Yes and No

New Year’s Eve is almost here  -  shocking  -  and I am already warming up the pipes to belt out “Auld Lang Syne.”  It's a song with Scottish origins which asks, “Is it right that old times be forgotten?” 

Yes and no...

The Bible provides two verses in response to the question.

Isaiah 43:18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21 “…hold onto that which is good.”

Take a moment to think about 2016. What was good, beautiful, and memorable about it? Whatever was good, hold onto it. Treasure it in your heart. Keep it nearby when you need a reason to smile. One of my highlights was getting a perfect stranger to sing a raucous song about his mother.  I have it recorded, and every time I hear it I crack up!

Now what about the difficult days this past year? FORGET THEM! Don’t dwell on them. Leave them filed away forever in a folder labeled, “DO NOT OPEN.”  I wanted to share some of my rough days, but they are out of reach.  

Happy New Year!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We choose to hold onto the good and forget the bad.  We choose to treasure the lovely and bury the ugly.  First and foremost, we cling to You for dear life.  Thank You that You will never let us go.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Never Let Kindness Leave You~

Proverbs 3: 3-4 Never let kindness leave you! Write it deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation."

Christmas blessings to all,

Yesterday Jorge and I went to the local mall to exchange a couple of items.  I couldn't believe how crowded the parking lot was, and as soon as we got inside it was wall to wall shoulders with all the other post-Christmas shoppers.  I was like, "I can't believe all these people; they should be at home watching football, playing Cranium with family, eating leftover brie and apricot dip, sipping peppermint tea, and texting distant relatives."  I was actually mad at them. Then I realized that I better preach to myself!

Once my horribly two-faced commentary was over, I made the line to return an item.  The cashier was so over-the-top friendly and courteous that both Jorge and I were stunned.  So much so that Jorge did something he has never done before: He asked for the store manager and promptly provided a glowing review of the cashier and demanded she be promoted.

Her excellent customer service made such an impression on me that it nearly brought me to tears.  I know you think I might be overreacting but consider this: She plugged in a lamp to make sure it was working before I bought it, she personally escorted us to a section of the store so we could find exactly what we needed, and then, rather than roll her eyes or pick up her phone to check messages  -  something that has happened to me more than once  -  she said, "Merry Christmas," carefully wrapped my fragile glass lamp, and made me feel like a V.I.P. The power of kindness is amazing because I immediately felt it, and the feeling stayed with me the rest of the night and is still with me as I write this.  

I have decided to be kinder in 2017. Won't you join me?  We will find God's favor when we are kind, which means we receive life, loving kindness, divine care, grace, mercy, and acceptance in return. Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, As 2016 comes to a close, we thank You for taking care of us this year.  As we look to 2017 we want to open up our lives to receive even more of Your favor. Remind us to be kind.  Help us to always have a lovely response no matter what. Nudge us to do the right thing even if we are in a hurry.  With You helping us, we will keep kindness near us all the time, which will result in our happiness. It's a win-win for us. Thank You!  In Jesus' name, AMEN. 

The Best Possible News~

Dear DEVO Readers,

Think about some of the good news you have received over the years. For me all these statements were music to my ears:

"Your father-in-law will not die from his massive heart attack."

"Your husband's skin cancer was caught in time, and it has not spread."

"Mrs. Fernandez, please come down to the police station. We apprehended the perps who broke into your house, and we have your cameras!"

"Mom, I am in love, and she's a great girl."

"Mom, I am in love, and he's a great guy."

"Mom, I passed my finals."  

"Mom, I was in an accident, but I am okay."

But there's a bit of good news that makes mine and yours pale in comparison.

Luke 2:8-11

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

I think it's safe to say that out of the 7.5 billion people in the world, 7.4999999999999 wouldn't necessarily be filled with great joy at our personal glad tidings. But the message of our Lord's birth is the best possible news for all the people, for everyone, for the entire universe!  Every single person, without exception,  needs a healthy and heaping portion of salvation, joy, hope, faith, peace, love, miracles, wisdom, truth, comfort, healing, justice, light, redemption, and deliverance from the Bread of Life.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the life-changing news the angel brought to the shepherds so many years ago.  Today we open our hearts to receive all that our Lord, our Savior, the Bread of Life, has to offer.  Fill us up completely, in Jesus' name, AMEN and Merry Christmas~

The Extra Mile

I love Christmas, and I am one of those who DOES NOT get offended with Christmas trees in September. Also, three wonderful traditions collide November first: The mistletoe goes up, Pandora is set permanently to Christmas Radio, and I wear a very loud jingle bell necklace and/or ring. Plus, everywhere I go I make it a point to say, "Merry Christmas." I heard it's okay to start saying that again  -  not that I ever stopped! In other words, I am all about spreading the cheer.

But when we go the extra mile and put a little something extra on the tip line, when we donate a gift card to the Florida Baptist Children's Home so they can redecorate their entire rec room, when we surprise our mail carrier with some baked cookies, when we allow someone ahead of us in line, when we sit for four hours with an elderly patient and discreetly clean them after they use the bathroom (all the aforementioned happened this past week courtesy of kind people I love), when we joyfully obey one of God's top commandments, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," we are promised in Deuteronomy 30: 8-9 that God "will outdo Himself in making things go well for you."

Going the extra mile blesses others, but it will always come back to bless us even more. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Show us how we can bless someone today by going the extra mile.  We know that as we love others, You will outdo Yourself in making things go well for us.  We need to be well in mind, soul, body, and spirit.  Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

UNLIMITED

Christmas-is-10-days-from-today greetings!

Last year I received an invitation to a wedding.  I RSVP’d that Jorge and I would attend, and then I bought a gift.  I always try to be thoughtful in my giving, and the very gracious thank you note I received from the happy couple tells me I was.

However, God is the best Gift Giver of all time!  

Isaiah 9:6 "For a child has been born  -  for us! The gift of a son  -  for us! His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Wholeness. There'll be no limits to the wholeness He brings."  

Jesus is God's gift for us, and He brought UNLIMITED wholeness with Him.  Wholeness in the form of salvation, do-overs, forgiveness, goodness, grace, guidance, healing, health, hope, joy, justice, laughter, light, love, mercy, opportunity, peace, protection, provision, redemption, wisdom…

In other words, He is the Gift that keeps on giving.  There's nothing any of us could ever give that comes even remotely close. 

Every single day we breathe, amazing blessings can be ours, and we receive them by prayer.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the greatest Gift of all. We are ready for all the unlimited wholeness You offer. We open our hearts and our lives to receive You. We desperately need it. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Making Room~

Tuesday Greetings~

Luke 2:7 “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

A couple of years ago New York City was in a frenzy over the visit of the future King and Queen of England.  They are two of the most famous people on earth, and I can only imagine the bragging rights any establishment they did business with will have from now on.  Duchess Kate reportedly had a pizza party, and it wouldn’t surprise me to eventually see a headline that reads, “The future Queen of England loves our pepperoni!” 

And it is precisely because of their fame and significance that E-V-E-R-Y  S-I-N-G-L-E  attention to detail was checked, rechecked, and then checked again.  Which is why I can not imagine the royal couple trying to check into their hotel only to be told there is no room for them.

Yet, this is exactly what happened to the King of kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, and Light of the World.  To be fair, maybe the innkeeper had no clue Who he was turning away.  And in the grand scheme of things, Jesus was born under the exact conditions that God fore-ordained.  

But…

We all know better and therefore must be diligent in making sure there is always room for Jesus in every area of our life.  I want Him to bless and guide every single aspect of my existence.  There is nothing off limits.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We can scarcely imagine the scene where Mary and Joseph were told there was no room for them.  How could anyone turn You away?  Maybe the innkeeper did not know, but we know Who You are, and we welcome the overflow and abundance of goodness You bring into our lives.  Therefore, we are making room right now to receive You  -  today and everyday.  In Your name, AMEN~    

Straight and Smooth

Thursday greetings,

There are 17 days until Christmas, and I am almost ready!  All my decorations are up, and I have made a list of foods I need to purchase for our Christmas morning breakfast.  I am also keeping Amazon Prime busy, and several times a week our mail carrier treks it up to my door and drops off packages.  

It's also been fun receiving cards from friends and seeing how their children have grown, as well as sending out my own cards. In a few days I have an outing planned with a group of us girls who have committed to regularly getting together to pray for our President, and I also have a Christmas luncheon to go to.  Plus, I have to practice a little holiday presentation that Jorge and I are doing for the benefit of our family (all I can tell you is that Jorge will be wearing a sombrero). And well, just like you, there's a lot going on right now as I prepare for Christmas...

But wait a minute! I feel as though I am leaving something out…

Oh No!!! IT’S JESUS!

“Prepare for God’s arrival! Clear away the obstacles; Make the road straight and smooth. Isaiah 40:3."

The most important thing I need to do during this time of the year  -  and always  -  is to prepare for God’s arrival.  The way the word “prepare” is used in this verse means it’s an ongoing activity.  We don’t just prepare once.  We prepare every single day.  But I'll admit, the busyness of the season has kept me from spending more time with Him.  How ironic!  He is the "reason for the season," but in the huffing and puffing of getting stuff done, sometimes I have overlooked Him.  

It's important to clear away whatever is standing in the way of God getting to us.  And the Bible gently reminds us to clear away, delete, and purge any and all hindrances and hurdles that block our relationship with God. 

We all have a say in how easy or how hard we make it for God to get to us.  And I hope we all say “YES!” to making it straight and smooth because that's the fastest way for Him to get to us.     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, How wonderful that right now as we pray, we are preparing for You in our lives.  Come to us, precious Lord, and bless us and our families.  Grant us wisdom, health, peace, joy, and hope.  In Christ’s name, AMEN!

Thoughtful Giving

Greetings,

The Christmas season is in full swing, and like you, I am putting up the decorations and listening to all my favorite songs.  

Of course, front and center in my mind are all the shopping lists I have made; I really do try to give thoughtful, useful gifts!  One year I really paid attention to everything my husband said, and that year for Christmas he received Rock'em Sock'em Robots, a hat just like the one Rachel's soccer coach wore during games, a set of four knorks, and a Schoolhouse Rock! CD featuring his favorite tunes from childhood.   (I'm Just a Bill...)

A few weeks later, when I was still all proud of my considerate self, Jorge and I were out and about when he was admiring a pair of boat shoes and finished his comment by saying, "Babe, this does not mean I want this for Christmas."  In actuality, Jorge was so paranoid that he was going to receive everything he pointed out that he literally ended each sentence with the aforementioned phrase.  His loss!  He could have had a popcorn maker, sleek aluminum wallet, and a hairless Chihuahua.

I promise my feelings are not hurt, and we have laughed a great deal about the "Year of Thoughtful Giving."

The good news is there are other ways we can be thoughtful in our giving, and for this let's consider the words of one of my greatest faith heroes: Joni Eareckson Tada.  She was in an accident almost 50 years ago that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down.  But that hasn't stopped her from having a ministry that has made an impact on millions of people.  (Google her). Whenever she speaks I listen because she is credible.  I encourage you to unwrap her words slowly and then take them in and purpose in your heart to follow her example. 

She writes:

"Every Christmas I think about what it was like to be on my feet during the holidays.  There were parties and plays, decorating, hitting the malls.  Then came my accident.  That Christmas I spent at a rehab center.  Adding to the hurt I was already feeling was that I couldn't buy gifts for anyone.  The way I saw it, God was asking too much of me. The use of my body was taken away at Christmas time, but also the joy of giving.  On the afternoon of Christmas Eve I felt like a martyr.

"But Christmas morning my heart softened; as I focused on Christmas' meaning, I realized the best gift I could give was myself.  My mom didn't want a new dress; she wanted to see me smile.  My dad didn't need a new bridle for his horse; he needed to see me laugh.  My sister didn't need another sweater; she needed to see my grab hold of hope."

Joni's point is a great one.  Jorge doesn't need a tattoo sleeve as much as he needs a wife who appreciates his hard work and doesn't sweat the small stuff.  These types of gifts are extremely valuable because they are, as Joni calls them, "gifts from the heart."

Maybe you've been grumpy lately and everyone in your family knows it.  Maybe you've been self-absorbed and your spouse feels it.  Maybe you're dealing with a big problem and haven't smiled a lot lately.  Joni is not saying we don't have good reasons to feel these ways sometimes, but she is saying that everyone can benefit from a gift from the heart  -  especially those closest to you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We already know who could benefit the most from a gift from our heart. We already know who would love to see us stop complaining and smile.  Give us the strength to follow through.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~

To You I Call

Psalm 28:1 "To You I call..."

How would you like it if I called you every morning when I woke up?  That would be roughly around 7:30 am most days; after all Hershey Pie needs to be let out.  And what about if after I fed him and made my coffee, I called you again?  Let's say I rang your bell once more while washing my breakfast dishes and lightly dusting.  And then right before I caught up on the news, I reached out to you again.  Of course, I will also call Jorge throughout the day, but not before I check in with you a few more times!  

I think that after the third or fourth call, you might be tempted to ignore me. Ouch!

The truth is that human contact and interaction are vital to our well-being, and we really do need each other for support and prayer.  In fact, some of the most beautiful moments of my life have taken place while I was on the phone praying with a friend. 

But there's a reason this verse says, "To You I call."  Our Lord is the only One Who can actually handle us and all our overwhelming needs, and He the only One Who never ever gets weary of our constant calling.  He is also the only One Who has all the power we need for our situations to change and our blessings to remain. Amen!

These four powerful words in the verse above remind us what our priority should be; let's pray.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, To You we call. You are our Rock, and we ask that You hear our prayer today. We lift up our hearts to You as we call for peace, protection, provision,  health, wisdom, and hope.  Have mercy on our souls, and restore to us the joy of our salvation.  Thank You that You will not remain silent.  You will encourage us and bless us.  We receive these gifts from You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.