“If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: God with us.” ~John F. MacArthur, writer & minister “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”– which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23 NIV) “Immanuel” is one of …
In Others’ Words: Tired
“The test of people is what they can do when they’re tired.” ~Winston Churchill, British politician & statesman I was a runner-girl for a certain season of my life. After years of hating the thought of running — and absolutely detesting the few times I attempted running for fun/exercise/because someone told me I should — I read an article that …
In Others’ Words: Aim
“If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet & educator A few years ago, my two oldest daughters and I experienced a different kind of “girls’ night out.” Instead of heading to our favorite restaurant for dinner, conversation and laughter, we spent four hours at Whistling Pines, the local gun …
In Others’ Words: Remember
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou, author & poet There was a boy in my class in elementary school. John. John M. Everyone teased John M. I don’t know why John M. was selected to be the boy to …
In Others’ Words: Anticipation
“I can’t help flying on the wings of anticipation. It’s as glorious as soaring through a sunset … almost pays for the thud.” ~Lucy Maude Montgomery, author Oh, how I love Lucy Maude Montgomery’s quote! I laughed out loud when I read it the first time; and I laughed out loud again when I read it to my husband. …
In Others’ Words: Gifts
“Everyone is gifted — but some people never open their package.” ~Unknown In my family, I’m known for one particular gift-giving tradition: Each Christmas I misplace at least one gift. When I realize that, yet again, a gift has gone a-missing, I promise to give it to the ever-patient recipient when I finally come across it–usually months later. I’m still …
In Others’ Words: Books
“TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they’ll have with twenty-six. Open your child’s imagination. Open a book.” ~Author uknown I have always loved to read books. Always. One of my favorite childhood memories? Entering the library carrying nothing but my library card — and leaving a short while later carrying a leaning tower of books. …
In Others’ Words: Hope
“I always entertain great hopes.” ~Robert Frost, poet Are you entertaining hope? Indulge me for a minute while I play with that word “entertain.” Have you invited “great hopes” (plural) into your life? Anticipated the arrival of great hopes? Thrown the door wide open and embraced great hopes telling them, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been waiting for you!” …
In Others’ Words: Decisions, Decisions
“I make a decision, and if it’s wrong, I make another one.” ~ Dave Ramsey, American financial author, radio host, motivational speaker Every time I read that quote by Dave Ramsey, I have to take a deep breath. I mentally step back and think, “Dave, you are one gutsy guy.” The guy makes a wrong decision and just … …
A Grateful Attitude
“Gratitude … goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to …