What is the true origin of Christmas?

After reading this post from Ashley@Putting God First and then this one from Sarah Mae@Like a Warm Cup of Coffee, I started thinking about somethings. My husband likes the part of Christmas that pertains to the birth of Christ,but he doesn't like the commercialization of it. I don't either,but I love to decorate and pull the Christmas Tree out. I have been wanting to do something different though. Not the same ol' thing. Different is born in me,it's a part of my being. It always has been. My Mother will be the first to tell you that. When everyone else was wearing the new styles,I stuck with my old ones. When everyone else was doing this,I was doing opposite. Now, that I'm a believer in Christ I want to be the different He wants me to be. Back to the Christmas subject. On Sarah Mae's post she talks about Advent Calender and the Jesse Tree. That isn't the only website for the Jesse Tree,but I liked the devotions and ornaments from that one. I really liked that idea! I thought, I will tell my husband about it and see what he thinks. I wanted to incorporate more about Jesus birth and not just about presents and we don't do the whole santa claus thing either. My husband liked the idea,but suggested we just keep our tree or get a smaller one. We both said we could keep talking about it and see what we would do. I used to be one who thought without a Christmas Tree it just didn't feel like Christmas. How naive of me. How ridiculous. I always said well it's just a family tradition that I love to do. Decorate the tree,the house,and go looks at lights. Hmm.... I think God is stirring something in me and calling me to let go of somethings.

Today I read this post from At the Well. I really liked it. I read about why Lisa and her family do not do Halloween and read some of the links. God prompted me to do a search on the origin of Christmas..... Did I want too? Sort of,but not completely. I found a few sites that I skimmed over found some pretty disturbing facts. I found one I was reading,but I haven't finished. It seems very reliable,but I haven't read it all. This is the site,ChristmasTruth.info . It hasn't got the author or anything about who is composing the information. If anyone could help me find out who it is,I would like that. It isn't just a thrown together site that's for sure,it has resources with each statement. The others I found were with denominations.

 I started thinking, I can't not do "Christmas"! What will our family think? Our friends? My husband? I'm not saying what I will do as of now. I do know that God has brought me to this for a reason. I discussed it some with my husband this morning and he said we could do some research and pray about it to see what God takes us. I have come to a place over the last year where I am ready and willing to let go of the tradition though. By that I mean, the decorating and all. It's about Christ,not a tree,or decorations. From some of the sites I have been reading the day we celebrate his birth is nowhere close to the  date some have gained from facts. It's a pagan day for the sung god. I won't go into more about all that, you can read and research it. If it is a pagan holiday that is still celebrated and it is not even remotely close to his birthday I just do not want to celebrate it on that day. I'm an all or nothing type of person. My husband will tell you that.

Is it crazy that God may be leading me not to celebrate Christmas on this day? I don't know. I don't think it is. He calls us to things that He may not call others too. I'm not writing this to condemn or judge,as my blog says it's from my heart. I have questions and I just want to do what God wants us to do,not my family,friends,or the world. Anyone have any thoughts for me? We are a very different family anyways,so this wouldn't shock anyone I don't think. They may think we are nuts,but oh well I guess. My husband and I will be researching and praying about this. Thanks for reading and for any input.

God Always Confirms

I just love when God confirms His promises and our prayers. He is such a big,loving God!

Thursday I asked everyone and God to give me peace over the weekend while my husband was out of town. It can get a little chaotic with a 2 1/2 year old and an 11 month old. I'm a planner by nature and well it is hard to really plan with little ones,something usually doesn't go as planned. When I read my verse for the day, it was John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. I was just amazed. That quick,Lord? So I went to mark it off in the calender(it's a David Wilkerson verse calender that I love) and I was going to share the verse so I went to it again. At the time I wasn't paying attention to the number of the verse. The book actually had John 14:7 instead of verse 27. So I was like okay did I read the wrong one? But no I did not. God gave me that verse so I would know His peace was my peace. How awesome is that? It's been awhile since I have had God or that I have noticed God do something like that for me. I love Him so much,though I fail so much! Oh How he loves us,oh how He loves,how He loves us oh! I love that song! Sometimes I just weep while listening to it. Such a big God loves me. A number to the world,just a nobody. But to God I am a beautiful daughter of His!


Today At the Well in our study Makeover of the Heart, Tracy said something in her video that was later confirmed through scripture. She talked about how the devil was trying to steal her joy,but for my he tries to make me feel like God does not love me when bad or unexpected things happen,even small things. She said no weapon formed against me shall prosper,this verse I know by heart. I learned it years ago. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 Low and behold it is my verse for today. I have to start realizing God may allow things to happen,but it is to grow me closer to Him. The devil is the one who delights in evil things that happen to people,not God. God does not want bad to come to people,but when you are not His child you open yourself up to it more and even when you are His child bad things will happen. 


Which leads to the next verse that was in my 5 minute devotion.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9 When things do happen,God's grace is extended to me and sufficient for me. All I have to do is call upon His name. God is so awesome! Words cannot describe how much He does care for us. Why would He give us little promises throughout the day and little reminders He is our Father, if He did not love us so much?


Yes,God's grace is always sufficient,and His arms are always open to give it. But,will our arms be open to receive it? -Beth Moore


God's saints in all ages have realized that God was enough for them. God is enough for all time; God is enough for eternity. God is enough!- Hannah Whitall Smith


Dear Lord, as I face the challenges of this day, You protect me. I thank You,Father, for Your love and for Your strength. I will lean upon You today and forever. Amen.

Another Video About Prayer

Here is something I found on the Voice of Martyr's blog, Check it out. Sued Over Prayer.

I have some ideas for Christmas I am going to write about soon. :) So stay tuned!

The Advent Conspiracy

I came across something interesting on Ashley @ Putting God First. It is called The Advent Conspiracy. It is definitely something I wanted to share with ya'll. Have a blessed day!

Prayer and Planned Parenthood

This is a video I stumbled across and I thought it was very disturbing. I wanted to share with you all! Click here for the video. Share with others!!

You Are Beautiful

My study this week centered on the way God sees us as women verses the way the world or even others see us. I have a passion to see women be who God wants them to be and see themselves that way; a passion to see women come back to modesty in their life.

It's really so sad to see so many girls/women dress the way they do and act the way they do. It breaks my heart. God has some pretty awesome thoughts about us as His children and daughters,but so many times we let the enemy,others,or ourselves define who we are. We often forget we are not defined by others,the world,the devil,or our circumstances. I have even been subject to do this to myself. There are so many billboards, commercials,shows on t.v.,and lots of other things that make women out to be seductive,evil,and dumb. I believe we are by nature sinners and without Christ we are those things. Even with Christ we can still be those things unless we submit every area to Him. The Word says to take captive the thoughts and submit them to the authority of Christ.


 ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

 ⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 ⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 ⁶And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

  II Corinthians 10:3-6

This is a quote from the study "You see, Satan desires to have women in a stronghold of exploitation,sexplotiation,distortion,and desolation. He knows how effective and influential women can be,so he works through society to convince us we are so much less than we are." -Beth Moore. How true is this? A lot of men do not think this way either,but the world leads us to believe all men view us this way. It's an ugly cycle. When I was in college I grew a lot in my relationship with the Lord. Before I went off to college I defined myself by what others thought of me. I was the 4-eyed,skinny,shy girl that never spoke unless spoking too for fear of saying something stupid or dumb. God begin a process in me and He is not finished yet. He begin to draw me into His chambers and show me how He sees me. Even though I had let go of a lot of the insecurities and timidness in college, I still was defining beauty by my looks. You would not catch me out of the house with make up on! I went to the tanning bed to become tan looking so I would be pretty to others and even myself. I always had to fix my hair no matter what. I was defining myself through society and others. I begin to realize make up,tanning,and my hair did not define who I was. God defined who I was. To Him according to the Word I was beautiful. Not just on the outside,but on the inside. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14 This became a verse God spoke to me and it is one of my favorites verses. Fearfully in this context meant something majestic and beautiful,not ugly. I now go out in public without make up some and I certainly don't fix my hair no matter what. I also have not went to the tanning bed in almost 5 years. I see myself the way Christ sees me and it helps that my husband sees me that way too. He loves me even when my face is all broke out,I am fair as Snow White,and my hair is all sorts of ways! It breaks God's heart when we,as women and girls, try to gain the world's approval by our dress or looks. He sees us on the inside and if we are born again in Christ,we are beautiful . He does not care if our nose is too big in our eyes or if are hips are too small in our eyes,He made us perfectly the way He wanted our bodies. Our bodies are to honor Him.

Another thing Beth addresses is how we see ourselves is how we will act. We act out who we think we are. If that makes sense. ¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 "I also believe this is how the enemy sees you. He just does not want you to know it. His job is to deceive us into believing we are so much less than we are. Why? Because he knows we'll act like who we think we are. No matter what has happened to us,what we have done,or where we have been, you and I are brides! It's high time we see ourselves as we really are." -Beth Moore. I believe this is so true! After I had my second son, I was in a depression. I had to c-sections that were not planned and were thought would be a vaginal birth. A few days after the birth, I remember thinking I am such a failure. I cannot even birth my own child. I did not want to admit this to anyone,but this is how I felt. It was all a lie! I had birthed them,but had to have help. They were both still my blood sons! Instead of seeing how good I had done during labor and trying to get them here, I believe the lies the devil wanted me too. I wasn't any less of a woman than any other woman,but I was acting like it. 

Don't see yourself as any other way,but how God sees you. If you have asked forgiveness of the sins you commit,God sees you as clean. This is something I am passionate about. We can be so affective when we see and act as God sees us. 

  ¹³The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

 ¹⁴She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

 ¹⁵With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

  Psalm 45:13-15

In America?

A friend of mine sent me this link. It is crazy what the government or States want our Law Enforcement Officers to be doing. They could be fighting the real crime and not something petty. Take a look.

http://www.persecutionblog.com/2010/06/dearborn-michigan-wont-allow-distribution-of-the-gospel-in-public-areas.html

Here is something my friend sent me. This is pretty disturbing! I'm sort of in shock over this one. Take a look.

http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/4140

Is this America or Russia? Or China? Or what? This is insane. These are the things I want to make known to many who do not know about it. I had no clue about these 2 incidents,thank to Hollie I do now and I am making you aware of them. All comments will have to be approved by me. I don't mind a disagreement,but no foul language of any kind will be posted. Thank you! Let freedom ring!