Isn't That Amazing?

For just a moment, hit the pause button on the seasonal surge, and consider these amazing holy hallmarks which permeate our Christmas.

He was in the beginning:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Isn’t that Amazing?

He came to earth:

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Isn’t that Amazing?

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Isn’t that Amazing?

He died for us:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Isn’t that Amazing?

He is coming again:

“Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)

ISN’T THAT AMAZING?!

From my heart, I pray that you have an AMAZING, Christ-centered Christmas! I appreciate you and treasure your participation in this journey, as together we pursue Living With Eternal Intentionality® (Acts 17:28a).

Thank you for reading what I write; thank you for offering engaging comments; thank you for joining me both here and on social media. Particularly, thank you for your overwhelming enthusiasm for my newest book, Pulling Back the Iron Curtain: Stories From a Cold War Missionary. As much as I treasure words, it is hard to put into words what your affirmation means. Truly, I am overwhelmingly grateful.

And, God willing, we will meet here in late January of the New Year 2022.

2 Corinthians 13:14

Cranberry Orange Relish

Cranberry Orange Relish

When a trusted friend offers you her trusted recipe, you take it and head to the store, don’t you? That was my response upon receiving my friend Mary Lu’s Cranberry Orange Relish. The recipe is colorful, easy to make, and a delightful addition to a holiday buffet.

Ingredients:

1 package fresh cranberries (Yes, I prefer Ocean Spray.)

2 oranges

1 apple (the reddest you can find; any variety works nicely)

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of pecans

Instructions:

Slice the oranges and the apple into wedges; remove the seeds, but don’t remove the peelings

Rinse the cranberries

Then, using a food processor, pour the cranberries in first and add the sugar.

Once the ingredients are combined, add the oranges and the apple.

Pulse the food processor until the ingredients are nicely mixed.

Add the nuts and pulse again

Refrigerate until ready to serve

Place on the buffet in your favorite crystal bowl

Can be made a couple of days in advance

Behind the Cupboard Door

Mary Lu is a wonderful person that my daughter brought into my life. Though Mary Lu is closer to my age, the two of them were already friends! Kindly enough, they moved over and allowed me to join them in friendship.

Mary Lu acts as hostess and manager at The Downing House in Denver and has the capacity to serve guests in small group Bible studies as well as in large gatherings such as fundraisers and outdoor picnics. Her love for Jesus and her winsome smile, combined with her culinary expertise, make her presence in any situation beyond amazing.

This Christmas season, don’t hesitate to give this Cranberry Orange Relish to neighbors or confidently take it to a party as a gift for the hostess. In so doing, you will foster the warmth and hospitality of my beloved friend Mary Lu!

Is the Grinch Still Alive in You?

“Thank you so much.”

My words hung frozen in the air as the store employee blatantly ignored my parting words.

“Hmmm,” I wondered. “Is she hard of hearing, or is her silence toward me an intentional expression of passive-aggressive behavior?”

Her beautifully coiffured hair and meticulously accessorized outfit could not conceal the fact that the woman behind the register felt strong displeasure regarding our recently completed transaction. Ouch. The seasonal Christmas lyrics and the costly, glittering decorations did little to mask the unsavory ambiance.

This experience walked away with me and gave pause for my own self-evaluation:

Am I a Grinch or am I a Blessing?

Sadly, in these seasonal days of December, you and I find ourselves in the position of the lady in the shop, and we are tempted to allow the Grinch to get the upper hand in our holiday demeanor. Being a Christ-follower does not make us immune to inappropriate behavior. And, like the music and decorations in the boutique, we rely on the artificial tinsel to cover up frustration and pressure.

But The Baby in the Manger offers a better way for Christmas 2021—a better way than being a Grinch; He offers us the opportunity to be His Blessing. Consider the difference between the two.

Characteristics of a Christmas Grinch:

Grumbling out loud

Muttering under one’s breath

Vocalizing extended sighs

Rolling glaring eyes

Staging aloofness

Viewing oneself as a martyr in selflessly preparing Christmas for everyone else

Manufacturing passive-aggressive silence

Complaining about crowded parking lots, slow service, long lines, and traffic jams

Jumping on one’s phone to communicate indifference

Honking the horn unnecessarily (guilty as charged)

Characteristics of a Christmas Blessing:

Intentionally extending a blessing into a blessing-starved vacuum: Merry Christmas, in Jesus’ Name.

Intentionally giving a gift card to an unsuspecting worker: You work so hard; thank you. This coffee is on me.

Intentionally expressing gratitude to anyone we encounter: Thank you; thank you so much.

Intentionally speaking affirmation: You have done a great job; is your supervisor nearby so that I can give you due credit?

Intentionally seeking to serve rather than be served: Please go ahead of me; you have your hands full with that little one.

Intentionally recognizing that the secret is found—not in ourselves—but rather in the power of the Holy Spirit—and knowing that when we yield to Him—we become “the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Hallelujah!

From Valley of Vision: “We thank Thee for thy unspeakable gift . . . May every place and company we are in be benefited by us.”

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

Living with eternal intentionality in the everyday here and now

“Jesus, I want to be a Blessing throughout this Christmas season. Please control and empower me by Your indwelling Holy Spirit to bring love and joy to each individual You and I encounter. I am convinced that apart from You, I can do nothing. I need and depend on the supernatural resources only You provide. I pray this today; I will pray this tomorrow. Thank you so much for hearing and answering!”