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Moderation
Allocation
by
Rowena Kuo
Therefore do not worry
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
(NIV)
"Is Christmas tomorrow?"
My six-year-old has asked the same question every day since the
decorations started showing up at the local pharmacy. And every
day, I have a moment of panic as I check my mental calendar.
"Is it?"
"No, not yet." He smiles at our little game before looking sad.
"But I wish it were."
I remember thinking the very same thing when I was his age. It
seemed like forever before it was Christmas. Now, it's here before
I know it, and I still have a thousand things to do before it's
over. When did I stop looking forward to Christmas with the
anticipation of a child?
It must have started when I placed Christmas on a budget. Did I
send out every Christmas card? Does every niece and nephew have a
gift? How many batches of cookies must I bake? There's never enough
time, money, resources-how do people cope?
Make a list, formulate a plan, establish a budget, and then
Christmas doesn't need to become such the harrowing experience,
yes? Gift cards and store-bought treats may earn back a few
minutes, but let's face it, convenience just means spending more
money. Hand-made keepsakes and home-baked goods may save a few
cents, but then 2AM sweater knitting does nothing for improving
holiday cheer.
Were my parents this stressed out and never let on? Is this how
Jesus wants me to feel about His birthday? There has got to be a
better way.
Somewhere in between Christmas shopping since January and
procrastinating until Christmas Eve, there has to be a fair amount
of moderation allocation. Instead of letting hurry up and wait run
my life, it's time to ask God for help. I've learned to relinquish
control to the Lord, trusting Him to provide what I need to get
through the season in one piece. Perhaps I should set some
reasonable goals that I can accomplish each day, not spending too
much, not giving too little, giving first and foremost to the One
Who gave me everything to begin with.
It wasn't just gifts and food that made Christmas special when I
was six-years-old, but the general warmth and happiness exuding
from my family and friends. By showing joy in the moment, I just
might help perpetuate that eagerness for Christmas in my own
children. And then if Christmas is tomorrow, I'll not only be ready
for it, I'll look forward to it.
As I take my son with me on the endless errands and daily tasks, I
ask him, "Why do you keep asking if Christmas is tomorrow when you
know it's not?"
"Because if I pretend Christmas is tomorrow, I'll be happy all
day."
Jesus says to quit worrying about tomorrow. Stop. Take care of
today.
I should do as He says. It's His birthday, after all.
Rowena G. Kuo is Executive
Editor for Harpstring Magazine and Books. Rowena has a heart for
unpublished writers and considers each manuscript deposited into
her acquisitions box a potential means of ministry. Regardless of
the stage within which a particular piece presents itself, the
author's voice resounds, much like the resonance heard from a
single harp string. Rowena's goal is to listen for that voice,
foster to fine tune it, and then reverberate it to a world
desperate to hear it. With over 15 years of ministering to
children, youth groups, young adults, and now women and family
groups, Rowena advocates for writers to build God-centered support
systems consisting of people, perseverance, practice, and most of
all, prayer. Learn more about Rowena and Harpstring at: http://writtenworldcommunications.com Read Rowena's devotions |
Faith
& FINANCES: In God We Trust: A Journey to Financial
Dependence
Kindle Version $2.99 Buy Now!
(No Kindle required. Just download the Kindle app to your PC and
read!)
Jesus spoke
about money and material possessions more than he talked about
heaven, hell, or prayer. He noted the relationship between a man's
heart and his wallet, warning, "Where your treasure is, there
your heart will be." This contemporary retelling of the
Rich Young Ruler brings a fresh look at the
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Great faith
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Jesus promised in this contemporary retelling of the Rich Young
Ruler. Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust,
A Journey to Financial Dependence - turning the
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Spirit & HEART: A
Devotional Journey
from the authors of Christian Devotions
Created
in the image of the Father, we carry His Spirit and Soul, His
Spirit and
Mind, His Spirit and Body and His
Spirit and
Heart.
From the
authors of Christian Devotions comes the first in a series of
30-day devotionals focusing on the image and attributes given to us
by God.
Within
the pages of Spirit & HEART: A Devotional
Journey are passage markers to guide you into a
deeper, more intimate relationship with the Father. Included in
this compilation are devotions by Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles,
plus, Christy award winner Ann Tatlock and best selling authors,
Loree Lough, Yvonne Lehman, Ginny Smith, Irene Brand, Shelby
Rawson, and Ariel Allison.
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Christian
Devotions SPEAK UP!
December
14 - Andrew Peterson
6:00 p.m.
EST
Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when
host Scott McCausey interviews author and musician, Andrew
Peterson.
Frederick Buechner
said, "The story of one of us is the story of us all." Perhaps this
explains why we are drawn to great storytellers, why we yearn for
connection with those whose own stories seep with imagination.
Singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson fits inside both of those
categories. And the most recent chapter for this prolific
storyteller includes a stunning new album, Counting
Stars.
Throughout his
dozen-year career, Peterson has managed to attract a remarkable
cast of musicians to his projects. Alison Krauss and Ron Block of
Union Station are previous contributors, and for Resurrection
Letters, Volume II he called upon folk artist Pierce Pettis
for vocal backing and the legendary Stuart Duncan to bow his fiddle
on a song. The recording also features Jill Phillips, Andrew Osenga
(Caedmon's Call), Gary Burnette, Don Chaffer (Waterdeep),
multi-instrumentalist Gabe Scott, percussionist Ken Lewis, and, of
course, Peterson's prodigious collaborator, Shive, who produced,
played piano, and conceived the album's lush string
arrangements.
When not pouring
imagery into his songs, Peterson focuses on another kind of
writing. In March of 2008, Waterbrook Press published the author's
first fantasy novel, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of
Darkness, followed by the Christy award winning sequel
North or be Eaten. Garrison Keillor's News from Lake
Wobegon and The Chronicles of Narnia, along with
bedtime tales Peterson spun for his daughter Skye and two sons,
Aedan and Jesse, inspired these books. In 2007, a richly
illustrated children's book, The Ballad of Matthew's
Begats (Thomas Nelson), became a visual companion to
Peterson's song of the same name. In addition, he's been lending
his diverse talents to the VeggieTales establishment, co-writing
three children's songs with solo artist and friend, Randall
Goodgame.
Christian Devotions
Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347)
884-9367
Don't miss this
interview as Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! talks
to Andrew Peterson. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367, Tuesday
evenings, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Eastern
If you know someone
who would be a great guest on Christian Devotions SPEAK
UP! contact Scott@christiandevotions.us.
2010 Schedule
December 21 - Austin Carty, Author & CBS Survivor
Player
December 28 - Christmas Show with Best of Speak UP 2010
January 4 - Erinn Venerable, www.KEBNradio.com
January 11 - Brennan Dean, Great Homeschool Convention Pres.
Every Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Eastern
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