Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

[cristianna]

Tuesday 12/5/06

Failure: The First Step to Victory​

Please share areas where your failure was the first step toward victory.

I had always considered myself quite forgiving. But it was brought to my attention, from one of my favorite Christian women, that maybe I wasn't quite as forgiving as I lead myself to believe. Mainly that was in relation to my family. She showed me the pain, hurt and anger I was holding that I was completely blind to.

That lead me to really dive deeper into His Word.

I think I'm better, not a victory just yet. Sometimes I truly question if I have sincerely and whole-heartedly forgiven those who have hurt me the deepest and the harshest.

I'm sure the finish line is somewhere in sight... even if I may need binoculars.

 

[ImHisServant]

Wednesday 12/6/06
Fear or Faith?
​

Sorry I'm so late in posting today ladies.
​

MATTHEW 14:22-33



[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Many believers will go through life missing divine opportunities because they are afraid to live as God intends. Fear can paralyze us into inaction—then our life fills with lost chances to serve, minister, or see the Lord's work up close. Consider the 11 disciples who stayed in the boat when Peter got out and walked to Jesus. How many times must each man have regretted choosing safety over the intense joy of stepping on water next to the Son of God? But Andrew, John, and the others missed their opportunity. Unfortunately, many Christians stay in the boat all their lives too. At the end, these same folks probably wonder why their lives seem empty.
We easily succumb to fear's potency when we attempt to endure trouble in our own strength. We were not created to live in such a way. God designed us to function best when we allow Jesus Christ's divine power to supplant our weakness. As he stood on the surface of the Sea of Galilee, Peter looked around at the fierce wind and remembered that no human can walk on water. His own strength was inadequate to keep him afloat, and he quickly sank. Jesus' greater power was sufficient to lift Peter from the sea and carry them both safely to the boat. Apprehension can paralyze the believer and consequently freeze the Lord's plan. But responding with faith to God's directions unleashes divine power and sets His work into motion. The moment that we step out of the boat and move away from the familiar boundaries of our limited strength, we walk by faith.

Please share the areas where you walk in fear and doubt... what is the result??

Now share areas where you walked in faith... what was the result??[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[ImHisServant]

I've never been one to live by fear... but I have had a lot of doubts... particularly when it comes to my marriage. Many times I feel doomed by a struggle we have within it and think it will never change. Yet when I daily meditate on God's word, listen to Him and obey Him... the mountain that seems unmovable starts to move.

Another area where I have expierenced fear at times... and faith in others... is our finances. I am a stay at home mom... and my husband lost his job. We were living paycheck to paycheck... the line of work my dh did was at a hiring low... yet I had a quiet peace, a confidence and rested assuredly on God... Knowing He would pull us through. I can remember even the women at church were amazed at how I was during this time. I called my morgage co. and asked to skip a payment... making up for 2 weeks of pay... other then that I paid all bills... my husband got a job within a month, and nothing else went unpaid. That was God at work!!

Other times I forget and start to panick when I wonder how we are going to pay the bills at times... yet I know that my God is an on time God.

 

[Sennaria]

My faith is very strong when it comes to things like....praying over a piece of broken equipment or car. Two examples, we were having trouble with a double fryer, the pilot would not stay lit, in the middle of a busy lunch...I prayed over the fryer and it quit having trouble and hasn't given a lick of trouble since then. One time a freezer went out, I didn't even really pray I just knew it was ok, yet Eric was in a panic, we had a ton of meat products in it......in 3 hours the freezer kicked back in and hasn't gone out again since. And our car...I pray daily over almost as it has always given us trouble and there is something wrong with it,but we hadn't had the 100 dollars the dealer wants to just put it on the diagnostic machine, just the other day, my daughter had gone to the bank for cash drawer change and the battery died. I prayed and prayed hard, the car cranked and didn't die again. Prayers for other people I have no trouble having faith that God's will will be done.

Now, my weakness is....business finances, though God is working on it. My business just going to hit 4 years old and has not yet turned the corner to be considered profitable. A lot of this is because at the beginning I started with 100.00 only, and no credit so all moneys has turned into the business. We still don't even pull paychecks. Well 2 years ago it was big enough, we decided to sink or swim financially and Eric came in with me and gave up his income so all we had was our business. A year and a half ago my oldest daughter also came in and gave up her income. So now all any of us has is our business. I can see in the distance, even now, the same thing, income not quite covering operational costs let alone basic personal (mortgage, electric water; we don't grocery shop at all in 4 years...). Anyway, I knew this was going to be our year, the year of coming out...well some things occured during peak season, like property maintenance etc that ended that thought and got us really behind. The Lord blessed us and we were able to get some capital from my future mother in law again and we were caught up in October....and I have cut every cost possible, I am very very careful and don't waste any money at all, we tithe....and I feel like I can see it coming again. The bills are piling up and while Jesus is so working on deepening my relationship with Him, this is giving me energy to fight the fear that this is it....because how many times can we get so behind and expect to get it caught up again? Having to call the bank to cover checks etc.......I don't believe at ALL that He wants us to operate this way, yet what to do? I still don't have the answer to that.....(oh plus we have the resource center we are trying to put in....to offer free books, devotionals, bibles etc to those who cannot afford to purchase, as a witness, churches in the area info etc)......AND then to all that add in the Christmas season (last year we bought no gifts at all for anyone, and I still owe two of my kids graduation presents from 3 and 4 years ago).....this year I had really hoped to be able to purchase at least one gift a piece for everyone plus I have 20 people coming to our house for Christmas and I want and am expected to provide a wonderful Christmas dinner like I used to make before I had my own business.
Ack, didn't plan on going into all that....but.....my point is......I have been in this boat before....Like Peter.....and I would cry and walk around all down, and stress and worry and not sleep etc. This time...with all that the Lord has done within me.....I'm not handling it like that.....I am allowing joy within myself, I am singing praises to Him, I thank Him daily for my business, for the day, for everything I can think of. AND I am in such a point (I think I used to go through this so He could draw me closer, but between the last two hard times, I didn't go away so I have shown I do not need hard times to draw close) I will never ever turn from Him again, I can tell the difference within myself.
Do I know how all these troubles will be resolved? Nope, but no matter what happens, I am calmed by the fact that I will always have Jesus. And He has a plan for me.

Be blessed
Sennaria

 

[powerofprayer]

Sennaria, I will keep you in my prayers. God definitely has a plan for you and sounds like He has already done some amazing things in your life. I'm very encouraged by your steadfast love & faith in our Lord. Total dependence on God like that - with your business, finances, everything - is just something we don't see much here in the U.S. anymore... God bless! Sandy



Please share the areas where you walk in fear and doubt... what is the result??
My daughters health...Shannon (11 years old) started with hallucinations back in April 2006 & it took until Sept for the doctors to finally diagnose her with a rare type of temporal lobe seizures. They have yet to get the seizures under control...so she is still having hallucinations. Meanwhile, the epilepsy has triggered bipolar disorder. She is also having cognitive deterioration & memory loss which they are not yet sure if this is a temporary side effect of medications or a permanent neurological problem. She went from being a highly gifted, straight A student with the personality of an angel to failing most of her classes (because she just can't learn the work) and just HARD to deal with every moment of the day. I have tried over & over to give this to God because I know I am doing everything I can for her but I just keep picking it back up. I am having a hard time seeing where good could possibly come out of this.

Now share areas where you walked in faith... what was the result??
The adoption of my 15 year old daughter Perla!! Long story short as possible.....Against my will, I went on a mission trip in Dec 2004 to Piedras Negras, MX. I was so blessed that I went back with my family (husband & 3 daughters - now ages 17, 15, & 11) in July 2005 and worked in an orphanage. The very first day we were there, we met Perla & my husband said "Let's take her home!" Adoption is something we had NEVER considered before. We said nothing of this to our children or Perla but by the end of the week, Perla was calling us Mami & Papi! We started the adoption process in Oct 2005 which we couldn't afford but God has provided the finances every step of the way!! I have never once doubted that she was meant to be ours. It was a "God thing" from the very beginning. We are hoping to have Perla home Feb 2007!!!!

 

[ImHisServant]

With only 2 responses to yesterday's topic... I wonder weather to continue it or have a new one...

did others not want to reply... or just didn't get a chance to?

 

[cristianna]

Please don't be discouraged. I had EVERY intention of replying, but.... I was lead to do some fellowship and pm'ing with someone who posted a response to your topic instead.

 

[ImHisServant]

That is wonderful... I am not discouraged... just not sure weather to post a new topic or not.

 

[rosiecotton]

That is wonderful... I am not discouraged... just not sure weather to post a new topic or not.[/quote)

I don't see anything wrong with posting another topic. People can still answer both of them today if they want to! I'll just have to see how busy I am today to see if I have time to post.

 

[cristianna]

Wednesday 12/6/06​

Fear or Faith?​

[SIZE=-1][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Please share the areas where you walk in fear and doubt... what is the result??[/FONT][/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Now share areas where you walked in faith... what was the result??[/FONT][/SIZE]

Man I could write a book on this, and I really had started one yesterday until the Lord went from whispering to screaming in my ear!

There are very few areas that I walk in fear. My biggest fear is my oldest daughter. I dread that religion came into her life too late. The result is my worry although I try to tell myself it's not in my control-- that I can only do my best and to let God handle it.

An area I walk in doubt is finding a home church. The result is too much weight on my heart, and it doesn't help that I'm the spiritual leader in the home. I'm so torn: settle for a local one or do the commute back to our previous church. Even our daughters don't like any of the churches in our new small town, and we've tried practically every single one of them numerous times over the course of almost three years. It's drastically different from the city church we came from: small, little to no activities other than a few things aside from Sunday, they come across with little to no desire to grow-- very content with what they offer and have, etc.

This is very embarrassing to admit, but I feel God is calling me to one particular church. But I simply cannot tolerate to sit through their worship. This is dreadfully horrible and utterly wrong to say, but I'm telling you Eeyore can conjure up a livelier service. I find my mind wandering, I'm creating to do lists, etc. I'm led to that church-- I'm told that's where I am to be, but I can't be where I'm feeling there is no spiritual growth or soul food for our family. I know God is not wrong, and I should be obeying. But it's soooo difficult.

Areas that I have walked in faith are awesome and have had great outcomes. Some background here: I am unequally yoked which is very hard for some to believe. My husband is a terrific man. He knew and studied the bible when he was young, and I believe without his knowledge he lives a very good Christian life. Some horrible things happened that shook his faith, and I must admit... it would've more than shaken mine too.

For years we attended church as he slept or did whatever else. I would pray and pray for him to join us, to find Jesus again and to have Him in his life. And one day out of nowhere he came to church! And he liked it! He actually really, really enjoyed himself and the Pastor! We stayed at that church until our move and each year you could see him grow closer and be more comfortable there.

Funny story: the first time he came with me he was shocked to see how friendly everyone was who came up to introduce themselves. On the way home he asked if they knew I had been attending all along because he didn't understand why we were treated like first-time guests. Secretly, I chuckled and thought to myself, "well they probably thought I was lieing all this time I kept telling them I really was married".

Back on track: He's still not the type to wake up first thing Sunday morning for church, but he does come. Even though we are not on the exact same page, at least we are on the same path now. And I know once he's completely ready God has some awesome things in store for him.

Another big one for me, which I always hear opinions both positive and negative revolves around my family. The majority of them are not believers (about 90-95%) and lead very dark lives. They are in jail more than they are out, refuse to acknowledge drug and alcohol problems, pass down abuse from generation to generation, and I only hear/heard from them when someone was in trouble or needed money.

I have not cut off contact, but after much heartache I decided to establish clear cut boundaries. The decision came after numerous heart-to-heart talks with fellow Christians and God. It saddens me because I always wonder what it's like to have a Hallmark family-- a mother to get womanly advice from, a father to make you feel protected, aunts and uncles to have a great time with, grandparents to cherish, etc. But it is in my best interest to have boundaries in place.

 

[ImHisServant]

Friday 12/8/06
Conflict​

Avoiding conflict never solves conflict; it only postpones the inevitable. You may stuff it and repress it, but your stomach will keep score. Don't practice avoidance. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6).

Don't practice appeasement. Some people don't avoid conflict; they appease. They automatically concede, in every discussion. One person always wins; one always loses. One person always dominates; the other simply gives in and gives ground. Godly compromise happens when both spouses give a little. But appeasement is something else. Appeasers may think they solve problems, but they don't.

Appeasement smolders in the heart like oily rags in a closet. They can break out and burn the house down. What's more, appeasers are given to self pity. They develop martyr complexes. They feel trapped because they know they'll never win. And while marriages with appeasers may stay together, they often suffer from emotional divorce, which is as tragic as physical divorce.

Don't practice aggression. You must face your partner, but don't attack. There are few problems husbands and wives can't solve if they will attack the problem, rather than each other. The Bible says, you must speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). To attack the problem, choose your time wisely.

Psychologists say that 90 percent of family arguments begin just before mealtime, when your blood sugar is low. Another time not to bring up problems is on the way to a social event or to church. "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). The right time. The right tone. The right turf. All three are so important.

THREE DO'S OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Practice accommodation. We all want our partners to change. But we need to focus on ourselves. The most effective way to change your partner is to change you. Because when you change, your partner has to react to someone different. To change yourself, practice accommodation.

Suppose a wife says, "My husband and I don't spend enough time together. He doesn't give me enough time." How can she accommodate her husband? She could learn a sport he loves - that they can play together. That way she gets what she deeply desires: time with her husband, but she does so by accommodating herself to him.

Practice acceptance. By practicing accommodation, you say, "I change." By practicing acceptance, you say, "My spouse might never change. I accept it. I accept my partner." There are simply certain things we have to accept about others. We're different.
In my wife's family, the Gentry household, there were never jokes and witticisms. In the Rogers' household, they flew back and forth all the time. I thought if you loved somebody, you showed that by teasing him or her. To Joyce, you say what you mean and mean what you say. Who's right? Nobody, of course. We're just different.

Practice adjustment. This is the best "do" of all. In accommodation, I change. In acceptance, I make up my mind to love my spouse despite the fact that he or she can't change. But in adjustment, we both change together. And when that happens, it's wonderful.

Joyce turns into a pumpkin about 9 p.m. The longer I go, the faster my engine runs, but it's hard to get the bed off my back in the morning! On the other hand, Joyce wakes up immediately and starts singing. Now what do you do when you have a lark and an owl married to each other? You practice adjustment.

Practice accommodation, practice acceptance and practice adjustment. Those are the ways to resolve conflicts.

This weekend we can discuss conflicts we've had past or present - and work toward a healthy resolution.

 

[TrustingmyLord]

Friday 12/8/06
Conflict

Wow, this one really hit home. Apparently, I am an appeaser. I avoid conflict. I give in. I surrender. I dont, however, have a martyr complex or wallow in self pity. I used to though. Slowly, with Gods help, I am getting better at it. I am reminded of Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

I think alot of my appeasing has been due to fear. Fear of making people angry, fear of rejection. The more secure I become in my relationship with God, the more I feel his strength within me. I may still hate confrontation, but I am learning to speak up when needed and not to do things our of a people pleasing attitude.

I found that part about the Genrty and Rogers family to be very, very funny and ironic. This is my husband and I! He has the attitude of "If I pester you, it means I like you." I have always been a tad more serious... if I like you, I will sit down and have a big serious talk about how truly awesome I think you are. LOL I have learned to lighten up a bit over the years and I can handle my husbands teasing better, and he has learned to be more gentle about it with me.

As far as the way spouses wake up, we have dealt with that one as well. I think everyone has some strange, secret set of rules that we go by, often without even realizing it. Our spouses are not mind readers. An example.... my rules. When I wake up, feel free to say good morning, after that, leave me the heck alone for at least an hour!!! I am BIG on this rule, I take it so seriously that I wake up an hour early each weekday, at 5:30, just to have my time to wake up and be less of a grouch. I even wake up early on weekends now too. I also have other rules. When I just get home, just walk through the door, do not ask for anything for at least 20 minutes. Rules like this have often been my "secret" rules. I felt this way, but did not quite realize it, so I would get irritated and not know why.

I agree that instead of hoping to change our spouse, we should concentrate on ourselves. Change our behavior, our reactions, etc, and I have found that this works extremely well. Does it change my spouse? Not always, but it changes my outlook and helps me to better deal with smaller issues.

There is one thing I struggle much with. My facial expressions tend to give me away. I may try to do something out of love, may try to say kind words, do a nice action, I may be sincerely wanting to do something nice, but something in me resents it and is angry. Its written all over my face. My husband has told me this. I know its true. Its something I need to pray about. There are times when my heart is not 100% in the right place. This is what appeasing does to you. Be warned. People pleasing is a horrible disease. I feel like I should do "this" or "that" to make someone happy, but theres a part of me that begins to question it... what am I still giving when I get nothing in return? Why am I agreeing when I want to speak out and disagree?

Its something, as I said, I am overcoming with Gods help, but it is a very slow process.

 

[rosiecotton]

Friday 12/8/06

Conflict​

Avoiding conflict never solves conflict; it only postpones the inevitable.
Don't practice appeasement. Some people don't avoid conflict; they appease. What's more, appeasers are given to self pity. They develop martyr complexes. They feel trapped because they know they'll never win.


THREE DO'S OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Practice accommodation. We all want our partners to change. But we need to focus on ourselves. The most effective way to change your partner is to change you. Because when you change, your partner has to react to someone different. To change yourself, practice accommodation.

Practice acceptance. By practicing accommodation, you say, "I change." By practicing acceptance, you say, "My spouse might never change. I accept it. I accept my partner."
Practice adjustment.

Ugh, I HATE conflict!! I do everything I can to avoid it.
Fortunately, my husband and I rarely have disagreements, so I don't have to worry about it too much in my marriage. When we do have a conflict, I do tend to get quiet and not say anything.
I learned a few years ago I could not change my husband, but only myself. God made me realize I had to accept my husband the way he was and just work on changing myself. Funny things was, when I did that, my husband also started changing.
My best friend gets upset with me because she says I never stand up for myself and let people walk all over me, especially in my job (I'm our church secretary). I've had people ask me to do something during non work hours. I guess I'm just afraid of hurting someone's feelings so I usually don't say no!!

 

[Savedsis]

Friday 12/8/06
Conflict

Wow, this one really hit home. Apparently, I am an appeaser. I avoid conflict. I give in. I surrender. I dont, however, have a martyr complex or wallow in self pity. I used to though. Slowly, with Gods help, I am getting better at it. I am reminded of Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

I think alot of my appeasing has been due to fear. Fear of making people angry, fear of rejection. The more secure I become in my relationship with God, the more I feel his strength within me. I may still hate confrontation, but I am learning to speak up when needed and not to do things our of a people pleasing attitude.

I found that part about the Genrty and Rogers family to be very, very funny and ironic. This is my husband and I! He has the attitude of "If I pester you, it means I like you." I have always been a tad more serious... if I like you, I will sit down and have a big serious talk about how truly awesome I think you are. LOL I have learned to lighten up a bit over the years and I can handle my husbands teasing better, and he has learned to be more gentle about it with me.

As far as the way spouses wake up, we have dealt with that one as well. I think everyone has some strange, secret set of rules that we go by, often without even realizing it. Our spouses are not mind readers. An example.... my rules. When I wake up, feel free to say good morning, after that, leave me the heck alone for at least an hour!!! I am BIG on this rule, I take it so seriously that I wake up an hour early each weekday, at 5:30, just to have my time to wake up and be less of a grouch. I even wake up early on weekends now too. I also have other rules. When I just get home, just walk through the door, do not ask for anything for at least 20 minutes. Rules like this have often been my "secret" rules. I felt this way, but did not quite realize it, so I would get irritated and not know why.

I agree that instead of hoping to change our spouse, we should concentrate on ourselves. Change our behavior, our reactions, etc, and I have found that this works extremely well. Does it change my spouse? Not always, but it changes my outlook and helps me to better deal with smaller issues.

There is one thing I struggle much with. My facial expressions tend to give me away. I may try to do something out of love, may try to say kind words, do a nice action, I may be sincerely wanting to do something nice, but something in me resents it and is angry. Its written all over my face. My husband has told me this. I know its true. Its something I need to pray about. There are times when my heart is not 100% in the right place. This is what appeasing does to you. Be warned. People pleasing is a horrible disease. I feel like I should do "this" or "that" to make someone happy, but theres a part of me that begins to question it... what am I still giving when I get nothing in return? Why am I agreeing when I want to speak out and disagree?

Its something, as I said, I am overcoming with Gods help, but it is a very slow process.

I hate conflict as well...I like peace and harmony....But if there is a need for conflict and sometimes there is..If I am right and know I am right I will stand..You know God's purpose for you and me is that we become like Jesus in attitude, thought, and motive..The kind of sonship and daughterhood that is in God's heart to accomplish will not come about by outward manisfestation..It can happen only inwardly, as we become people of a certain nature and character..
God wants more than mere believers..He wants more than mere worshipers. He wants more than a people who can parrot back doctrinally correct spiritual phrases...(and we can do that)..He wants more than men and women forever seeking new experiences and highs and blessings...He is in the enterprise of fashioning sons and daughters...I want Him to create in me a new heart and help me when I face and am in a conflict...

 

[ImHisServant]

Monday 12/11/06
Christmas Traditions
​

I thought it would be fun to share our Christmas traditions with one another.

We've done different things over the years... once we did a different craft every day of the month - and the kids even made crafty presents. That was their favorite Christmas season I think.

I like to read the story of Christmas right out of the bible with the children gathered around me on Christmas morning before opening presents.

We have a giant wrapped gift box under the tree with a slit in the top of it. I have everyone (including myself) write what they are giving Jesus for his birthday this year on a peace of paper... fold it and put it in the box for Jesus.

​

 

[cristianna]

There is one thing I struggle much with. My facial expressions tend to give me away.

DH says you can read my face better than a book! I totally can empathise with you. It's a bittersweet thing.

Unfortunately I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm "Joyce"- say what you mean. I have no problems being forward, if that's what you want to call it. At times I can do it very well, but other times it comes across aggressive although that is not my intention by any means. I have noticed those offended or would consider it "aggressive" are those who hint around and just don't come out and say what they think or feel.

My frequent problem that involves ALL THREE: accomodation, acceptance and adjustment is when I'm driving and there's a rush hour back up. I cannot accept the "me first" attitude of drivers. Those that drive up the shoulder, intentionally, to get farther ahead of other drivers or to pass vehicles infuriates me. I'll accomodate other drivers (except the "me first" ones)-- I have no problem leaving room for tractor trailers and other vehicles to merge on because we all deserve a fair chance to get to our destination. I often wonder what would happen if everyone stopped being selfish... just how long would these backups really be.

Onto a more trivial one.... which I always worry makes me look like a snob. Apparently I'm not too good with accepting people who I don't have much in common with. I choose to be cordial with my frat-house like neighbors. I've tried to be friends, but I just cannot do it. Their priorities and lifestyle are drastically different than mine. One neighbor in particular I really enjoy, but I cannot tolerate her husband. He's entirely too self promoting-- at the expense of his loved ones, Type A personality, and tells his wife taking the children to church is ridiculous and doesn't allow for it.

I do feel bad that it's me who's not accepting. I question if I didn't have children would I be more tolerable. One summer when we first moved here and met everyone it was fine. During the course of the season reality of their lifestyle was apparent. And numerous times my children would ask me a ton of questions. Why does so-and-so's dad ignore him when he's hanging out with the neighbors. Why does so-and-so always cry for their parents to go home and play games or watch movies with them. One wife would beg and plead for the husband to come home and help her out with the four children. He'd tell her to her face he'd be home in 15 minutes, but after she left he was always saying differently and never home as he told. I just really don't want my children around that kind of stuff.

I frequently, well... more like routinely, pray to have the strength, compassion and love to accept people just as they are. It baffles me though because some I can, but others I just can't.

 

[cristianna]

Monday 12/11/06

Christmas Traditions​

I thought it would be fun to share our Christmas traditions with one another. ​

We've done different things over the years... once we did a different craft every day of the month - and the kids even made crafty presents. That was their favorite Christmas season I think. ​

I like to read the story of Christmas right out of the bible with the children gathered around me on Christmas morning before opening presents.​

We have a giant wrapped gift box under the tree with a slit in the top of it. I have everyone (including myself) write what they are giving Jesus for his birthday this year on a peace of paper... fold it and put it in the box for Jesus.​

I love your traditions! Sadly we have no traditions. We keep trying, but none of them have worked out.

 

[Sennaria]

Traditions:

When the kids were growing up, we had a tradition of the first gift put under the tree, the day we put the tree up was Jesus' present also. I always put the tree up the weekend following Thanksgiving. During that time, we put all loose change into His present and on Christmas Eve we would either find a Salvation Army red bucket or someone we were led to to give the money to for Christmas.

 

[cristianna]

Traditions:

When the kids were growing up, we had a tradition of the first gift put under the tree, the day we put the tree up was Jesus' present also. I always put the tree up the weekend following Thanksgiving. During that time, we put all loose change into His present and on Christmas Eve we would either find a Salvation Army red bucket or someone we were led to to give the money to for Christmas.

What a great tradition!

 

[ForHisGlory]

Monday 12/11/06
Christmas Traditions
​

I thought it would be fun to share our Christmas traditions with one another.

We've done different things over the years... once we did a different craft every day of the month - and the kids even made crafty presents. That was their favorite Christmas season I think.

I like to read the story of Christmas right out of the bible with the children gathered around me on Christmas morning before opening presents.

We have a giant wrapped gift box under the tree with a slit in the top of it. I have everyone (including myself) write what they are giving Jesus for his birthday this year on a peace of paper... fold it and put it in the box for Jesus.

​

I'm loving reading what others do..thank you!
For me to share my traditions right now would unfortunately put me into a holiday depression.
Lets just say..
I miss my family traditions, my hubby's family as much as I love them, have none, hubby and I started some of our own, but this year due to surgery they are on hold till next year..
Which makes me miss mine even more..it's hard when my entire family is thousands of miles away and this is my first year in a few to not spend with them.

Hugs, Tammy