For Thursday, December 19th, 2024

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 2024

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, 3dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks,  and boring grays of your every day.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

2 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

In TEXAS

 Sunrise:    7;22 am

   Sunset:   5:37  

pm

Life is a special   

occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is Look for an Evergreen Day which gives us the opportunity to go out and get a Christmas tree.  

An evergreen is a plant that has leaves in all four seasons, always green.  A Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine or fir. Traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas.  The tree was orginally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts and other foods.

In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated with candles, Which with electrification would be replaced by Christmas lights. Today there are a wide variety of ornaments such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes.

Traditional Christmas trees were  not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve.  In many areas, it has also become customary to set up the tree at the beginning of the Advent season.  Some families in the U.S. and Canada will put up a tree soon after Thanksgiving.  Christmas decorations can show up even earlier in retail stores, often the day after Halloween.

Celebrate today and get your Christmas tree and decorate with all your favorite ornaments. 

If cannot see the bright side,

 polish the dull side 

THOUGHT  FOR TODAY

Lincoln called laughter the joyous beautiful universal evergreen of life.

Abraham Lincoln

 Here we have an artificial tree which lasts longer and makes less mess than a real tree.  But the thing is it doesn’t smell like an evergreen would.  I do miss that wonderful pine smell.  I used to burn candles to put a little balsam scent in the air. 

I think we should keep the spirit of Christmas evergreen in our hearts the whole year...  meaning to keep it alive the year through.  

Today I go for a echogram that my cardiologist prescribed.  The appointment is this afternoon and either DS#2 or his wife will be giving me a ride.  It’s a simple test that is like a sonogram of my heart.  This will show if my heart is normal size or enlarged. 

Slowly but surely they’ll find out what is going on so we can do something about it.  It’s supposed to be a sunny day and in the upper 60’s so it should be a good day to get out and about. 

I hope you all have a GREAT day!  Happy Thursday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

The evergreen!  How beautiful, how welcome, how wonderful the evergreen!  When one thinks of it, how astonishing a variety of nature.  In some countries we know that the tree that sheds its leaf is the variety, but does not make it less amazing, that same soil and the same sun should nuture plants differing the first rule and law of their existence.

Jane Austen

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

12,972. for beautiful evergreen trees at Christmas 

12,973. for a ride to my appointment 

12,974. for lots of pictures to share

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.

Charles M. Schultz

a smile,a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma