AT THE BEGINNING of a new year we find ourselves making promises that include; lose weight; watch what we eat; change our hair style; get a new look; clean drawers; clean closets; reline the cupboards with new shelf paper; rearrange the furniture; replace the bedroom carpet; clean out the garage by spring; and the new favorite is to “downsize!” Have you made your new list? Have your checked it twice? Are you dressed for the occasion of ‘starting all over again?’
WE HAVE been in the downsizing mode for several months now, so this is not a new idea for the new year. However, it is the hardest of all! Downsize means you are not rearranging, nor cleaning out. It means getting rid of things that you cherish; that has a story; that you would rather keep and let someone else get rid of it, after you are gone. Downsizing means going through stuff and deciding whether to put it in a yard sale, give it away, or call Goodwill! It has ugly connotations!
IT IS BEST to let someone else downsize for you, because if you are like me, you have to set it a side, and think about it, one more time. I have a bow foot bed frame that I bought as an antique in the 70's. Had it refinished and used it. I loved the bow foot bed! We move and the head got cracked. Had it repaired and refinished again, and we used it! It had another accident and we checked into having it repaired and Jim was given instructions on how to repair it, and meanwhile a box from the rafters fell and broke it some more. It has been in the garage for at least two years now! A decision has to be made! I wanted it repaired! Then I wanted to repair it and give it away. Now I just want to give it away and let someone else have it repaired. I suppose now it is time to just throw it away! It had history; it had style; all that memory and now; no more bow foot bed! That’s the way of stuff!
I WONDER if the beginning of every new year; God reissues His promises and waits for His people to respond again with love, joy and peace? I wonder if He makes a list and if He checks it twice? I wonder if He then sits back and waits for us to remember our history with Him; our style of clothing when we are obedient to Him, and the memory of when we first became one of his children? I wonder if He whispers in our ears every night; “my promises are true and they are for you!”
REMEMBER the Bible stories about God downsizing His armies? Gideon was 32000 strong but God said; I don’t think so! So Gideon tested them and 22000 went home leaving 10000 strong. Again God said that was far to many. So Gideon tested them again, with only 300 passing the test! God downsizes big because He wants His people to put their trust in Him. (Judges 6-8)
SAULS ARMY was also downsized when Goliath came on the scene. God brought a boy named David to fight the giant, while Saul's army and the Philistine's army took sides and watched. (1 Samuel 17) God’s promises are not only true, but they are true, because they never change! When we downsize we get rid of the things that we think are no longer useful to us. God downsizes to show that He wants us to be used by Him! We have to be willing!
WE ARE BEGINNING a through the year Bible Reading and in preparation I am gearing myself up to finish! I have read through the Bible, and I have studied God’s Word but I have yet to finish a year of reading. I’ve got time! I have several different translations! Others have done this and I know that because of God’s promises, I can do this!
LET”S LOOK as two of God’s promises. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8 Because Jesus is always the same, we know that His promises are true! “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8 His word is true! It’s going to be there whenever we are ready to begin reading!
EVERYTHING we have will come to the end of it’s life, and will need to be thrown out! It may hurt to clean up our lives yet once again, but God is on our side. Take a chance and read through God’s Word in 2014 and learn to fly as a bird on a wing! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/28/13
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
"I BELIEVE!" 12/22/13
DID YOU KNOW that Christ came to be born and to die for everyone? No matter how bad you were or how bad you are, God sent His only Son because He decided to love the world! I believe this because He changed my life; He has changed Jim’s life and He gave our children a life with Him because they grew up from birth knowing who He is and they believe also! God’s Word is the avenue we have walked ever since and I believe His promises are true.
GOD’S WORD is so valuable to the world because it tells us how to belong to Him. Some passages say “and you shall be saved!” Not just one but many, which says to belong to Him, is a process! I believe that the steps to salvation is not just one of those verses. However, it ends with Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!” The first four that say “and you shall be saved” you always must do. The fifth, you do once!
I KNOW what I believe! God has revealed it all through His Word! I believe what God says not by feelings and by sight, but through faith! Faith gives me hope, peace and through His Love, I can love everyone! Do you know what you believe? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13 Can you? Although none of us are perfect in our walk, God has promised us forgiveness! However, that comes with a condition and you find those in God’s Word!
TRUST gives me a sincere place of confidence in Christ. “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28 The church has been called and when we respond to that call, we become a part of the church. This scripture is for you! Without our trust in God, we flounder and rely upon ourselves to get us through.
IT ALL COMES down to believing that when we “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you!” Matthew 6:33 God knows what we need to live and to succeed in His Kingdom. We are to just be satisfied and keep, keeping on! Easy? Our flesh is weak but God’s strength allows us to keep, keeping on!
OBEDIENCE comes from hearing and believing His Word! We waste a lot of years because we still want it our way. But seeking God’s way, makes all the difference in the world! No pun intended, but we are declared peculiar people and to the world that is indeed a problem. We can’t be a Christian and live as the world. However, we can live as a Christian in the world because God’s Word says we can!
WE MAKE mistakes but don’t let our mistakes cause us to fall. God says when we forgive others, He will forgive us! “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15
LEARN to believe what you read in God’s Word and not rely on only what you have been taught to believe. A learned man speaks and we take it to be so; but a disciple who reads the scriptures to verify what has been said, with honesty and in earnest; God reveals so much more! I learned more about prayer when I taught a series in the late 90's. However, I was asking Jim what to say and how to say it when preparing to teach. After I learned how to go in prayer with clean hands and a pure heart; obedience to His Word; and forgiving others, along with practicing the presence of God, I began to write! Now I go to Jim to proof my work before I blog, or teach a lesson so that I am on the right track. I give God the praise and the glory!
PERFECTION will not be ours until we walk into heaven; but until that day, as a Christian we must strive to become the person that God has created us to be! We strive to keep Christ in Christmas, so let us also strive to keep Christ in our name of Christian, and become more than we ever thought we could be. Merry Christmas one and all for God so loved the World! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/20/13
GOD’S WORD is so valuable to the world because it tells us how to belong to Him. Some passages say “and you shall be saved!” Not just one but many, which says to belong to Him, is a process! I believe that the steps to salvation is not just one of those verses. However, it ends with Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!” The first four that say “and you shall be saved” you always must do. The fifth, you do once!
I KNOW what I believe! God has revealed it all through His Word! I believe what God says not by feelings and by sight, but through faith! Faith gives me hope, peace and through His Love, I can love everyone! Do you know what you believe? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13 Can you? Although none of us are perfect in our walk, God has promised us forgiveness! However, that comes with a condition and you find those in God’s Word!
TRUST gives me a sincere place of confidence in Christ. “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28 The church has been called and when we respond to that call, we become a part of the church. This scripture is for you! Without our trust in God, we flounder and rely upon ourselves to get us through.
IT ALL COMES down to believing that when we “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you!” Matthew 6:33 God knows what we need to live and to succeed in His Kingdom. We are to just be satisfied and keep, keeping on! Easy? Our flesh is weak but God’s strength allows us to keep, keeping on!
OBEDIENCE comes from hearing and believing His Word! We waste a lot of years because we still want it our way. But seeking God’s way, makes all the difference in the world! No pun intended, but we are declared peculiar people and to the world that is indeed a problem. We can’t be a Christian and live as the world. However, we can live as a Christian in the world because God’s Word says we can!
WE MAKE mistakes but don’t let our mistakes cause us to fall. God says when we forgive others, He will forgive us! “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15
LEARN to believe what you read in God’s Word and not rely on only what you have been taught to believe. A learned man speaks and we take it to be so; but a disciple who reads the scriptures to verify what has been said, with honesty and in earnest; God reveals so much more! I learned more about prayer when I taught a series in the late 90's. However, I was asking Jim what to say and how to say it when preparing to teach. After I learned how to go in prayer with clean hands and a pure heart; obedience to His Word; and forgiving others, along with practicing the presence of God, I began to write! Now I go to Jim to proof my work before I blog, or teach a lesson so that I am on the right track. I give God the praise and the glory!
PERFECTION will not be ours until we walk into heaven; but until that day, as a Christian we must strive to become the person that God has created us to be! We strive to keep Christ in Christmas, so let us also strive to keep Christ in our name of Christian, and become more than we ever thought we could be. Merry Christmas one and all for God so loved the World! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/20/13
Saturday, December 7, 2013
MORE OR LESS! 12/8/13
EVER SINCE retirement became more than an idea, I have experienced many sleepless nights. The amazing thing is that I start out tired and even prepare to settle in around 8:00 pm, but by 10:00 I am wide awake! I have tried mentally reciting all the scriptures that I can bring to mind; even go from my bed to my chair, and finally after eating a few crackers and drinking some water, I try the sleep mode again. However, I always seen to end up at the computer!
I HAVEN’T figured out why this happens but I do know that I don’t like it! I don’t like it because I have always loved sleeping! When I was a young woman, I could sleep until 10:00 am or longer and discovered when I married that Jim also like to sleep late. Children came along and that stopped, but the idea of sleeping never did.
I SOLVE problems when I am sleeping; I remember things when I am sleeping. Once, while doing some bank reconciliations for the company I had retired from, and felt like the TV mystery writer Jessica Fletcher, I was able to solved the mystery that had plagued me for weeks; while sleeping!
GOD DESIGNED our bodies for rest and because he created the 24 hour body clock, our bodies automatically go into the sleep mode with very little encouragement. As we get older the clock doesn't quite work as efficient as it did, but then many things don’t work as well as it use too! But lack of sleep is not a good thing! Some can get by with 4 to 6 hours but I want more!
WANTING MORE is a fleshly trait! Recently I used the term “less is more!” But for some reason I think more is always a good thing! I don’t want more house, or more car; I don’t even want more of what the rich and famous have. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33 God provides all our needs and He even includes more than we ever could dream of. He includes the things that I consider my favorites!
LET”S CONSIDER some favorite things! I could say ice cream, or chocolate; perhaps even more turkey and dressing; but I mean, really favorite things. One of my most favorite thing is to walk and talk with Jesus! When the weather is good, I walk around my house talking (out loud) to Jesus and am refreshed and that is whether or not I get enough sleep.
“AND LET US consider how to stir up one another to love and good works!” Hebrews 10:24 Isn’t that one of your favorites things to do? I love the church and the family that God has designed for His children. Within the Church I can love everyone and know that they love me! In the world, I can love them, but they have trouble understanding me, let alone loving me!
IN HEBREWS chapter 3, verse 1, it says to consider Jesus! Jesus is my most favorite subject! To consider Jesus would take sheets and sheets, because He is all the world to me! Jesus is my haven of rest! I may not be able to sleep well tonight, but I have a resting place that is always calling me. He is my encouragement; my comfort; my peace and joy that is constantly bubbling up in my soul! Jesus is my refuge in times of trouble and He calms my anxious heart.
JESUS came so that we may have life and have life in abundance! What more could we want after we have met Jesus! He is our all in all! He is the way, the truth and the life! No one can come to the Father except through Jesus! Why would anyone not receive Him and not want to know more and more about Him? Our old ways have nothing to offer! With Jesus it is like living in the warmth of the sun; smelling the fresh rain as it hits against the warm sidewalk; watching the snow as it glistens and melts to our touch.
“DO NOT lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also!” Matthew 6:16-18 Less may be more in some cases, but Jesus comes with a life time guarantee, which is more of His blessed assurance! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/3/13
I HAVEN’T figured out why this happens but I do know that I don’t like it! I don’t like it because I have always loved sleeping! When I was a young woman, I could sleep until 10:00 am or longer and discovered when I married that Jim also like to sleep late. Children came along and that stopped, but the idea of sleeping never did.
I SOLVE problems when I am sleeping; I remember things when I am sleeping. Once, while doing some bank reconciliations for the company I had retired from, and felt like the TV mystery writer Jessica Fletcher, I was able to solved the mystery that had plagued me for weeks; while sleeping!
GOD DESIGNED our bodies for rest and because he created the 24 hour body clock, our bodies automatically go into the sleep mode with very little encouragement. As we get older the clock doesn't quite work as efficient as it did, but then many things don’t work as well as it use too! But lack of sleep is not a good thing! Some can get by with 4 to 6 hours but I want more!
WANTING MORE is a fleshly trait! Recently I used the term “less is more!” But for some reason I think more is always a good thing! I don’t want more house, or more car; I don’t even want more of what the rich and famous have. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33 God provides all our needs and He even includes more than we ever could dream of. He includes the things that I consider my favorites!
LET”S CONSIDER some favorite things! I could say ice cream, or chocolate; perhaps even more turkey and dressing; but I mean, really favorite things. One of my most favorite thing is to walk and talk with Jesus! When the weather is good, I walk around my house talking (out loud) to Jesus and am refreshed and that is whether or not I get enough sleep.
“AND LET US consider how to stir up one another to love and good works!” Hebrews 10:24 Isn’t that one of your favorites things to do? I love the church and the family that God has designed for His children. Within the Church I can love everyone and know that they love me! In the world, I can love them, but they have trouble understanding me, let alone loving me!
IN HEBREWS chapter 3, verse 1, it says to consider Jesus! Jesus is my most favorite subject! To consider Jesus would take sheets and sheets, because He is all the world to me! Jesus is my haven of rest! I may not be able to sleep well tonight, but I have a resting place that is always calling me. He is my encouragement; my comfort; my peace and joy that is constantly bubbling up in my soul! Jesus is my refuge in times of trouble and He calms my anxious heart.
JESUS came so that we may have life and have life in abundance! What more could we want after we have met Jesus! He is our all in all! He is the way, the truth and the life! No one can come to the Father except through Jesus! Why would anyone not receive Him and not want to know more and more about Him? Our old ways have nothing to offer! With Jesus it is like living in the warmth of the sun; smelling the fresh rain as it hits against the warm sidewalk; watching the snow as it glistens and melts to our touch.
“DO NOT lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also!” Matthew 6:16-18 Less may be more in some cases, but Jesus comes with a life time guarantee, which is more of His blessed assurance! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/3/13
Saturday, November 30, 2013
CHESTER SHOW'S IT ALL! 12/1/13
MY SON Dan and his family brought home a little black miniature pincher mix, some years ago! He was and is so cute! On his first visit to our house he had gone to the front door but nobody was aware of it. He didn’t bark or make any signs of wanting out! But soon I noticed he was not where the gang was, so I called his name; “Chester!” Very slowly he made his way from the direction of the front door with his head down. Soon he stopped! I motioned to him to come to me and of course in a voice designed just for babies and puppies, I said; “come here Chester, come on, come to me!”
CHESTER moved slowly towards me although his head was still down. He stopped about 18 inches from me and put his little nose into the carpet, and at the same time lifted his eyes up to look at me with the most sorrowful look I had ever seen on a puppy! Broke my heart, but it was so funny; what was up with Chester?
RIGHT AWAY, Dan and Faye knew what happened! They had seen this before! We went to check out the front door and sure enough a little puddle was there! We turned to look at Chester and he was so unhappy! He knew he had done wrong, but he didn’t know what to do when no one was there to let him out! So he just let go and did what comes naturally to little puppies in training.
WHEN I remember this moment in the life of Chester, I am reminded of us Christians when we allow a temptation to take hold of us and we sin! We are angry with ourselves, we feel the remorse and our countenance falls and it is difficult to face family and friends, because we just know, they know and are going to want an accounting as to why we allowed Satan to tempt us and to fall into his trap. I can write about this because I have been there and done that, and so have you!
“JESUS SAID to His disciples; ‘Things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen; but how terrible for the one who makes them happen!’” Luke 17:1 The scriptures are clear that temptations will come, and the hand that tempts us will wish he had never been born! The scriptures talk about causing a child of God to sin; the culprit will find themselves in a large amount of WOE!
“WOE TO THE world for temptations, to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but WOE to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame, than with two hands or two feet, and to be thrown into the eternal fire!” Matthew 18:7-8 There are many temptations in the world designed to make people turn away from Christ. However, this does not alleviate the punishment for the one who causes such things. As Christians we are always in training!
TO CUT OFF your hands or feet is merely symbolic to the one who allows themselves to be dragged into sin. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is not an excuse with merit. You shouldn’t be there at all! This illustration is merely showing how detrimental sin is to our salvation. If you continue in sin by choice or habit, you are heading for the eternal fire. Eliminating the sin factor is the Holy Spirit giving you a way of escape, so that you can avoid the price of continuing to sin!
LIVING MOMENT by moment for Jesus Christ, comes a little bit easier, the older one gets! You understand the importance of coming to the Father with clean hands and a pure heart. Living lives within Satan’s entrapments, keeps us from enjoying the fulness of life that comes through Jesus Christ.
“AND THAT repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations!” Luke 24:47a When Christ arose from the dead, all things came into place for those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! His resurrection, has made it possible for our repentance and forgiveness of sin. Chester, didn’t want to be bad, but couldn’t help himself. We don’t want to do bad things, and we have help; use it! Don’t let a thrill for the moment, overshadow a life time of great moments in Jesus Christ as we walk daily with Him! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 11/29/13
CHESTER moved slowly towards me although his head was still down. He stopped about 18 inches from me and put his little nose into the carpet, and at the same time lifted his eyes up to look at me with the most sorrowful look I had ever seen on a puppy! Broke my heart, but it was so funny; what was up with Chester?
RIGHT AWAY, Dan and Faye knew what happened! They had seen this before! We went to check out the front door and sure enough a little puddle was there! We turned to look at Chester and he was so unhappy! He knew he had done wrong, but he didn’t know what to do when no one was there to let him out! So he just let go and did what comes naturally to little puppies in training.
WHEN I remember this moment in the life of Chester, I am reminded of us Christians when we allow a temptation to take hold of us and we sin! We are angry with ourselves, we feel the remorse and our countenance falls and it is difficult to face family and friends, because we just know, they know and are going to want an accounting as to why we allowed Satan to tempt us and to fall into his trap. I can write about this because I have been there and done that, and so have you!
“JESUS SAID to His disciples; ‘Things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen; but how terrible for the one who makes them happen!’” Luke 17:1 The scriptures are clear that temptations will come, and the hand that tempts us will wish he had never been born! The scriptures talk about causing a child of God to sin; the culprit will find themselves in a large amount of WOE!
“WOE TO THE world for temptations, to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but WOE to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame, than with two hands or two feet, and to be thrown into the eternal fire!” Matthew 18:7-8 There are many temptations in the world designed to make people turn away from Christ. However, this does not alleviate the punishment for the one who causes such things. As Christians we are always in training!
TO CUT OFF your hands or feet is merely symbolic to the one who allows themselves to be dragged into sin. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is not an excuse with merit. You shouldn’t be there at all! This illustration is merely showing how detrimental sin is to our salvation. If you continue in sin by choice or habit, you are heading for the eternal fire. Eliminating the sin factor is the Holy Spirit giving you a way of escape, so that you can avoid the price of continuing to sin!
LIVING MOMENT by moment for Jesus Christ, comes a little bit easier, the older one gets! You understand the importance of coming to the Father with clean hands and a pure heart. Living lives within Satan’s entrapments, keeps us from enjoying the fulness of life that comes through Jesus Christ.
“AND THAT repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations!” Luke 24:47a When Christ arose from the dead, all things came into place for those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! His resurrection, has made it possible for our repentance and forgiveness of sin. Chester, didn’t want to be bad, but couldn’t help himself. We don’t want to do bad things, and we have help; use it! Don’t let a thrill for the moment, overshadow a life time of great moments in Jesus Christ as we walk daily with Him! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 11/29/13
Saturday, November 23, 2013
OH TO BE THANKFUL! 11/24/13
EVERY YEAR we go around wishing everyone "Happy Thanksgiving!" I have said this all my life, when it comes close to the third Thursday in November. Even when it is so common place and so very familiar, and we love this time of year; saying thanksgiving is a measure of faith, in a faithless world!
I LOVE to remember 'Thanksgiving pasts'! I come from such a large family, that around thanksgiving it was an exciting time. We came together under one roof, sitting at tables all lined up, like a banquet table. Hunting for enough chairs so we could all sit around this long L shaped table! And, oh yes, the small table for all the little kids. And believe me, there were lots of kids!
WHEN I was a little girl still living in Iowa, I had a little friend who was having turkey for thanksgiving dinner. I wanted to eat turkey! But it was too expensive, I think, because we never had turkey in Iowa. But we did have a large goose! Years later after we had moved to California and I was in my teens, we had a turkey, a goose and a duck! I can still see that table and thought WOW; "What a happy thanksgiving we are having!"
BUT IT is good to give thanks to the Lord for all of His blessings! We take so much for granted! We want to prosper and to succeed in big things so that we can declare God's blessings in helping us to achieve. But God's blessings can come in small measures with big successes, and big measures in small things!
"IT IS GOOD to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to His name, O Most High; to declare the steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands; yes, I sing for joy!" Psalms 92:1-4
THANKING GOD for big things is easy because we are so proud of some of the big things in our lives. They are easy to see and they are easy to touch! But the small things are the things that have meant the most to each of us. The love of my mother and my father, who even through difficulties were still my mother and my father when they passed away! It seems so small, but it is HUGE to me!
"I WILL PRAISE the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs!" Psalms 69:30-31 It sounds simple, that a song would please the Lord! I haven't been able to sing for many years because of medicines I was taking. Today I am not taking those medicines and I can sing. To most that is a small thing but to me that is HUGE! It is true I can't sing as I did ten years ago, and I probably will never sing like that again; but just being able to sing and hold a note during worship is HUGE! I praise God and thank Him that I can sing praises to his name!
BABIES are a legacy to those who love the Lord! It s so sad that others find babies an inconvenience and even from a circumstances of chance, can make a decision to discard them! These are the small things that God blesses us with and they grow into big things that cause us to cry as they walk all over our feet, and hurt our hearts when they grow up, but they are a blessing that is HUGE!
I AM so thankful for my husband Jim, because he also has had a steadfast love for me that has endured over 50 years. Jim's walk with the Lord, has made it easy for me to have a steadfast love for him! I am so thankful for my children, who's lives have been a blessing to all! None of this is because of what we have done, but all because of what Christ has become to us and that is HUGE!
"MAKE A JOYFUL noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is He that made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures for ever, and His faithfulness is to all generation. Psalms 100:1-5 By Jane Ann Crenshaw 11/22/13
Saturday, November 16, 2013
CHRISTMAS "CRACKERS!" 11/17/13
JIM and I were browsing through Wal Mart the other day, when I spied some “crackers!” I got excited! Many years ago I learned about “crackers” and went from store to store looking for them, because it was Christmas Eve, and those in the know had already bought them up. Finally located a store, out of town, and bought the last two packages.
WHAT are crackers. You ask? An English tradition! A Christmas “cracker” is a brightly colored paper tube, twisted at both ends. There is a ‘banger’ inside and when pulled by two people, will create a loud snapping ‘crack’ or ‘bang!’ Thomas Smith, a London Pastry cook during 1846, discovered a sugar almond wrapped in tissue paper, twisted on both sides of the treat. He like the idea so much he created his own treat by adding a romantic message inside, and called them “Kiss Mottos!”
SMITH’S product didn’t sell well until he added a ‘cracker - pop’ when pulled apart. Today you will find within each “cracker,” a paper crown made from tissue paper, a riddle or joke and a small gift. Our first “crackers” seem relatively small, compared to the ones I saw this week. I didn’t know until now that it was to have two people pulling the two sides. That surely would make it easier and fun. One way to do that is by crossing your arms at the table and with your right hand you pull your neighbors cracker and with your left hand you hold your cracker while your neighbor on the right pulls!
WHAT would be even more fun is if you all pulled at the same time, and all the snaps and pops sounded with a bang. Sort of reminds me of a Bible Study when everyone gets excited and involved and when you leave that place you are filled with the Holy Spirit saying; “God’s Word is amazing; go and share it with everyone you meet!”
READING through the Bible can be an adventure, especially if you are sharing your reading adventure with someone else. There is talk about the church I am attending, having a reading program this next year. Not just asking you to read; not just leaving everyone at the starting gate; not hoping that everyone will do this, and then forget. I hear it will be a moving together in the scriptures with questions, answers, discussions, and a little of that fire being ignited with a snap, crackle and pop!
HOLIDAYS are upon us, and for some it is slow starting because of all the money that is required to do them up big. As I get older, I have found that bigger is not always better. Dollar’s are not always as wisely spent as pennies are. Taking a look back is not always the answer, but looking ahead can reveal promises kept.
WHY is it we are always frustrated, when this time of the year rolls by. We act as though it is a surprise it’s that time again! We knew it was coming! As the weather changes we knew time was drawing near! Yet, here we are with Thanksgiving around the corner and we are bogged down with all the things we have to do to be ready because company is coming; there are turkeys to be bought and whether or not to have cranberry sauce or whole berries!
“FOR EVERY matter has its time and way, although man’s trouble lies heavy upon him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be! Ecclesiastes 8:6-7 Solomon has a way with words doesn’t he? We sit around muddled in our own thoughts, when we have our very own “cracker” given to us by God. God’s word brings us joy, and peace! We can open it by ourselves or together and receive a real crown, read the nugget’s He has left for us, and receive the prize of eternal life. Just learning about Jesus is not enough, the Word clearly spells out what we are to do to be His!
“FOR EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven!” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Get all excited, go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King! Purchase some “crackers”, you will find them on the shelves in the stores. Take them home and place them at each setting of your table; have fun together as a family. Open God’s Word, hopefully you will find it on the shelf in your home, and read about God and His promises for you! What a Holiday season this can be, when we forget about the things of the world, and seek Jesus! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 11/15/13
WHAT are crackers. You ask? An English tradition! A Christmas “cracker” is a brightly colored paper tube, twisted at both ends. There is a ‘banger’ inside and when pulled by two people, will create a loud snapping ‘crack’ or ‘bang!’ Thomas Smith, a London Pastry cook during 1846, discovered a sugar almond wrapped in tissue paper, twisted on both sides of the treat. He like the idea so much he created his own treat by adding a romantic message inside, and called them “Kiss Mottos!”
SMITH’S product didn’t sell well until he added a ‘cracker - pop’ when pulled apart. Today you will find within each “cracker,” a paper crown made from tissue paper, a riddle or joke and a small gift. Our first “crackers” seem relatively small, compared to the ones I saw this week. I didn’t know until now that it was to have two people pulling the two sides. That surely would make it easier and fun. One way to do that is by crossing your arms at the table and with your right hand you pull your neighbors cracker and with your left hand you hold your cracker while your neighbor on the right pulls!
WHAT would be even more fun is if you all pulled at the same time, and all the snaps and pops sounded with a bang. Sort of reminds me of a Bible Study when everyone gets excited and involved and when you leave that place you are filled with the Holy Spirit saying; “God’s Word is amazing; go and share it with everyone you meet!”
READING through the Bible can be an adventure, especially if you are sharing your reading adventure with someone else. There is talk about the church I am attending, having a reading program this next year. Not just asking you to read; not just leaving everyone at the starting gate; not hoping that everyone will do this, and then forget. I hear it will be a moving together in the scriptures with questions, answers, discussions, and a little of that fire being ignited with a snap, crackle and pop!
HOLIDAYS are upon us, and for some it is slow starting because of all the money that is required to do them up big. As I get older, I have found that bigger is not always better. Dollar’s are not always as wisely spent as pennies are. Taking a look back is not always the answer, but looking ahead can reveal promises kept.
WHY is it we are always frustrated, when this time of the year rolls by. We act as though it is a surprise it’s that time again! We knew it was coming! As the weather changes we knew time was drawing near! Yet, here we are with Thanksgiving around the corner and we are bogged down with all the things we have to do to be ready because company is coming; there are turkeys to be bought and whether or not to have cranberry sauce or whole berries!
“FOR EVERY matter has its time and way, although man’s trouble lies heavy upon him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be! Ecclesiastes 8:6-7 Solomon has a way with words doesn’t he? We sit around muddled in our own thoughts, when we have our very own “cracker” given to us by God. God’s word brings us joy, and peace! We can open it by ourselves or together and receive a real crown, read the nugget’s He has left for us, and receive the prize of eternal life. Just learning about Jesus is not enough, the Word clearly spells out what we are to do to be His!
“FOR EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven!” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Get all excited, go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King! Purchase some “crackers”, you will find them on the shelves in the stores. Take them home and place them at each setting of your table; have fun together as a family. Open God’s Word, hopefully you will find it on the shelf in your home, and read about God and His promises for you! What a Holiday season this can be, when we forget about the things of the world, and seek Jesus! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 11/15/13
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