Archive for December, 2014

On Christmas there are some people who are truly forgotten.  Because we are Doing Christmas Differently, I want you to pray about ways to bless people in these places on Christmas Day.  Think of other people who are forgotten on Christmas and I want you to serve Jesus by serving them. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” has been on my mind all week.  Who are the least of these? When we think of the least of these, we tend to think of…

Today is day 9 of the 15 day series Doing Christmas Differently.    We are more than half way through and it is our prayer that this series has been a blessing during this Christmas season.   Social media sometimes gets a bad reputation.  For Christmas –  I want to suggest a way to be a blessing to Twitter users, which I lovingly refer to as my “Twamily”.  Not too long ago I learned about a new way to be an effective prayer warrior for those Twitter users who were requesting prayer. (I can’t remember who shared this, if you…

I want you to think about a person who is not walking with Christ.  This may be a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or an acquaintance.  Can’t think of anyone?  Scroll through your phone, look through your Facebook friends, or Instagram followers until you find a person that may not be saved, or may be out of fellowship with Christ.  Have you identified that person?  Today’s gift is just for them.  I wish I could insert their name and picture so that these words would be connected with their image.  This gift is personal and it is important or…

This gift idea is a little bit out of the box.  OK, well, a lot outside of the box, but I do believe it will communicate Christ’s heart for His people.  Before we get into the gift of the day, let me just share a few verses that have inspired this idea. Deuteronomy 15:10 tells us to, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those…

An email was delivered to my inbox today that started off by saying, “Do you break out in hives just thinking about the craziness and chaos that comes with Christmas? It doesn’t have to be that way.”  Us “Christmas People” can be described in many ways:  Frantic.  Hurried.  Worried.  Rude. Indecisive.  Annoying.  If we are truly Christmas People then we will be people of peace!  Luke 2:14 reminds us of the declaration of the angel of the Lord and the heavenly hosts  when the shepherds learned about the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  “Glory to God in the highest…

Can you keep a secret?  This gift requires more than confidentiality – it requires anonymity.  There is some sneaking, tip toeing and hiding involved.  Are you up for the challenge?  This is the gift of undercover kindness.   Matthew 6:3 -4 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” I was thinking about this verse and comparing it to how we “do Christmas”.  Is that how you usually…

You know someone who is overwhelmed.  We all know someone who is over-stressed.  For Christmas this year I want you to pray about giving them the perfect gift: REST! I want you to think of at least one person who has a ton of responsibility right now.  I want you to think of a friend and family member that comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “I have no idea how she does it.”  Is the person that you think of someone who takes care of a child with special needs?  Is he or she a person who is…

Have you ever received a gift unexpectedly?  Have you ever been overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of a true surprise?  What was most endearing about the moment that you realized the gift was for you, or who it was from?  Can you remember details of that day?  Then you remember what it was like to receive the gift for today. A great gift to give is joy! Here are a few ideas on how to wrap up joy and deliver it to an unsuspecting individual. 1.  Write a letter to someone who has brought you joy in your life.  Maybe it…