*Winner*

The random winner of the one year subscription to Today's Christian Woman is:

Here are your random numbers:
23
Timestamp: 2008-12-06 12:42:40 UTC

By my count, that makes the winner: Laura Ingalls Gunn

CONGRATULATIONS!

Give Away...Give Away

Thanks for coming over from Lysa's blog for the give-away. If you are a regular of mine who came here without stopping by Lysa's, be sure to head to her blog for chances to win more stuff!

My Give-Away:

1 year subscription to Today's Christian Woman magazine.

Winner must provide U.S. mailing address in order to receive subscription. Everyone who enters today (Friday, Dec 5) by leaving a comment will be entered and I will post the winner tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon. If you want to comment, but don't want to win (WHY?!?!) just say "don't enter me" in your comment.

*****
Anything YOU'd like to give away? Maybe an old bridesmaid gown??

I've met a new bloggy friend named Vashti. Vashti is a missionary in South Africa. She is married and has two adorable little boys. She works with the orphans in South Africa who are orphans because of the AIDS/HIV epidemic there. I don't know how we found each other on the internet, you know how that goes, but we've become blog buddies.

Anyway, in South Africa in order to get married, the groom has to pay a dowry for his bride, then they have the many expenses of the wedding. Vashti came up with the idea to donate wedding dresses (or bride's maid) to them. You can read her blog where she came up with the idea here. If you have an old dress to donate, contact Vashti. Before you get too excited however, be sure and check into the shipping costs.

In any event, stop by Vashti's and tell her hello. She is originally from the UK, but spent some time in the US, and even helped out during 9/11 in New York. Even if you can't support her efforts, I know she'd love some emotional support in the form of encouragement.

James 1:27 -- Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Thankful Thursday 12/4

Sharing in Thankful Thursday with Truth 4 the Journey (click the button above to visit her blog). I am listing 5 things, big or small, I am thankful for this week.

1. Thanksgiving went wonderfully at my house, I am so thankful that the food was great, the clean up easy, the kids all played well together. Really a nice day.

2. For the "men folk" who brought all our Christmas stuff down from the attic on Thanksgiving day, since my husband is still recovering from arm surgery and cannot lift boxes.

3. That I've been asked to write a 4 part series for an ezine, and I turned in "Part 1" on Monday. It will run Jan - Apr and I'll link to it in each month. Meeting deadlines is awesome!

4. I am truly thankful for how blessed I am with "things" in my life. Not that we're rich, but I am sponsoring a few people this holiday and when you see the needs that are out there, you cannot help but feel so blessed for simple things like home, family, food.

5. I am thankful that I'm finished Christmas shopping for my kids! But they're easy. I haven't bought a thing for my husband, and have no ideas either. But I'm thankful I've done a lot of shopping, and have little left to do.

That's it, 5 easy things to be thankful for this week. How about you?

The Look

Chances are, if you are like me, you have mastered "the look." No, I'm not talking fashion here. I mean "the look" you give your kids as a warning.

Before my kids do something they aren't supposed to do, they glance over at me, to see if I'm watching. Then I flash them "the look." For me, the look is eyebrows up, mouth straight and tight, eyes bulge slightly. The look says "I see you, don't do it!" They quickly return to doing good and don't get into trouble.

I wonder if God has "the look." How many times before I get into trouble, does God flash me the look saying, "I see you, don't do it." Before I say something about someone I shouldn't...the look. Before I fly off the handle yelling at my kids for some minor offense...the look. Before I tell my husband what he did wrong in my oh, so superior tone of voice...the look.

How come the look works on my kids, but not on me? One key reason. Before my kids do wrong, they look to me. If, before I was about to mess up, I would simply look to my Father, to God, then I might see the look. I might hear the warning. I might not mess up. The answer is clear. I need to change my focus, and keep my eyes on God.

Psalm 25:15 -- My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Psalm 119:18 -- Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Hebrews 12:2 -- Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Advent - Come Lord Jesus

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.” (Matt 25:31.)

Yesterday was the first day of Advent. The word Advent literally means "coming" or "arrival.” The Advent season is the time where we are waiting for the coming of Christ. We do this historically, remembering His first coming as a child in Bethlehem. But we ought to also be thinking about His second coming as well, when He “comes in His glory.” And what a glorious time it will be when Christ comes again. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4) If we only focus on the fact that Jesus came, we might miss the fact that He is coming again.

As Christmas draws near I often hear people say “I’m not ready for Christmas!” meaning they aren’t done shopping, wrapping, cooking or decorating. Being ready for Christmas isn’t what “Christmas” is about at all. The question isn’t are you ready for Christmas, but are you ready for Christ? And if you aren’t, what are you waiting for?

Lord, as we prepare each thing this holiday season; gifts, décor and meals; help us to also remember that we need to prepare the way for the Lord, just as He has prepared a place for us in your, His Father’s, house. In Jesus name, Amen.

Originally published NHPC Advent Devotional - 1996, Kelly Combs, aka Chatty Kelly




After commenting here, don't forget to check out my weekly Monday post at my Kids Say blog.