Scripture for the Third Monday in Advent 2010

John 1:6-12

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Lord, remind us that You call each of us to teach Your Gospel throughout the world. Give us strength and wisdom and the right words to share Jesus, the Light of the World. In His name. Amen.

Scripture for the Third Sunday in Advent 2010

Luke 1:76-80

76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Lord, often we think the great prophets and evangelists and preachers are the ones called to spread Your Word. Remind us always by the Holy Spirit that just as You called John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord, You call us to tell others of Your salvation through the forgiveness of our sins. Guide our feet in the pathway of peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Where’s the Line to See Jesus?

This music video really reminds us of the meaning of Christmas.

Scripture for the Second Saturday in Advent 2010

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Lord God, we know You have commanded us to encourage one another and build each other up. We tend to get bogged down in our selfish interests and need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to encourage and build up our brothers and sisters. We humbly ask for the help we need to follow Your will and to walk in the day to be ready for the day of Christ’s return. In His name. Amen.

Scripture for the Second Friday in Advent 2010

1 Peter 2:4-10

4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.” 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,” 8and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Lord, thank You for making us part of Your chosen people, Your royal priesthood, Your holy nation, a people belonging to You. Thank you for calling us from the darkness into light. Guide us always by the Holy Spirit to walk in that light and reflect Your light and Your love to the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture for the Second Thursday in Advent 2010

Romans 15:4-13

4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name.” 10Again, it says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” 12And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.”
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, fill our hearts with the hope, joy, and peace that come only from You. Open our hearts to accept one another as Christ accepted us, and give us a unity in Your Body so we glorify You with one voice and one heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Freelance Writers: Tips for Becoming More Productive While Working from Home – Guest Post by Brian Jenkins

Motivation leads to an increase in productivity. An increase in productivity leads to a more fulfilling day and a higher income. If you work at home as a freelance writer, chances are you know how easy it is to get distracted during the work day. So what can you do? No, you don’t need to hire an expensive motivational coach to hang out in your home office. Just follow these important tips and you will likely increase your focus, creativity, and productivity.

• Creative hours: For many writers there are specific times during the day when their creative juices are really flowing. These are not the times to read and send text messages, check email, or perform routine work around the house. Take advantage of these creative periods by working on projects that require a high level of creativity or by writing for clients you really want to impress.
• Be organized: A cluttered office can really hurt your morale. You’ll probably notice a change in the atmosphere once you clean and organize your office. You’ll probably wonder why you didn’t clear up the clutter earlier. Additionally, an organized office will make you feel more professional.
• Change projects: If you get bogged down on a particular writing project, put it to the side and work on something else, something very different. You just may have new ideas when you get back to the other project.
• Set goals: Setting goals breeds motivation. Set objectives such as finding a specific number of new clients every month.
• Regular office hours: Regular office hours remind writers that work is the primary focus of the day. Keeping regular office hours promotes a more professional attitude which typically leads to an increase in productivity. Also, a defined lunch schedule can help prevent the tempting two-hour lunch.
• Dress for work: Successful business people typically don’t tout the benefits of wearing pajamas to work. If you relax your dress code, your work habits may be effected negatively and you may not even realize it.
• Limit distractions: It’s easy to get distracted by children, pets, email, telephone calls, social networking sites, etc. etc. etc. Distractions can take up huge chunks of valuable time. Wait until your scheduled break times to respond to those emails or return those phone calls. And by the way, don’t create unscheduled break times to tend to these distractions!
• Dedicated workplace: It’s often recommended that work-at-home professionals have a dedicated workplace. It cuts down on distractions and reminds others that you are at work. However, occasionally changing the workplace setting can be refreshing and inspirational. This can be especially helpful if you’re in a rut or facing a serious case of writer’s block.
• Exercise: Take a couple of walks during the day. Exercise will make you feel better. And while you’re exercising, forget about work!

Increasing your productivity means a higher salary. Treat your office as if it was located in a traditional office building and you will boost the quantity and quality of your work. Also, and perhaps most importantly, remember to set aside some time to have fun during the day!

 

Scripture for the Second Wednesday in Advent 2010

Psalm 43:3-5

3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Lord, send Your light and Your truth to guide me to joy and delight and praise for You. I put my hope in God and will praise the Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture for the Second Tuesday in Advent 2010

Isaiah 40:1-11

1 Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling:
“In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.”
9 You who bring good tidings to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

 Sovereign Lord, we know Your Word lives forever. Open our hearts to hear Your Word, to prepare a way for You to come into our lives. Raise up our valleys of sin and make low our mountains of pride. Create a plain in our hearts for You to live there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lucky Me

What a beautiful reminder of how blessed we are by the bravery and sacrifices of our military!

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