginning word spread all over the world about America's Constitution and the rights it guarantees. That's why America shone like a beacon of freedom to my great-grandparents who wanted to worship God according to their understanding of what the Bible teaches and without government interference. In America they could live by faith without fear.

That's always been true. Until now.

Enter the new health care law, which mandates what employers must cover

Take Tyndale House Publishers and Hobby Lobby as examples. Since a Christian couple founded Tyndale House 50 years ago this firm has only published Bibles and Christian books. Their son, Mark D. Taylor, is the current president. Tyndale's 260 employees currently are covered by their employee health plan. Taylor, a Protestant, has no moral objection to contraceptives per se. However, as a Christian he believes it's against what the Bible teaches to provide Plan B (the morning-after pill), Ella (the week-after pill) and intrauterine devices to covered employees.

Our Government says he must. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has ruled that health insurance plans must provide such contraceptives free of charge. Tyndale House is a for-profit entity. Therefore, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says this Company does not qualify as a "religious organization" and therefore, is not eligible for an exemption.

(Tayor notes that even exemptions granted to nonprofit entities such as the Roman Catholic Church will expire after one year.)

Fines for failure to comply will cost Tyndale as much as $100 per day, per employee. That equals $26,000 per day. $780,000 per month. $9.36 million per year.

Tyndale management's only "crime" is wanting to freely exercise their faith without Government interference. They believe the federal government is telling them they must either violate their own conscience or pay fines that will put them out of business.

It doesn't stop there

Hobby Lobby was founded 40 years ago by a family working out of their garage on a $600 bank loan. The children, now adults, are involved in the business, which now has stores in more than 500 locations in 41 states. They believe it is by God's grace that Hobby Lobby has endured and aim to honor God and to treat their employees well with above-average pay and many benefits. They provide an employee health plan, but consider Plan B, Ella and intrauterine devices to be abortifacients.

Hobby Lobby gives half its pre-tax earnings directly to a portfolio of evangelical ministries. It has given away and distributed over 1.4 billion copies of Gospel literature mostly in Asia and Africa. It sponsors the YouVersion Bible app for mobile phones, which has been downloaded more than 50 million times. Yet this is a secular, for-profit company.

These business owners, too, believe requirements of Obamacare go against the Biblical principles on which their company was founded. Hobby Lobby's non-compliance fines could total $1.3 million per day.

So Hobby Lobby reluctantly sued the Government in Oklahoma City Federal courts. Their lawyer cited their "deeply held religious beliefs" as individuals and business owners who seek an injunction to block enforcement of the new health care law.

In a piece dated October 24, 2012, The Washington Post, reported the U.S. government was urging the federal judge hearing the case to deny the request to block enforcement of the new health care law.

The dilemma for employers is obvious. They either go against their faith and keep employee health plans in place or follow their conscience and go out of business.

They either obey their understanding of what God says or what the Government says.

Look behind the smoke screen and the endless blather on TV

Numerous interviews and articles trumpet the same endless discussions about "women's reproductive rights," "contraceptive freedom," "bigots who want to ban birth control," etc.

This is not the issue.

For the record, I am not against contraception. Opinions vary about the morning-after (up to three days after) pill and the week-after pill, which induce a woman's uterus to slough off an implanted fertilized egg. Those of us who believe life begins at the moment of conception view these meds as abortifacients. Intrauterine devices are devices placed in the uterus by a physician that in various ways interfere with a fertilized egg being implanted on the wall of the uterus.

It seems to me there are three questions:

In cases such as Tyndale House and Hobby Lobby, is our Government "prohibiting the free exercise" of the owners' religion as they understand it?

As individuals of faith, what do we hold to be true?

If provisions of this tax-supported new health care plan violate our personal religious views, will we vote for candidates who back it?

Will we speak well of business owners who abide by faith? Will we support them with our words and give them our business?

Some words to think about

"The LORD gave me this message: 'I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.'" –Jeremiah 1: 4 (NLT)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, and I know that full well.   –Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.   –Joshua 24:15b (NIV)

My reader friends, let's be sure to thoughtfully, prayerfully exercise our rights as American citizens and VOTE!

Praying along with you,

Lenore
When living by faith becomes a crime, what are we to do?

October 25, 2012
I have well, unhelpful habits I've been trying to shed for years. How about you?

Oh, I make good resolutions and they last a week or so. Then I slip back into my old routines, a.k.a., my old, comfortable habits.

That ones I just said I wanted to break.

Take one minor example from my list. I don't consider myself a particularly messy person but, well, stuff accumulates around me.

When our last child left home I expected our kitchen table and counters finally would stay clear. I envisioned living in a somewhat model home, with boring housework only a distant memory. My workspace would be a streamlined marvel of organization.

Imagine my shock to find things still piling up.

It's as one friend explained with her, "Law of the Flat Surface:" Any flat surface automatically attracts clutter, which will automatically attract more of the same.

Does that ever happen in your home?

It's worse when you're a writer

We writers clip articles from newspapers and magazines. We scribble notes to ourselves on whatever's handy, like paper napkins, to be sure we don't lose an idea.

Here's the problem. Somebody needs to sort those clipped-together piles and categorize and file. Technology helps, but 'ya still gotta do it.

Guess who.

At least once a month I vow I will never let it get ahead of me again.

At least once a month I fail.

I tell myself life and people get in the way and always take precedence. That sounds all noble and good, but it's not. It's my usual, comfortable excuse.

You see the problem here

The fact is this is who I am. Human. Humans are like this.

Aren't we?

It can feel overwhelming when we count up all the ways we miss the mark and let people down, even the ones we love.

Let ourselves down.

The Apostle Paul's spoke of that, too, in Romans 7:19-20:

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Sin? Oh, yes, that which keeps us from doing what God would have us do. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:48:

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Perfect? If you're anything like me, you can't even live up to your own standards, let alone the standards of a perfect God.

So, my friends, if salvation depends on us, we have no hope.

That's why we call the Gospels the Good News

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament. They penned the story of Jesus' life, from before birth to after He died on the cross and rose again.

This verse is what many call, "the Gospel in a nutshell."

(Jesus said) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." –John 3:16.

Even if we understand nothing else, these words tell the story of salvation.

It's that simple–and that glorious. If we have faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin we need not live in fear of God's wrath over our failures. Jesus paid with His death on the cross for our sins.

Even those bad habits we have yet to overcome.

Lovingly,

Lenore

Do we have habits or do our habits have us?

September 19, 2012
I resisted being drawn into the hoopla around THE wedding. I've never been much of a royal-watcher.

Until today.

Today I gave in and watched the lovely pageantry of the day, the ceremony in magnificent Westminster Abbey, with its soaring ceiling and choirboys with angelic voices.

The Bishop with his heavy robes, the chanting, all of it seemed appropriate on this day. Wedding guests sang hymns and spoke prayers, including the Lord's Prayer.

An estimated two billion people were said to be watching this wedding around the world.

Then it hit me. Two billion people, most of them non-Christians, were hanging on every word as the Bishop proclaimed the Word of God and delivered a Christ-centered sermon, as well.

Many who were glued to their telly live in cultures where wives are looked upon as mere property, second-class, easily disposable. In Westernized countries like ours, more and more people now consider matrimony a needless outdated custom, irrelevent in today's society. Too many consider faithfulness and monogamy rather quaint.

No matter where viewers live, each one heard Prince William and Kate Middleton pledge to be wed as husband and wife and to live together according to God's holy estate of matrimony. Each promised to love and comfort, honour and keep each other, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Each vowed to forsake all others and to keep themselves only for each other so long as both shall live.

What will these two people make of their marriage? That's up to them. They know their family history and the challenges they face even better than we. But I choose not to be cynical and to wish them God's blessing. I am glad for their choice to be married in a Christian church and to promise before God and the world to be married–and faithful–for life.

I'm thankful that the Church of England bishop preached a faith-centered, meaningful wedding sermons. Most of all, I am thankful that Christ was proclaimed. For once, the world was listening.

Who knows how God will use this?

Lovingly,

Lenore

Three cheers for this royal couple and may their example catch on

April 29, 2011
In Grapevine, Texas, it all started with one man, during the 2008 football season. That's when Coach Chris Hogan made a strange request.

fans.

Gainesville State School is a State Juvenile Correctional Facility for 13 year-old to 19 year-old convicted serious offenders. The 14 teenagers on their football team had been convicted of crimes ranging from drugs to assault to robbery. Few had any contact with their families. They were allowed to play on the Tornadoes team only so long as they maintained strict standards of conduct and academics. Coach Mark Williams worked with players who practiced and played with used, outdated equipment.

Faith Christian Academy basked in 70 players, 11 coaches, and the finest equipment.

Faith's Head Coach Hogan knew no one would cheer for the Gainesville team. He came up with a radical idea. He would ask half the fans and half the cheerleaders to root for the Gainesville team, for just that one night, November 7th. Hogan sent an e-mail around to fans and families that read, "Let's send a message to the Gainesville team." he wrote, "You're just as valuable as any other person on the planet."

Hogan told a player who asked why, "Imagine you don't have a home life, no one to love you, no one pulling for you. Imagine that everyone pretty much has given up on you. Now, imagine what it would feel like and mean to you for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."

Coach Hogan's idea caught on. When the Gainesville players appeared they ran through their first-ever spirit line, a long line made up of parents, cheerleaders and students. They even crashed through their first banner, made by Faith Academy cheerleaders. Once players were on the field, a crowd of Faith Christian parents and fans seated themselves in the Visitors stands as well as their own.

Isaiah, the Gainesville quarterback-middle linebacker said, "I never in my life thought I would hear parents cheering for us to tackle and hit their kid. Most of the time, when we come out, people are afraid of us, you can see it in their eyes. But these people were yelling for us. They knew our names."

As expected, Faith Academy won the game, 33-14. After the game both teams gathered at the 50-yard line to pray. To everyone's surprise Isaiah, the teenage convict-quarterback , asked if he could pray. He prayed, "Lord, I don't know what just happened so I dont know how or who to say thank you to, but I never knew there were so many people in the world who cared about us."

The people of Faith Christian Academy weren't done yet. As Gainesville players walked back to the bus under guard, each one was given a burger, fries, a coke, candy, a Bible, and an encouraging letter from the Faith Academy players .

A reporter for The Dallas Morning News quoted Coach Hogan's rationale. "We wanted to show them unconditional love," he said. "Love covers a multitude of sins, the Bible says, and it wasn't just the Gainesville kids, because we've all sinned. That night, love covered everything up."

That game was not the end of it. Grapevine residents and outsiders continued to provide support for these young men. As each one completed their sentences most had no family ready to welcome them back. So several of the released prisoners went home to stay with Grapevine families.

Since that 2008 football game the story has spread through various media outlets. Coach Hogan was invited to be a guest at the 2009 Super Bowl. This fall a movie is scheduled for release and you can watch the promo if you Google www.oneheart.com .

It began when one Christian individual inspired others to be salt and light in their community. When Jesus talked about that in Matthew 5:13-16, He wanted us to know that our deeds, small and big, have impact. Who knows how He will use them?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Blessings,

Lenore

Can one person change the world–or one community?

February 15, 2011
Around this time of year, as we look at our To Do lists, I expect some of us long for a "shot of Christmas," to get us energized.

I don't have a magic potion, but this YouTube should do the trick. You may have seen it, but if you take time once again, I promise you'll find yourself smiling by the end.

Are you smiling?

Some of us have been hearing or singing Handel's Messiah for years, especially Hallelujah. Not so many know the story of how Handel came to write this glorious music.

Picture the scene. It is the summer of 1741, in a small house in London. Discouraged and miserably in debt, 56 year-old George Fredric Handel considered himself something of a failure. Not long before he had given what he thought of as his farewell concert. Then a friend passed on a libretto based on the life of Christ. Its writer hoped someone could write music to go with his script, all of it quoted from The King James Bible.

Handel, a strong believer in Christ, read it through and was deeply moved. So on August 22nd, he set to work composing. After that no one saw him except the servant who faithfully brought him food, then every day removed the untouched tray.

One day the servant opened the door to find his employer with tears streaming down his face. Handel said, "I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself."

George Frederic Handel uttered those words just after completing the movement that ever after has been known around the world as the Hallelujah Chorus.

He wrote the entire work in an amazing 24 days. In that short span of time Handel not only personally inked each note of the four-part vocal score, but also the music and every instrumental part for the orchestra. (If you've sung the Messiah, you know just the choral arrangement plus piano accompaniment runs to more than 250 pages.) Whether we call it genius or divine inspiration, for more than two centuries this piece of music has been performed all over the world.

Handel died April 14, 1759, eight days after his final performance where he conducted his mansterpiece, Messiah. If you visit Westminster Abbey in London, look for his statue. He's shown holding the manuscript for the solo that opens part three of Messiah, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

It seems to me we can draw some lessons for ourselves. At the time, Handel would have been considered elderly and people around him considered him finished. So did he. It seems he never said, "Well, I can't do that because . . ." Maybe we, too, need to set aside our labels and our familiar thinking and step out in faith. Otherwise, who knows? We might miss out on doing something great.

As for getting in the mood for Christmas, I know what I need to do. I need to take my eyes off how much I have to do and focus on what Christmas really means. The Joy-Giver is just as capable of giving meaning and joy to our work as He was back in Handel's time. Sure, our "tune" may be small, but the world around us needs to hear it. So let's smile and give thanks, then go for it!

Comments?

Here's to letting our JOY show in this most wonderful time of the year,

Lenore

Need an injection of Christmas spirit? Find it here . . .

November 30, 2010