We can do no great things..only small things with great love

Mother Teresa

CRS Prayer

All of us can share this prayer no matter our church affiliation for we are all Christians striving to show the world the love of Jesus Christ ....


As Catholics, we recognize that prayer is of the utmost importance, an invaluable contribution to helping poor people overseas. We invite you to join us in bringing to Our Lord the following intentions and thanks.

Lord, help us to recognize you in the stranger in need, whether you show yourself in our path or reveal yourself in the poorest and most vulnerable people across the globe.

Let us pray that, in the new year, the Spirit teaches us how to continually walk in faith and that the work of our hands, minds and hearts reflects the meaning of the Gospel.

Lord, teach us to live our faith. As your word guides our souls, so let it guide our attitudes toward people in great need who look to us as their only hope.

Let us pray for clearer understanding from you, Lord, of what you mean by seeking your kingdom first and by amassing treasure in heaven.

Amen.

Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever. Psalm 106:1

Thank You!

By Max Lucado

Unfortunately, saying “thank you” isn’t all that common.

And yet, it’s what worship is all about.

Worship is when you’re aware that what you’ve been given is far greater than what you can give. Worship is that awareness that were it not for his touch, you’d still be hurting, bitter and broken. Worship is the half-glazed expression on the parched face of a desert pilgrim as he discovers that the oasis is not a mirage.

When we try to make a science out of worship—we can’t do it. No more than we can “sell love” or “negotiate peace.”

Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior, by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer.

Worship is the “thank you” that refuses to be silenced.

He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them. 2 Corinthians 1:4

My child’s feelings are hurt. I tell her she’s special.

My child is afraid. I won’t go to sleep until she is secure.

I’m not a hero .… I’m a parent. When a child hurts, a parent does what comes naturally. He helps.…

Why don’t I let my Father do for me what I am more than willing to do for my own children?

I’m learning.

Being a father is teaching me that when I am criticized, injured, or afraid, there is a Father who is ready to comfort me. There is a Father who will hold me until I’m better, help me until I can live with the hurt, and who won’t go to sleep when I’m afraid of waking up and seeing the dark.

Ever.

A Blessed Christmas everyone!!

Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. Luke 2:11

It was an ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds.

Then the black sky exploded with brightness. Trees that had been shadows jumped into clarity. Sheep that had been silent became a chorus of curiosity. One minute the shepherd was dead asleep, the next he was rubbing his eyes and staring into the face of an alien.

The night was ordinary no more.

The angel came in the night because that is when lights are best seen and when they are most needed.

It all happened in a most remarkable moment—a moment like no other.

God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened and place her most precious one in a human womb. God had come near!

In the mystery of Christmas, we find its majesty. The mystery of how God became flesh, why he chose to come, and how much he must love his people. 

Max Lucado

His kingdom will never end. Luke 1:33

In Bethlehem, the human being who best understood who God was and what he was doing, is the teenage girl in the smelly stable.

As Mary looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty—she can’t take her eyes off him. Somehow Mary knows she is holding God.

So this is he. She remembers the words of the angel. “His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:33)

He looks like anything but a king. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby.

Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.

God came near!

And Luke 1:33 says, “His kingdom will never end.”

Caitlyn's Church Play

she is my angel :)

and He sent His only Son with shouts of Peace, peace to the people on earth!

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.

The W in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the
precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of
Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the
production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his
teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the
presentation.

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes
early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!

Happy Birthday Kaeden!

Today is my oldest grandson's birthday. He is 9 today...how the heck did that happen? He is one very impressive, talented boy and I am not prejudice at all!

I am going to lunch with my Aunt Sandy and 2 men that I worked with at FMC.  BB was my closest confidante and friend at the hospital....I still miss him! It is so good that my aunt and I both retired from the hospital she is the socialite and keeps me in touch with the group!

Sts Peter and Paul Christmas

Last night we went to see the babies, Kaeden, Kamden and Kolliers', Christmas  show at their school. It was ADORABLE!!! I love Sts Peter and Paul school it is small, warm and inviting. The priest is the brother of the priest that married my brother Joe and his wife Marie in another Ohio city.....it's a small, small world!

Sleigh bells ring...are you listening?

Hospital ER visits

I thank God for Timmy...Mom called about 9:30 on Friday night and Dad had a fever of 102. This was listed on the possible side affects of his procedure this morning and required an ER visit. There were warnings for black ice, which frightens me to death, and Timmy without hesitation took Dad and Mom to FMC!

He returned home about 3AM! He took my cell phone but could not figure out how to use it and I did not know my new number to call him......OMGoddness! Daddy white cell count was elevated, his temps were in the 99 range and they sent him home with the stipulation that he return Saturday morning.

On Saturday the girls came here with families in tow for our "Cookie Extravaganza" sooooo Timmy took Daddy to the ER (Mom said she wasn't going to sit there for another 3 hours). End result....Daddy is fine! He does have an ulcer with a narrowing of an opening that the DR felt was contributing to the problem so he stretched it. They did a biopsy of his esophagus and we will find out the results later this week.

This year the babies actually helped make the cookies! They unwrapped 54 hershey kisses for the Hershey's Thumbprints, made about 72 balls for the the candy cane cookies and they even formed the crazy things!

Ashley kept us moving right along and made 2 of the batches herself...and she says she doesn't cook!! Kristyl and her family spent the night and the kids and I had such fun. I love my family!!

The Doctor times a time of testing :=(

I am getting ready to take Daddy for a scope at FMC to see what the heck is happening with his stomach once again. A light bulb moment for me when I talked to Mom and she had stopped getting the meds that his Dr had recommended because...IT WASN'T PAID FOR BY MEDIGOLD OMGoodness. We had a talk!  Daddy is now on the diagnosed meds...she can argue with the insurance company later!

I love that being frugal is her hobby but not when it effects their health it has gone beyond sanity!

She did the same thing with one of her meds we had a talk then also...she is back on her meds!

Mark 4:39-41

^{One of the hardest things that we will ever do is to put our total trust in God to direct our lives and to protect us from the unknown. It is this total trust that elevates us above ourself and into His agape love. At this Holy time of the year it is good to remember that He sent His only begotten Son that we could have an abundant life free from fear.}

Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. Matthew 7:8

Cards OH MY

Last night we were suppose to go out to eat with my parents for Timmy's birthday....Timmy is not really into eating out! So we made dinner here complete with the sweets that Mom is not suppose to eat and had a merry time playing cards....OH MY...it is a treat!

Daddy shared the fact that he told Mom to quit telling her children that she could not remember anything anymore.....his reasoning....they will put you in a home! He was only half kidding. We, all of us siblings, are becoming the parents and it scares him to death. He needed to let me know that taking away his ability to do things around his home and in his life is scary to him even if it done in total love...just like his siblings did with his parents. For the hundredth time he told me of his father who when they sold his farm, moved him to the city and got rid of his car and the last of his independence soon gave up on this earthly adventure and resorted to cutting the grass with a pocket knife.

Daddy made it clear that he was a lot like his father...it is up to us to tread lightly on his dignity.

I shared with them that it must suck to get old...to which we all had a really good laugh in agreement ( I am not far behind them).

He promised that the truth of His love would set us free!

We don’t have what it takes to be healed. Our only hope is that God will step into our hurt and helplessness and do it for us!

Which is exactly what he’s done!

I wish we would take him at his word. When he says we’re forgiven, let’s unload the guilt. When he says we’re valuable, let’s believe him. When he says we’re provided for, let’s stop worrying.

God’s efforts are strongest when our efforts are useless!

Max Lucado

Max Lucado

Grace! It makes all the difference. I like this quote:

Gone are the exertions of law-keeping, gone the disciplines of legalism, gone the anxiety that having done everything we might not have done enough. We reach the goal not by the stairs but by the lift . . . God pledges his promised righteousness to those who will stop trying to save themselves.

Grace offers rest. Legalism? Never.

Holiday Traditions

Friday at our dinner Mom informed us that they would no longer host the traditional Christmas Eve dinner ... and that if I wanted to continue with it they would be happy but if not....it would end. Wow, I remember this happening with my Grandparents and it was the end of seeing all of my father's family during the Holidays. We would never be that close again. We see some of them at the Huber reunion but very few anymore.

This year I will host Christmas Eve. Prior to this two of my sisters, Barb and Cyndi, had not planned on coming home for Christmas. Would this be the end of the old traditions and the beginning of the new? We will see....it is sad to see the process of aging come so close to home.

I am so thankful that I have my children and grandchildren to ease the transition!

He … loads me with love and mercy Psalm 103:4

By Max Lucado

It’s time to let God’s love cover all things in your life. All the secrets. The hurts. 

The mornings you awoke in the bed of a stranger? His love will cover that. The years you peddled prejudice and pride? His love will cover that. Every promise broken, drug taken, penny stolen. Every cross word, cuss word, and harsh word. His love covers all things.

Let it. Discover along with the psalmist: “He … loads me with love and mercy” (Ps. 103:4). Picture a giant dump truck full of love. There you are behind it. God lifts the bed until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down, down, down until you are hidden, buried, covered in His love.

“Hey, where are you?” someone asks.

“In here, covered in love.”

God inhabits the tiny seed. He empowers the tiny deed. Never discount the smallness of your deeds.

Max Lucado

Pearls of wisdom

To believe we are totally and eternally debt free is seldom easy. We doubt.  And as a result, many are forgiven only a little, not because the grace of God is limited, but because the faith of the sinner is small. God is willing to forgive all. He’s willing to wipe the slate clean.

He invites you to a pool of mercy and invites you to bathe. Plunge in. Don’t just touch the surface. Don’t leave feeling unforgiven.

Where the grace of God is embraced, forgiveness flourishes.

I Peter 5:10 says, “He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever.”

And what you’ll discover is—the more you immerse yourself in grace, the more likely you are to give grace.

Max Lucado

Received—Not Earned

Max Lucado

John 3:17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

He doesn’t adopt us because of what we have. He doesn’t give us His name because of our intelligence, or our wallet or good attitude.… Adoption is something we receive, not something we earn.

Taking No Chance

By Max Lucado

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God.
Isa. 43:2–3 NASB

With God—chance is eliminated.

God knows what is best. No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, his presence, and his permission.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.”

What encouragement! You are never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped about by the winds of fortune. Would God truly abandon you to the whims of drug-crazed thieves, greedy corporate raiders, or evil leaders? Perish the thought!

You live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of your life, and delights in doing you good.

Remember this. Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of God’s love.

The letter of the Law kills the grace of God given in Jesus Christ who gives eternal life to all who choose to believe.  Just believe!!

It’s not easy when God doesn’t do what we want, is it? Never has been. Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and He will get us through it.
A  pearl of wisdom from Max Lucado

I came to give life—life in all its fullness. John 10:10

Encourage One Another

By Max Lucado

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.  Ephesians 4:29

You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger.  Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body.

Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged.  Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down!  Speak words that make people stronger.  Believe in them as God has believed in you.

You are Unique

By Max Lucado

Each of us is an original.  Galatians 5:26, The Message

There are certain things you can do that no one else can.  Perhaps it is parenting, or constructing houses, or encouraging the discouraged.  There are things thatonly you can do, and you are alive to do them. 

In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe it to God to play them both sublimely.

My wish for you this Holy Season

Car Wash Brownies

click on the link...........these are delicious!

What is grace?

By Max Lucado

 

“My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

What is grace? It’s what someone gives us out of the goodness of his heart, not out of the perfection of ours. The story of grace is the good news that says when we come, he gives. That’s what grace is . . .
Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you’d never turn down.

My thoughts for the week..for whatever it is worth :0)

God alone controls the world and nothing happens that He is not aware of.  Jesus came to save anyone who would humbly accept that only God can provide the sacrifice needed for salvation, His birth, death and resurrection.  His salvation is given as a free gift to anyone who accepts it in love. 

Faith alone pleases God but we should not use our freedom as a weapon against our neighbors. Who are our neighbors?……..every person born is our neighbor. We should treat everyone with love and respect… EVERYONE.

 There is hypocrisy in God’s house but He will correct it, it is not our job. Christians are supposed to show God’s love to a dying world that others may be saved. God wants that no one perish, no not one!

Adopted

By Max Lucado

“Serve only the Lord your God. Respect him, keep his commands, and obey him.” Deuteronomy 13:4

Christ’s kingdom is . . . a kingdom where membership is granted, not purchased. You are placed into God’s kingdom. You are “adopted.” And this occurs not when you do enough, but when you simply admit you can’t do enough. You don’t earn it; you simply accept it. As a result, you serve, not out of arrogance or fear, but out of gratitude.

Each life is . . . a story to be written.

The Author starts each life story, but each life will write his or her own ending.

What a dangerous liberty. How much safer it would have been to finish the story for each Adam. To script every opinion. It would have been simpler. It would have been safer.

But it would not have been love.

Love is only love if chosen.

.........Max Lucado

As the sun rises

I am sitting in my favorite chair watching the golden glow of the morning bathing the hills. There is a peace in the early moments of light that calms my fears and gives me hope. Good Morning Holy Spirit!

Immersed in Grace

By Max Lucado

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” Psalm 126:3 NKJV

You have not been sprinkled with forgiveness. You have not been spattered with grace. You have not been dusted with kindness. You have been immersed in it. You are submerged in mercy. You are a minnow in the ocean of God’s mercy. Let it change you!

As in Christ

By Max Lucado

“Let us love one another, for love is of God.” I John 4:7, NKJV

Long to be more loving? Begin by accepting your place as a dearly loved child. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1, NIV).

Want to learn to forgive? Then consider how you’ve been forgiven. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV).

We Wear Jesus

By Max Lucado

 

“All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27, NIV

We wear Jesus. And those who don’t believe in Jesus note that we do. They make decisions about Christ by watching us. When we are kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we are gracious, they assume Christ is gracious. But if we are brash, what will people think about our King? When we are dishonest, what assumptions will an observer make about our Master? . . Courteous conduct honors Christ.

We Are His

By Max Lucado

 

“Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness.” Psalm 138:2, The Message

We give more applause to a brawny ball-carrier than we do to the God who made us. We sing more songs to the moon than to the Christ who saved us . . .

Though we may not act like our Father, there is no greater truth than this: We are his. Unalterably. He loves us. Undyingly.

Blessed am I

Kristyl treated all the grandbabies, Marla and I to her house for lunch on Tuesday. Afterwards all of us went to see Marmaduke.......Cael and Marla ended up at Walmart!

The girls came home with me and we had a sleepover complete with painting a landscape in our Art Class in Nana's studio..,.,such fun!

I am recuperating this morning.......old age you know.

The Believer’s Heart

By Max Lucado

 

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 NIV

Matthew 5 is a step-by-step description of how God rebuilds the believer’s heart.
The first step is to ask for help to become “poor in spirit” and admit our need for a Savior.
The next step is sorrow. Those who mourn are those who know they are wrong and say they are sorry.
The next step is one of renewal: “Blessed are the meek. . .” Realization of weakness leads to the source of strength–God.

love pure and simple

Thankful for turning 60

The Blessings of Faith

God Can Use You

By Max Lucado


“You did not choose me; I chose you.” John 15:16


If you ever wonder how God can use you to make a difference in your world, just look at those he has already used and take heart. Look at the forgiveness found in his open arms and take courage.


And, by the way, never were those arms opened so wide as they were on the Roman cross. One arm extending back into history and the other reaching into the future. An embrace of forgiveness offered for anyone who’ll come.

The Tea House

Grandchildren are one of God's greatest gifts!

In a moment our lives can be changed...

I miss you Jamey! Be a mighty warrior in Jesus's army...

The Purpose In Our Pain

By Max Lucado
“Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God.” Philippians 2:17


When we face struggles, we often wonder, Why? Years from now, though, we may realize that it was those struggles that taught us something we could not have otherwise learned—that there was a purpose in our pain. God’s purpose is greater than your pain, and he has a greater purpose than your problems.

Stroke Design I am teaching for the HOOT Chapter in March

Grace

By Max Lucado

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

Grace makes three proclamations.

Dealing with my sins is God’s responsibility. I repent, I confess, but only God can forgive. (And he does.) . .

Dealing with my neighbor is God’s responsibility. I must speak; I must pray. But only God can convince. (And he does.) . . .

God loves me and makes me his child. God loves my neighbor and makes him my brother.

He Calls Your Name

By Max Lucado

“The Son of Man came to find lost people and to save them.” Luke 19:10

God will do what it takes—whatever it takes—to bring his children home.
He is the shepherd in search of His lamb. His legs are scratched, His feet are sore, and His eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups His hands to His mouth and calls into the canyon.

And the name He calls is yours.

Fall in Ohio

2011 with hope

Your Problems Matter to God

By Max Lucado
Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Psalm 136:1 The Message

If I know that one of the privileges of fatherhood is to comfort, then why am I so reluctant to let my heavenly Father comfort me?

Why do I think he wouldn’t care about my problems? (“They are puny compared to starving people in India.”)

Why do I think he is too busy for me?

Welcome 2011

may we all make the most of the gifts and talents given to us by God and may we share them with everyone we meet knowing all things come from Him!