Where’s The Line To See Jesus by Becky Kelley-
His Favorite Christmas Story by Capital Lights –
Christmas Shoes by NewSong –
I’ll Be Brave This Christmas by Big Daddy Weave-
While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns –
Category: Christian life
The Story Of A Snowflake
I post this every year around this time. It is crazy how many views it gets without me posting it. I guess people search for snowflakes or something. Hope you enjoy.
This is a story of a snowflake. A unique and one of a kind snowflake. All snowflakes are made that way by their creator.
The snowflake in our story was filled with joy. He loved being a one of a kind snowflake. He has his own personality and demeanor. He truly enjoyed being a snowflake.
When it was his time to go and fall to the ground he was ready. He remembered everything he had been taught. He remembered how much he was loved. The most important of these was to spread the word of love. To teach others what a true, sincere, and unique kind of love looks like.
As he was falling to the ground he looked around at all of the other snowflakes. He could see they all were different than him, but they all had the same smile that he did. They were all so happy to finally being on their way to fulfill their destiny.
Then they all hit the ground and stopped. They were all piling on top of each other. Many were not happy. They started to complain. How easily they forgot the joy they had just a few minutes ago.
Some of the angry snowflakes were getting so angry that they were starting to melt. Their anger was also affecting other snowflakes around them because they started to get angry also. Even the ones that were not getting angry were being affected because they started to melt also. They were unable to get themselves out of the situation they were in. They needed help.
Meanwhile, other snowflakes saw what was going on and turned their hearts away from the snowflakes that needed help. Their hearts grew so cold that they started to turn to ice. As their icy hearts expanded, they affected other snowflakes around them. The snowflakes that were filled with joy a few minutes ago were now filled with icy hearts and turning other joy filled hearts to ice also. They needed help.
Our snowflake saw all that was going on and remembered what he was taught. He started talking about their creator and his love for them. He talked about the joy that should be in their hearts. The joy they had just a few minutes ago. He reminded them how they all felt just a few minutes ago and not to let their circumstance affect how they feel.
They should be joyful. Look at the children coming out to play. All with smiles on their faces. Look at how happy we have made them. All by just being who we were created to be.
Oh, how the snowflakes loved the children. It was a love with no end. They loved to hear the giggles and to see all the smiles. They even loved to hear the joys of screams as the children rode their sleds over them. It reminded our snowflake about how much the creator loved him. He remembered how much he loved talking and laughing with the creator. He remembered everything he was taught and he knew changes were coming.
Warmer weather will come and our snowflakes circumstances changed again. Our snowflake and his friends changed from unique snowflakes to drops of rain but their purpose was still the same. They will nourish the earth and provide the people with water to drink and water to grow their food. This is what we they were made to do.
They enjoyed many things in their lives, especially the children, but they each knew that they were brought here for a purpose. Sometimes they found themselves in unbearable situations but those that remembered their purpose never faulted. They stayed strong when others grumbled. They loved when others hated. Some had to change from snow to rain to fulfill their purpose but they did so with love. They knew that not all people would listen to them when they were snowflakes. Not all people cared for the snow. They had to adapt to the world around them and changed to rain so that others would hear the message of love, taught to them by their creator.
Like the snowflake, we are a community all made by our creator with one purpose and we will fulfill that purpose one way or the other. We each have our own unique blend of personalities, demeanor, and gifts. We also have to learn to adapt to our situations. What we talk about God to someone today might not work with the person we meet tomorrow. We have to speak love in a language our recipients want to hear. Do not judge, only love. We need to keep doing what we were put here by our creator to do and let Him, through us, open the eyes and hearts of those around us.
Limitless by Colton Dixon –
Hands and Feet by The Brilliance –
According To His Word by Jared Anderson –
That’s How You Change The World by Newsboys –
With Every Act Of Love by Jason Gray –
Ready Set Go by Royal Tailor –
Save Me by Jason Lancaster –
Living Word by Jeremy Camp –
Love Alone Is Worth The Fight by Switchfoot –
Living Word of God by Chris McClarney –
Hands and Feet by Audio Adrenaline –
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She Smiled
She was born into a home that didn’t want her. She was neglected and mistreated. She was told she wasn’t good enough. She wasn’t wanted. One day they proved that to be true and they gave her away. Through it all she smiled.
She was adopted a short time later by parents that wanted her. Parents that loved her. She had nightmares. She was comforted by her new parents. She was told how much she was loved. She was taught about God. She was told how much she was wanted. Through it all she smiled.
As she continued to grow and get older people would ask what is wrong with her. How can she always be smiling? She must be hiding something. She would tell them all is good, nothing to hide. She just loves life and is so happy to be here. They would tease her but through it all she smiled.
She met a guy. She fell head over heels. Everything in her life was perfect. Until it wasn’t. He started to yell at her all the time. He started to abuse her. She tried to leave but he would convince her to stay. She would believe him when he said he would change. Slowly her smile started to fade.
She became pregnant. He didn’t change. She knew she had to leave him, not only for her but for the baby. She could remember how her biological parents treated her. She didn’t want her baby growing up the same. She moved back to her adopted parents, her real parents. Slowly her smile came back.
She read her bible and raised her little girl on her own. She knew who she was and why she was here. She taught her little girl about God. She was told she was loved and wanted. She told her about her dad and about her Father in Heaven. It wasn’t always easy but through it all, they smiled.
On her last day here she thanked God for everything in her life. The good and the bad. She thanked Him for giving her a thankful heart. For giving her a smile through everything attitude. For giving her life lessons to teach her daughter. For giving her parents that didn’t want her, and for giving her parents that did. For giving her a home to grow up in that taught her about Him. She thanked Him for helping her forgive, her parents and her ex- husband. She took her last few breaths and as she left this world she smiled.
Think of these songs as a soundtrack to the reading.
Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll –
When Love Takes You In by Steven Curtis Chapman –
Orphan by John Waller –
Everything To Me by Mark Schultz –
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile by Sia –
Smile by Nat King Cole-
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat –
Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus –
That Don’t Sound Like You by Lee Brice –
I Smile by Kirk Franklin –
Like My Mother Does by Lauren Alaina –
There Will Be A Day by Jeremy Camp-
I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe –
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From The Ashes Of A Paper Airplane
(If nothing else, listen to the Dear Me song. Lyrics at the bottom as well.)
As long as she could remember, making paper airplanes was her specialty. It was a way for her to relax. One thing she could control and see immediate results of her work. She perfected her craft.
She would search for the perfect piece of paper. It had to feel just right. Not too thin and not too thick. She learned to fold the creases of the wings just right. Hold it at the right angle and let it fly. Watching her creation fly across the room always made her smile.
She had a stressful day. A stressful week to be more exact. She poured herself a glass of wine and got out a piece of paper. She made it like she always does. She let it fly through the air. She watched it as it crossed the room. It did a double loop and started to nosedive. Her husband came in from outside and the airplane caught a current and rose again. It took a sharp right and flew right into the fireplace.
As she watched it turn to ashes the truth hit her hard.
She was always trying to be perfect. Be the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect chef, maid, employee, taxi-driver, dresser, friend etc.
Everything in her life had to be perfect. She couldn’t ask for help from her husband or children because they wouldn’t make it perfect. Make your bed but what’s the point, she would just redo it. Put the dishes away but she would just rearrange the dishwasher. Fold the laundry but she would refold them also.
Her posts on Facebook were all about her perfect life. Her Instagram pictures always had her and her family smiling.
People were always asking her how she did it all. How can she always so held together? But as she watched the paper airplane turn to ashes she realized that was her. Any moment she knew she was going to fall apart. She couldn’t keep up the charade.
It was in that moment she heard a voice telling her it’s okay. No one needs you to be perfect. It’s a lie that’s been put in your head. It’s okay to be a mess. That’s why Jesus died for you. He came to help the sick and the sinner. No one is perfect. Let it go.
It was like a giant weight had been taken off her. She started to cry but they were tears of joy. Tears of relief.
She woke the next morning and went downstairs without making the bed. She didn’t put makeup on or fix her hair.
Her husband did a double check and smiled. He said; “you look so beautiful.” She smiled back.
“Who wants to help make pancakes for breakfast?” she asked the kids. “Yeah, we do, we do!” After breakfast was made she looked at the kitchen and smiled. It was a mess but it was okay. It will wait. This moment to spend with her family will not.
From the ashes of the paper airplane an amazing, not perfect, woman was created.
Dear Me
This is a letter to the girl I used to be
Dear Me
There are some things that you should know
It’s not my intention to embarrass or to shame you
What’s inside the rear-view mirror is closer than it appears
We do the best that we know how, with what we have been given
And the difference between you and I is, I’ve been given time
In time, you’ll see
Dear Me
This is a letter to the girl I used to be
Some things are not as simple as we said
Remember when we thought there were a handful of some magic words to pray
A guarantee and a down payment on a mansion
Remember all the rules we made about the Body and the Blood
The hoops we made them jump through
Though He offers it to everyone
I’m so sorry
Do you remember now the things I said I thought that I deserved
My flag, and safety, a place to learn
The things I know I didn’t earn
And bless their hearts, I’m sure it’s hard
But handouts don’t help anyone
And all the talk about the system
I sure hope someone can fix them
I said those things
Dear Me
This is a letter to the girl I used to be
You’ll see, you’re gonna take the long way
And there is nothing you could do or say to separate you
From the love of God who made you just exactly as He meant to
And you cannot imagine all the places you’ll see Jesus
But you’ll find Him everywhere you thought He wasn’t supposed to go
So, go!.. Go!..
And hold all the mothers, whose babies bleed from bullet holes
And feel all the hunger, the bellies and the bones
Shout for the prisoner, cry for justice, loud and long
And march with the victims, as Jesus marches on
And sit at all the tables, ’cause Jesus eats with everyone
And dance to the music, if you can’t sing its native tongue
And cry for the wombs, the mothers and the empty arms
And hold high the warriors, fighting now for freedoms’ song
And love, love, love, love
Like it’s your own blood
And love, love, love, love
As you have been loved
Love, love, love, love
Like it’s your own blood
Love, love, love, love
As you have been loved
Love, love, love, love, love
Like you have been
Love, love, love, love, love
It’s all about love!
Love, love, love, love, love
His name is love
Love, love, love, love, love
Dear Me
You did not learn this in a day or two or three
So ask a lot of questions
But Jesus loves us, this I know
And there are no exceptions
Dear Me by Nichole Nordeman –
My Prayer For You by Alisa Turner –
If She Knew by Micah Tyler –
Turn My Eyes by Bonray –
Barbies by Pink –
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The Ornament
I sit in a box all year
Waiting to share the Christmas cheer
When I was shiny and new
I was in the front, had the best view
Now that I am old and scratched
Another year of being in the back
Oh how I long to be
Out front so I can see
The family, the presents, the shows
Frosty, Rudolph and all the snow
But here I am in the back again
Ah, the front. I remember when
The first time on the tree
The first time you looked at me
I know you remember too
your smile as you hold me so is true
The light in your eyes as you recollect
The memories of days gone by we accept
Ornament by Trans-Siberian Orchestra –
Trim Up The Tree by The Whoville Choir, Boris Karloff –
Christmas Lights by Coldplay –
Christmas Wrapping by Kylie Minogue –
The Christmas Tree Song by AJ Jenkins –
Time To Decorate The Christmas Tree by ?? –
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I Let You Go
Today was the day
I had to find the strength to walk away
I know I have to let you go
You are still as beautiful as the day we met
Our time together I will never forget
But, I have to let you go
Memorizing the tiniest details of your face
Memories that can never be erased
But, I have to let you go
I know our paths will cross again
You were my lover, my best friend
But, I have to let you go
The room used to spin when you walked in
I really can’t believe this has to be the end
But, I have to let you go
When we were together time stood still
A love like ours was honest and real
But, I have to let you go
Maybe we could’ve walked another mile
Maybe we could’ve had a few more smiles
But, I have to let you go
I know that there’s someone who loves you more
He is waiting for you and this kills me to my core
But, I have to let you go
I know you know how much I care
You know with you, my heart is always there
But, I have to let you go
I try to understand
As I let go of your hand
And, I let you go
Asking God a million times why
As I turn my head so you won’t see me cry
And, I let you go
I know one day I might be fine
But for now, it’s just simply time
And, I let you go
Thankful for the time we shared
I really thought I would be more prepared
To let you go
The light in your eyes has went away
I knew today had to be the day
That I let you go
I know your pain wasn’t leaving
I could hear your labored breathing
And I knew I had to let you go
I held you tight, oh so tight
Knowing there was no more fight
And, I let you go
God give me the strength to walk away
God give me the strength to face a new day
As I let you go
Your last word, your last breath
As you slipped from life to death
I let you go
I’ll Think About You By We Are Messengers –
Kidnap An Angel by Bon Jovi-
Austen by As It Is –
Ok, Here’s The Truth By Javier Colon-
Strong Enough To Cry By Joey Feek-
Where Were You by Francesca Battistelli –
You Came Running by Laura Story –
Walk By Faith by Jeremy Camp –
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Why Not Me?
You look at me with tears in your eyes
Begging, pleading, asking God why?
You say I am too young
Too much life left to be done
High school graduation, jobs, marriage, children
Heroes and villains and all that will remain hidden
I am telling you it’s okay
I smile and simply say
Why not me?
Maybe it has to be
If it’s God’s plan and it’s my time
Then in His hands I will be fine
A plan
We can’t understand
A better lesson learned
A life being returned
My heart given to someone new
My kidneys will be donated too
My lungs will help someone breathe
Parts of me will continue to be
Maybe a foundation in my name
Will raise enough to change the game
In the meantime don’t be sad
Remember the time we have had
A lifetime wrapped up in just a few short years
When you cry let them be joyful tears
Things happen that only He can see
So I ask again, why not me?
Why should it be yourself
Or even someone else?
I am strong, brave, and courageous, can’t you see?
That is why I say why not me?
I trust in God’s plan so I don’t ask why me?
Let your smile be the last thing I see
If you would like to help, there are many foundations to donate. Here are a few:
http://www.championforchildren.org/portfolio-item/lindseys-wish/
https://www.sambishfoundation.org/
Little Giants by Tay Barton –
Sing Me To Heaven by Bradley Walker –
Kola by Damien Jurado –
Braid My Hair by Randy Owen –
Thy Will by Hillary Scott –
No One Fights Alone by Christian Spear –
Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood –
I’m Gonna Love You Through It by Martina McBride –
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Let Mine Slip Away
I heard Sleeping In The Stars and I could picture a couple through all the years and the words poured out.
Then I decided at the end why not do a soundtrack so listen along to the story.
I remember our first date
It seems just like yesterday
The way you smiled and played with your hair
I remember thinking, God this isn’t fair
The way she’s stealing my heart
I could see the end as we start
We talked all night and into the next day
We held hands and I didn’t let mine slip away
It was a beautiful day for late July
It didn’t compare to my beautiful bride
You walked down the aisle and our eyes met
How your smile lit up the church I’ll never forget
We said I do and I could forever see
I couldn’t picture my life without you and me
We danced throughout the night and into the next day
We held hands and I didn’t let mine slip away
We rushed to the hospital saying it was too soon
She was due in August and it was only June
We prayed she would be alright
I held your hand oh so tight
Eighteen years and now she’s on her own
Time flew by as she had quickly grown
We held her hands as she went on her way
A tear slipped my eye because I didn’t want mine to slip away
Through all the years and ups and downs
We were legends in this small town
Everyone thought we had it all together
But we had nights that seemed like forever
Sometimes we held on just by our fingertips
Sometimes life can be one strange trip
When we went to bed at the end of each long day
We held our hands and I didn’t let mine to slip away
The doctors didn’t know if you would make it to Christmas Day
I knew what they didn’t, you were stubborn that way
You smiled and I played with your hair
I thought to myself, God this isn’t fair
For just one more day, one more minute I was begging
But I knew the years we shared were a blessing
A savior given, an angel taken as Christmas Eve turned to Christmas Day
I held your hand, I didn’t let mine slip away
It Happens Like That by Granger Smith-
I’ll Name The Dogs by Blake Shelton-
Legends by Kelsea Ballerini-
Bein’ A Dad by Chris Janson-
Damn Good At Holding On by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill –
The Best Part Of Me by Lee Brice –
Five More Minutes by Scotty McCreery-
Five More Minutes by Granger Smith –
Sleeping In The Stars by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill-
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Food For Thought- Happy Thanksgiving
A watermelon will not grow in your stomach if you swallow the seed
Who thought I’ll cover grasshoppers in chocolate and call them a delicacy?
Would you eat a puffer fish knowing you might die
If the chef didn’t prepare and cook it just right?
How many times did people eat oranges with the rind
Before someone decided to peel one for the first time?
The same for a banana, who decided to peel?
Believe it or not, here is some food that is real
Would you eat fried tarantula if you didn’t live in Cambodia?
A scorpion or a rat if you didn’t live in China?
What about a fertilized duck embryo, feathers, feet and all?
Birds nest soup? Live octopus? Sheeps head? A wine made from a seagull?
Makes you happy that we will eat a turkey
Some mashed potatoes, noodles, and green beans
Jello salad is not that healthy
But have you had rattlesnake chili?
Of course I am sure some people would never eat a pop tart or a twinkie
Ketchup on scrambled eggs or mashed potatoes with gravy
Who thought to roast a marshmallow? Can you roast a Peep?
A Hamburger Donut? Pickled pigs feet? Not for me
Baltic Sea Herring, winged termites or frog legs?
Turtle Soup or Witchetty grubs? Not even if you beg
Rocky Mountain Oysters, let’s just say they are not seafood
In Italy they eat a cheese with maggots in it called Casa Marzu
Now go enjoy your dinner this Thanksgiving
I pray you won’t eat anything that is still living
Whether you are eating a little or eating a lot
Remember those who today will eat not
And one more thing, even though it is not food for thought
What color would a chameleon be if it stood in front of a crayon box?
The Day After Thanksgiving by Brandon Heath –
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The Hunter & The Family
I am a hunter. Not just a hunter. I am THE hunter. I am paid, quite well I may add, to hunt. If someone needs to get rid of something, I am the person they call.
It’s a job. I have no emotions about killing another living thing. Many times I am saving many lives by killing a wild beast. A grizzly stalking hikers. A polar bear coming to close to town. A wolf or coyote attacking livestock. A rabid raccoon, a venomous snake, you get the idea.
I have been asked to hunt another human but I cannot go there.
November 3rd. The day that would change my life. I received a call from a farmer saying some wild creature was destroying his livestock. He explained that the creature had a growl he had never heard before. There were nights where he thought he heard more than one. The hairs on his neck would stand up just recalling what they sounded like. Their appetites were endless.
I did all the necessary prep work. I tracked over the land looking for signs of where the creature could be living. I set traps. I found nothing. Not one single sign of where it could be. But the murder of the livestock continued.
I have never failed in my hunts and I was not going to fail this time.
November 6th. It was a full moon and it was the first time I caught a glimpse of the creature. It was not a site I would soon forget. In all my years of hunting, I had never seen anything like it. I can’t even really explain it. Sort of like Bigfoot but… I don’t know. Half gorilla, half bear, half man. Yes, I know three halves don’t make a whole, but like I said, I can’t describe it, it was faster than a cheetah, stronger than an ox, claws like Wolverine.
For the first time in my life, I was scared of something I was hunting. My mouth was dry, my palms sweating, my knees shook. I fired my rifle and for the first time in my life, I missed. It looked my direction and faster than I could blink, it was gone.
Why I continued to hunt this creature I can not say. Maybe it was my pride. Maybe it was ignorance. I start a job I finish it. That was it.
November 10th. Four days had passed and there was no sign of it. Maybe the shot I fired scared it off. I doubted that was the case.
I was right.
I was well hidden in the bushes. I smelled it before I saw it. Then it surfaced about thirty feet from me. I pulled the slide back to chamber the bullet, I put my finger on the trigger, and …The farmer was right, there was more than one. I didn’t even hear the one that snuck up on me. I went flying through the air.
I landed hard on my back. I scrambled trying to get to my feet, to get my bearings. I couldn’t find my gun. It knocked me to the ground again. I was on my stomach and I knew right then and there I was going to die.
I rolled over and it was standing over me. I saw the hatred in its eyes. It saw the fright in mine. It let out a scream that caused my blood to curdle. Then the other creature was there. It was a bit smaller than the one attacking me so I assumed it was the female. It was then I saw the third creature. Much smaller than the other two. I could only think it had to be their child. I could only think these creatures were going to be the last thing I saw in this life.
The female grunted something to the male and the males posture changed. A softness came to his eyes. I looked into the females eyes and saw not hate, but compassion. I saw love in her eyes. Then I looked into the males eyes and saw not only strength but I saw love also.
Then the three of them left.
Why they let me live I had no idea. Maybe they thought I would not taste good. Maybe they could see something in my heart that I did not know was there. Maybe it was for me to be able to tell this story.
All I know was in that moment I saw animals in a different light. I saw that the male was only protecting his family. I saw that they were no different than you and me. I saw that they had emotions, feelings, and intelligence just like you and me.
Maybe even more than we do.
In that moment those creatures changed my entire life. Not only did I see all creatures in a new light, I also saw all humans in a new light. There were no more differences between races or genders. No differences in wealthy or poor. No differences in the strong or weak. I realized all humans were the same. All equal. We are all one. We are all in the same family.
I can never thank those creatures enough for how they changed my life.
Maybe them letting me live to tell my story will change your life. Maybe you will look past the outside and search for what’s inside someone.
Different by Micah Tyler –
Let Love Win by Carrollton-
The Sound Of A Life Changing by Matthew West-
Love Is The Golden Rule by Michael English –
My God, My Music, My Life 