As we began preparing our home for Christmas this week I have been pondering the heart preparations also.
"Be careful HOW you hear," our pastor shared today.
"What did Jesus marvel at? He marvelled both at people's faith and also their unbelief. Which do you want him to marvel at in your life?" our pastor challenged us.
"What are you saying in your life? Don't block God's blessings by your words or thoughts. Read and hear what God is saying to you, it's about connecting with the presence of Jesus." Amen.
"It's by grace, receive because of His grace (for none of us deserve it). Think in faith." I am both challenged and encouraged to walk my days this way, preparing AND receiving.
I love Christmas and I always look forward to it!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas decorations are lovely :)
Have a great Sunday :D
Touching pictures and awakening words. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat images! :)
ReplyDeleteThx!
Miło widzieć Twoje dzieci przy ubieraniu choinki. Słowa proboszcza są dla mnie bliskie. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteNice to see your kids dressing the Christmas tree. Word priest close to me. Yours.
Anche nel tuo blog si comincia a respirare l'aria natalizia...
ReplyDeleteBuona domenica a tutta la tua bella e gioiosa famiglia!
Cinzia
Thank you for writing this. I recognize these things and want to remember why He came to earth and want to receive his grace.
ReplyDelete✿✿°•.
ReplyDeletePassei para uma visitinha.
O Natal é uma data muito especial, onde renascem as esperanças e os sonhos de paz dentro dos corações.
Bom domingo!
Boa semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
¸.✿°°•.¸.¸•°♡⊱╮╮
I love those pictures.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and thoughts...
ReplyDeletemarvelous, touching! I say: you are blessed....you and your family are blessed.
Praise the Lord.
Love, BShell(Isabel)
Beautiful pictures of your lovely daughters, beautiful words to match and that, Karen, is true beauty for the day. Thank you for sharing. Hope you've had a lovely weekend
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, thought provoking post. And the girls are exquisite and such beautiful souls. Wishing you and your sweet family a joyous and festive Christmas and Bright New Year filled with happiness!
ReplyDeleteG
Some things to think on leading into Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful powerful chord you struck in me when I read your words from you sermon "Be careful HOW you hear". So, SO true. I remember last year, give or take a month, this space was being worked on and painted. Lovely to see the tree going up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. And such happy photos. Now you got me thinking..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
For me it is very stunning to see preparations for christmas in hot summer weather. So different from here in the cold north from europe. But it is a nice reportage and I like to see it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images and thought provoking words! Great post!
ReplyDeletePreparing our hearts for the presence of Jesus means more even today than it ever did. I feel His coming is near. Yet, His first coming is something we should rejoice in with every breath! So many forget this...or don't understand it in the first place.....our need for Him is very real, and He is there with open arms!
ReplyDeleteNice Christmas decorations! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat words from Sunday's sermon.
ReplyDeleteI am ever thankful to Jesus for his gift of eternal life. : )
A good message for us to ponder as we scurry around preparing the 'perfect' Christmas. Much better food for thought (and deed) than anything we could prepare. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNow this is great team work... amazing how quickly the tree goes up and decorated when you have help :^)
ReplyDelete)) so nice collection of photos!
ReplyDeletewonderful spirit of Christmas !
Have a great week!
xoxo, Juliana | PJ’ Happies :) | PJ’ Ecoproject