The Cows

After attending a lovely morning Christmas service and heart-warming community church meal I decided to take a bicycle ride through the countryside. I enjoyed the scenery and smell of the fragrant pine trees.

After an hour of bicycling I stumbled across a cow in the distance. I love cows so I turned my bike around and meandered to the pubic road that led to the farm. When I saw two cows in the meadow my face lighted up with joy. The cows saw me and ran to the fence to greet me. For several minutes they just stood there next to me and made me feel so loved and appreciated.

In moments when we feel so alone how assuring it is to know that there are some living creatures to cheer us up. Those two sweet cows I spent time with on a warm Christmas afternoon were beautiful CHRISTMAS moments.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL LIVING CREATURES!

Christmas Eve Worship

Christmas Eve….one of the most celebrating evenings throughout the universe.
I myself have attended many a church services on Christmas Eve but nothing can top the glorious moments last night at Central Methodist Church.

The church was lit with a multitude of candles, there was a big Christmas tree at the alter, the choir was dressed in red and white and the whole church was filled with people celebrating the birth of Jesus.

As I sat through the service the tears rolled down my face as I listened to the pastors sermon and message of faith and hope. Songs such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night" were sung with divine love by all. 

Moments and moments of  peace flooded the church….I could feel the presence of the angels and the genuine love that flowed so gently in all directions.

It's these kind of moments of joy, hope, peace, and love that help us endure and believe in the magic of Christmas!

MERRY  CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS MOMENTS!

Today is CHRISTMAS and Christians around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus.

May each and everyone of you have CHRISTMAS moments filled with joy, love, and peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Community Meal

With Christmas just one week away I decided to take a break from my heavy workload and go to a church community meal. I went there with very little expectations and ended up having a jolly time. 

The moment I entered the church I could feel the Christmas spirit all around me; Christmas wreaths, Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and a homey dining hall where I sat with kind people at the table. The food was so delicious; pulled pork, mac and cheese, broccoli salad, lime cream cheese jello, spinach salad….my what a feast.

Afterwards I sat with the pastor and a few other people in a small room. We prayed and prayed non stop for about twenty minutes. It was so divine and touching to feel the genuine prayers coming out of people's mouths.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the holiday rush that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. In times of stress, find time to de-stress with fellowship and prayer. Fill your hearts with Christmas wonder and BELIEVE in miracles.

We Gather Together

                                                    Thanksgiving Meal

We gather together to ask the LORD'S blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known. The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing; Sing praises to his Name; He forgets not his own.  Lyrics by Adrianus Valerius; 1597 (A Dutch Christian hymn)

This past weekend millions of Americans gathered together with their family and friends to celebrate one of the most popular holidays; THANKSGIVING DAY.

How wonderful it would be if every American had lots to be thankful for but that's not always the case. There are some people that really have setbacks like financial issues, health problems, being all alone and homeless...the list goes on. My heart goes out to those that have challenges and difficulties because I was faced with those setbacks myself this year.

In our moments of life, circumstances can change instantly. In times of desperation when all hope is gone little miracles have a way of evolving in our lives. As an example I had no one to celebrate my Thanksgiving Day with; so I thought. Later in the day I remembered about a gathering at a local restaurant for folks that had no family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with. The owner of the restaurant was offering a free community meal. When I arrived to the cozy and intimate restaurant it felt like a visit to a distant relatives home in the countryside. A large table was filled with a buffet of traditional dishes with an eclectic twist and there was another table with complimentary wines. 

I sat with complete strangers to enjoy my delicious meal and those strangers were so friendly and talkative. We all enjoyed our meal together. After I left that Thanksgiving gathering a co-worker called and insisted that I join her and her family for dinner. Within a half hour of leaving the restaurant I was now at a lovely house filled with laughing kids and happy adults. My co-worker introduced me to her huge family and they treated me with kindness the entire evening. We all had a blast together.

Life certainly brings us moments of surprises. In a split second sadness can lead to genuine happiness and the LORD can bring blessings of thanksgiving to us, forgetting not his own. To gather together and lift other's spirit's is truly a gift of thanks.