Wishing you a "Merry Christmas"
Psalm 32:11 Mkjv Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous; and
shout for joy, all you upright in heart.


It is Christmas. The God of all creation came, a child, a savior to
take our place, and to offer salvation. We should rejoice. We should
shout for joy. We must proclaim, "Merry Christmas!" and without
apology.

For without Christmas we have no life and no hope. So "Merry Christmas
one and all. The Lord has come!"



--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Light & Strength
Psalm 27:1 Mkjv The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I
fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

We discover how strong we are mentally, emotionally, physically and
spiritually when bad things happen. It is then we discover if our
faith is centered on ME or on HE who can truly make a difference. The
apostle Paul knew the key to true strength ---admitting weakness,
admitting when we need help. True strength comes from relinquishing
control and allowing God to work--restoring, healing and bringing
comfort and hope. Only as I trust Him am I able to let go my fears.

Psalm 27:14 Mkjv Hope in the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall
make your heart strong; yea, hope in the LORD.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Consequences
Numbers 14:22-23 Mkjv Because all those men who have seen My glory and
My miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have
tempted Me now these ten times, and have not listened to My voice,
surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers,
neither shall any of them that provoked Me see it.

We may think God winks at our defiance of His commands, and our
rationalizations to follow our way instead of His, but not so. God is
merciful and extremely patient, but there is an end. Constant
complaints, refusal to obey Him, doing our own thing has consequences.
God does not wink at our rebellion or sin.

God does not bring evil upon us, we choose to walk without His
blessing and protest when we go our own way. We choose our own
consequences.

The Israelites ended up in the desert for 40 years. What consequences
will I find if I don't follow Him to the good life He wishes to
provide?


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Am I Teachable?
Psalm 25:5 Mkjv Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; for You are the
God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day long.

We don't like to be led. We're stubborn, like to think we're
independent and like to listen to anyone. Yet God asks of us another
attitude altogether. He knows an unteachable attitude leads to
disaster. He asks us to wait on Him, listen to Him, allow ourselves to
learn from Him and in doing so come to understand truth and find His
mercy.

V. Psalm 25:10 Mkjv All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to
those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Recognition
Matthew 15:30-31 Mkjv And great crowds came to Him, having with them
the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others. And they cast them
down at Jesus' feet. And He healed them, so much so that the crowd
wondered when they saw the dumb speak, the maimed sound, the lame
walk, and the blind see. And they glorified the God of Israel.

They came
Kneeled at Jesus' feet
Bowed, broken
Willing to do anything for help
Choosing a man, prophet who cared, healed and proclaimed freedom
To all who came, asked, accepted Him
Found hope, healing
Found spiritual and emotional as well as physical healing
They recognized God for who He was and is
Worshipped, praised and shared the news
Are we so blind,
So jaded by life, religion, tradition or self
We no longer honor the only one
Who then and now is the answer of our deepest cries and needs--
Jesus Christ?



--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Struggle
Struggle
© 2010 Carolyn R Scheidies

I struggle with many things this Christmas season,
Yet I choose to count my blessings
A comfortable home,
Running and hot water,
Electricity
Computer
Ability to reach out with my writing
Church family where I can serve
Supportive, caring family and friends
A husband responding to cancer treatment,
Caring adult children--with jobs--who don't live too far away
Delightful, healthy grandchildren
A relationship with my Creator Christ who gives meaning to life
In reality, my blessings overflow
I bow in gratitude
And give thanks.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Value??
Matthew 13:45-46 Mkjv Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant
seeking beautiful pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great
price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Once the joy of receiving salvation and new life in Christ wears
against the stress of daily living, do we stop valuing what
transpired? Asking Jesus into our lives isn't about tradition or
religion, it is beginning a journey with the God of all Creation.

Do we value the gift of life both now and for eternity? Do we value
knowing we can talk to God and He is there and will answer--if we
listen and willing to follow through? Do I truly value the gift Jesus
offers?


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Human vs Animal Rights
Matthew 12:12-13 Mkjv How much better is a man then than a sheep?
Therefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then He said to
the man, Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out, and it was
restored whole like the other.

We live in a time where being human is often denigrated while animal
life is given human, even sacred status. God did not create humans and
and animals equal. We are made in God's image. Animals are a creation
not on the same level. We are to care for and use animals, but not
deliberately torture either animals or humans. Nevertheless, some
animals are meant for comfort and assistance. Others for food and
clothing.

Animals, as wonderful as they are, do not have souls. A perspective to
keep in mind when animal rights are touted over the safety, health and
well-being of a human population.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Willing?
Matthew 11:28-30 Mkjv Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in
heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and
My burden is light.

Too often we give, the impression following God is a burden. Yet it is
faith that strengthens, offers hope and inner peace. It is Christ who
helps us say no to harmful thoughts, places, substances, behaviors and
relationships. It is Christ who heals and comforts when we're hurting.

The real burden is carried by those determined to do everything their
way, becoming selfish and self-centered, who have no one but
themselves to turn to in time of need and who may carry heavy burdens
of guilt, addictions or harmful relationships and secret sins.

Christ does make a difference. Following Him is freedom. He just waits
for us to ask and accept His stretched-out hand.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Where is God?
Psalm 19:1 Mkjv The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse
proclaims His handiwork.

Where is God? Look up into the night sky, away from city lights. Where
is God? Look at the beauty, complexity and magnificence of His
creation. God is so much more than His creation.

Where is God? Waiting for you to come, ask, listen, bow.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Living a Life of Integrity
Psalm 18:5-6 Mkjv The sorrows of hell surrounded me; the snares of
death confronted me. In my distress I called on the LORD, and I cried
to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before
Him, into His ears.

Jesus hears and He answers. The key is to come out of real need and a
willingness to listen and allow God full access to our hearts and
lives. Only with this type of access will He be be able requirement is we must choose Him> to heal, protect and set things
right inside our minds and outside in our environment with
relationships, work and finances.

Jesus is the key to living lives of integrity, honor, joy...and blessing.

V. 20, 30 Mkjv The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands He has repaid me. ... As for
God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield
to all those who trust in Him.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:04 AM CST

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My Need?
Matthew 8:2-3 Mkjv And behold, a leper came and worshiped him, saying,
Lord, if You will, You can make me clean. And Jesus put out His hand
and touched him, saying, I will; be clean! And immediately his leprosy
was cleansed.

Jesus is willing, in fact, desires to heal, save, forgive and make
whole. But He has set forth one important proviso. We must be willing
to admit need and ask for His help, allowing Him access to our minds,
hearts and lives.

Jesus makes a difference, but He doesn't force anyone to accept His
healing or His help. Do I realize my need enough to ask?


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Forgiveness & Freedom
Matthew 6:14-15 Mkjv For if you forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men
their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We like to think we have a right to hold a grudge or be resentful when
someone hurts in some way. What we don't recognize is that resentment
breeds anger that changes how we approach life and how we both treat
and respond to others. Nursing anger also separates from God, cutting
us off from our source of love, forgiveness and healing.

Holding on isn't about making the other person pay, it is about
self-destruction. Holding on means the person who caused the hurt
wins. Forgiveness isn't about letting a perpetrator off the hook. It
is about getting free and moving on--a freedom we will only find in
Christ.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Peace
Matthew 5:9 Mkjv Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called
the sons of God.

Peace isn't necessarily the absence of conflict. It is confronting
evil and wrong and leading the way to the Prince of Peace--Jesus
Christ. He is our peace.

True peace begins inside. Only as a person knows that peace will
his/her life reflect God's peace. God's peace inside, leads to
persons, families, friends and nations seeking true peace--where Jesus
Christ is the center of thoughts, actions, words and policies.

Without God we will have conflict, discrimination and Violence against
the most vulnerable among us.

V. 44 Mkjv But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
despitefully use you and persecute you...


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Playing Games with Sin
Matthew 4:10-11 Mkjv Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it is
written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall
serve." Then the Devil left him. And behold, angels came and
ministered to Him.

Jesus told Satan to go. When we command in Jesus' name things happen.
When temptation comes, unfortunately, too many times, we don't say,
No!," don't walk away, shut down the TV, computer, phone and don't
close the book or magazine.

Sin fascinates and we play games with sin, alowing this and that. We
lose our spiritual discernment as sin becomes a barrier between us and
God.

The scary thing is, by playing games with sin, we often never realize
how far we moved from our source of protection, peace, hope and
blessing until disaster strikes and we find ourselves wondering where
God is.

How am I playing with sin today?


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews