What to Do With Disappointments, By Joy Wie-Addo

What to Do With Disappointments

By Joy Wie-Addo

When life frowns at you, you can sit back and smile back. Ever hear of the Scripture that tells us not to reply in anger to an angry man? Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It only wells up the anger to respond in anger; but a smile cools down the anger.  Such is life the moment you smile; the devil gets the message that you are on top, and you know what you are about. Your smile also gives you the confidence that all is well. To those around you, it tells them you know what you are about. Many disappointments come our way in our day to day activities. Some disappointments open doors for us to laugh, some dampens our spirit. But the truth is, even a bad disappointment can have a good end. Because even in nothing, there is something. And so we say and agree with the Scripture that says that everything works together for them that love the Lord. (Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”)

When we don’t give up, it gives God the opportunity to have his way with us. And when we make an attempt to get up when we fall, we get to experience God extending a hand to help us up, and not just help us up, but put us in a place where we can look down to see how deep we fell, and how high we are now. Then we have the opportunity to see those also climbing up, and help them up.

Falling in Love This Christmas, by Sarah P.

Falling in Love This Christmas

By Sarah P.

Do you listen to a lot of Christmas music? I love to hear Christmas songs on the radio this time of year; classics by artists like Bing Crosby and Julie Andrews really put me in a holiday mood!

You might not have noticed, but a lot of those songs talk about love. "Let It Snow," and "Sleigh Ride," along with "Winter Wonderland," all mention sweethearts. That makes me wonder what in the Christmas season causes people to think about their “special someone” so much!

Anyway, I’ve got awesome new for you: there's this Man that loves you—yes, I literally mean you— a lot. He loves you more than you can imagine. He's perfect in every way. He's kind and considerate, loving and tender, and He's actually his eye on you your whole life. He thinks you're beautiful, lovely, and precious. He desires to have a close relationship with you and carefully watches over you every day. He longs to talk with you, listen to you, and teach you.

His name is Jesus Christ. That might seem weird to you; you might be thinking, "Yeah, I know, but, He's God. He loves me, but not like that. Not that personal. He likes me and all, but He doesn't want to be that close to me."

Check out this passage from Isaiah 54:5, "For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth..." (NLT). God does love you like that! In fact, here He compares your relationship with Him to that of a husband and wife! Again in Isaiah 62:5b, He says, "God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride." Jesus is serious about having a relationship with you: one that is even deeper than a husband and wife have. He really loves you that much!

God knows every detail of your life. He watches and cherishes your every breath, move, and thought; He planned out and carefully chose the path your life would take before you were even born… (See Psalm 139) and yet He doesn't stop there!

When God first created us, we had a close relationship with Him. When we sinned, our sin separated us from Him. So God made a rescue plan. Jesus stepped out of heaven to save us and rescue the disobedient people He loves. He died painfully on the cross to win us back and provide a way for us into heaven. At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus as God’s gift to us, His sacrifice for us. That's exactly what Christmas is all about: God’s love in giving Jesus to pay for our sins.

So while you're singing along with the radio, making Christmas cookies, and daydreaming about candy canes, why not enjoy the love of Jesus? Spend some time talking to Him and reading His Words in the Bible. You’ll discover that Christmas is a time to do exactly what the songs say: fall in love!

God Bless,

Sarah

Thankfulness This Christmas

Thankfulness This Christmas 

By Tricia F.



Christmas! When I think of Christmas, I immediately think of joy, laughter, no school, and plenty of Christmas Carols! Everyone love Christmas Carols!
But truly and honestly readers, do you take the time out of your day on Christmas to say a "happy birthday" and a "thank you" to Jesus Christ? I know, I know, we get busy driving place to place to spend time with family and friends, but over all, that isn't too important to where we can't thank Christ for what He did for us!



Just think, you're living a perfect life. You have a perfect place to live, you're never in trouble and you're having the time of your life. Then BAM! (Yes, I am being melodramatic.) Your dad tells you that you are going to go die on a cross for the whole world's sin. And, after some convincing, you say okay, because you can't say no, you can't sin!



Well readers, that's Christ.



He had to give up everything to come down here to the sinful world and die on the cross, just for us. Do you think He wanted to? No, but He did, because He loved us that much.



My point is readers, that we should say a thank you at least! I mean come on ladies! We want a guy to fall head over heels for us, but when a man dies on t cross for us, we could care less to even notice His birthday! Crazy huh?



This Christmas, let's take a few minutes out of our day and thank the good Lord for dying for us.

Christmas

Christmas

 By Maryann Y.

   Greetings in Christ, and Merry Christmas! I hope that all of you girls out there are celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, and understand Santa Claus is just a story for little kids. Right now, Christians should be joyful and thankful for the gift that God gave us: Jesus Christ. We should be shining examples to the people around us who are focusing on how many presents they are getting this year. Be Joyful! I try and make sure that my little sister understands that Christmas is the time of year that we give gifts to other people the same way that the Father gave us a little baby, who would wipe the slate filled with our sin clean. So no matter where you are or who you are this Christmas, make sure you help people around you understand that Jesus Christ is the True Meaning of it all. I have said it once, but I'll say it again: Be Joyful!