"Just Where Did He Go??" ------------

Christmas is upon us...the time is drawing near..

Our lists are made...we ask ourselves...
"who is getting what"??..
Am I spending 'enough' on everyone on my list?..
Save the receipt..if they don't like it..they can just take it back!!..
"I hope I don't forget anyone.."

Common themes this time of the year..

For those of us with extra cash (or unfortunately credit cards)..the intention of piling gifts high under the tree brings a sense of contentment.
For those of us who are barely making ends meet...we find ourselves struggling to find the contentment
when we realize, we cannot provide!! and Christmas may be disappointing to the ones we love.

I don't think it is wrong to gather gifts for those we love..
But I think we must examine our hearts...for the reasons we do.

If cash is minimal (and it often is)...then where does our sense of contentment come from..
when we either don't get or can't give?? 
Where is our sense of peace when our gifts are torn open and laying in a corner and under appreciated??

I ask myself...what, where or who is my source of contentment in this holiday season???

How can I remain serene and focused when the market is about to crash, illness and accidents are at  the intersections of 'oh-no' and "when did that happen'?...
and our Christmas list is growing much longer than our paychecks!!

It always comes back to Him...
no more cliche's, no ready made answers...Just where did He go??

In the quiet of the moments...we ask our self..
Why, did He slowly begin to slip away??...
When did I replace Him with shiny gifts sitting under a tree...
and ..... can I have Him back, please???

The answers are as close as your next heartbeat...
He hasn't gone anywhere!!!...
That is good news..and.... His presence is THE gift He gives to you.. 

"Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10).

He can never really be replaced as long as we continue to
"seek Him while He may be found"...Isaiah 55:6 is the contentment that cannot be discarded if we allow it to take root in our hearts.
And YES, YES, YES...you can have HIM...all you need to do is ask...

This Christmas...determine now...that things are going to be different...
Lead your family back to Jesus..

Cash or Credit will never buy contentment..
but Christ will ....
In fact He already has....

Let's try this Again

 ^{Philippians 4:12, 13}
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength"

What is the secret of being content?
Sometimes I am content...
When life is rolling along and the puzzle pieces seem to fall into place quickly and easily...
I think...'I am content.'!!

When I think of contentment...It makes me think of the 'bucket list..
I hear people talking about their own 'bucket lists'.
This list usually comes from a place of 'discontent,'
....a place of, if only... or what if ?...

But, I think their should be 2 buckets...the 'settled' and 'not willing to settle'...buckets...

In my first bucket.....are 'cool' things I have done...'Settled!!'...been there done that !!
So lets start there..
*lived in Africa for a couple months working in area church's and school's..
*whitewater rafted down a 'crazy' river in North Carolina with a dear friend ..
*parasailed..
*worked in the Prison's ministry.
*worked with mentally challenged adults (awesome).
*sang at funerals and weddings and a lot of wonderful places in between.
*flown all over the world for the last 20+ years.
*camped out on the Luangua River (borders Zambia).
*blessed to marry my amazing best friend...He loves Jesus and me, is brilliant, funny, and handsome!
*helped to raise my nieces.
*escorted our U.S. Army to Kuwait and then back home again..
So that is my list...just off the top of my head....a bucket, I sometimes drink from when I need to remember well..

In my second bucket are things I'm not willing to 'settle' on, quite yet..
*I hope to leave a mark on the world through my writing and singing.
*Would love to learn a foreign language (not just airlplane spanish)
*Play piano (well, with 2 hands even)
*Possibly adopt..
*Go yearly with my hubby to wonderful destinations
*Be 'brave enough' to let God lead us everyday..

Think for a few moments,.. all the wonderful and amazing things you have done..and then remember that it is never too late to start fresh and accomplish more than you ever thought possible...
It's not only about finishing well, it is also about remembering well...

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength"


**Make two lists and go for it, but pray first... that God will allow you, to accomplish those dreams that really matter!

And to be content no matter what??, The secret is this...in all things Paul's focus went right back to Jesus...that is the secret...getting grounded in the One who loves you most, choosing contentedness and thankfulness, so you can learn to understand the dreams He has for you.
Then you know the ones that are worth pursuing.

Remembering well, will definitely allow you to finish well...