THINK+++

There is a saying that we should be thankful for our problems because if they were less difficult then someone with less ability might have our job. The Bible says we will not be tempted above what we can stand but that the Lord will make a way to escape. So then if the Lord allows a temptation in my life He must have confidence that I am strong enough to stand but weak enough to depend on Him.

On my poor days I need the Lord, on my good days I thank the Lord, and on my great days I praise the Lord. Thank You Lord for being part of my life in whatever state I am.

I want to be cheerful today, I have today to be happy, I want to be thankful today, I today to be positive. I will not let the troubles of yesterday extend to today. I will not let the worries of the future trouble me today.

We have a beautiful, full, red poinsettia on our table given to us as a gift. It is praising its Creator with all its might. I want to be positive, thankful, and to praise my Creator with all my might. 

Men every where are searching for contentment. They are searching for peace, for freedom from the darkness inside that plagues us. I can relate well to searching for release from depression, fears, stress. Today I choose to focus on the peace that Jesus extends to me through the Christmas story and it is sufficient for my needs today. 

Have you stopped today to consider the blessing God gave to this world? The sacrificing of His precious child because of His great love! What unfathomable love! He sent Christ to be a sacrifice for my sins. Thank You! This not something that one can take in with a simple reading or thought but one must ponder it to understand.

I am thankful for joy. I wish each and every one a bubbling well of joy. I see joy in my children when they open gifts and if it kept them joyful I would continually give them gifts but sadly spoiling them does not help. I see joy when we drizzle maple syrup in the snow for candy. I see joy when we make snow angels. I see joy and enthusiasm when we go sledding. Thank you for joy.

I really enjoy the visual perfectness of Christmas. Here in Manitoba we can have the softly floating snowflakes amidst the houses with Christmas lights, the sparkling snow, the evergreen trees laden with snow, the cheery fires, the prettily wrapped gifts, the frosty puffs of breath, and so on. It can be Christmas card perfect. I could sit for hours and enjoy the beauty.

Christ took on Himself no pretentions or pride but came in a lowly way to this earth. He came to heal the lonely, the broken, the down. He came for those in need of a saviour. I am so glad He stooped low enough so that He could enter my heart and be part of my life, despite my constant failings.

We often hear Christmas songs during this season and they are beautiful. The Bible says the angels sang to the shepherds long ago in the hills of Judea. I wonder how that would compare to the singing we hear. I wonder if in heaven they sing Christmas songs in this season? I can hardly imagine they would ignore Christmas there. I want to someday hear those songs sung by angels.

I am thankful that Christmas is about giving, not receiving. I tend to forget that and think about myself but I have made a commitment to give and be cheerful about it this Christmas. I believe this is part of the path to happiness.

There are many things to be thankful for at Christmas and I would like to focus on them over the next few days. One of the big things is family. I am thankful for my family, my wife, my children, my siblings, my parents, cousins, grandparents, nieces, nephews, etc. I am also thankful that Christmas brings families together and they can have a meal together. I would like to quote a part of a poem I have heard. When you and I, and all of us; smile, shake hands, say peace; then the world becomes a better place. May you and I follow this positive path this Christmas.

Have you ever been astonished at God? Has He ever surprised you and you had to think “God loves me that much that He would do this for me”? Maybe it’s a song or verse that suddenly pops into your mind when you are feeling blue and totally changes your emotions. Does God have a sense of humor? May you remember to thank the Lord for His care for you.

Sometimes we get frustrated with our children. Sometimes it is even beyond frustration. I am glad, though, that I am hurt as are they when I am impatient. I am happy to say that love for them is not hard, it comes bubbling up after I deal with my problems. Many times I focus on how I have failed again but today I want to be thankful for that love that is there and especially that it is a constant. If you are tempted to blame your children for not being who you want them to be may you beg God for more love.

Why are our eyes drawn to fire? What is it about flames that causes us to watch? I am not sure I understand but I believe it has an emotional response inside of us and to watch a fire can bring us cheer.