copyright Millie Plastaras December 25, 1992
Outside the weather is snowy and cold. The brisk, blustery
winds stir the snow up and blow it against the last
minute shoppers. They head towards home clutching
their coats closer, longing to leave the coldness for
the warmth and comfort of their homes.
Overhead a star twinkles brightly, but few have time or the
inclination to look at it's brilliance. Its' twinkles seem
a ray of hope beaming on those who take time to view it.
Perhaps the star of Bethlehem also seemed to
warm and cheer those who saw it. For it directed them
towards the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ.
In the corner of a alley a disreputable looking, unkempt man
sits in the corner fingering his tattered coat as he tries
to draw it closer to his body. No matter what he does,
the chill seeps into his body and now, into his soul.
Tears silently stream down his face as he recalls
Christmases past and the vivid memories of a warm home,
a pleasant loving wife and a precious little daughter.
All lost because he put his alcohol before them. Is
there any hope left for him in this world? And would
he deserve it after the life he has led?
A lone shopper pulls out of the crowd after catching a glimpse
of the poor destitute stranger. He eases towards him and
offers him a warm Christmas dinner and the fellowship of
a family gathering, with love to spare for those who have
no place to go, or no one to care. The dirty stranger
can scarce believe what he is hearing, but pulls himself
to his feet. He straightens his shoulders and brushes the
dirt off his tattered coat. He musters all the dignity he
can and gladly accepts the invitation, his heart rejoicing
that someone took time to care and notice him.
Perhaps there is a hope for a new chance in life.
Will this family have any answers for him? The star
seems to twinkle even more brightly as they walk towards
home. A odd couple, these strangers and yet companions,
as they walk down the street, the well dressed family man
with a smile upon his face and the disheveled stranger
with a glitter of hope bursting within his heart.
His life would be changed during this visit,
because of the generosity of strangers and the love
Christ had bought into their homes and hearts.
I can wish you no higher wish than the Christ Child to
be present in your home during this blessed Christmas season,
and always. May the peace that passes all understanding fill your
home. May the hope of Christ resonate within your heart.
May joy unspeakable and full of glory inspire you and spread
to all those you come in contact with. May the gift
of salvation be the most precious gift in your home and
hearts as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the lamb of
God who came to take away the sins of the world. He
came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Receive that, and live it, find hope in it, and share it,
and never let anyone steal the joy from your heart
and the word of God from your life and daily routine.
Jesus lives, and so shall we.. forever with him.
Merry Christmas from my home to yours.
Love,
Millie and John
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Turn It Into A Prayer
copyright Millie Plastaras 12/2/08
Good Morning Friends,
In this life we will have many problems,
but Jesus said do not be afraid, do not fear,
I have overcome the world. How many of you
are living by that thinking?
Our first instinct when troubles, trials, illnesses,
losses, burdens, pain, or any difficult time hits
should be to run to the arms of our heavenly
Father and cry out in prayer to Him, telling him
all the details and then trusting IN HIS ABILITIES.
Fully relying on God.
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
A day hemmed in with prayer
is less likely to unravel.
If today you are in a financial crisis,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you are ill or in pain,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you feel alone or abandoned,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you feel overwhelmed by your problems,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you are depressed,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you feel the oppression of the enemy,
turn it into a prayer.
No matter what you are facing today,
there is no problem that God's abilities are not greater still!
Your doubting, or lack of faith does not change
how great and powerful God is. Tap into His
strength and hope, by turning to God in prayer.
Do not look to the right or left, turn into the driveway of prayer!
Focus your eyes on Jesus, till the world and it's cares fade out,
and His comfort seeps into your spirit filling you with hope
and peace.
Everything seems to pull on us and drain us,
defeat us, worry us, until we lose hope.
Instead turn it all into a prayer.
If today you find the world's problems are larger
than your ability to cope with them,
turn it over to God in prayer.
Nothing that happens in your life today is your business.
Turn it over to God in prayer.
Casting your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7.
Hey, you are not still sitting there worrying are you?
Turn it into prayer.
Don't hesitate, don't put it off,
don't find other things to do,
don't try to control it yourself,
don't give into feelings of depression and hopelessness,
this comes from the father of liars, satan the loser.
Run to the arms of God, turn your cares into praises
and leave your cares at the throne of Jesus.
No matter what thought comes to mind,
take it captive, and give it to the Lord.
Even if you have to do it 50 times until you learn
to let go. Turn it over to God in prayer.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the Love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Romans 8:38,39
Fear thou not, for I am with the, be not dismayed,
for I am THY God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall
run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not be afraid.
Isaiah 40:31
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity
(of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear),
but (HE) has given us a spirit of power and of love and of CALM
and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 2:7
If you are not feeling this.. If you are still burdened,
you are carrying the weight of your own burdens, and pushing
God away. Its that simple. It is your choice. You can
take God at His word and believe all He has said and
promised or you can spend your life in doubt and worry.
Which sounds the most productive? Which works best.
FULLY RELY ON GOD.
Our circumstances do not dictate our state of mind or faith.
Faith trusts no matter what circumstances that God is on
the throne, still with us, still cares, still providing, and will
work all things out for His glory.
Just Trust.
PS. NEVER, NEVER GIVE FEAR A PLACE IN YOUR THINKING. REBUKE IT
AND IT WILL FLEE. YOU HAVE GOD ON YOUR SIDE.
remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last
Good Morning Friends,
In this life we will have many problems,
but Jesus said do not be afraid, do not fear,
I have overcome the world. How many of you
are living by that thinking?
Our first instinct when troubles, trials, illnesses,
losses, burdens, pain, or any difficult time hits
should be to run to the arms of our heavenly
Father and cry out in prayer to Him, telling him
all the details and then trusting IN HIS ABILITIES.
Fully relying on God.
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
A day hemmed in with prayer
is less likely to unravel.
If today you are in a financial crisis,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you are ill or in pain,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you feel alone or abandoned,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you feel overwhelmed by your problems,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you are depressed,
turn it into a prayer.
If today you feel the oppression of the enemy,
turn it into a prayer.
No matter what you are facing today,
there is no problem that God's abilities are not greater still!
Your doubting, or lack of faith does not change
how great and powerful God is. Tap into His
strength and hope, by turning to God in prayer.
Do not look to the right or left, turn into the driveway of prayer!
Focus your eyes on Jesus, till the world and it's cares fade out,
and His comfort seeps into your spirit filling you with hope
and peace.
Everything seems to pull on us and drain us,
defeat us, worry us, until we lose hope.
Instead turn it all into a prayer.
If today you find the world's problems are larger
than your ability to cope with them,
turn it over to God in prayer.
Nothing that happens in your life today is your business.
Turn it over to God in prayer.
Casting your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7.
Hey, you are not still sitting there worrying are you?
Turn it into prayer.
Don't hesitate, don't put it off,
don't find other things to do,
don't try to control it yourself,
don't give into feelings of depression and hopelessness,
this comes from the father of liars, satan the loser.
Run to the arms of God, turn your cares into praises
and leave your cares at the throne of Jesus.
No matter what thought comes to mind,
take it captive, and give it to the Lord.
Even if you have to do it 50 times until you learn
to let go. Turn it over to God in prayer.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the Love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Romans 8:38,39
Fear thou not, for I am with the, be not dismayed,
for I am THY God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall
run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not be afraid.
Isaiah 40:31
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity
(of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear),
but (HE) has given us a spirit of power and of love and of CALM
and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 2:7
If you are not feeling this.. If you are still burdened,
you are carrying the weight of your own burdens, and pushing
God away. Its that simple. It is your choice. You can
take God at His word and believe all He has said and
promised or you can spend your life in doubt and worry.
Which sounds the most productive? Which works best.
FULLY RELY ON GOD.
Our circumstances do not dictate our state of mind or faith.
Faith trusts no matter what circumstances that God is on
the throne, still with us, still cares, still providing, and will
work all things out for His glory.
Just Trust.
PS. NEVER, NEVER GIVE FEAR A PLACE IN YOUR THINKING. REBUKE IT
AND IT WILL FLEE. YOU HAVE GOD ON YOUR SIDE.
remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last
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