I shared this on Facebook and I thought why not bring it here too.
Category Archives: It’s a Bonus Post
First Blush!
I am eager to open and use this Daily Planner. 
I am hopeful that I will do better in the coming months than I did with the last one.
Thanksgiving Day is just a week and a day away. In some windows of the houses on the streets we turn to get here, I have seen some lighted trees. Already!
I anticipate we will enjoy Thanksgiving Day. LORD willing there will be family, love, laughter, food, and prayer. Yes, I will enjoy that immensely. And then Black Friday as it has been known for a while now will be attended by many.
By the late 1980s, it had caught on around the U.S., and retailers began to market around it. Specifically, the event became associated with the idea that stores operate at a loss (or are “in the red”) throughout the year, but are able to earn a profit (or, go “into the black”) on the day after Thanksgiving, as it’s when shoppers are most likely to spend money on gifts. source
You may read more about Black Friday HERE.
From now to the end of the year, is not my favorite time of the year.
I do treasure time with family and friends, happy get-togethers, special treats, and the like, but the excitement ends about there.
Little that will go on til the end of the year is GOD-honoring. It does not exalt JESUS or His coming to earth to save sin-lost people. Christmas, and I hesitate to use the word is about making money for merchants, lying to children, and having obligatory parties.
Sounds harsh I know.
It took me many years to admit it to myself and to muster the courage to walk away so far from just about all of it.
For one thing, walking away makes you different, and different in this society is not acceptable unless your difference is anti-Bible, then you are applauded.
So, my Friends, as secular as it sounds at first blush, 😊 my favorite holiday is NEW YEARS!
We eat what used to be considered poor man’s food, we pray seeking the LORD for new beginnings, and new visions of service, and we make once-a-year phone calls – well, J does.
And it is super special if I get to spend some of the time with my oldest in PJs, eating popcorn, and watching an old movie. That doesn’t happen every year — but when it does! 😊
Mainly, I just want to be surrounded by family, friends, good food, laughter, prayer, and the PEACE OF GOD, within.
Who am I kidding?! I want this every day!
So I guess we could say every day is a potential holiday!!
Nothing wrong with that, right?
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV
Psalm 145:17-18
Kathie Whitestone Thompson
Always Salty
The right amount of salt makes everything taste better.
Colossians 4:6 New American Standard Bible 6 Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. source
Standing alone and out of context (which by the way, is NOT the best way to read Scripture), are two words I want to speak about this morning.
Always and Salt.
Your speech must always, this is what The LORD says.
What does He mean, always?
What does He mean, always?
Has He commanded us to ALWAYS speak correctly?
YES
I’m just saying what I see.
And we shall give an account for every idle word. (Matthew 12:36)
If that does not make us thankful for the Blood of Jesus that cleanses every repentant sinner I don’t know what would!
So yes, always. So how does this walk out for us?
Here’s what I see. I hope it helps.
We walk this out by accepting the GRACE (another word for Grace is GOD’s POWER) of GOD to be continually practicing our speech.
Continually practicing speaking what HE wants us to say, not what WE want to say to every person crossing our path.
It’s a tall order but He would not have said it if He didn’t mean it AND if He was not able to empower us to learn to obey Him, moment by moment.
We have no excuse.
We are to continually practice always speaking with grace – GOD’s Grace – His power within us.
Salt. What about salt?
Salt gives flavor. It also helps heal, even preserves.
Our words are to give flavor to conversations. Our words are to help heal wounds, not make wounds. Our words are to preserve – to help rescue people from dying, or at least give them the Good News that JESUS SAVES.
The Right Amount of Salt Always enhances and by GOD’s GRACE, we can practice till we see Him Face to face.
And let me just be honest — this message stings (as it should) because I have not been practicing it well, BUT by His GRACE, I shall learn better!
