Linus Shares The Gospel

Every family has their Christmas traditions in regards to food, music, movies, trees, decorations, and etc.  One of our families traditions is to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas each year.  This is one of my favorite Christmas movies.  Yes, I know it's a children's cartoon, but I just love this little movie.  

The movie is only about 30 minutes long.  The premise of the movie is Charlie Brown is the director of the annual Christmas play and if you've ever directed a Christmas play, your familiar with all the frustration that entails.  Everyone is complaining to Charlie Brown about everything and no one is doing anything right.  Charlie Brown is totally frustrated and he hollers at the end, "does anyone know what Christmas is all about?"  Linus calmly steps up to the microphone with blanket in hand and quotes scripture from Luke the second chapter that tells the Christmas story.  He simply shares the true meaning of Christmas, the gospel actually, and then turns to Charlie Brown and says, "that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."  This is my favorite part of the movie and it always warms my heart and reminds me what Christmas is all about. 

Life is frustrating and at times and especially so amidst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we too wonder like Charlie Brown what life is all about.  When we get to that point we know we've put our relationship with Christ on the back burner.  It's time to sit down, pick up our Bibles and remind ourselves once again what life is all about.

This little movie is a great one to watch with your children to share the gospel and teach them truly the real reason for the season.  

I can't wait to light the fireplace, turn down the lights, light a few candles, pop some corn, and watch Linus share the gospel message once again.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Surrender All

To surrender means to, relinquish to the power of another; yield to the control of another.  Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow Him.  We are to surrender our life to Him.  We are to walk like Him, talk, like Him, act like Him, and think like Him.  He says we are to have the mind of Christ.  

Hands outstretched, mean surrender.  We are to be totally surrendered to Christ.  No longer do we desire our will or our way, but we long to please Him.  There is no happiness until we finally and willfully surrender all to Christ.

Most of us will surrender some areas of our life to Christ, but there are those few areas that we would rather handle ourselves.  In other words, we do not fully surrender all to Christ.  We hold back and try to handle things ourselves, but it's full surrender that He wants. 

We must lose ourselves to truly find ourselves.  C. S. Lewis said, "Nothing you have not given away will ever really be yours."   Give it up.  Give it all to Christ, hold nothing back.

My Thoughts On President Obama's Win

I watched the election returns on Tuesday night until I got so sleepy I decided to go to bed.  When I went to sleep, Romney was leading and I really thought he would win.  

My husband woke up in the early morning hours and turned on the TV to see who had won.  He woke me up as he was headed back to bed. I asked him who had won.  When he said, Obama, I must admit I was a little shocked.  It was not what I was expecting.

I must also admit I am more than a little perplexed as to how he won after he gave us "Obamacare", a trillion dollar national debt, Benghazi Gate, and the first President to openly speak in favor of gay marriage.  I personally believe he won because the states with the most electoral votes are more liberal and in my opinion, he is the most liberal President we've ever had, beating Bill Clinton for that title.

I'm not happy about the direction our country is headed, so I've made the decision I am going to pray for our President.  The truth is, like it or not, Barak Obama is the President of the United States.  The Bible tells me to pray for those in authority.  This is a God given command and I want to be obedient to God.  A man of God, in whom I have confidence, has said we're going to like the way this election turns out. 

God is my source.  He is the highest power and the   

One to whom I pledge my allegiance, but He does tell us to pray for those in authority, so I for one will do just that.  Will you join me in praying for our President?  Let's pray that he will lead this nation with Godly wisdom and in the right direction.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove



In July we made our yearly trek to one of the most beautiful places on earth, Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains.  As usual we drove through very slowly looking for deer and bear and we were not disappointed.  We were were almost to the end of our picturesque scenic drive when we saw the biggest black bear slowly stroll across the road in front of our truck.  We were truly excited because we didn't think we were going to see a bear this time, but not only did we see one, but he was a big one!

The Power Of The Cross

Too many times worship is humdrum.  A worship leader stands before the congregation with Praise Team as back up singing a mantra over and over.  As good as the mantra may be there is no substance.  The song may have a catchy tune, but it's that and nothing more.

This song by Stuart Townend is different.  The lyrics tell the gospel message in a worshipful style that will bless your innermost being.  This song's lyrics have depth and remind me of the hymns written by Watts and Wesley.  Listening to, "The Power Of The Cross"  will immediately get your attention and focus on Christ and what He did at Calvary.

The church needs more songs like this being sung on Sunday morning.