"More Precious Than Rubies"

 

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 The word Mother, Moder, Muoter can cause a gamut of emotions every time it's heard, read, or spoken. Some of us are privileged to have our Mother still living and that brings joy and happiness. Others have experienced the sorrow of saying goodbye which still brings a lump to the throat and tears to the eyes. Many ladies are blessed to go to their grave having been Mother to children and then grandchildren and maybe even great grands. There are ladies who experienced being Mother for only a short while - the loss of their infant or young child burns a hole in their heart that never seems to find complete healing. And sadly, there are ladies who empathize with Hannah - crying out to God with sorrow so deep that words are unutterable.

 

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Mother's Day is looked upon as a special day, celebrating that special person who gave us the gift of life - Mother.  Children try to outdo each other in their gifts, corsages are worn to church, Daddies cook lunch, kids wash the dishes - giving Mother a day "off".  Mother's phone has never been more busy then today - giving her their love and telling her she is the best. Mother feels like a queen and Proverbs 3:15 feels like it was finally attained. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.  

 

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 Mother's Day is looked upon as a reminder of what is missing in ones life - a day of mourning. Whether it's because a phone call to Mother is no longer a reality or because arms are empty. Today can be looked upon with a sense of dread. Church has never seemed so lonely, flowers seem to mock us, and little kids bring tears.

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It was never meant for a day that represents God's love to humanity to be such an emotion packed day. So to ladies everywhere whether you are Mother to many or Mother in heart I wish you Happy Mother's Day!!  May you reflect on the love of God toward you. No matter your "status" you are beautiful in His sight!

For I know the plans I have for you...

plans to prosper you and not to harm you

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
    who is enthroned on high?
⁶ He stoops to look down
    on heaven and on earth.
⁷ He lifts the poor from the dust
    and the needy from the garbage dump.
⁸ He sets them among princes,
    even the princes of his own people!
⁹ He gives the childless woman a family,
    making her a happy mother.

Praise the Lord!   Psalm 113:5-9

Happy Mother's Day to one and all!!!

 

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"He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom..."

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I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

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I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name

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He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

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Than to be the king of a vast domain

And be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

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Oh God! Heal Our Land!

When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.   Isaiah 1:15

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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  

 Psalm 139:13-16

If you pay attention to current news you are well aware of the case concerning Kermit Gosnell.  (Kermit=fat, wart-covered frog, yep his momma named him well) If you want to read the latest news on him I included a link in his name. Beware, it's not for the timid of heart nor the weak of stomach.

When I read/hear about the practices of abortion clinics and the procedures they do to perform their murders and then the extra procedures they do to make sure that their kill was permanent.  I ALWAYS wonder what did these people allow into their lives to cause them to step out of the realm of humanity and into monster-hood.  Do these people even sleep at night?  How can they live with themselves?  There is an evilness here that I don't comprehend nor do I desire.

If you know anything of ancient history you know that abortion has been practiced at one time or another over the last 5,000 years.  The Egyptians thought nothing of controlling their population. The mighty Rome of that day seemed to thrill at every type of bloodshed, they didn't care how it was done - in a gladiator packed full of people or in a quiet room somewhere.  History should be a warning to us that if you provoke the wrath of God fury and judgment will follow.  

Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 22:31

If you read the above article you will learn that this nation is on a runway, the landing lane, and it won't be a smooth landing.  I don't know who the wicked people are that are paying off this judge.  But God does, and the very fact that this is happening in a one-time-Christian nation should have every Christian down on their knees, humbling themselves before God Almighty and asking forgiveness.  

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

I hear a lot from people who don't want God in their life because they know He doesn't fit their lifestyle. They want to live without guilt for all their wrong doing. They always say that America was never a Christian nation so therefore it's okay to do away with "In God We Trust", etc... 

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This picture is high on my wish-list :)

All I can say is they've educated themselves on the "wisdom" of fools.  

“The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregard the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained."

Inaugural address 1789” 
― George Washington

If George Washington were alive today and the above picture repainted, there would be tears flowing from his eyes.  Coming home from school the other day the kids were listening to a "Your Story Hour" tape titled "George Washington".  My heart cried out as I listened to the true story account of that man's life "God give us another George Washington." Will my cry be answered?? Only if Christians will humble themselves before God and repent.  

The only peace I find in the atrocities that is being done abortion clinics across this nation and even around the world for that matter, life in Heaven has welcomed every single one of these precious little bundles.  Their earthly mother may have shut the door in their face but on the other side is the open arms of Jesus.  His arms are big, and I like to picture in my mind Him cradling all of them at one time. Imagine that one for a few minutes and it will make you smile.  

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

--Isaac Watts

"I've Got No Reason To Quit" & Neither Do You!!!

This song needs to be heard by every Christian and then it needs to become the theme of their heart/life. I don't know if Mike and Brenda wrote this song or not either way I am so glad they brought it with them to IHC (Inter-church Holiness Convention).

I'm not very old but already I've seen enough to know that if you are a Christian the enemy of your soul (Satan) is working over time to get you to quit. Sadly, the ways he gets you to quit aren't always obvious they are little areas in your life. It might be things you allow into your life knowing that God isn't pleased. But you console yourself thinking it's okay because everyone else is doing it.  Maybe someone(s) (another Christian) has hurt you and you allow bitterness to take up residence in your heart. Consoling yourself that it is okay because you are a "victim". It might even be that God has used you in many ways to accomplish great things for His kingdom and somewhere along the way it went to your head.  Or maybe it's all those little mistakes that you seem to be constantly making. Satan loves that one right there.  He slips down beside you and whispers in your ear - "you know you're a loser, why don't you just quit. Then you won't have to worry about what a hypocrite people think you are." "Just think of the freedom you will have!"

My heart aches for people I know that have quit.  Living for today is all they can think about.  Seemingly not worried that eternity is what counts.  Life is not over when we've breathed our last breathe here on earth and our body gets laid in the ground.  Our souls leave our earthly body and it goes to one of two places-Heaven or Hell.  We live in a society that has not concept of Hell, but friend it is a real place. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:23.

Thankfully hell is a place we don't have to go to.  God is a loving God and He wants His creation to love Him in return because they want to, He gave to all humans a free-will.  And it is our free will that has to make the choice what our eternal destiny will be - Heaven or Hell. It's our free-will that says "I've got no reason to quit". That free-will also can say "oh what's the use, Satan is right. Freedom for today is so much easier."  Can I let you in on a little secret, true freedom will never be found in self, but rather falling in love with Jesus. 

Christian whatever it is that you might be struggling with here is some reminders:
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

God is on your side Christian!! Go read the back of the book (Bible) and you will see that He has already fought the battle and we win!!!  

Set your GPS for eternity and make sure you are headed true North for Heaven. God has given us our road map and with it comes blinders so that we don't get side tracked by all the different exits we pass. But it's up to you to use them, God gives them to you but He won't put them on you.  Once you get going don't stop, don't even look back.  Because "you have no reason to quit".

Listen to the song and let it bless your heart like it does to mine every time I hear it.  One of the reasons I wanted to blog this song was so I would have convenient access to it :)  So far my kids aren't sick of it yet.

A little side note cause I want to share this for fun. I listened to the song as it was being played live via live-streaming over at www.ihconvention.com.  While listening to the Mayhle's sing my mind traveled back about 26 years ago when Mike & I were kids. We grew up a little but together until I was 8 and my family moved away. The church we all attended back in those days had a small Christian Academy that was attached to back of the church building. One of Mike and I's favorite past time when our school work was done was to go into the church and play church. I led the singing and then he would preach.  We always meant real business, we did everything with such vigor. We sang and shouted at the top of our lungs and he always got into it when preaching.  Today, it blesses my heart that God is using Mike and his family to minister for Him. I can't help but think there had been some strong foundation building taking place when we were kids.  Lord help us to stay true to the end. 

No Greater Joy

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
                                                                 --III John 1:4

Many days, motherhood can leave me with a splitting headache cause I've hit my head against the brick wall all day long.  Those moments, when all four kids are at the top of their lungs, throwing angry fits, and/or bullying each other, I question my sanity and ask myself for the millionth time how I got  into this fix.  My 15 years of education, a savings account, and used to be perfectly clean house seems to mock at me as I play Drill Sergeant, wipe runny noses, and change poopy diapers.  Every now and then something happens to help clear the smog so that my vision is clear and I can once again see God's plan.

Being a stay-at-home mom isn't something that I totally relish. Many people envision SAHMs as pj clad females who sit around in luxury all day watching TV, never lifting their manicured nail to do anything. Bahahahahaha  Quite often I get $$ these signs in my eyes and it makes raising kids a real challenge. Because at least a "real" job I would get paid for working 8 hours instead of ungrateful kidss who demand 13 hours. .

As I mentioned everything now and then I am allowed to see the puzzle being put together and sometimes I think I catch a glimpse of what it will be. Today held one of those moments.  My oldest boy asks if we could go into my bedroom and talk and my heart said respond to him NOW.  So we go in and close the door because there is no privacy with 3 other siblings.  Very nervously he asks me "how can I be a Christian". To save you the details, after I explained the simplicity of asking Jesus to forgive us our sins and to come live in our heart we knelt and prayed. Later he said his heart felt very light and the guilty burden was totally gone.  

This same boy told me some time ago that God told him he's to be a missionary to Peru when he grows up. It is things like this and being able to pray with him is what keeps me going. Lets me know that I am in the center of God's will - helping to develop the future church and God's kingdom. It may not pay $$ but it's rewards will be out of this world.

"The Unknown Tree"

"The Unknown Tree"

By: Susanna Zeigler

My life began more than two thousand years ago near the city of Jerusalem. There was nothing special about me; I was just one of the many millions of trees growing in Jerusalem and in the world for that matter. My goal in life was to grow up and be big and strong like all the other trees around me. And maybe if I grew straight enough someone might choose me to make a beautiful piece of furniture or build a nice house. I had no lofty goals for my life; I just knew I wanted to be useful, even if it meant standing here my whole life making the world a beautiful place.

At thirty years of age I was every bit the tree I had wanted to be. I was very tall and strong. The winds and storms never brought fear to my heart. My life was going good and I was enjoying it to the fullest. Then one day some Roman slaves came and cut me down. I heard them say I would make a good one. Good for what I did not know, and I did not like this uncertainty. For once, fear was put into my heart. I was taken to a carpenter's shop where he cut part of me off and then nailed that part across my chest. Suddenly I knew my destiny; I was going to be used to hang a criminal that I did not know.

Having lived all my life in Rome, I knew about trees being used for crosses and that was not any trees desire to be in life. When I realized my fate, I was sick. I had never wanted to be a cross. I wanted to be used for something beautiful! I knew there was nothing I could do to change this situation, so I closed my eyes and wept.

After the carpenter had made me into a cross the slaves then took me to Pilate's Hall where the criminal's trial was taking place. As they propped me up against a wall, I caught sight of the criminal I was to hold. Instantly, I became alarmed at whom I saw. It couldn't be, this was no criminal I knew that man. I was standing there on the hill the day he taught the crowd to be merciful, and to be peacemakers. I was standing there the day he healed the blind man and made the lame to walk again. What did these people think calling him a criminal and condemning him to death? My heart was sick I wanted so bad to do something, but I was just a tree. I could not yell out and stop this nonsense; all I could do was lean against the wall and weep.
After the trial was over, I was taken to the innocent man and thrown onto his shoulder. I cringed as my weight hit his beaten and bruised body. I knew he had no strength to carry me, but there was nothing I could do about it.

As we stumbled along the dusty road to Golgotha, the Roman soldiers continued to beat him with a whip. With every blow of the whip, we were both sent hurtling to the ground. I became very angry with these soldiers; couldn't they see the weakened condition of this man and that they were only slowing our progress by continuing to knock him down?
Finally, the soldiers got another man to carry me. I was very relieved because I knew I was adding more burden to Him than He could handle. Our journey picked up pace after this; but it was still a long, hard, and tiring walk. I was in no hurry because I did not want to do this, so the longer it took the better. The whole journey to Golgotha, my heart was breaking more and more. Every time I caught sight of Him, I wanted to scream. His body was a bloody mess, His face and body was ripped to shreds from the beatings he had received at the whipping post. His one eye looked like it had been blinded from the crown of thorns they had placed on his head. I spent the rest of the journey weeping for this man who had never done a wrong thing in his life.

When we got to Golgotha the soldiers did not let up on their torture to the man. They took me from Simon and laid me on the ground. My stomach started churning, because I knew what was next. They took Him and pushed him toward me. It was all he could do to crawl to me and lay his body down. I did everything I knew to make this as easy for Him as possible. From the first time I had seen this Man, I knew he was special and today made me realize that I loved Him. I knew I could not help us both escape from all this, so I figured I would do my best to make Him comfortable.

I could not stop the cruelty of the soldiers. They took His arms and stretched them so hard they popped out of their sockets and then preceded to pound spikes into his hands and right into me. Then they put his feet together and pounded another spike into both of us. They didn't stop there. They took me with my precious burden and pulled me up and over and dropped us to the ground both of our faces hitting the rocks below. And they bent the spikes so they would not come out. Then the fatal moment came! They lifted us back up and we were plunged into the ground.
My life as a tree would never be the same. I had never wanted to be a cross but since I had become one and I knew the man I was holding, my goal was to be the best cross I could be. I never knew that from that day forward the symbol of my life would be the saving place for millions of people. You see the man that I held that day over two thousand years ago was Jesus Christ. Yes, He was innocent but his death was planned long before today. The Jewish people may have convinced Pilate to have Jesus put to death, and the Romans may have been terribly cruel, but this had all been planned long before today. Why? Because man needed a Redeemer, a Savior and there was no other one to fill that position other than Jesus Christ himself. The reason He came to earth was to die an innocent death such as he did so that all people of all races could receive forgiveness from sin and have life eternal.
If you want to know this Man who gave his life for you, then come to me and I will show you the way to Him. The only way to Jesus Christ is through the Cross!

But praise God - He Lives!!

What Valentine's Day Means to Me

As someone who dislikes commercialism I was never fond of Valentine's Day.  I don't need florists, chocolate world, and Hallmark to tell me when to display romantic affection toward that special someone. I find it way more romantic to do it all year long at unexpected moments and/or every day in little ways, e.g., love notes in the lunch box, a love letter in place of a birthday card or Father's Day card, buying his favorite ice cream every now and then (even if it is the priciest one in the store), a back/shoulder rub without being asked, keeping my eyes pealed for items he can use in his hobbies when I'm out junkin, etc...So much more fun and meaningful then the over priced, hideous looking stuff at Wal*Mart.

February 14, 2002 forever changed the way I would look at V-Day.  I still don't view it the way businesses would want me to.  I'm still no sucker to all the hyped romance.  Valentine's Day became the day that took my life's journey on a right hand turn and started me on a path that would change me for good.

One of the first things that comes to mind about V-Day is Rattlesnake Rock

Doesn't sound very romantic does it? :)

It is located in Pine Creek which is the creek that runs through the bottom of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

And to the majority of you it probably doesn't look very romantic. :)

There was 2 of them, one boy and one girl.  They were visiting his parents on a weekend date from college.  The boy tells the girl he wants to go for a drive up to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon ~ a 1.5 hour drive. Turns out the directions from map quest in that day weren't very mapped out, it lead us to some cow path.  So the boy follows his instincts and takes the road running along Pine Creek.  It was a very chilly day, but the sun was bright, the sky was blue, and it was just the two of us ~ the makings of a really good day.

Driving down the road enjoying the scenery and wondering just where they were the boy spots something and girl goes through window. LOL Car goes into reverse and they zoom into a parking area. Boy mumbles un-intelligently about this looking like a neat place, want to check it out?  Girl agrees.  

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The path to the rock could be considered unnerving because who knew what rattler might be laying wait in the brush along both sides of the path. Thankfully it was a short walk :)
After a short look around the boy tells the girl to have a seat and leaves. Of all the nerve!! Leaving her out there by herself on a rattle rock. LOL So she sits and waits ~ waits for the boy to return and waits in hopes that no rattlers show up. Thankfully the wait wasn't very long :)

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It was still just the 2 of them and getting down on one knee the boy asks the age old question "will you marry me?". It was not a fly-by-night question. It was one that had been given much thought. For you see they had both been raised with high standards toward marriage. Divorce would never be an option, so therefore you better make sure that when you finally ask that question you know 100% that this is the one you want to grow old with.  The girl had known for quite some time that this boy was the one, thus needing no time to thinking or pray about it she said yes :)

Wow were they young :) :)

There that day their individual journeys took a turn that started them down the same path together. 6 months later they would stand at an alter and make it forever official before God and man. 

True romance that would start the journey to not just change my last name but change my life. Valentine's became special in a way that commercialism can never duplicate.  It is the day that marks the beginning of one boy and one girl joining hands and hearts to be held together by God's love. It is a love that would hold them together through the fun times, the heartaches, the tears, the laughter, gray hair, and loss of hair :)

11 years later 4 small hearts have joined them on their journey and 2 very small hearts reside in Heaven where one day their love circle will never be broken. 

~Happy Valentine's Day from the boy and girl ~

(Man were we young and skinny) :P

Partying at:

Home & Garden - Thursday

Why I Blog...

My husband simply can't wrap his head around the whole blogging thing.  To him nothing else on the Internet exists outside Facebook and Words with Friends. hahaha  He is always saying "I don't know how you do it".  Well I don't know how he can keep playing that boring word game :P LOL  So I thought I would share why I quit Facebook and went to blogging full time.

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I am a writer, albeit a causal writer.  I don't write for $$ and I don't write every spare moment of my waking hours.  I write because I love it!!  And I only write as the inspiration comes.  Believe you me without inspiration it's a flat, dead piece.  I wouldn't want you to waste your time trying to decipher my thoughts. Some of my stories have been published in religious publications and Sunday School papers.  But I've just not been satisfied with that.  I wanted a vehicle that would allow anyone to read my articles without having to email them here and there and everywhere in hopes to have it published.  I am finding that blogging has become the perfect solution.  Many people have found my articles just by doing a Google search.  My hope is that they will find what they read to be a help to them whatever their search maybe.

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Anymore Facebook has become more of a heart-attack then a fun social site. My news-feed was getting more and more filled up with senseless pictures with sometimes funny sayings (Has technology really made us so lacking in creativity). I will admit I posted a few myself but after awhile enough is enough already.

News articles that people would post, and yes I'm the type that just has to read it, would always get my blood to boiling.  What kind of idiot government and society do we have anyhow?!?!?!  I'll tell ya - a scary one and I love my sheltered life away from it all.  It's a lot more heart healthy!!!

I LOVE creativity and there can be none of that on Facebook.  You post pictures in a separate album, yes you can make comments with the pictures but the humor with that is only followed so far.  People don't read longish statuses cause FB has trained folks to have the attention span of a gnat. LOL

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My Blog is allowing me the freedom to create with every post a fun and/or pretty yet creative experience.  Whatever my mood I can set the tone for it.  I'm loving that!!  This past weekend my article "Sunny-side Up" became a featured post over at "Old Time Party".  I deem that a real honor, and only in blog-land is that possible.

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Buried somewhere in the bottom of a dresser lies yellow, lined paper.  It is in fact, a large tablet still ruled open to the page I left it.  It is a book in the making on a topic that is near and dear to my heart ♥.  I hope and pray that someday I will be given the opportunity to gain more experience so that I can write with the confidence of an authority on the subject.
 Until then I will go on writing here at "Zeigler's Homestead" providing from time to time articles that I pray brings you a chuckle, some tears maybe, but most of all hope.  There is a lost and dying world whose hearts are hurting and I want to share Jesus with them.   

Finding Peace in Goodbye

Phone calls and Facebook statuses over the last couple days has reminded me once again that life is temporary. I've been reminded also that death is no respecter of age-one need not be old to leave this world.  

Most people who die leave behind someone(s) that loved them very much.  Who find themselves, many times without warning, pushed over the precipice of a dark and seemingly bottomless hole called grief. It is not a fast fall, but a slow one. It starts out head first, arms flailing trying to grab hope and sense. Only to be told by senseless people that it will be okay and that with time we will heal.  We quickly find that we are totally alone and the darkness surrounding becomes so real and close we feel the pains of suffocation.   

Left with nothing but despair that their world will never be right and normal again reach out for drink and/or drugs. A sigh of contentment feels their being at the comfort that they find in their new found friends. Maybe now life will be okay and that the searing pain in their heart will be gone.  Then morning comes and they wake to a splitting headache and reality hits them like a ton of bricks. The ledge of drink and drugs that they had found in their hole of grief was not strong enough and had crumbed out from under them. Leaving them once again falling head long to what seems like their own end.

Sometimes another temporary ledge is found, it might be yoga, counseling, or anti-depressants.  But reality is stronger and crushes over and over.  Leaving suicide the only other alternative to peace.

I write this blog post with one desire and that is to give hope to those you find themselves left behind.  Grief is not a bottomless pit there is at the bottom a solid rock waiting for us to firmly stand our feet upon.  The getting there won't be found in friends, drink, drugs, or suicide. But rather Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Salvation.  When we reach out to him he takes us by both hands, turns us right-side up, and we land squarely on our feet.  It is then that we can see that the hole was never deeper then we are tall.  Fresh air assails our nostrils and genuine hope fills every fiber of our being.  

Not only is Jesus our rock but he is our anchor.  The climb out of grief is not easy. There will be many tears and much pain. But when our life's rope is anchored around the solid rock we will find rest from our climb and our souls will be at peace.

I leave you with my favorite verse: 

 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  --Revelations 21:4

Christmas' Past, Christmas Present, & Christmas Future

The older I get the more I want to return to a time when simplicity was a way of life for most if not all.  I especially long for that at Christmas time. "Then Pa and Ma and Mr. Edwards sat by the fire and talked about Christmas times back in Tennessee and up north in the Big Woods.  But Laura and Mary looked at their beautiful cakes and played with their pennies and drank water out of their new cups.  And little by little they licked and sucked their sticks of candy, till each stick was sharp-pointed on one end.  That was a happy  Christmas."  -Laura Ingalls Wilder

When did we become so arrogant and selfish with Christmas?  When did the babe in a manger get placed on the back burner and self become the focus of Christmas?  When did it start becoming okay to place Christmas on a credit card?  

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents, Jo says. But they each have a dollar, and they decide that, rather than buy things for themselves, they will buy presents for their mother." -Louis May Alcott 

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."  - Dr. Seuss 

This Christmas let us remember that it was sinful people in need of a Saviour that gave us Christmas.  It's not about how many presents lay under our tree.  It's not about how many are on our guest list.  It's not about how spectacular our programs are this time of year.  It's not even about how much $$ is given to charity.  But rather, it's about Love!!  

"Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God." -George F. McDougall

"Love has a name. JESUS

Love has a place. Our hearts.

Love has a story.

And it's not finished yet." -Unknown

Blessings to each of you, my Readers, this Christmas and in the coming New Year!!

A Christmas Story for Children's Ministry

“A Shepherd’s Christmas Story”

Susanna Zeigler

It was a star filled night as we sat huddled around the campfire drinking hot tea and telling stories.  There was nothing unusual about the scene we made; we’d been doing it all our lives. Sitting out on that Judean hillside away from the hustle and bustle of nearby villages would have seemed like a lonely life to most people, but we were content. After all, it was the only life any of us had ever known. We had no special talents, nor did we come from wealthy families. Thus, shepherding became our lot in life.  I rather enjoyed the solitude that came with the job. You see, shepherds aren’t looked at too fondly.  We stink like sheep!! When walking our charges through town back to their stables, we are often met with turned up noses and rude comments.


By the way, my name is Aaron.  I’m sure by now you have figured out that I am a shepherd. My home is located just on the outskirts of Bethlehem. I prefer to live away from the more populated areas of the village. The less I have to deal with rude village people the better. I’ve never married, because well, I just never liked the thought of having one of those nagging wives. The very idea gives this old bachelor the shivers.  Besides, who wants to be married to a poor, stinky shepherd.  I enjoyed my quiet life and was my own boss who didn’t have to answer to anyone.


There was however, one thing that bothered me about life, but I just couldn’t put a finger on it. Down in the depths of my heart, there was an emptiness.  I didn’t understand why it was there.  I loved my life - the guys that I worked with were my best friends, plus I had lots of brothers and sisters.  It really troubled me at times that I felt this way, and because it such a deep, personal feeling, I was too afraid to ever talk about it. The guys would have just teased me that a nagging wife would be the cure for what ailed me.  That was the last thing I wanted to hear.  


The sheep were grazing contentedly nearby as me and my fellow shepherds huddled around the campfire.  I had become lost in my own thoughts as the others talked about home life and the latest antics of their kids. It was a common night and we were as contented as flies on honey when out of nowhere came a light so bright we were momentarily blinded.  “What in the world is going on”, yelled Luke, one of the other shepherds.  Paralyzing fear gripped all of us. We couldn’t move nor could we speak as we struggled trying to figure out what was about to attack us.  As though in response to Luke’s question the bright light became a heavenly being.  Simon the youngest shepherd couldn’t handle anymore and collapsed to the ground as though dead.  

Then it spoke to us - “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  

And if that wasn’t enough, the entire sky filled with angels singing the most beautiful song I ever heard.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  I couldn’t help it, tears began to stream down my leather, tan face.  All at once, the feeling that had haunted me all my life started to feel a connection toward the words of the angel.  Could it be?  Was this babe the Messiah?  Hope filled my heart and with my fellow shepherds we ran without a backwards glance to the village.  There was no mistaking where the manger was located, because the biggest, brightest star ever seen was suspended right over top.  The village was fast asleep when we arrived making it easy to maneuver down the streets.   As we neared the middle of town where all the shops and Inns were located, the star became bright as the noonday sun, and we knew we were almost there.  Excitement and a little fear filled our entire beings.  What would we find.  Was this just some weird dream, a result of being out in the hills attending sheep?

There at the corner of Faith and Hope Streets stood the mysterious stable.  There was nothing out of the ordinary here. The village was so quiet you could hear the snoring of nearby donkeys.  We ran to it’s door and peeked in.  The moment my eyes saw the tiny, sleeping bundle I knew that what the angel has said and what the angels had sung about was true!  Suddenly, I realized that the once empty feeling that I had was gone and in it’s place was joy and peace.  For my eyes had seen my Salvation.  I fell to my knees on the hay strewn floor and wept and worshiped the little King. Forever grateful that He had come to me, a lonely shepherd.

2000 plus years later I still can’t keep the glad tidings to myself.  I am here to tell you that you too can experience the Messiah. Come, worship with me and all Christians this Christmas, the One who humbled himself and brought us Heaven.

Merry Christmas from a Judean Shepherd!!

All I Want for Christmas...

In the busy Christmas noise,

All the lights, the bells, the toys,

I have found You are the only source

Of comfort and joy.

Lord I want Your presence for Christmas.

I want Your presence for Christmas.

I long to feel Your spirit speaking to my heart.

Of all the gifts I may receive,

There's only one I really need.

And it's Your presence,

Your presence for Christmas.

When this Holiday is through,

And the year is fresh and new,

What will linger are the moments spent,

My Lord, just worshiping you.

Lord, I want Your presence for Christmas.

I want Your presence for Christmas.

I long to feel Your spirit speaking peace for my heart.

Of all the gifts I may receive,

There's only one I really need.

And it's Your presence,

Your presence for Christmas.