tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post7395622142876186527..comments2023-09-19T09:41:24.474-04:00Comments on His Ways...are not our ways: What About the Rest of the Year?Paula Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948349907036852384noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-52567223171406695032008-12-12T13:45:00.000-05:002008-12-12T13:45:00.000-05:00Dear Sweet Paula,Thank You!! I feel the same way a...Dear Sweet Paula,<BR/><BR/>Thank You!! I feel the same way about Easter. I've always thought that Good Friday should be a National Holiday. Easter is my favorite holiday. I totally agree with you. I'm from the heartland and I love how My Heavenly Father brings the earth back to life at Easter time just as His Son came back. Our God is soooo GOOD. <BR/><BR/>I haven't been in contact for a while now. Hope you are doing good. You must be the #1 Aunt. Enjoy it. <BR/><BR/>Love in Christ,<BR/>DanaDanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09264099229367291676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-15537130224605731092008-12-12T02:43:00.000-05:002008-12-12T02:43:00.000-05:00Oh my dear friend, you and I think so much a like....Oh my dear friend, you and I think so much a like. It's unbelievable. I do love Christmas, and I understand about the tree. But I'll email that to you tomorrow, and share more with your there.<BR/><BR/>I agree Christmas is nothing without the Cross, because if Jesus hadn't gone to the cross for us then we would have no reason to celebrate his birth.<BR/><BR/>Our church actually does do a lot of celebrating at Easter, it's really a cool experience. Good Friday service is an interactive experience. We have a stations of the cross in a way. We kneel and pray in the garden, we see and can touch the nails and the thorn crown. We can pick up and carry full size crosses (and there are ones for kids too), we can smell vinegar. And many others, it's one of my favorite events it's accompanied by the passages of the bible, and historical text. We nail our sins to the cross, and then take communion after passing through a torn tapestry. We have journals out that every year people write in and share what God is doing. I can't wait to blog about it. The mood is somber and it gives me so much time to reflect.<BR/><BR/>Then Easter comes, and we sing joyful praise and celebrate His resurection together as a church body.<BR/><BR/>Your right we must be Christmas all year round, sharing the true reason, but having giving and loveing hearts, so that people can see our Love for him is not just once a year.<BR/><BR/>Fab post my friend.<BR/><BR/>Love ya lots.<BR/><BR/>CarolCarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09550650176617319950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-30733282169237270702008-12-11T17:07:00.000-05:002008-12-11T17:07:00.000-05:00You are SO very right!!! Your heart shines throug...You are SO very right!!! Your heart shines through..so bright...and I LOVE seeing the LOVE of the Lord in your life.<BR/><BR/>Praying sweet blessing on you friend.Kim@Seasons of My Hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17562441645287044164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-25600550844667609302008-12-11T12:50:00.000-05:002008-12-11T12:50:00.000-05:00I'm with you also. It should be an all-year-long c...I'm with you also. It should be an all-year-long celebration!!! I just can't get into the world view of Chriatmas this year...Jesus is the reason!!<BR/><BR/>In His Graces~PamelaPamela (His maidservant)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-62856407765332747392008-12-10T22:52:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:52:00.000-05:00Thank you, yes there is a Lifeway in Salt Lake so ...Thank you, yes there is a Lifeway in Salt Lake so I just transfred to it, and I'm loving it...<BR/>I pray that things are going well for you... <BR/><BR/>Connie<BR/>GBUconniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02862185574713811476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-14742087194943820202008-12-10T22:51:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:51:00.000-05:00Amen! And like Lynn in SC, I loved this part as w...Amen! And like Lynn in SC, I loved this part as well,<BR/>"Christmas day will be here and gone before we know it.<BR/>Our lives on this Earth will be here and gone before we know it.<BR/>Christ will be here and gone before we know it."<BR/>It popped out and I had to read it twice. <BR/>Yes, it is true. <BR/>We should be doing this 24/7.<BR/><BR/>And, yes, I changed my blog for the holidays. Sorry to startle you with the black. :) I will have to change it up again in a few weeks. For some reason, the blog look changes with my mood. Sort of like my hair!Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06343708951811528611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-80284319504775194992008-12-10T19:47:00.000-05:002008-12-10T19:47:00.000-05:00This is my first time visiting your blog and I thi...This is my first time visiting your blog and I think it is beautiful. I became a "follower" as well. :O)<BR/><BR/>You are right about Christmas. Why don't we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord like we do His birth? Very interesting and I don't have an answer. <BR/><BR/>I'll be visiting often and I hope you'll enjoy my blog as well. <BR/><BR/>In Him,<BR/>BethBeth in NChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17492590083823556624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-21234576220179789562008-12-10T14:54:00.000-05:002008-12-10T14:54:00.000-05:00Oh Paula, this is lovely, I'm so sorry I have been...Oh Paula, this is lovely, I'm so sorry I have been so scarce, I have just been so overwhlemed, but this message has lifted me significantly today, thank you again.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470580327314877574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-87868584054647437762008-12-10T12:27:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:27:00.000-05:00Oh, I so agree that our holiday spirit should be y...Oh, I so agree that our holiday spirit should be year round. The Lord has been working on my attitude of thanksgiving this last year and it has really transformed my thinking.<BR/>As I read your post, I can not help but think if our dear Lord said on the eve of his death, "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" that I should be like my dear Lord.<BR/>I was drawn to your blog by your pink daisy. Your spilled the paint picture evidences how amazing our God is.Lorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16549959564253260558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-6600055602918503262008-12-09T18:38:00.000-05:002008-12-09T18:38:00.000-05:00I find that the Christmas season opens up more opp...I find that the Christmas season opens up more opportunities to talk about Jesus than other times. But you're right. I also wish that Easter was just as big a celebration. I love Easter and without the resurrection, we'd all be lost. I'm just so thankful that He loves us and as believers, we can rejoice.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by and visiting Heart Choices.Debbie Petrashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235978883396499354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-34608754470792348912008-12-09T16:14:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:14:00.000-05:00Yes you are rightHuggsssSharonYes you are right<BR/>Huggsss<BR/>SharonSharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292404509675099875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-4702912266248471422008-12-09T15:44:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:44:00.000-05:00What a special time with your nieces! Way to go A...What a special time with your nieces! Way to go Aunt Paula! Thanks for reminding us of our focus, our purpose.andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12557609279509341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-66850883963215123962008-12-09T13:00:00.000-05:002008-12-09T13:00:00.000-05:00Yes, it is a good time to share Jesus with others!...Yes, it is a good time to share Jesus with others!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your encouraging post!<BR/><BR/>Noticed your from Indiana--we will be heading down on Thursday to pick up our son from college--Taylor!<BR/><BR/>God Bless!Luannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06990959738094575455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-67504141619785854762008-12-09T05:12:00.000-05:002008-12-09T05:12:00.000-05:00I am with you on the Easter thought, especially, b...I am with you on the Easter thought, especially, but I think because it includes death, of course, people just cannot bring themselves to celebrate in the ways we do for other events. I am working on keeping Christmas in my heart, as Dickens said, all year long. But I also know that God set certain dates and festivals for his people when they behaved and celebrated differently than other days, so I guess it's OK that we do that. I just think having your heart changed is most important. Just this week I took a big step (for me) in committing to something other than myself this year. Thanks for the contemplative post.2nd Cup of Coffeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05478944775613602625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-74883018868406134962008-12-08T23:50:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:50:00.000-05:00thanks for coming by...got my teen to help, and th...thanks for coming by...<BR/>got my teen to help, and the tree is UP!!!!Skoots1moMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15062108140123899280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-52334138458655261942008-12-08T23:23:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:23:00.000-05:00Hey, girlie,I've been thinking about this post. La...Hey, girlie,<BR/><BR/>I've been thinking about this post. Last night, as I was tucking in, it occurred to me why I feel so much joy this time of year. It's because, during Advent, I'm not only waiting on the Baby Jesus, but I'm waiting for King Jesus to return! This time reminds me of the incredible joy in that promise. It gives me butterflies to even think it!<BR/><BR/>Love you, gal!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263995875732832349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-13862942561482181412008-12-08T21:39:00.000-05:002008-12-08T21:39:00.000-05:00Paula,It is so true. As much as I enjoy the season...Paula,<BR/>It is so true. As much as I enjoy the season there is a sense of what the world is missing---the Manger is nothing without the Cross.<BR/>Love you sister!<BR/>patPathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02727182861271334198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-90905419927091966722008-12-08T17:36:00.000-05:002008-12-08T17:36:00.000-05:00Paula, thanks so much for sharing on my blog. But ...Paula, thanks so much for sharing on my blog. But as I read the last paragraph about your not being able to put up the tree or look at the decorations it made my heart sad. <BR/>I so wish I could say something that would help you. Perhaps you could put a tree up, but store the decorations that bring you pain. <BR/>I remember one year when I thought my story of a miracle was going to be shown on TV. I was so excited and to me it was like "the star" at the top of the tree. But the program was bumped for a football game and I thought "my star" went thud to the ground. Then I realized that Jesus is the only star that I should focus on. He is the star of Bethlehem that still guides our way. <BR/>Perhaps you could put a small tree up with a star on top and just worship Jesus. I think your heart would be warmed and you would experience a Joy that only He can give!Shirley Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13890379133765103494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-32475880203197296402008-12-08T14:15:00.000-05:002008-12-08T14:15:00.000-05:00Great post! I'm grateful my church puts as much em...Great post! I'm grateful my church puts as much emphasis on Easter as it does on Christmas. The celebration, the music, even the decor... just awe-inspiring and so conducive to an atmosphere of worship!<BR/><BR/>Although I agree we should be more giving and loving all year long, I recognize Christmas as a time when some who are not generally IN church or open to the IDEA of fellowship with Jesus actually do COME to church and hear about the importance of a daily walk with Him. However they get there, I'm grateful for another opportunity to reach them!<BR/><BR/>Have a great day, Paula.Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-61495954594510041582008-12-08T12:23:00.000-05:002008-12-08T12:23:00.000-05:00That is true. Isn't it something how God will spea...That is true. Isn't it something how God will speak to us anywhere we are if we will just listen for his voice. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Thanks for sharing that blessing<BR/>JudyDeare Diaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05410203855585173508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-77459983360636018702008-12-08T12:04:00.000-05:002008-12-08T12:04:00.000-05:00I so agree Paula...what about the rest of the year...I so agree Paula...what about the rest of the year? I think that the reason it is such a HUGE production is that for the most part it is not about Jesus. People are scurrying around from one mall to the next, purchasing gifts for one another. If we were to make it about Him it would be not even close to the celebration.<BR/><BR/>I have yet to purchase a Christmas gift. I will get around to it eventually for my children, but I refuse to make it a ridiculously crazy time for my family.<BR/><BR/>There should be peace in my heart and peace in my home these next few days!<BR/><BR/>Great post!Joanne@ Blessed...https://www.blogger.com/profile/07290913410660688626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-75721411975816627602008-12-08T08:23:00.000-05:002008-12-08T08:23:00.000-05:00I do love the Christmas season so much, but like I...I do love the Christmas season so much, but like I shared with Laura this morning, it is an emotionally conflicting time for so many. Myself included.<BR/>I do wish, like you shared, that the spirit lasted for 365 days a year. What a wonderful world that would be, amen?;)<BR/>I received your card Saturday. Thank you for being so thoughtful to me. You know of the difficulties that I have faced in my life this year, and your thoughtfulness just means so much to me. Thank you.<BR/>God bless you, Paula!<BR/>Amy:)Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05336144938479561819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-63243476480796422692008-12-08T07:26:00.000-05:002008-12-08T07:26:00.000-05:00Paula- AMEN! Great post that reflects my heart to...Paula- <BR/>AMEN! Great post that reflects my heart too. <BR/>I resent the one e-mail and another one. Are you getting them?<BR/>Thanks Sweets,<BR/>LynnLynn - JnL4Godhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05954741568738252878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-89701401084074019712008-12-08T02:13:00.000-05:002008-12-08T02:13:00.000-05:00Oh yes my friend, you are so right. I do wish th...Oh yes my friend, you are so right. I do wish that this same sense of giving and love would carry throughout the rest of the year.<BR/><BR/>Loved this part...<BR/><BR/>"Christmas day will be here and gone before we know it.<BR/>Our lives on this Earth will be here and gone before we know it.<BR/>Christ will be here and gone before we know it."<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us. I love to come by and catch up.<BR/>LynnLynnSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10432169849148442563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689868815257965373.post-43493715684603054092008-12-07T20:42:00.000-05:002008-12-07T20:42:00.000-05:00Hi, Paula!Thank you, dear one, for praying me thro...Hi, Paula!<BR/><BR/>Thank you, dear one, for praying me through the holidays. Sometimes the past gets to me...especially during times when families get together. God teaches me through it all...He uses everything. <BR/><BR/>This post makes me think. Yes, Easter it the holiday that Christians should rejoice over...over and over again! There is just such magic in Christmas. And I agree with much2ponder that during this time of year everyone seems more open to the message. And I love what Melanie says about keeping our attitude of love year round. <BR/><BR/>Trying...<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>LauraLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263995875732832349noreply@blogger.com