Christmas to Me

Christmas time is fun
Let's all go grab a honeybun!
But it's not just to please us,
It's really all about Jesus.
It's okay to want them presents,
But remember it's not all about presents;
It's about Jesus,
not just to please us.

By Corbin Madden
December, 2008

Money Can Buy...

At church a couple of weeks ago, Mom handed me this yellowed little square of paper. The print is obviously from one of those old-fashioned, long-gone typewriters, but the wording is timeless. I have no clue who wrote this, it just says (copied) at then end, but I'd love to give credit where credit is due, so if you should know the author, please let me know, okay? Anyway, I hope it causes you to take a fresh look at your priorities....

Money Can Buy

A House but not a Home.
Food but not an Appetite.
Clothing but not Beauty.
Medicine but not Health.
A Bed but not Sleep.
Books but not Brains.
Luxury but not Culture.
Insurance but not Security.
Loyalty but not Love.
Happiness but not Joy.
Companions but not Friends.
Glasses but not Vision.
A Church but not Salvation.
A Crucifix but not a Saviour.

"For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Matt. 16:26a


It is easy to fall into the trap. We need money to live, but if we live for money, we have no life.

My children are growing so fast - time with them here at home with us is a temporary treasure. God has been really dealing with me this last month about my priorities. It's just so easy to lose focus and find yourself running like a hamster in that spinning wheel - round and round and round but never getting anywhere. Yet, the clock keeps ticking, the days keep passing...

I'm learning that it's only through the leading of the Holy Spirit that I can keep any sort of balance in my life - spiritually, mentally, emotionally, even physically. WORKING toward finding that "place" can be exhausting. My focus MUST remain on Him and Him alone; my trust must be in Him and Him alone.

Of course, several months ago I heard someone say - "Whoever said, 'Money can't buy happiness' never had any." And it IS nice to have money, I certainly can't argue there! But it's nicer to have JESUS! With Him - EVERYTHING is nicer.

Daddy always says, "I ain't never seen a U-Haul hitched to a hearse." But what I have seen is a long line of cars, haven't you? Cars that money can buy. Each and every one driven by a person - a person with a soul that will last for all eternity.....

Have you done a priority check lately?

Atkins says no Bread, but I've GOTTA have it!

Wow! It's been a long time since my last post, but God has sure been busy in our lives. He's just blessing our socks off! And I praise Him for that.

I'm learning daily that God does supply all our needs, that we do not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. His Word is alive and filled with love. It is my bread - and it's CARB FREE!!!

I've been doing a study lately by Joyce Meyer called The Battlefield of the Mind. Whew! Is that ever a warzone in my life! I have lived so long with "stinkin' thinkin'". Wandering around 40 years in the wilderness when the journey could've taken 11 days - that's not only the story of the Children of Israel, but all too often it's our story, too. We wander around aimlessly, spinning our wheels and never getting anywhere. We grumble and complain, and continue in the same patterns day-in-day-out wondering why we don't see more of God's hand in our lives.

Well, we've got to change! It's not optional. If we want to see God's miracles, live and walk in His presence, we've got to get our vision in line with His. We have to realize that, yes, in this world we have tribulations, but we have reason to BE OF GOOD CHEER! HE has overcome this world!

I've known God was with me; I've seen His miracles, experienced amazing grace, overcome major battles, rejoiced in His deliverance, but you know what? He's not finished yet! Boy, is there ever so much to learn!

Bask in His presence, dig into His Word DAILY, spend time with Him in prayer, commune with Him throughout the day as friend with friend. Oh, you just can't imagine the joy - that deep, indescribable joy of communing with the Holy Spirit.

So, it's all you can eat Bread! The BREAD OF LIFE! It's even better than Red Lobster's cheese biscuits!!!