As we enter a new year, we are hopeful that a new administration will lead this country in a positive direction. It is time to put away the anger and injustice and concentrate on what we all want, peace.
No one man can govern. No one man can heal a nation. Our forefathers were great men of faith. They knew that it would take more than a man and congress to form and run a peaceful nation.
In creating a document that would forever change the course of history, they included these words: “One nation under God.” Those few words resounded their faith and their desire to set guidelines for the structure of this country.
We can’t change the events that have occurred since that time, but we can work on giving this country back to God. Let it begin today, right now, with you, and let us unite in prayer.
Well, this year, like the past three, less than desirable. The thing about an approaching new year is that it gives you time to reflect on the past twelve months and make goals for the next twelve.
I’m not going to promise I will lose weight because that just makes me gain more. I will be more conscious of good health habits and try to improve.
I’m not going to promise to be perfect because clearly I am not. I do try to keep a positive attitude and try to work on those things I am less perfect at.
While I try to keep my wallet tight I will make time and money for the things I want to do and see because I am worth it.
Most importantly, I will continue to give to those in need when the need is justified. When you give with an open heart, miracles happen.
In 2025, we look forward to positive changes in the new administration, humanitarian improvements, and a country driven more by faith than greed.
In your resolutions for the new year, don’t forget to include daily prayer. Focus on the light and not the darkness. Prayers for your future and a joyous new year.
As you go about celebrating this week, don’t get so busy that you ignore why we celebrate.
For some, it is just the celebration of trees and lights, food, and family. Certainly, those things are enjoyable, as are other traditions, but they are not about Christmas
December 25, most likely, was not the day Jesus Christ was born but just a day that was chosen to celebrate. It wasn’t just a kid in the neighborhood that was being born, it was the Son Of God.
Put yourself in Mary’s place. She was a young teenager who was betrothed to a much older man. If that was not scary enough, an angel appeared to her in the night and told her she was going to have a child, not just any child or the child of her soon-to-be husband but the Son of God. Mary followed the angel’s instructions to the letter. She never questioned God’s plan. She did question whether or not she was worthy of such an honor.
If you have read some of the books of Apocrypha found in some older Bibles and from the Dead Sea scrolls, you might have stumbled upon The Book Of Infancy, which details the birth of Christ through his youth. The first miracle was not at the wedding feast but in the wombs of two women when Jesus and John recognized each other. The second miracle occurred during Mary’s delivery. An older midwife came to help her but feared she might not be much help because one of her hands was badly deformed. At the shear touch from the baby Jesus, her hand was immediately straightened and made new.
Almost immediately after Jesus’s birth, there was a brilliant star that appeared over the stable where he laid. This was a sign to all that something special had taken place. Eight shepherds left their pasture to follow this star. Kings in the East had already heard of the news and began their journey to find the child. Their journey would last two years. Seeing the now toddler, they presented him with gifts of Frankinsence, Gold, and Myrrh, and then they went on their way.
It was certainly a meaningful night. A night of miracles. A night that would change the world forever.
The babe, the man, the resurrection, all made a difference.
I pray that you all will have a joyous Christmas and a wonderful New Year. God bless you with good health and fulfilled dreams throughout the year.
I love it when I wake up early. Everyone else is asleep, and it is just me and God. I talk to him like I would talk to not just a Father but a best friend. He gives me inspiration.
Guess what I am creating?
It makes you wonder how God must have felt in those early days of creation. Could he have felt the frustration of imperfection if there was any one thing that was not quite right in His eyes?
My Dad used to say to me, “You never finish anything.” I do finish most things I start with my crafts, art and in life however I am so picky because I am always trying to get that one thing just right that I forget that its sometimes okay to be a little imperfect!
I’m okay with being imperfect. One of my favorite tees bears this slogan “Under construction – a work of God” and I wear it proudly.
Break away from life and take the time to create something or just to have a little talk with God. He listens, doesn’t judge, and sometimes even gives you a little nudge!
While my family is small now there are lots of fond memories of past celebrations. There was never any football or any such sport stuff in our family. Our family concentrated on just being together and valuing that time.
When I was young, my family was so important. There were no computers, cell phones, drones, or other distractions. The Macy parade was my favorite activity. The oversized balloons were always a fascination. While us kids were sprawled out on the floor watching the parade, the adults were engaged in conversation that included a lot of laughter.
The food, of course, was worthy of five stars, and most of us ate way too much. We packed in a lot of love on days like these.
It’s days like this that you can’t duplicate, so you take in as much as you can. While a lot of family members have passed on, they certainly have not been forgotten because they have already left their footprints on this world and in our hearts.
Today, remember is not about politics, foreign policies, or other hot news topics. Today is about being thankful for life, and it’s many blessings.
Have a safe, healthy, happy Thanksgiving.
What I am thankful for:
A loving God that has been so good to me.
A wonderful family that has always supported me and valued me.
Pretty good health that allows me to continue to live my way.
The good sense to live a financially secure life to the best of my ability.
Take a moment to be grateful. It could be a real eye opener for some.
America woke up this morning with hope now that President Trump in the early morning hours was confirmed to be our 47th president.
It is almost like you can already feel a cloud lifting. America showed up at the polls in unprecedented numbers. Even the Amish rolled their buggies to place their votes. The Latin American votes were greater than expected. America has spoken.
Now, we need to pray for a peaceful transition. We need to continue to unite together to get back to a strong nation that our constitution was designed to protect. For four years, this nation has suffered, and now it is time to heal.
With a Republican president, House and Senate, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen the foundation of our governing system.
Continue to pray for our new president and his family as we head into a new year and a new term. God bless America.
This country was not built by the English but by the tears of our Native American people. I have always been impressed by their culture, their dedication to family, and their need and desire to protect their environment. Their creative talents are unmatched.
Today, we ventured out to nearby Jacksonville to attend the Onslow County Veterans Pow Wow. It has been a few years since we attended one of these celebrations. If you have never attended a Pow Wow, you have missed an opportunity to view their crafts and artistry and to witness their dances.
Here are some highlights of the Grand Entry, Veterans Walk, and united tribal dances.
Attend a Pow Wow near you and be welcomed into a circle of friendship.
There are two things I keep within reach of my bed, a needle for cross stitch and a Bible. Why you ask, because on sleepless nights, they both come in handy. I sometimes wake up feeling nervous and reach for my needlework. The rhythm of making the stitches is calming, and I soon relax enough to fall back to sleep. The Bible I keep on my night stand for those nights when either I have had a stressful day or when I wake up and need the comfort of my Lord.
In the Bible in the book of Matthew Jesus references a needle when he says in verse 24 “And again I say to unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”. Some people have said that the needle eye referred to was a gate that camels passed through; however, I believe that it should be taken more literally.
If you look around in the chaos world we are living in, it is primarily driven by money. Most crimes are tied to money. Our society is categorized by our wealth or the lack of. The biblical reference is not something to be ignored. If a rich man places money before God, his chances are slim of ever seeing the kingdom of God. You need to serve only one master, God.
Yes, unfortunately, we need money to survive, but it is the lust of money that will lead people down the wrong path. We are at a crossroads. There is a right way and a wrong way. Which path have you chosen?
In this spiritual war, we have to be conscious of where our decisions will lead us. Have a wonderful day.
Ventured out locally today to Greenville today. My destination today was the Greenville Museum of Art. It’s not a large facility. In fact, it is in an old home at 802 Evans St. The thing about Art Galleries is that most of the time, you will find something you like.
This piece I found intetesting. Sorry I didn’t get all of the one on the left. Don’t know what the background is made of, but the composition is cd’s, micro chips circuit boards, and miscellaneous hardware. I didn’t get the artist’s name, but here is the link to the museum for more information: https://www.gmoa.org/
We left there and stopped by Michael’s for a craft fix. I rarely make it out of town without feeding my habit, but then I had to feed my husband, which was a bigger hit to my wallet.
Just a short drive away, we pulled into Cracker Barrell. It is always busy and noisy, but I toughed it out for their hashbrown casserole.
Back home now, it’s time to craft. See you next time for another adventure.
Please like and share. Thank you for reading and sharing. Have a great day.
In the past week, I have watched a lot of videos from our western mountain region. I have seen the angry water that ripped apart the small community of Chimney Rock, the faces of family members searching for loved ones and even animals rushed out of a safe environment.
Was it a natural event or a storm manipulated by man? Shockingly enough, the question has come up, and surprisingly their have been things like cloud seeding that go back to the 50s. It was still a devastating event.
Sometimes, in the midst of a briar patch of thornes, you can find a single rose that survives, and this story has one as well. Sometimes, that single rose turns into a garden. The rose is the people themselves from the first feet on the ground, the National Guard, to the large outpouring of volunteers. Most surprisingly are the mountain people themselves. Despite their own great loss, they turned and helped their neighbors and strangers. They were one heart beating together for survival. The beauty of this rose is a lesson to mankind. We should not be so hardened to our own lifestyle that we neglect the needs of others.
Obviously, there was little support from the government, but there was a surprise visit by President Trump. It’s not political it’s just hearts joining hearts.
Our mountain families are going to continue to need our support for months to come. The one thing you can do now and daily is pray for them.
Through My Eyes 