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Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
An Omen of Peace
Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey
This past Friday as I scoured the major news websites for interesting articles, I came across one that astonished me. For the first time in “a memory”, snow fell on the city of Bagdad. The article showed a father holding his child and they both had the most beautiful, carefree smiles on their faces. The first snowfall of the season does put a smile on most people’s faces. Can you imagine seeing it for the first time, especially as an adult?
The city of Bagdad may have sleet or a cold rain in the winter, but for at least six decades, there has not been snow. As you can imagine, the residents were delighted with such a gift and declared the snowfall an “omen of peace”, according to a Reuter’s source. To me, it represents purity and cleansing. When David prayed to God after committing adultery, he asked God to cleanse him making him whiter than snow.
Going with the thought provoking phrase “omen of peace”, there is so much war, violence, poverty, and prejudice in the world that we all need to strive to make a difference by searching for that “omen of peace”. If we all come together, we can make a difference one step at a time.
Here are some ideas on how you can begin your quest for peace:
· Write your congressmen about issues that you feel need to be addressed whether it is the war and unrest overseas, genocide in the Sudan, or aids prevention worldwide. The key is to bring awareness to the forefront.
· There are many needs here in our own community. Donate your time and talent to a charity by volunteering. There are many organizations that would welcome you as a helper of mankind.
· We are all God’s children. We are all brothers and sisters in his eyes. We are all different individuals with different views and different beliefs. We’ve got to start “getting along” by respecting each other. There is no other way. Stop the prejudice now!
James 3:18: Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
This past Friday as I scoured the major news websites for interesting articles, I came across one that astonished me. For the first time in “a memory”, snow fell on the city of Bagdad. The article showed a father holding his child and they both had the most beautiful, carefree smiles on their faces. The first snowfall of the season does put a smile on most people’s faces. Can you imagine seeing it for the first time, especially as an adult?
The city of Bagdad may have sleet or a cold rain in the winter, but for at least six decades, there has not been snow. As you can imagine, the residents were delighted with such a gift and declared the snowfall an “omen of peace”, according to a Reuter’s source. To me, it represents purity and cleansing. When David prayed to God after committing adultery, he asked God to cleanse him making him whiter than snow.
Going with the thought provoking phrase “omen of peace”, there is so much war, violence, poverty, and prejudice in the world that we all need to strive to make a difference by searching for that “omen of peace”. If we all come together, we can make a difference one step at a time.
Here are some ideas on how you can begin your quest for peace:
· Write your congressmen about issues that you feel need to be addressed whether it is the war and unrest overseas, genocide in the Sudan, or aids prevention worldwide. The key is to bring awareness to the forefront.
· There are many needs here in our own community. Donate your time and talent to a charity by volunteering. There are many organizations that would welcome you as a helper of mankind.
· We are all God’s children. We are all brothers and sisters in his eyes. We are all different individuals with different views and different beliefs. We’ve got to start “getting along” by respecting each other. There is no other way. Stop the prejudice now!
James 3:18: Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The January Blues
Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey
The packages are unwrapped. The decorations have been taken down and are now in their boxes and stored in the attic. The new year has been celebrated. The first week back to work after a holiday season and the winter depression is ever present.
Is it the lack of sunlight? Is it the ice, snow, and cold temperatures that seem to put the big freeze on our emotional well being? Here are a few tips to help remedy those January blues.
· Plan a summer vacation. There is nothing better to put you in a better frame of mind. If you are a beach vacationer, there is nothing more refreshing in January than to plan every aspect of your beach trip right down to the flip flops you intend to pack.
· Get rid of the “clutter” in your life by organizing your drawers and closets. The freedom you will attain by this simple task will be positively liberating.
· Take at least 30 minutes a day to read your bible. Select uplifting books to study such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Galatians. It will be inspirational on the coldest winter’s day.
The priority is to take control and do not let yourself become self absorbed into those depression filled thoughts. Be positive and pledge to do something to resolve that “blah” feeling.
Blessings to each of you for a great January!
The packages are unwrapped. The decorations have been taken down and are now in their boxes and stored in the attic. The new year has been celebrated. The first week back to work after a holiday season and the winter depression is ever present.
Is it the lack of sunlight? Is it the ice, snow, and cold temperatures that seem to put the big freeze on our emotional well being? Here are a few tips to help remedy those January blues.
· Plan a summer vacation. There is nothing better to put you in a better frame of mind. If you are a beach vacationer, there is nothing more refreshing in January than to plan every aspect of your beach trip right down to the flip flops you intend to pack.
· Get rid of the “clutter” in your life by organizing your drawers and closets. The freedom you will attain by this simple task will be positively liberating.
· Take at least 30 minutes a day to read your bible. Select uplifting books to study such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Galatians. It will be inspirational on the coldest winter’s day.
The priority is to take control and do not let yourself become self absorbed into those depression filled thoughts. Be positive and pledge to do something to resolve that “blah” feeling.
Blessings to each of you for a great January!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Great Expectations
Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey
Dedicated to the memory of Jamie Mattingly Frey and Betty Morgan
It’s the beginning of a new year and we all struggle with wanting to make a fresh new start with something in our lives. There is always something we would like to change or improve upon in our personal lives.
A little over ten years ago, my husband took me to meet his family. We had a delightful visit and I immediately adored his mother and aunt. They were fascinating and I could talk with them for hours. It was over Labor Day weekend in 1997 when Jamie, Betty and I were having coffee watching the television coverage of the death of Princess Diana. It was devastating for us to hear of her death. We were the enthusiasts who watched her televised marriage to Prince Charles in 1981 at 3am Eastern Standard time, took great pleasure in seeing the press of her dancing with John Travolta at a White House function, and were deeply moved by her aids awareness and landmine prevention campaigns. As we sat with heavy hearts, Jamie looked at me and said, “Go after your dreams, Sandra. Don’t wait until it’s too late to accomplish them”.
That day, I made a promise to compile a yearly list of attainable goals each year that would take me closer to my dreams. The key word is “attainable”. Many have “high expectations” regarding goals and push themselves over their limits, but never attain true satisfaction with achievement. Wouldn’t it be better to have “great expectations” and move forward in a manner where you enjoy the journey to true accomplishment?
Happy New Year!
Dedicated to the memory of Jamie Mattingly Frey and Betty Morgan
It’s the beginning of a new year and we all struggle with wanting to make a fresh new start with something in our lives. There is always something we would like to change or improve upon in our personal lives.
A little over ten years ago, my husband took me to meet his family. We had a delightful visit and I immediately adored his mother and aunt. They were fascinating and I could talk with them for hours. It was over Labor Day weekend in 1997 when Jamie, Betty and I were having coffee watching the television coverage of the death of Princess Diana. It was devastating for us to hear of her death. We were the enthusiasts who watched her televised marriage to Prince Charles in 1981 at 3am Eastern Standard time, took great pleasure in seeing the press of her dancing with John Travolta at a White House function, and were deeply moved by her aids awareness and landmine prevention campaigns. As we sat with heavy hearts, Jamie looked at me and said, “Go after your dreams, Sandra. Don’t wait until it’s too late to accomplish them”.
That day, I made a promise to compile a yearly list of attainable goals each year that would take me closer to my dreams. The key word is “attainable”. Many have “high expectations” regarding goals and push themselves over their limits, but never attain true satisfaction with achievement. Wouldn’t it be better to have “great expectations” and move forward in a manner where you enjoy the journey to true accomplishment?
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 24, 2007
The Brightest Star
Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey
A few years ago on a visit to my brother’s house, I noticed just how bright and shining the stars were that evening. Since I live in a larger city, the city lights downplay the brightness of the stars in the sky. He lives in a more rural area and the sky was captivating that evening. It was a clear night. So many stars. So bright and twinkling. So beautiful.
When I think of the stars in the sky, my mind always goes to the one beautiful star many years ago that led three very wise men to a stable. In that stable was a manger. In that manger was a newborn baby boy. His name was Jesus. He would grow up to heal the sick, to feed the hungry, to spread the word of God’s love, and to be brutally beaten and nailed to a wooden cross to die just to save us from our sins.
Would you have sacrificed your son to die for the sins of others? The next time you are star gazing, think of that little baby born in a stable, lying in a manger and the eternal love, hope, and peace he gave to the world.
Matthew 2: 9 – 11
...and the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
A few years ago on a visit to my brother’s house, I noticed just how bright and shining the stars were that evening. Since I live in a larger city, the city lights downplay the brightness of the stars in the sky. He lives in a more rural area and the sky was captivating that evening. It was a clear night. So many stars. So bright and twinkling. So beautiful.
When I think of the stars in the sky, my mind always goes to the one beautiful star many years ago that led three very wise men to a stable. In that stable was a manger. In that manger was a newborn baby boy. His name was Jesus. He would grow up to heal the sick, to feed the hungry, to spread the word of God’s love, and to be brutally beaten and nailed to a wooden cross to die just to save us from our sins.
Would you have sacrificed your son to die for the sins of others? The next time you are star gazing, think of that little baby born in a stable, lying in a manger and the eternal love, hope, and peace he gave to the world.
Matthew 2: 9 – 11
...and the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Following the Lord's Command
By: Sandra Harris Frey
Last week, I wrote about Joseph and Mary making the journey to Bethlehem. Remember, nine months pregnant traveling via donkey? When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no room for them in the inn and Joseph had to find accommodations for them in a nearby stable.
However, we must back up a bit in the story to one of the greatest pledges of faith. Joseph was betrothed to Mary when he found out that she was with child. Not wanting to cause her any humiliation than was necessary, he decided to quietly end their relationship.
That night, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and explained to him that Mary was to give birth to the child of the Holy Spirit and they were to call him Jesus for he would save the world from their sins.
Would you have listened to our Lord’s command from a dream? Would you have married and raised the child of God? Joseph had enough devotion and trust in our Lord’s word that he did exactly as the angel instructed.
Matthew 1:18 - 25
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” - which means, "God with us." 24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Last week, I wrote about Joseph and Mary making the journey to Bethlehem. Remember, nine months pregnant traveling via donkey? When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no room for them in the inn and Joseph had to find accommodations for them in a nearby stable.
However, we must back up a bit in the story to one of the greatest pledges of faith. Joseph was betrothed to Mary when he found out that she was with child. Not wanting to cause her any humiliation than was necessary, he decided to quietly end their relationship.
That night, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and explained to him that Mary was to give birth to the child of the Holy Spirit and they were to call him Jesus for he would save the world from their sins.
Would you have listened to our Lord’s command from a dream? Would you have married and raised the child of God? Joseph had enough devotion and trust in our Lord’s word that he did exactly as the angel instructed.
Matthew 1:18 - 25
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” - which means, "God with us." 24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
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