December Somethings

This past month, here is something I:

loved: 

Christmas!  It's just such a great time.  I love having my family surrounding me.  And it's certainly an easy time to recognize God in my life because what He has given me is all very apparent. Family, friends, happiness, love, food, warmth.  Thanks be to God.

listened to: 

I've already mentioned a couple of times the new Christmas CDs I purchases this year, which I have been listening to a lot.  So let me mention of few of the other Christmas CDs that have also been in the mix this month: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection, Wintersong (Sarah McLachlan), Joy: A Holiday Collection (Jewel), and Chirstmas Album (Celtic Woman).

  

watched: 

I've really gotten into the show Parenthood.  It's on it's 3rd season this year.  I like to have a little drama in my tv shows, mixed with some comedy and feel good moments.  And this show has a nice mixture.  It is filling the void that was created when Brothers & Sisters went and killed off Rob Lowe.  Seriously?!?  You NEVER kill off Rob Lowe.  Ever.  Thank you Parks & Rec for literally picking him up.

read: 

Get Out of That Pit - Beth Moore.  This book was mediocre.  Nothing ground breaking.  But what I did really like is how much scripture she puts in there.  One of my favorite parts is where she compares the water reference in these two verses:

"The first passage refers to life on earth.  The second refers to life in heaven...

Psalm 23:1-3 says: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul."

Revelation 7:17 says, "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water."

learned: 

I've been frequently reminded this month of the importance of trusting God.  Another quote from the above mentioned book, "Somewhere along the way we confused faith in God with faith in ourselves".  That quote is repeatedly true in my life.  And this entire month has been extra stressful for me with work.  The reason being that there are a lot of lay offs happening and will continue to happen into January.  And going to work in an atmosphere of fear and agitation due to this, only builds to the stress.  So it's been easy to lose sight of the FACT that God has got my back if I just let Him.  But I keep working at letting go.

One more quote from Beth Moore:

"Having a firm place to stand doesn't mean life isn't hard and temptations don't come.  It doesn't mean you get everything right...It just means that you've determined your position no matter what comes your way."

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"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you."  Philippians 1:6 (Amplified Bible)