Thoughts of Heaven This New Year

Thoughts of Heaven This New Year

EYES ON JESUS, HEADING HOME

Thoughts of Heaven this new year for me have been eye-opening.

I believe Heaven is real, and I believe I am going there someday. Most importantly, it’s not because of me or anything I have or have not done. Solely because I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, asked him to forgive my sins and come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.

We sing songs of heaven; we talk of our great reunion with friends and family who have gone on before us. Every month, if not every week, the list grows of lost ones who are no longer here with us. Consequently, our hearts yearn for heaven’s reunion. However, I’m becoming aware of more awaiting us than reuniting with those we have known here on earth.

This precious lady made that journey this week. Her family says she daily modeled the scripture, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21  As a result, although I never met Carolyn Sue, I can believe it’s true. The joy of Jesus seems to spill out all over her beautiful face. I can picture her hands reaching out to help anyone and everyone who had a need.

In Colossians 3:2 we are told to: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” I want to be like that! And, I want to meet her and others like her, to sit together at the feet of Jesus and share the joy that comes from a life of serving Him.  She sounds a lot like my mother; I wonder if the two of them have met yet. Wow! What tales they could share.

Click here for scripture on heaven and what it’s like.

Have you thought of that? We will make new friends in heaven; forever friends. Wow!

I have a challenge for us, let us get busy now and make some new forever friends. We can tell of Jesus’ love to a world that desperately needs to hear it. This new year, 2021, we can be Jesus’ hands and feet.  Politics and health issues aside, we can make 2021 a better year.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Something fun to know about Carolyn Sue and I.  We were born 6 months apart; my name is Carrol Sue. Hmmm! Heaven’s sounding sweeter all the time! Such fun; drop a line a tell me about your joy in Jesus!

Safely Serving Snacks, Meals, Leftovers

Safely Serving Snacks, Meals, Leftovers

Individual Servings for Committee Members in Our Home

Safely serving snacks, meals and leftovers take on a new meaning in today’s climate.

In this article, learn how I safely served snacks to a committee meeting in my home. Also, I share brief suggestions for navigating potluck or community meals.

I believe, if 2020 has taught us anything at all, it is how to be creative!  Avoiding double-dipping or re-using serving utensils can be easy as well as fun.

MEETING IN YOUR HOME

Pictured here are the snacks I served at a committee meeting in our home. Deep, disposable trays were filled with Chex mix, cookies, fruits, cheeses, summer sausages. Drinks were in bottles or cans.

LEFTOVERS

The plus side of our meeting: I fixed plenty extra and the guys took home snacks for their wives. I didn’t check to see if the wives really got any! This was so easy, I now keep trays to send leftovers home from family gatherings. If you serve in church or community events, stock packages of trays so guests can enjoy the food later in the week.

HOLIDAY DINNER

Think about your holiday dinner … if you aren’t sure who will be there, use this idea and have a serving line with only a couple of people handling the utensils. Use deep, roomy trays with lids, no washing later! Cleanup is a snap with more time to visit and enjoy family and friends.

A NEW KITCHEN STAPLE

Check out your local dollar stores, you will find a wonderful selection of trays with lids. Look closely: some are divided which works well for sauces and creamy foods. Make sure they are deep enough for your needs. I keep several packages of trays in my cabinet just for the two of us.

SUMMER PICNICS-DINING ON THE PATIO

Often we eat out on the porch or gazebo in warm weather. How fun to have a lid to protect my food while I enjoy the flowers, birds, and other critters.

Wishing you a safe and happy winter; snuggled up with a tray of munchies and a good book!

Let me hear your survival tips.

Hugs,

 

Turn Trials and Heartaches into Thankfulness

Turn trials and heartaches into thankfulness

Orchids from a friend’s garden bring joy.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18
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Loved ones can’t come home this holiday season. Too many friends and family have been touched by illness and death. Care facilities aren’t allowing visitors for those who seem to need it most. Jobs are lost, wages cut. Political news is depressing.
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How in the world can we be thankful?
To be thankful in all things is to acknowledge what is right about God in praise and thanksgiving. Life may seem a mess, but God never changes.
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As I pray for each of you in your various circumstances, I ask God to fill you with His Presence and Enduring Love.
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Suffering the loss of a loved one:  Holidays are hard. There is a part missing. I pray we can rejoice in the fact that we had that loved one in our life. Thank God for all the good memories; the life you shared; the promise of Heaven.
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Having loved ones in a facility you can’t visit: We will find creative ways to communicate. We will be thankful for those who care for our loved ones. I pray for peace and comfort as we trust Him to meet every need.
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Confined at home due to illness: We will be thankful we have a warm home, food, and the necessities. We will spend time in prayer, Bible reading, watching inspirational programs, enjoying music. We will do our best to replace negative thoughts with positive actions: explore a hobby, call a friend, write a letter, clean a closet. (Oops, how did that get in here?)
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Lost wages or job: We will learn to be content with what we have because God has said, “… never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5  For many of us, we will learn to make do with what we have. We will dust off the cookbook and relearn to ‘cook from scratch’. We may need to find a needle and thread and do some mending! (Oh, yikes!)
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As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I pray you will find His Peace sufficient for your every need. I pray for you to be surrounded by those who love Him and love you. I pray you will drop me a note so I can pray with you, and rejoice with you.
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You are a blessing to me in these changing times, I thank God for you.
Hugs,
Thanks for leaving a note below.