To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Giving

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

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As the Christmas season comes around the corner

presents are carried into homes,

wrapping paper is covering new toys and gifts, 

and are laced with bows; they are sitting under the tress waiting for Christmas day. 

But, is that what Christmas is all about?

What about the birth of Jesus Christ, does that matter anymore?

Wrapped in swaddling cloth, 

laying in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 

The Savior of our world was born in a stable.

A stable.

There was no room for the Savior of the world. 

Surrounded by animals and hay... that is no place for a King. 

So, this Christmas I ask one thing, readers, 

Remember. 

Remember all that our Savior has done for us, and will continue to do in the future. 

He came into this world to give, not to receive.

Make a place for Christ this holiday season, as we give gifts. 

But, let us not forget the greatest gift of all. 

The story of how one King came to save. 

Save the world. 

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Merry Christmas Readers, 

I ask that you guys check out this blog/ website in order to find out more about the true meaning of Christmas. I personally loved this article and I hope you do too. Enjoy!! 

link: http://www.thehopeline.com/real-meaning-of-christmas/ 

Love, Cait

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Actions

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Titus 1:16

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Actions speak louder than words, 

that saying is quite true. 

Many people don't believe what you say, 

but rather what you do. 

People often block out what you say, 

and just watch what you do. 

They want to make sure you truly believe what you are saying 

for yourself. 

Jesus was a doer, not a sayer. 

Follow His example.

Show love to those who do not have love,

do not just say that you are going to. 

Give food to those who do not have any, 

do not just say it would be a good idea. 

Being a follower of Christ requires that you live the life that you were called to live. 

Do you honestly think that God would want you to be two-faced?

People notice...

and when they do

they will want to run far away to a place where they believe God cannot reach them. 

However, that is not where they should be. 

Show them what faith and love really is. 

Show them the love of Christ. 

The love and grace that you received.

That is our calling. 

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Love

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on to these two commandments'." Matthew 22:37-40

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Sounds simple, huh? 

Love, however, is more complex than we could ever imagine

We must put everything behind God and in front of us. 

In looking back, there should be nothing.... 

and looking forward, there will be everything. 

Everything is a lot:

our future, 

relationships, 

education, 

hobbies, 

dreams, 

and even more. 

What even is love?

One wise man once told me that love was being servant, 

fully serving the other

letting all of their needs go before yours. 

I want to be a servant one day, to love deeply

the way that God intended. 

But, first I must love God. 

We must love God. 

We must talk to him, 

confront him, 

spend time with him, 

be His and only His. 

We must love God before we can love others the way we are called to. 

Be patient, kind

do not envy or boast,

protect, trust, hope, preserver,

and do not let it fail. 

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

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As the time for Thanksgiving is coming near, I ask you to ponder something for me. 

Should we only thank God on this one special day a year?

What about the other 364 days...?

Have you not heard of what God has done for you?

He has determined your steps, before you even plan them; 

He has numbered every hair on your head;

He has given you a hope and a future;

He has sent his one and only Son to die for your sins;

He has shown you grace and forgiveness.

Should we not be thankful daily?

Every breath you take, shall you not be thankful?

Every step you take, shall you not be thankful?

Every person you meet, thing you see, scent you smell, shall you not be thankful?

Imagine it this way, God could have very well taken that last breath away from you this morning,

but instead,

You are living out God's plan for you on this earth. 

Be thankful that he is still going to use you;

Use you in ways that a human mind cannot fathom. 

While Thanksgiving is a time to be spent with family and friends, 

remember to spend time with your Heavenly Father (everyday), 

and instead of asking...

Give thanks for everything you already have. 

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Speech

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we cruse human beings who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring. My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12 

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Have you ever stopped to listen to what comes out of your mouth?

What do you say to those who make you mad, 

sad, 

frustrated, 

annoyed,

happy, 

and loved?

Or what about those that you do not know?

Those who sit on the cement because they have no place to go?

Those who are abused but, they hid their shame?

Those who struggle with sin, and cannot come out from under its power?

Those who once meant so much to you, but have hurt you?

Those who are not like you?

Have you ever just stopped to think the impact that your words have on others?

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

What a lie we tell ourselves. 

We do care what people think of us, 

and what people say about us.

We take those things to heart and store them there. 

They rattle through our brains when we try to push them out. 

They bog us down into a world of perpetual sorrow. 

BUT, You, yes you, have been made in the image of God. 

Do you realize how much worth you have?

Do you realize how much worth they have? 

Jesus once said, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

Imagine yourself spewing words of hate at the Son of God. 

The one that saved you from your sins. 

The one that died to save you. 

the one that loves you with and endless love. 

All of the lies,

cruses, 

slander, 

and corruption that you throw at other people, 

you also throw at Him, who is on High. 

Stop and Think before you speak. 

And please if you do not have anything to build someone else up, do not say it at all.  

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Friendships

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

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Look at everyone in your life... 

Why are they there?

To make you laugh,

To make you smile,

To help you understand your worth,

To show you your strengths,

your flaws?

God picks each and every person,

specifically, 

just for you.  

Those people care about you, love you, and want the best for you. 

Thank God for those people daily... 

But sometimes you lose control, 

and you spiral into the unknown 

losing the friends that you once had. 

 And you know what, 

there is a reason. 

Maybe it was the person that you thought they were the one, 

The one you wanted to spend your life with. 

Or you childhood best friend. 

Or a sister, brother, mother, father...

But, God, he has different plans. 

Trust me on this one. 

He is breaking something you once had in order to make something better. 

What needed to change? 

Foundations?

Boundaries?

Lifestyles?

Words?

Actions?

Something... 

But, if God wants them to be there, they will stay and stay forever. 

Just remember that. 

God has your best interests in mind, because he is the best friend that you will always have. 

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Fear

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your request to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

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We fear because of the danger.
We fear because of the risks.
We fear because of the butterflies.
We fear because of comfort.
We fear because of the past pain. 
We fear because of the lack of faith. 

Children, however, have the desired faith. 
And not just in God. 
They believe that they can do anything, 
be anything, 
go anywhere, 
love unconditionally
and so much more. 

They are convinced of their greatness, 
and their father allows them to dream because he believes in them too. 

Our Father, in Heaven, is just like that. 
He holds your hand, 
and steps out into the realm of the unknown with you. 

The places that you will be will test your faith, but... 
You have God on your side. 
Pray, He will always listen. 
He will always be there. 
No matter how uncomfortable it may be. 

Jesus has been on this earth, 
He understands the pain. 
He will never leave you nor forsake you. 
He is your Father and He believes in you. 

Go out into the world, share the love of God, and do it scared.