on loving and giving

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our very first thoughts to the Lord.

There are two new quizzes, also a new video. Just click on Happy Holidays. It is great.

I have gotten such a huge thrill out of this Christmas. My creativity has absolutely gone wild, and I have really enjoyed it. You would be surprised what you can give to those you care about without spending a penny....by sending considerate things that you know they would like....by sending a special thank you to someone that is special to you....or by doing something for someone out of the ordinary. That is what giving is all about. Not the money that you spend but the thought that you give.

When Jesus came to this world, the things He did and the walk he walked didn't cost a penny. When His taxes were due he got the money from a fishes' mouth - remember? He gave it all up when He died on the cross for us and the gift that He gave has resounded through thousands of years. A free gift to us because of God's love for us.

Jesus is our pattern to live by.

When you make a dress, for instance, on your sewing machine, you go to the store and buy a pattern. You trim that pattern, fit it to your measurements, place it on the material, cut around each piece, then sew it together according to the instructions in the pattern.

Jesus is our pattern and His word is our instructions. Our job is to allow Him to conform us to His pattern.

When I was going to UCA, in our Art Appreciation class, we visited a rock sculptor. He had a huge hunk of rock which looked to me like a big rock, but to him it was different. The question was asked - how do you know what to make of the rock? His reply - I don't decide. I simply study the rock to see what it's shape is and then I chip away the excess so that the shape of the rock can come forth.

That is the way God is with us. He doesn't change who we are. He created us in His image just like we are, but when we become moldable, He very gently trims away the excess so that we can become all He created us to be.

We also visited the potter's room where our teacher instructed us on molding pottery. It was so fascinating. She said that before she could make anything, she would have to work with the clay to make it moldable. Sometimes it would make her hands bleed from the hard spots that was in the clay. Then she would make say a plate. If it happened that the plate did not turn out plum, she would not just discard it. She would crumple it up and start all over again.

That is the way God is with us. If we don't turn out right the first time, He doesn't throw us away. He simply starts all over again until we become the vessel He desires us to be.

It is a wonderful thing to allow ourselves to become moldable in our Father's capable hands.

His pattern for us was giving with love. Just the giving would have meant nothing without the love. And vice versa the loving does not come without the giving. When we love we give.

So, this Christmas, open your heart to the loving, and the giving will follow - not from money but from the heart giving.

Father, today show us how we can express our love by giving to those in our lives. Show us creative ways to give so that it will be just the right thing to be received. In Jesus Name. Amen ( it is done )

Have a great Monday!

Charlotte