Giving Thanks, a Christmas Adventure – Day Two
Yesterday we talked about the role of acknowledgement in thanksgiving. Let’s continue to unpack that. By dictionary definition, to acknowledge has a two-fold meaning. To a) recognize the rights, authority or status of and b) to express gratitude or concede obligation. This two-fold definition of acknowledgement, recognition and concession, is all important. The book of Romans teaches that God has left evidence of Himself across creation.
Giving Thanks, a Christmas Adventure – Day One
I realize it's going to sound cheesy to say thanks for subscribing to this study on gratitude, but I can't help myself.. I'm just humbled, and silly excited that you've decided to join me right here at the onset of the biggest season of consumerism on the calendar, to resist a season of grasping in favor of cultivating a grateful heart. So, thank you! And now, let's do this thing
When Pigs Fly, a visit with Deb Coty, and Sacred Breath
Welcome, y’all. Shellie here, in this week’s episode of All Things Southern, I’ll be visiting with Deb Coty, best-selling author of the phenomenally successful Too Blessed to Be Stressed Series. Deb is a popular humorist, speaker, and award-wining author. She’s also a choco-athlete. We'll let her explain that one. (Listen to the audio to find out how to enter a giveaway drawing for a personalized
When chips aren’t, a chat with Rhonda Stoppe, and getting our praise on!
Welcome, y’all. Shellie here, in this week’s episode of All Things Southern, I’ll be visiting with Rhonda Stoppe, also known as the No Regrets Woman. Rhonda and her husband, pastor Steve Stoppe, have released a new book called The Marriage Mentor, “Becoming the Couple You Long to Be”. It’s a valuable resource and Rhonda is a great communicator. You’ll enjoy her! Of course, I’ll also share
Sea Salt and Caramel Fudgelicious
Happy New Year, y'all! I decided to stop on a dime and share this recipe during Christmas last week because I sorta, kinda, developed it accidentally and the beloved farmer and I think it is worthy of opening our own bakery. Yes, we're good at celebrating the small things. But, it occurred to me that y'all may have been looking for new goodies to wow
Choosing Christmas, Day Twenty-Three
Day Twenty-Three December 25 Merry Christmas, friends! It’s been an absolute pleasure to walk through these very special days with you. Christ has come. Our challenge in the coming days is to not put the baby away with the manger scene. Let’s allow Him to grow up in the Bethlehem of our hearts, for that baby became a man
Choosing Christmas, Day Twenty-Two
Day Twenty-Two December 24 Did you know commentaries are split on whether Mary stayed until Elizabeth actually gave birth, or if she left right before Baby John made his way into the world? It’s another one of those details the Father doesn’t believe we need to know. While Elizabeth would’ve come to full-term in her pregnancy while Mary was there as her houseguest, we can’t say definitely
Choosing Christmas, Day Twenty-One
Day Twenty-One December 23 Again, I wish I could read your answers from yesterday. I expect they are fascinating. I suspect that many of you touched on the possibility that God forever protected what was happening under that roof as Mary and Elizabeth feasted on the faith-fortifying similarities of their miraculous callings. I know, for me, I see a loving heavenly Father almost “incubating” Mary as she
Choosing Christmas, Day Twenty
Day Twenty December 22 While it was far from an exhaustive study, yesterday we looked at the last verses of Mary’s Magnificat. Today we’ll focus on the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary. Luke gives us one more piece of information on their visit, and its brevity is tantalizing: “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home” (Luke 1:56). That’s all the information we’re privy
Choosing Christmas Day Nineteen
Day Nineteen December 21 A few days ago, we talked about Mary taking the long view on God’s work. We see this again in the last words of her song. “He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” (verses 54–55) As Mary closes her song of praise, she traces her pregnancy to