I SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I say Merry Christmas, because for me it is a Merry Christmas! I celebrate Jesus which is why I celebrate Christmas. Many may argue that Christmas is a pagan holiday and that if you are a Christian you should not be celebrating Christmas. I say to them Christmas is a time set aside to simply remember the birth of Jesus! I don’t care if it would be in December or July, it doesn’t matter, or if it was called by any other name, I would still celebrate it because I want to remember the greatest gift that my Heavenly Father could have given to me was wrapped up in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger! However, since Jesus was the Christ, the Anointed one sent to us, Emmanuel (GOD with us) I think Merry Christmas is most appropriate!
Luke 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
People are free to believe and feel the way they feel, however so am I! Celebrate it or not, I choose to celebrate! I say let the Christmas lights shine bright to remind us that Jesus is the Brightest Light that came into this dark world! I say bring in the biggest tree because Jesus died upon a cross made of a tree so that we could live! I say place ornaments of gold and silver upon the tree to remind us that all the gold and silver in the world can’t compare to Jesus and his worth. I say wrap it up with tinsel and garland to remind us of the embraces of Love that only He can wrap us up in. I say to place a shining star on top to remind us that wise men followed the star to find Jesus and that wise men today are still searching him out! I say place gifts and presents under the tree to remind us of Jesus’ Presence being with us and that He was and still is the greatest gift that Mankind could have ever been given. I say to place manger scenes with a stable in your home to remind you that your home needs a Stable foundation. I say Celebrate and be Cheerful because He lives and for that reason we can face tomorrow! I say sing Christmas carols about Him and to Him, Adore Him and praise Him in song! Rejoice for the angels are still singing Holy is the Lord and resounding good tidings of Great Joy! God has made peace available to all men on earth through his beloved son Jesus! No greater gift could mankind have ever been given than Jesus!
I want to shout it out, that Jesus Christ is born! I realize that many reject Jesus as a gift, and have not received him. Many reject Christmas and refuse to celebrate it, again I say that is fine for them, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord with gladness. We will take every opportunity to remember Him as the Great I am, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty One, that was born humbly in a stable, the one who came as a baby and lay in a manger, but will return as the Roaring Lion of Judah, and as The King of Kings and Lord of All Lords….Every tongue will confess that He is Lord, I personally want to confess Him now with joy, not in a moment of regret!
Isaiah9: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
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Small Beginnings
“The Mighty Oak was once a little nut that stood its ground!”~unknown
No matter what you want in life or who you are, great strides begin with the first small step! I often encourage readers to step out and go for their dreams, but as I encourage you my readers, I also give myself the same pep talk! In my own life I have felt as though at times that I waited or hesitated to make the small steps of faith it took for me to do what was in my heart. I often felt because I had hesitated that certain dreams would not come true. What a lie from the enemy! It may take me longer to accomplish certain dreams because of my hesitancy, but the dreams are still alive and waiting! What I have found, even in my times of hesitancy is that God is always ordering my steps! I can truly delight in my way!
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” – Zechariah 4:10 NLT
Have I arrived? My answer is a resounding NO, I am not where I want to be yet, but most importantly, is that GOD is not through with me yet either! I have many dreams yet to be fulfilled that are way too “BIG” for me, however, it amazes me that now I can see the importance of so many of the small, seemingly “insignificant” steps that I have had to take and will continue to take every day! Yes I said every day. I have determined to take a few small steps toward my dreams every single day. This blog is an example. For instance I am a published author, but I want to be an author who really encourages others. I start out each week preparing my blogs, which may seem like a small thing to some, but to me it gives me experience and discipline, but more importantly when I finish a blog, I feel as though I have made a great stride toward my dreams!
“Don’t despise the little steps you know you can take every day. There are tiny miracles in each and every one of them.” ― Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes
I sit here today having gained several years of valuable experience, yes even a little wisdom and knowledge along the way as to how to accomplish a few small steps toward my “Big” dreams. I am not being boastful, however, because the more I learn, the more I realize I have so much more still to learn! Experience has been an excellent teacher. When I first began trying to take small steps, I would go by a lot of trial and error as to what worked for me and what didn’t. I am sure I had way more errors than victories. Eventually I was able to realize what worked for me in some things, but still am testing things in others. One bit of wisdom I think I can pass along is what works for others may or may not necessarily work for you even if you do it the exact same way! I love to read other success stories as to how this famous person did this thing or that. I can use their experiences as a model, but my walk or dream is still different from theirs, so I still have to forge my own way. However, I think what has helped me when I read about other successful people and how they have become successful is that I can avoid certain missteps if I use their experiences.
In closing this blog today, the number one thing I must stress is that we certainly want to have our “Big” dreams, but the most important “Big” step is to enjoy the journey. Enjoy what is present and now! Realize that even though the steps may seem small, that they are really the big steps that are teaching you how to live the rest of your life. I love the following quote:
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”-Robert Brault
It is vital to my happiness and fulfillment to realize how that the Lord has blessed me right now, this very day. Yes, I can look back to where I started, and even look forward to where I want to go, but to me the most important thing is that my joy is not based on what I will be or who I was, but rather who I am. I want to be grateful for what the Lord has blessed me with right now! At the end of my journey when I have accomplished all that I was supposed to on this earth, I want to know that everything small or great that the Lord did for me, gave to me, helped me to do etc., will indeed add up to the “Big” thing that He purposed my life for!
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Christine Gilliam Hornback
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Wife, Mother, #1 Bestselling Author, Spiritual Midwife/Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Creator of Inspirational Programs and Authorship Programs, Owner of Birthing Your Dream Author Services, Artist and Art Instructor!
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Happy Mother’s Celebration Day! I wanted to dedicate this blog to loving mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, spiritual mothers, and fur baby mothers everywhere. If I left anybody out, sure didn’t mean to!
It is my opinion that Women are born to be ministers. We began our ministry at a very young age. We begin our training as we watch our own mothers, grandmothers, or possibly an older sister or aunt nurture and care for others. We are born caregivers. Being a Mother or a wife is the ultimate ministry as we minister to our families on a daily basis, and usually whoever else needs us. Sometimes we may think that it is a very thankless job. However, if you have ever received a tight hug around the neck from your child, or a quick peck on the cheek from Hubby in appreciation for something that you’ve done for them, let me tell you the job has rewards that no amount of money could replace!
Proverbs 31 (KJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
I take the Scripture of the Proverbs Woman very seriously and I aspire to be like this virtuous woman described in the above scripture, but don’t you wish that you could just abandon yourself to a whimsical notion once in a while without feeling that your life and the lives of your family would just simply fall apart? Being a responsible person might be necessary, but it is not always fun! I toy with the notion, especially on Mondays as I go about doing another load of laundry, or dishes, or cooking my children lunch….What would happen if I just didn’t do these things! What would happen if I didn’t mop that floor? Or, empty that dishwasher? God forbid my family might have to learn to do something without me, Duh? Horrifying to think of!
I have found that the fear of not doing something is far worse than what would really happen if I did it! It’s not like my kids would starve or anything for goodness sake if I truly decided to take a day just for me! I came up “old school” as my cabinets are always well stocked. They know how to fix themselves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches which are always in the cabinet and refrigerator. It’s also not like they would ever be naked if I did not do my laundry every Monday morning! My floor can get nasty at times, but hey, my kids have never gotten glued completely to the floor! Isn’t it simply amazing how we weave ourselves so tight into the lives of our family that we as Mothers think the world would just cease to function if we took a day!
I truly do not think it is pride or arrogance on our part, just dedication! As Moms, we do have a sense of great accomplishment when our homes run like clockwork and everything smells fresh and clean. We do take solace in the fact that our children are well taken care of and that they rely on Mom. Especially when they love Momma’s cooking better than restaurant food! Yep, maybe I do swell up a bit, which makes the day to day, week to week routine all worth it! But I go back to the toying of the idea of a Mom’s Day! Whoops, I guess I was not the first one to toy with the idea, for there is indeed a day dedicated to Mothers! “Mother’s Day” is coming up this Sunday!
Yay! That means that Moms if you are reading this, that you can indeed take a day and enjoy doing it! This makes it is perfectly okay for Mom’s to do nothing for an entire day. Yahoo!!!! Kick up your heels! Lounge around on the couch like the rest of your family does! I think that I personally might request to actually hold the remote to the T.V.! Yay! Mother’s day makes it possible for Mom’s to be pampered and to be celebrated as that wonderful created being that God has created you to be! Go party my fellow Sisters and do it with abandoned joy!
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Christine Gilliam Hornback
Wife, Mother, #1 Bestselling Author, Spiritual Midwife/Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Creator of Inspirational Programs and Authorship Programs, Artist and Art Instructor!
Hello Friends! I do Live Webinar and Facebook Live Events to Coach and Encourage! If you have been stuck or overwhelmed in pursuing your passions and God-given purpose, I would love to help you to go forward! If this is something that you know you need in 2019, please sign up for free info below:
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When I’m needy and I’m hungry
I need your touch again
I just softly whisper your sweet name
You gently rush right in.
As I worship in your presence
My strength you make new
Everything that I have desire of
Lord it’s only found in you
I find peace in your river
Life flows from your streams
I mount up like an Eagle
And I ride upon your wings
Then I find You’re my everything.
You’re all Lord; You’re all that I need.
I would love for you to have my FREE EBOOK Inspiring One Dreamer at a Time, Know the Seasons that You’re in. CLICK HERE TO GET IT FREE!
You can connect or follow Christine:
Christine Gilliam Hornback
Wife, Mother, #1 Bestselling Author, Artist, Art Instructor, Spiritual Midwife/Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Owner of Birthing Your Dream Author Service , Creator of Inspirational Authorship Programs, Artist and Art Instructor!
Hello Friends! I do Live Webinar and Facebook Live Events to Coach and Encourage! If you have been stuck or overwhelmed in pursuing your passions and God-given purpose, I would love to help you to go forward! If this is something that you know you need in 2019, I would love to hear from you!
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE MY FREE Resources to help you become a Successful Author
Christine is a weekly contributor to http://www.lakeviewtimes.com.
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