The Candy Cane Story

A friend of mine requested that I share this beautiful story for Christmas, so here it is.  The author is unknown from the piece that I have, so if someone knows the author, please share!!!  I pray you will be blessed by this story, hold it close to your heart and share it with others - the message is profound!!!

"A candy maker wanted to make a candy that would be a witness for his Savior, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane.  He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.  He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy.  The white symbolized the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14 and Luke 1:26-35) and the sinless nature of Jesus (I John 3:5).  The hardness of the candy symbolized the Solid Rock (I Corinthians 10:4) the foundation of the Church (Matthew 16:18), and the firmness of the promises of God (Psalm 18:30-32).  The candy maker made the candy into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior (John 3:16-17), and a symbol to represent the staff of the Good Shepherd (John 10:14).  Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker decided to stain it with three small red stripes, representing the stripes of the scourging Jesus received prior to His crucifixion (Mark 15:15-20) for our healing (Isaiah 53:5).  the large red stripe represents the shedding of His blood on the cross for our salvation (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7)."

One Star, one Child, one Holy Night........the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Allow Him to come into your heart tonight.  He came to save us all, not some, not part, not most, but all.  Blessings to you this Glorious Christmas night!!!

So much to ponder for Christmas....

As Christmas approaches this year, I find myself pondering many things, reflecting on the happenings of 2015 and come once again to a point of gratitude.  There is a song in one of my piano Christmas album/music books by Josh Groben called "Thankful."  The words and music are written by Carole Bayer Sager, Daivd Foster and Richard Page.

There is a YouTube version of this beautiful song, if you would like to listen to it.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=You+Tube+Josh+Groban+%22Thankful%22+lyrics
 And, here are the lyrics for you:

Some days we forget to look around us;
Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us.
So caught up inside ourselves,
We take when we should give.

So for tonight, we pray for what we know can be,
And on this day we hope for what we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change,
And even though we all can still do more,
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves;
There's so much sorrow,
It's way too late to say,
"I'll cry tomorrow."
Each of us must find our truth,
So long overdue.

So for tonight, we pray for what we know can be,
And on this day we hope for what we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change,
And even though we all can still do more,
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences,
There is a place we're all connected;
Each of us can find each other's light.

So for tonight, we pray for what we know can be.
And on this day, we hope for what we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change,
And even though this world needs so much more,
There's so much to be thankful for.

As you listen to or sing the Christmas Carols that are so familiar think about the words - what do they really mean?
Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men:  Am I bringing peace to someone who may need it?
Angels We Have Heard on High:  Are you listening and watching for the Angelic Chorus that surrounds us?
Joy to the World:  Do you what joy they are singing about?
What Child is This?  Do you know who this child is?  Have you asked Him into your heart?
Silent Night:  Can you feel the awe and reverence that is meant to fill our hearts?

How can you  make a difference in some else's life?  How can you lighten someone's load?  What can
do that will truly impact another human being's life?  Heart?  Soul?
We are not meant to be isolated, self-centered and self-absorbed.  We are meant to carry a message of love and joy and peace to others......what will you do to make a difference this season?

In these next few days before Christmas, take time to do what truly matters.

Pause in the middle of the hustle and bustle and just be still for a moment....

Be grateful for all that you have.....

Spread love, joy and peace to all whom you come in contact with - the warmth that fills your heart is only a tiny portion of what love can do for someone else who may be hurting this season.

Remember the reason for the season:
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
The King of King - salvation brings.
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Christ came to save us from our sins.
Christ came to bring us JOY.  

So for tonight,
May your heart be filled to overflowing with that JOY and
Spread that JOY wherever you go!!!

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving to God – I wrote this devotion last year and in 2013 and it still holds true….Please read these reflections on why we all have so many reasons to be thankful and sing your own song of Praise to the God of Creation for all He has given us!!!

Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow! Praise Him all creatures here below!! Praise
Him above ye Heavenly Hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!!! AMEN!!!

Find your favorite song of Praise and Thanksgiving and SING it!!! Sing it in the shower, sing it as you are cooking, sing it as you are cleaning for all the guests, sing it as you prepare your heart for ALL God has to offer you this holiday!!!

Remember these Songs and Old Hymns???
Give Thanks
Come Ye Thankful People Come
We Gather Together

The Lyrics to the first of these songs are as follows:
"Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks unto the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. (Repeat the refrain)
And now, let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich because of what The Lord has done for us. Give thanks....give thanks....give thanks!!!"

Thanksgiving....an act of giving thanks or expressing gratitude especially to God - wow!
The United States of America celebrates and gives thanks to God for this special day this week on Thursday – it is a U.S. national holiday set apart to give God thanks!!!
YES, let's do that!!!

As I opened my Bible this morning that my beloved grandfather, "Gramps" gave me in 1962, I was blessed to find this verse and thoughts:
Psalm 138:1
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord with all my heart..." The latin word for gratitude is gratis or grace.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving holiday??? What grace has been extended to you this day, this month, this year? Have you stopped to take note of the many blessings that are in your life? If not, why not do that today or this weekend!!!

We have so much to be grateful for in the United States.....it is truly incredible!!! I know my gratitude list swells each day as I stop, breath and think about all that God has blessed me with - a wonderful family in Ohio, Virginia, California, Tennessee and Texas, a son that brings me more joy than I thought imaginable almost 20 years ago, a job that allows me to serve our elderly with honor and praise, a church that feeds my heart and soul each week, prayer warriors that support and encourage me by praying for me and those people and situations that God places in my life and in our church family, incredible friends that fill my life with laughter and fun, and finally God has sustained and blessed our country from many disasters...........ahhhh..........our God is SO good!!!

I read years ago: "When we express gratitude something wondrous fills us! Gratitude nourishes our souls immediately and the wonder of the moment swells in our hearts." Simple gratitude brings simple happiness...simple gratitude shows us what is utterly amazing in our lives. We have been so blessed, so fortunate, so favored, so richly given abundance....and it is all by the Grace of God alone.
So, let's celebrate! Let's appreciate and acknowledge what we have been given even on the tiniest level......offer a sacrifice of praise to our Heavenly Father this Thanksgiving and KNOW how much you are loved!!!

Finally here is a fun way to say: "Many thanks" in many languages:
English: Many thanks!
French: Merci!
German: Danke Schoen!
Italian: Gramercy!
Spanish: Muchas Gracias!
Archaic: Much obliged!

And, one of the many things I am grateful for are all of you who read this blog….Thank YOU for reading these ramblings and encouraging me to continue to write this blog!!!

Blessings Abound!!!!!!!!
Look up….look around……and look for JOY!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family – Gobble, Gobble!!!

A Grateful Nation has not forgotten....

Today is Veterans Day here in the United States of America.  It is a day of remembering.  A day of celebrating the greatest generation of our time.  Today we honor Veterans of World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War as well as current or modern day Veterans such as Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.  And, there are many unknown/unnamed wars that take place that are fought by our braves service men and women across the globe.

Today was a special day for me.  I am lucky enough to have my very own personal hero, my brother, Scott.  He has fought in places that I cannot imagine going, but am grateful that he and all of his comrades were brave enough to stand in the gap for me and my family.  And, for every American.  I am awed by his courage and his stamina and at times wonder how he has stood the test of time in battle.

Also, I have a cousin named Steve in Ohio who served in the Vietnam War.  It was a tough war and those Vets came home to a very ungrateful nation.  We did not say thank you at the time, but we do say thank you now.  And, I am proud to say he is my cousin and continue to tell him how thankful I am that he fought for me.  That he fought for our family.  That he fought for our country.  And, I am truly grateful.
 
Today, I had the privilege of honoring many older Veterans today at several nursing homes and Assisted Living communities for my new job in Hospice.  We gave presentations to honor each one of those heroes that have gone before us and those who still stand with us in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and even as old as 100 years.  As I looked around the room at our older Veterans, I had to stop and pause to realize what a privilege it was to be in the room with these men and women.  They each stood tall and proud and were glad that they served our country.  They fought for our freedom.  They fought for you and me.  Wow....It was quite a day!!!

Our Chaplain and Hospice team read several meaningful articles and poems about Veterans and the history of Veterans Day was explained quite well in this piece called:  Veterans Day by Marion F. Sturkey.  It is an excerpt from Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines, copyright 2001.

"After four years of carnage in Europe when the giant cannon finally fell silent.  At 11:00 a.m. on 11 November 1918 (which is the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month) the Allies and Germany signed an armistice.  The Great War, The World War, The War to End War mercifully ended.  The whole world rejoiced.  Thereafter, the eleventh day of November became Armistice Day in most of the western world.  In Canada, it became known as Remembrance Day.

In the United States, Congress officially recognized Armistice Day in 1926.  Twelve years later, it became a national holiday.  Unfortunately, three decades and two wars later America realized that world order had been equally preserved by veterans of World War II and the Korean War.  So, in 1954 Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. President, signed an act which changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

In 1968 (the flower-power generation was hard at work again) Congress changed the day of observance to the fourth Monday in October.  Veterans Day had temporarily become just another long three-day weekend.  The reason for the holiday had been forgotten by many.  Fortunately, the public outcry rose steadily over the next ten years.  Finally bowing to public pressure, Congress reversed itself in 1978.  The eleventh day of November again became the day on which Americans observe Veterans Day.

By law, Veterans Day is set aside to honor our nation's military veterans both living and dead, who serve in time of war.  The focal point for national observance is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.  At 11:00 a.m. on 11 November, a color guard that includes all military services executes "Present Arms."  The President of the United  States lays a wreath upon the tomb, steps back, and salutes.  A bugler plays Taps.  A grateful nation has not forgotten."

I pray that each of us will not forget.  I pray that we will remember and honor those who have gone before us and those who are still with us each day.  Freedom is not free.  Let us truly be a nation that will not forget those sacrifices.

Touching the Hand of God....

For my job, I have had the privilege of going to several nursing homes in my new territory and offering hand massages as a group activity for residents.  My purpose in hosting these activities is to get to know the facility, the nursing staff, the residents and to create awareness of our company's products and services for Hospice.  And, while many people cringe at the word 'hospice" because it causes one to think of death, it is more than that.  Hospice was created to help the individual and their families to help manage painful symptoms, help to regulate necessary medicines, allow the person and their family to get used to the idea that they may be in the last six months of their life and so on.  Hospice also offers support for the resident and their family.  Plus, if hospice is done properly, it can provide a new way to look at the transition from this life to the next.

As I have gotten to know some of these amazing people, I have found that there are hundreds and thousands of life stories that need to be told.  What has been amazing is that each opportunity that I have had the privilege of holding onto one of these "seasoned" person's hands, I have marveled at what those hands have done for 60-70-80 or 90 years.....cooking, cleaning, farming, bookkeeping, hard working mechanics, taking care of children, chopping vegetables or wood, and hobbies galore!

So, while massaging their hands with fragrant (or unscented) lotion, we talk about their lives:  Flight surgeons, factory workers, farmers, moms/dads, brothers/sisters, years developing a business, and years raising children to teach them about life on a daily basis and the like.  I ask them questions about what they have done, how many kids they had (or have) and what their family life was like, etc.  In some ways, I wish I could record what they tell me so that we can have the family members hear what they are sharing with me as they tell their stories.

In any case, I am finding that it is quite an honor and a privilege to be part of this season of life for these residents.  And as you can imagine, some of them are quite alert and only needing a little bit of help here and there while others are totally dependent on the staff and/or their family when they visit.  As I spend a few precious moments rubbing and massaging their hands, and offering them a little relaxation,
I notice some of the hands are frail, small and fragile.  Other hands are rough, large and/or strong.  It is mind boggling to think about all that those hands have done over a lifetime.  And, there are moments when I feel that it is as if I have been touching the Hands of God.  What an awesome privilege!!!

Withholding forgiveness...

Have you ever thought of what it means to withhold something?  It means to hold back or restrain from, or to not grant something to another person.

Here are a few examples:
As a parent, you may have come across a time or situation that to grant your child's request may put them in danger.  Or, perhaps to grant the wish, you take the chance of your son or daughter not learning a very important lesson.

Second, consider a work-related example.  An employee of yours requests time off when they have not accrued enough time to take a 2 week vacation yet.  Do you grant their request or deny it?  What are the circumstances surrounding the request?  Will it affect your business in a negative way?  Can you spare the "help" at this time?  Is it for a family emergency or for a vacation that was planned long before they took the job at your business?  Regardless, there are many factors that may have to enter into the decision to grant the request or not to grant it.

Now let's consider relationships.  Someone you love.  Someone who means a lot to you.  A dear friend, a spouse, a sister/brother, or a significant "other" that has been in your life for quite some time.  You have a disagreement, an argument, or a rift of some sort.  Heated words are exchanged or painful accusations are brought up.  Unwanted reactions happen all too quickly and you part ways in haste or in anger.  What happens next?  Who said what to whom?  Who should apologize - you or the other person???  How do you resolve the conflict?

Some people would say the person who offended the other person should apologize first.  Well, who decides who is offended most?  Can each party let the anger dissipate and come to the table to discuss the disagreement after the dust has settled?  Well, it depends.  Many factors can cause disagreements and many factors can cause a relationship end or to be altered.  Sometimes the outcome is positive and other times it is not.  It may depend on the maturity of the persons involved or the length of the relationship.  It may depend on the severity of the offense.

Let's add one more piece to the puzzle.  Forgiveness.  When does someone offer forgiveness or withhold it?

Can you let the sun go down on your anger or do you try to resolve the issue before it goes beyond the point of no return?  Can you offer to take the high road and offer forgiveness first?  Or, does your pride get in the way and you stop short because you have been hurt too much.  Forgiveness is an important factor in all relationships.  And, it takes a willingness to offer and/or receive forgiveness.  Especially when the hurt run deep!

Now, let me ask you this:  Have you ever withheld forgiveness to someone because you were hurt or angry?  Was the situation so dire that you just could not bring yourself to let something go or could not or would not accept another person's apology?  It is a hefty question.  And, what if the person who offended you or said those horrible words to you, reacted negatively, or behaved badly wrote you a note of apology or called to say they were sorry?  Could you speak to them again?  Would you consider bridging the gap?

The Scriptures say that if you have an offense with anyone, go and resolve that issue before coming to the communion table.
Matthew 5:23 says:  "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother (sister/friend/husband/wife) has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

First, GO and be reconciled.  Yes, that mean YOU!  Take the first step.  Offer to resolve the conflict.  Say you are sorry.  Give them a chance to say they are sorry as well.  Let them know that you want to resolve the issue and find some common ground - even if you have to agree to disagree.  Even if you choose to not restore the relationship, mend the fence.  Do not let the sun go down on your anger.  Don't let pride get the best of you and hold onto a grudge for days, weeks or even years.  It truly only hurts you, not necessarily the other person.

Pray about it.  Choose to forgive.  Then, allow the process of the offense being forgiven to begin.

Let the other person know you forgive them!  Don't withhold it.  Don't torture them for months by not talking to them.  Let them know you have asked God for forgiveness for your part in the disagreement and you choose to forgive them and forgive yourself as well.  Forgiving someone and NOT letting them know is just as bad as not forgiving them and holding a grudge.  It simply is not what the Lord wants us to do.

Think about it from the standpoint of why Christ offered His life for us.  He came to save us from all the things we have done wrong.  Not just some things, not part, not most, but all.  Forgiveness is the pinnacle of Christianity.  He came to forgive us, to save us, to redeem us.  He asks us to do the same.  That is why He came to earth.  Why He was crucified.  Why He was buried.  Why He is resurrected and sits at the right hand of the Father!!!  Forgiveness.  Offered once and for all for every one of us.

Christ never withholds forgiveness if we ask Him to forgive us.  Never.  He doesn't wait 5 minutes or 5 months to let us know we are forgiven either.  His forgiveness is instant!  Complete! Assured. If we ask.
I John 1:9 says:  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Tenth Avenue North  has a song called "Losing."  Here is the bridge where one of the best messages of forgiveness is explained:

"Why do we think that hate's gonna change their heart
We're up in arms over wars that don't need to be fought
Pride won't let us lay weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up just to burn them down
We think pain's owed apologies and that it'll stop
Truth be told it doesn't matter if they're sorry or not
Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
of Mercy and Your Grace, Father, send your angels down."

A friend of mine once told me that forgiveness is something for each of us to give whether or not the person that it is offered to accepts it.  Sometimes it is very difficult to offer forgiveness.  But, go ahead.  Go the extra mile and offer forgiveness first.  Don't withhold it.  Don't wait to let the person know you want forgive them either.  Choose to surrender your right to be right.  Choose to forgive.  It goes a long, long way to healing your own soul.

Trials, tribulations and tests in this life....

Trials, tribulations and tests in this life - How do you respond when you are being tested or going through a trial?  Do you rebel?  Resist?  Become obstinate and/or stubborn?  Do you withdraw or isolate yourself and try to "fix it" yourself?  Or, do you have the grace to allow yourself to learn from the trial, the suffering, or the test?

What does "going through a trial" really mean?  Yes, in a court of law it means attending the court dates to resolve an issue or lawsuit.  But what about the type of trial we endure on a personal basis?  Can being subjected to a hardship or going through a lengthy period of suffering be considered a "trial" in today's world?  By the dictionary definition, a trial can be a process, a hardship, suffering, an annoyance, or a time of testing.  Sometimes, that testing seems to linger or remain in our lives for a extended period of time - usually longer than we would choose to have if it was up to us to decide the length of time!  And, these times are usually not our favorite times or seasons in our lives.

Many times, how we react is usually based on years of experience in a certain family style or environment as we grow and learn from those around us.  The older I get, the more I realize I have a choice of how I react or respond in a given situation.  We can all learn how to "respond" rather than "react" if we choose to do so.  I grew up in a very emotionally charged home - good and bad emotions flowed freely!  We loved each other deeply, laughed, giggled, enjoyed wonderful family times yet fought like cats and dogs some days - we grew up showing our emotions and that was normal in our family.  Other families rarely show emotions or do not show emotions at all.  Mixing two families that are polar-opposite can be a real "test" in a marriage or a relationship.  Take a peek at your own personal or family history and compare it with another person you love or are acquainted with - is there a difference in how you respond or react to other people you know?  If so, how?  Notice those differences and ask yourself this question:

What if we used this knowledge to learn more about ourselves?  And, what if we applied that knowledge to those times of "testing" in our lives - would we choose differently based on new information?  Could we choose differently?  Absolutely!!!  Choosing to respond in love and/or kindness instead of reacting with anger/hurt is always a choice we can make!  Going through a trial or period of testing can also allow us to change how we respond versus react.  We can learn to intentionally respond in a positive fashion.  We can choose to learn from our mistakes.  We can benefit from some of the most tragic experiences.  If we choose to do so....

Believe it or not, there is an advantage to going through a painful process.  God can use challenges, tragedies, diseases and many other difficulties to strengthen and purify us.  Have you ever looked back on a difficult time in your life and said:  "It was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish."  Or, "I learned so much through that trial."  Many gifts can come from what we think are disasters or tragedies in our lives:  strength, endurance, patience,  awareness, deeper faith, wisdom, knowledge, and/or stronger convictions.  Some of the most painful times or situations we endure, can help us become a better person.  Or perhaps, the lesson presents itself so that we become aware of something we need to change.  We may very well be called to learn something new from an extremely difficult challenge.  We can grow and change in ways we never dreamed possible if we can open ourselves up to the lesson(s) that God is trying to teach us or how He is trying to get our attention.

This life offers challenges that are beyond comprehension sometimes.  Why not look up and see what God is trying to teach you through it all?

James 1:2 says:  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Pure joy in trials?  Are you crazy?  I used to think so.  Now, I realize how much God has changed my  mind, my life, and my heart through some of the worst times in my life.  It was for my benefit that He used various times of testing to purify me, change me, mold me and make me truly His.  And, for that, I am truly grateful.  How about you???