AudioPlay, Life

Gimme Sweet Potato Pie

I don’t dislike sweet potatoes, but I don’t go out of my way to eat them, either. The only time I ever eat them is at Thanksgiving, or whenever Kevin is having a craving and makes them on the grill. (Which is actually not half bad, quite honestly).

You’re going to totally sing this song the rest of the day, aren’t you. HA! You’re welcome.

So. People. How was your Thanksgiving?!? Good? I hope so. If not, then I’m sorry. 😦

We had Thanksgiving over at my sister-in-law’s this year. We rotate dinners every year between Kevin and his two sisters. Last year we hosted, this year it was at Kevin’s oldest sister’s turn and next year, his youngest sister will host. Though I really stress out whenever it’s at our house, I really like this rotation schedule because it takes the pressure off one person having to host it every year.

thanksgiving

I had a headache. It was a combination of too much caffeine and not enough sleep. I’m afraid we cut our day sort of short because of it. The food was scrumptious, though. My SIL made some sort of Waldorf salad and WOW. We’ll have to make it a family tradition. She had SO MUCH FOOD, but we were feeding SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE that by the time the afternoon rolled around, the table was pretty much empty.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful families. No drama. No grudges (that I know of!). We all pretty much agree on politics and religion (sort of). We’re not perfect, but we are certainly blessed.

We’re putting our Christmas tree and outside lights up today. Will post more later!


(Click the blue arrow to play)
(Glee Christmas – “We Need a Little Christmas”)

Abundant Life, Politics

Twas the Month Before Christmas and Not a Christian was Praying

*Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ‘Holiday’.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears*

*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!*

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!


In case you haven’t noticed, it’s become “cool” to diss Christians nowadays. Why is that? Are non-Christians threatened by our God? Are non-Christians jealous that we have hope in this dismal world? Is it because they don’t understand what Christianity is? Is it because some Christians have given the faith a bad name over the years?

All of the above?

I could go into a long, detailed post about how people have become scared to admit they are Christians in this day and age, but I won’t. And here’s why:

Because Lindsay, from Suburban Turmoil, says it SO much better than I do.

And please, read the comments – they’re relevant, interesting and many “opposing” readers have valid points.

It all boils down to this: RESPECT. For each other, and for differing points of view.

And it’s no longer “cool” to make fun of Christians. Because I believe Christians have finally had enough. And they’re starting to stand up and defend themselves. And more and more people are waking up to realize that these non-Christian people who take the time and exert their energy to say, act and/or blog disparaging comments about Christianity are being exposed for the bitter, sad, lost, angry people that they are.

Is this an excuse to shun them?

Hardly.

It’s a silent cry for guidance, kindness and help that we, as Christians, have been called upon to offer them. If they reject our help, then that is their decision, but it is our responsibility as Christians to be the bigger person in this evil, corrupt world and offer a helping hand to those that are willing to accept it.

You can’t please everyone. IT. IS. IMPOSSIBLE. All you, me, and other Christians can do, is stand firm in our beliefs and be available if they need us.

I am a Christian. I am not afraid to admit that fact. I stand up for what I believe. And if people believe differently than I do, then that is their choice. I will not make fun of them or belittle what they believe. I have the freedom to disagree, and I’m not afraid to voice that disagreement in a rational, kind, and respectful way. Disagreeing does not mean I’m dismissing their views/opinions. It does not mean I’m making fun of their views/opinions, it means I disagree.

It’s as simple as that.

Please realize that if you’re one of those people who make a habit of snarling at Christians – we, the WORLD, see right through you.

Think about it.

And God loves you. Whether you accept that fact or not.

Life-condensed

Thanksgiving Wishes

Sometimes we complain that God put thorns on Roses. Yet others will rather say that God is good to have placed Roses among the thorns. In both cases we shall however be thankful for the roses. ~Kurt Avish
(Actually. God gave the world to Adam and Eve as a gift. Adam and Eve then fell for Satan’s tricks and transferred ownership of the world to Satan. Before Satan came along, roses didn’t HAVE thorns).

____________________

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward

____________________

Be aware of what you have in hand rather than to be for what you don’t. Everyone will be grateful to what you have.” ~Kurt Avish

____________________

I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy. ~Anne Frank

____________________

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. ~Cicero

____________________

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

____________________

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

____________________

The things that we most of the time take for granted are always those that deserve our gratitude. Be thankful to that thing or person today and make every day of the year a personal Thanksgiving one. ~ Kurt Avish

Really – what more can I say?

Have a blessed day, Internet.

http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/139738618364305408

AudioPlay, Twitter Messages

Four Days Off? Whatever Shall I Do?!

http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/139325042231230464

http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/139325181616324609

Four days off? Whatever shall I do?!

How about BLOG!! How about stuff my face with Thanksgiving goodness? How about putting up the Christmas tree? How about finishing my Christmas shopping! (Don’t hate me). How about giving my house a good cleaning?

Let’s skip that last one.

In other words? I’ll think of something! 🙂

As promised, here is the first song for the Christmas season. I’m impatient – I can’t wait anymore.


(Click the blue arrow to play)
Michael Buble’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”

And speaking of Christmas – I just found what I want for Christmas. I know, right??

Have a lovely day, friends.

Abundant Life

Audio Teaching: Tactics of the Enemy

by Dan Gallagher
God’s admonition in Scripture that we not be ignorant of Satan’s (the Devil’s) devices is very timely, especially in light of the worldwide rise of many demonic activities. One does not have to look far to see the increasing proliferation of wizardry, witchcraft, occultism, promiscuity, criminality, murder and mayhem, and the list goes on and on. If Christians are ever going to stand effectively in the spiritual battle, we must increase our knowledge of the tactics of the Devil.

You will be amazed to see how many truths concerning the enemy, his methods, and his tactics, are revealed in Proverbs 7, especially when you consider that it was written over 3,000 years ago. In this teaching Dan Gallagher closely examines how God colorfully reveals the enemy’s methods through the use of a story about an ignorant wayward youth and a cunning adulterous woman. You will see the battle of the senses exposed, the devil’s powerful use of words, and the parallels between physical and spiritual disease (ignorance, exposure, contamination, infection, and death). This teaching clearly displays the enemy’s methodical use of rebellion and rejection, his appeal to ego and self, and his concealment behind religious behavior. It is a lesson in wisdom concerning the enemy and his tactics and God’s answer for our defense. We exhort you to add this teaching to your spiritual arsenal.

Click the arrow to listen.

Transcription | Related Topic

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