Easter!

   Easter is just days away! How crazy is that!? So I was thinking about writing about that today.  But, I know some people think that story is over told.  Because that is where we get John 3:16 from.

   So then I thought why not write about the day itself, and how we spend it.  To start, something so simple but powerful as Jesus raising from the dead, has turned into this day filled with eggs, bunny, candy, and the Easter bunny.

   Yes, we go to church in our spring dresses and nicer clothes, some people have brunch after and spend time with family enjoying the good news of Jesus being alive.  But is that what we are thinking that day?

   Are we rejoicing that Jesus is alive? Or have we filled our minds with the Easter eggs that need colored.  The baskets that need to be put out for the kids that morning.  The meal that need prepared before family comes.  The list could go on and on.

   Are these things bad? No, but it's where our heart and mind are and why we are doing theses things.  Easter could be the one day your friend that you have been asking and asking to come to church with you says yes.  And their life could be changed forever on that one day.

   The candies and eggs can be good too, it's just how we look at them.  There are theses cookies that are called resurrection cookies that are a great way to tie the Bible story to Easter through cookies.

   I hope you all have a great Easter and look at the day a little differently then you normally would have.

   Till next time
    LiveTheTruth :)

   

 

 

New Year, New Heart

 

   This week was hard for me to think of something to write about.  I had been so busy the last two weeks with the holidays that I really didn't have anything planned for this weeks blog post.  So when I sat down to write it, I drew a blank.  But that got me thinking,  it's 2017!

   It's a new year and with that, a time to look back on your past year to make changes for the year to come.  I'm sure 2016 was a crazy year for everyone.  A lot of things happened: people got married, had kids, died, got sick, moved.

   A lot of crazy things happened some good, other not so good.  The key is how we reacted to them.  Do we shut everyone out, and blame ourselves because something bad happened? Or do we let friends and family in that are going though the heartache too?

   Do we share our days, the good and bad, with God? Or do we go about our lives thinking He already knows it because He's God?  Do we spend time with God in prayer and in the Bible? Or do we just talk to Him when we have time?

   These are all things we get to chose on a daily basis.  So, did everyone spend 2016 alone? Or did you let people in? More importantly, are you going to spend 2017 alone? Or are you going to let people in this year?

   Till next time
    LiveTheTruth :)

Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

   Week....8!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

   GENTLENESS.

   what is Gentleness? Well...the dictionary says gentleness is the quality of being kind and careful.

   So how can we show gentleness with the holiday season coming up? If you look at the first part if the definition it tells you.  BE KIND.

   How can we be kind to people this holiday season? Well...Thanksgiving is Thursday, (That's why I posted this today instead of Thursday) and that whole day is about giving thanks and being thankful for things.

   So be kind to people help them out.  If you don't host thanksgiving at your house offer to do the dishes after lunch or dinner (when ever your family meets).  Offer to come over earlier and help the host finish the food, set the table, or even any last minute cleaning they need done.  Just help them out in anyway possible.

   Now on to the Christmas/Holiday season.  Being kind at Christmas is easier then you might think.  Because there are so many things going on around the Christmas season that you can be a part of.  So I'll list a few things.

   First, most of us probably bake Christmas cookies.  But how many of you are still eating them after the New Year? I know I am.  Something you can do is take some of those cookies to your neighbors. Or you can take them to family and friends.

   Second, they're so many different organisations that give toys, food, coats, ext. to people who need them around Christmas.  That is a great way to show gentleness.   If you don't know where to start looking for this, ask around at churches (sometimes they even do that stuff), they might know some places around where you live.

   And lastly, if you can't find an organisation around your town, or you just want to do extra.  You can give stuff to homeless shelters, or if you know of a family in your town that are struggling to get by this holiday season.  You can buy some stuff for them and deliver it to their door.  

   I hope this gave you a few ideas on how you can show Gentleness this holiday season. Have a great Thanksgiving!

   Till next time
    LiveTheTruth :)