I Am A Friend of God!

                                                    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

                                                   Ralph Waldo Emerson                        _____________________________________________________________________
                              What (and Who) lies within you as you begin 2011?

I’m sitting at my computer singing along to the song, "I am a friend of God, He calls me friend." As you head into 2011, think about this: We have a never-changing relationship with God that is given to us for our blessing. We are His friends!

I hope this floods you with amazement, fills you with joy, and even makes you get up and dance and clap with overwhelming delight and gratitude! Just think about this fantastic, wonderful life-impacting truth:

• God is your friend—a friend who will never fail you. John 15:14-15

• God is for you. He wants your best. He is at work in your life. Romans 8:31-32

• God was in Jesus, reconciling us to Himself so we can confidently declare, “I am a friend of God.” 2 Corinthians 5: 18-19

• The God of hope longs to fill you with joy and peace as you choose to TRUST HIM in the days ahead. Romans 15:13

As we stand on the threshold of a brand new year full of the unknown, you might be a bit fearful wondering if….. Or you might be excited and full of anticipation. However you approach the coming of the New Year, remember:

                                         By faith in Jesus, by receiving Him as your Savior

                                              You are forever, a friend of God. (John 1:12)

Merry Christmas to all you Mums (Moms) of all ages.

A friend sent me this fun and inspiring email from Australia. Rejoice in His blessings at this special time!

JUST A MUM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license ,

was asked by the woman at Registry to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the woman at Registry,

'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mum.'

'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'

Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,

efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,

'Official Interrogator' or 'City Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.

The words simply popped out.

'I'm a Research Associate in the field of

Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and

looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,

in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,

'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,

I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research,

(what mother doesn't)

In the laboratory and in the field,

(normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)

and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,

(any mother care to disagree?)

and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she

completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,

I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,

(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,

testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Avoiding a Bah, Humbug Christmas

                              Avoiding a Bah, Humbug Christmas by Susan Ellingburg


Thought you would enjoy this great article about our attitude and plans over the holidays. It’s written for singles, but has some good ideas that apply to all of us.

“Spending too much time in the past can cause more harm than good. It's so tempting to sigh over the way things were in happier times and get all melancholy over the difference between then and now. It doesn't help that the "good old days" tend to get rosier in our memories than they ever were at the time.

Even if your previous celebrations were practically perfect, things are not the way they were. (They never are.) They won't ever be exactly that way again. That's just the way life works. There's certainly nothing wrong with reminiscing, but spending too much time in the past is a waste of the present. Speaking of which ...

The Ghost of Christmas Present

Maybe you'd rather be somewhere else this year ... or with someone else ... or with anyone at all. Fair enough; most everyone goes through those seasons. The question is not so much "where would you rather be now" as "what are you going to do with your now?"

Psalm 139:16 says, "All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old." That includes today, the entire holiday season, even that dreaded "couples only" night, New Year's Eve. If God planned all these days for you—and he says he did—do you think he might just have an idea about what he wants you to do with those days?

I really do not want to hurt your feelings, but may I gently suggest that maybe—just maybe—this season isn't about you? I was reminded of that myself earlier today. This afternoon I wrote out my Christmas list which, since I don't have any immediate family or a significant other, is an exercise in futility. (Who do I think I'm going to give it to?) Only later did it occur to me that I'm going about it all wrong: Instead of making a list of things I want, maybe I should ask Jesus what he'd like from me. It is his birthday, after all.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come

This one can be a real problem for singles, and not just at Christmas. I've known so many who put their lives on hold until their true love showed up. True confession: I've been guilty of that myself back in the day. What a waste of time that was. Sadly, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of "someday."

Someday my home will be beautifully decorated. Someday I'll have friends over for a wonderful holiday party. Someday I'll . . . Why wait? As E.M. Forster said, "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Every day is a new opportunity to show up. Make the most of now—it's a lot more fun that way.

In the years since the "poor, pitiful me" Christmas described earlier, I've taken my holidays into my own hands. These days I organize an annual outing to a nearby holiday home tour and host a Christmas Eve taco dinner at my house. (Christmas Eve tacos are a tradition in my family.)

This year I'm adding a New Year's Eve slumber party to the list. I got tired of going to bed early or being the odd one out at parties when everyone else was smooching as the clock struck midnight. So, I'm having a houseful of friends over for food, games, movies, and general hilarity. Why not? They're not doing anything either. We might as well all do it together.

Read Susan's blog at   http://www.tastinggod.wordpress.com/  

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU, SINGLE OR MARRIED!


POPPY

Stress and Boundaries at Christmas

                            Merry Christmas!  Here's some worthwhile advice we all need!

                                                          A Line That Marks A Limit



                                            by Deedra Hunter, LMHC & Dwight Bain, LMHC

Many in the mental health profession do not look forward to the holidays. Why? Because this time of year can create so many additional problems and pressures for people who are already feeling overloaded. Healthcare professionals get frustrated watching good people slowly drown under the incredible pressure of trying to live up to so many holiday expectations.

Depressed people feel sadder, people with addictions are often filled with more cravings, anxious people are ready to jump out of their skin, and most give up on their mental or physical health because they are just too "busy" to take care of themselves. The solution is not to ignore Thanksgiving or Christmas but rather to realize it is imperative to set holiday boundaries.

People tend to recoil at the mention of the word boundary but the simple definition is "a line that marks a limit". The depression, cravings, and anxiety worsen because those afflicted are unable to say "no" to all of the extra demands on their time, money, and energy. Bottom line- the holidays didn't bring them gifts, it just brought them more problems.

Since they don't want to offend or hurt the feelings of their family and friends they keep silent and tolerate situations or guilt-ridden obligations that only occur at the holiday time. Sometimes that silent tolerance makes a complex situation much worse, and all of this dysfunction steals the real joy the holidays were meant to bring.

Because of this we at The Lifeworks Group urge everyone to slow down and take care of themselves by having the courage to set boundaries during the holidays. You really don't have to buy gifts for your great aunt's second cousin once removed or eat all of grandma's double fudge brownies or drink her homemade apple cider wine. Giving your "presence" is often a much more thoughtful gift than just sending "presents."


So if you want to have a truly happy holiday, take a nice deep breath and draw that line that marks a limit because holiday boundaries build healthier lives all year long.

-----------------------
"Reprinted with permission from the LifeWorks Group weekly eNews, (Copyright, 2004-2010), To subscribe to this valuable counseling and coaching resource visit www.LifeWorksGroup.org or call 407-647-7005"

Are You Mainly Left-Brain or Right--Brain?

             For you created my inmost being , you knit me together in my mother's womb.
                        I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
                                                           Psalm 139: 13-14


I wish research and information was available many years ago when I wondered why my husband wasn't like me.  I've talked to many women around the world who have been baffled, frustrated or infuriated by their boyfriend or husband.  Why?  Because they take in information and process it very differently.

The brain has two hemispheres and we can be strongly influenced by one side or the other.  Many men are Left brain dominated, but not all. Many women are Right brain dominated, but not all.

In her book, When Opposites Attract, author Rebecca Cutter says, "I have witnessed countless couples as they have alternately avoided and confronted the frustation, conflict, pain, and unmet needs that are present in a relationship of 'opposites'... Partners who seem most satisfied with their relationship are not 'opposites' but rather people who are 'wired' the same way, have similar natures, and tend to mirror each other."

So if you've ever wondered about the man in your life--realize he's made that way, and so are you.  But change and growth is always needed whatever side of the brain dominates our responses--and with God, change is always possible.  Your baffling, frustrating, and infuriating relationship can be changed as you learn more about how both of you are put together. 

Look for more information in my next blog.  In the meantime, here's a question:
                                        What baffles you about your partner?

               
Poppy