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candles

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A candle in a dark world

manger scene
Source: Pinterest

Tonight is Christmas Eve. I just went to our church’s Christmas Eve service. It was beautiful.

The church sanctuary was decorated for Christmas with soft colored lights and a Christmas tree. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper (communion), partaking of the bread and wine (grape juice in our church!) that represents the broken body and the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice of Love for us on the Cross over 2,000 years ago.

communion
Source: http://images.wisegeek.com/communion-bread-and-wine.jpg

At the end of the service, everyone gathered in a circle holding white candles and Pastor Jeff lit his white candle first. He then lit the candles on either side of him, and everyone lit their neighbor’s candle until all were lit.

This was symbolic of Jesus Christ being the light of the world and how we are His ambassadors and are to share that Light and Love with others in a lost and dying world.

When I left to go home, one of the elders offered to take my candle, but I asked politely if I could keep it. If he had said no, we might have had a wrestling match right then and there, LOL! I was determined to keep this candle for tomorrow, when our kids and grandkids are coming over for our family Christmas lunch. I plan to light it before we eat, explaining about Jesus’ light and how we’re to be His vessels of Light here on earth–a candle in a dark world!

white candle from church

I pray you are having a blessed, happy Christmas Eve with your family and friends. I’m very excited about having our kids and grandkids over here tomorrow for Christmas lunch to celebrate and open their presents.

Since my husband Ray is in Texas right now after his stepfather Leonard’s death this week to support and help his mom, our family is having a non-traditional dinner, and are ordering Chinese food! It will be so fun.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”–John 8:12

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”–Matthew 5:14-16

I pray

December 24, 2016 by Beth Jones

Blog

Happy Fall

Target

Heather’s office fall decoration

Our daughter Heather loves to shop at Target and recently she bought some fall decorations for her office at work. The above pic is just one of them. Below is another cute one she picked out that says, “Happy Fall.” I love her name on the sign behind it!

office decoration

Below is another deco of cute fall leaves. Almost makes me want to work at her place!

Heather’s cute fall leaves decos

Fall is one of my fave times of year. Pumpkin spice lattes and everything nice:

Tall, genuine leather boots
Deliciously scented candles
S’mores over a bonfire
The leaves changing beautiful colors & the crunch they make
Pretty scarves and stylish fall fashions
Soft, warm blankets to cuddle under with a good book
Bulky sweaters with big buttons, pockets, and a hood
Thanksgiving food with favorite family recipes
Cute fall decorations for home and work
Fall blog posts

One of the things I love about Target is their dollar bins. Recently I was shopping there, and found this Gratitude Tree below there.

I posted a pic of it on Facebook, and Heather bought it for me. I think it’s a great visual reminder to count your blessings daily and to cultivate a grateful heart.

Gratitude tree

tree

tree leaves

Target also had these little appetizer plates with the inscription, “Thankful & grateful.” I also loved the ceramic orange pumpkin as a table decoration. Do you ever feel like you could buy everything in the store at Target because it’s just the cutest thing ever, even though you don’t even need it? Yeah, me too!

appetizer plates

They also had these chic fall wallets. LOVE the teal and purple!

fall wallets

Although I have friends who are chompin’ at the bit to put on their fall boots, sweaters, scarves, and other accessories, I feel an urge this year to put on the brakes. Our kids and grandkids are growing up way too fast, and I want to savor each moment, enjoying the season I’m in now.

Our kids and grandkids

Recently I found a cute little purse calendar and on one of the pages is the inscription, “Your days are as fun as you make them.” AMEN!

flower calendar

calendar-fun

What is your favorite thing about fall? Leave your comments below.

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.”–Daniel 2:21

autumn leaves quote

September 25, 2016 by Beth Jones

I'm an International Speaker, Author of 30 books (and still writing!), traveler, wife to fire chief/paramedic Ray, and a blessed mom of 3 beautiful daughters, Heather, Eden, and Leah. I encourage women to use their gifts for God's glory, fulfilling their great purpose, and living a life they love. I help aspiring Christian speakers & writers to share their hearts' unique, powerful messages. The ocean is my happy place and place of peace and refilling. I love Jesus, my family, my cats Natalya and Nichodemus, traveling, chips & salsa, coffee, chocolate, nature, music, and art. My husband Ray calls me an enigma: I love to laugh and cry a lot. What about you? I'd love to connect more with you and hear how you desire to make more of an impact here for God's glory. Thanks for stopping by here. I pray you will find the hope, inspiration, and motivation you need to become all God created you to be. Dream big because we serve a big God!