SHINE

So here we are on the eve of the day of Christmas.  Some of us are giddy with excitement, some of us are frantically trying to get ready for tomorrow, some of us are already dreading the end of the season, and some are just glad it's going to be over.   

I personally wish the "lights" of the season could last for at least 2 more months.  I LOVE Christmas lights.  Lights on the houses, trees, shrubs, fence posts, lining the driveways and sidewalks shining for all to see.

I enjoy the fact that we change the clocks later in the year because I know the wait for Christmas lights to start shining is shorter than when we changed them in October.  

I thank everyone who takes the time to put out lights.  No matter if you have one string of 50 lights or hundreds and thousands of small twinkling shiny lights all over your house and yard it takes an effort at some point to make sure that you're glowing.  Sometimes it also comes with much frustration as you realize only half a strand lights up or the middle of the strand is darkened while the the ends shine bright. 

Somewhat like life!  Our purpose is to SHINE into the world and into the lives of all of those around us.  It just doesn't happen though.  It takes an effort and a lot of work to make sure that when the time is right and the switch is turned on - we SHINE!!

Take time and effort to make sure you are ready when it's your time to SHINE! 

Thanks and Giving - Part 2

So next week many of us will be sitting around tables buzzing with chatter, crowded with food and plates that are heaped.  We will be sharing all the things that we are thankful for, the things we have been "given."  But maybe we have gotten it all wrong.  Maybe we should be giving if we have things to be thankful for that have been given to us.  You may need to read that previous sentence a few times.  I'm not saying to not be thankful, you absolutely should be thankful for the things you have been given.  Each and every single one of us has so much to give, but we don't even realize it.  It may be a smile, time, a helping hand, a listening ear, a hug, a dollar or two, a note, a friendly conversation, and the list goes on.  Any time we give of ourselves to other, we are sharing the light of God.  I shared with the youth how I hate when you see an TV show where someone promises to come home, or promises they'll be safe because those are not promises we can keep for sure.  But I love that I can promise that the light will always pierce the darkness. So give, give, and give some more and darkness will be overcome by His light.

Thanks and Giving - part 1

We are splitting Thanksgiving into 2 parts.  Thanks is part one.  This is not about what you're thankful for but when you have or should have expressed your Thanks.  Thank you to the youth who worked hard collecting food for the Covenant Food Cupboard - the great thing is they can have fun doing it.  Thank you to the parents who drove for the food scavenger hunt, who drove for the outing to the corn maze, who drive their youth to youth group, who bring in drinks and snacks, who offer a word of encouragement or support to the youth and/or myself or other youth workers.  Thank you to all our "neighbors" who filled the bags with food.  Thank you to all those mentors in my life who have guided, supported, and directed me in the many wonderful adventures I've had so far.  Thank you to my awesome and wonderful husband, Kevin, who has loved the youth just as much as I have - if not more at some times.  Thank you to my grown children who send a random text or make an unexpected phone call -  just because.  Thank you to the youth who by nature are pure and total adventure.  Thank you to the driver who let me turn left when there wasn't a break in traffic for half a mile.  Thank you to the cashier who smiled as you did your job.  Thank you to the repair man who didn't overcharge us.  Thank you for the invite.  Thank you for the understanding.  Thanks for being you.  All of these Thank yous are only possible because somebody "gave."  to be continued................................................

Barriers

Why are your barriers up?  We put up all kinds of barriers for all kinds of reasons.  We are afraid of what's on the other side - people, responsibilities, work, reality, situations we've created.  Or maybe it's because we don't want to let anyone in because then we have a responsibility to them as a friend, neighbor, or acquaintance. 
Do you have a barrier up to people who look different, speak different, live different.  If we are living into the people that God has created us to be, those barriers need to come down!! 
We will be experiencing people's barriers this weekend as we participate in the Food Scavenger Hunt for the Covenant Food Cupboard.  There will be doors NOT opened, lights turned off, TVs muted and excuses made.  Barriers will not be taken down if all people see are barriers being built. 
What do we need to do or who do we need to be to start the destruction of these barriers?

Trivia is not always trivial!

So there is a game called Trivial Pursuit that has been popular for years now.  Specialty Trivial Pursuit games have appeared that focus on a particular decade, show, movie or music genre and so on.....   So what's the deal with trivia and being able to answer those questions.  I don't know about you but I get a thrill out of being able to answer those questions correctly and not look like a complete moron.  haha   But if I am gonna claim that I am a fan of/student of/follower of whatever it may be, I should be able to answer certain questions.  Hope I'm doing okay with it, are you?

Expect LOVE

Expectations can be such a huge let down so I've learned not to have many.  But that's not so good either, I just need to know where and how to direct my expectations. 
We've been studying what it means to be together as friends, family, church family, neighbors, strangers, etc.   In all of this togetherness the one constant expectation is and should be LOVE.  I should expect that I will show love to any and all that I know and meet.  I should expect love from our amazing God, and I should expect love from everyone that knows and meets me.  Wow those expectations aren't easy and love has many layers!!  So what are you expecting???

Good, Not so good, Wish I could

So what exactly is it that you are good at?  What are you not so good at?  What do you wish you could do?  Do you ever ask yourself these questions?  Is what your good at, something that could be of a benefit to others or that they would enjoy.  Is what you are not good at something you should try to improve - such as listening skills or being a friend?  Is what you wish you could do something you should strive to do or something you need to let go of. 
When we answer these questions off the top of our head, we can blurt out answers rather quickly, but if you really stop to think about it you may learn something totally new about yourself.  I dare you!

All you need is .......................

LOVE!

Can you even begin to imagine a world where we loved as we are meant to love.  Jesus loved all and loved fully.

If we loved as we are created to love what would we not need to have in this world of ours anymore?  Something to ponder for the week.

In your circle this week, practice loving as Jesus taught us to love.

Bee Cause of Him,

Cherie

All for One

When we recognize and understand our strengths and weaknesses, so much more can be accopmplished in the spirit of love.  God created us so differently and yet so alike. 

 Have you ever taken a personality test?  Have you taken one with a group?  It's wonderful to see the strengths the different personalities possess and how they all can work together for the greater good. 

We are many members, but one body.  When one of us is weak the other is strong.  When one is not there, something is definitely missing.
Take notice of your strengths this week.  Take notice of the strengths of those around you. 

It takes everyone of us, not just a few, to do the work that God is calling us to do. You are more than equipped to do. 

It's Monday, Monday

So here we are on a crisp Monday morning.  It's a NEW day.  Yesterday is now OLD.  We couldn't be here if it wasn't for the old, but now it's new and we can do with it what we want.  So lets not waste it.  Lets make it a great one so tomorrow when the new is old, we can look back and say "that was great"  and we couldn't be here now if it wasn't for the old. Something to ponder.  Have a great NEW day!!

Bee Cause of Him,

Cherie

All Things New

So here we are - a new ________________.  Fill in the blank - school year, youth group, school, class, friendship, job, shirt, pair of shoes ........ you get the point.  
The question is, do we like new??  Do we want the old back?  Can old and new be friends? 
At the beginning of our new year we will discuss this and have fun with old and new.  We are going to go back in time and play show and tell.  Bring something old and something new.  We will remember all the good or bad memories that the old makes us think of. We will examine the new and dream of all that is yet to come.  

Bee Cause of Him,

Cherie