K is for Kindness

A few of us here on the Sweet 'n Sassy team are working through the Christmas season in our A, B, C's of Christmas devotional by Hillary Krippaehne of Creative Faith Co. This book has 26 daily devotions for a closer intimacy with God. Hilary really poured so much love and handwork into this book and it shows! It has really been so much fun to work in this month and I wanted to share one of my favorite pages with you today!

In general, most people seem to become a little more kind during the Christmas season. 

People also seem to be more generous and giving this time of year. 

1 John 4:19

"We love because he first loved us."

In this verse we learn that God loved us, and He wants us to show his love and kindness to others in return! Yes, there are times with some people where that is easier said than done. But he calls us to love everyone, even our enemies and strangers. During the Christmas season, it is definitely more common for people to be kind to strangers and perform random acts of kindness.  Have you ever been in the drive thru at Starbucks and someone ahead of you pays for your order?! Isn't that such an awesome surprise that just puts a smile on your face and brightens your day?? I know it does mine!

Or how about when someone leaves a very generous tip for a restaurant server that did a great job and they just wanted to bless them during the Christmas season?! I was never a server but when I worked as a hostess in high school, an older couple left a huge tip for a server that brought her to tears! How special and a way to become such a blessing to someone!

This page even contains a bit of kindness! This beautiful Christmas tag with the coffee cup and Christmas tree was a gift from a sweet person in a crafty swap! Even tiny little things like a small unexpected gift can be so special to someone! If everyone could just hold onto that giving and generous spirit all year long, just think of how much better the world would be!! We can't change the actions of others, but we can start with what WE do and how WE choose to treat and bless others! 

So remember, as Christians, we are called to show God's love and kindness to others! 

Be a light in a dark world!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your friends and family! It has been a blessing sharing with you all this year on the Creative Worship Team!!

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

In Stitches Alpha

Mini Grunge Type Alpha 

Pray Big, Bold Prayers

Hello there!

It's Deeds, and I wanted to share something: a bit of my world, as movement, change and situations occur.  There's a lot I could say, but I have found that when God is working at the present time, all my mind can muster is, "God is good.  God is in control.  God is sovereign."

It's the mantra I'm living by currently.  I haven't found anything else that suffices for the hurt and dark that seems to be encroaching.   Nothing but these broad and core truths about God's character will act as my rock, my refuge and my strength. 
God IS good.

God IS in control.
God IS sovereign.

When we come to the broken and weakened parts of life, I think our initial reaction is, "Why, God?"  At least that was mine when faced with news so stunning, I had to fight hard to believe what was happening was actually happening. 
You probably know that feeling. 
That feeling of doubt.  Denial.  Surreal-ness and dreamlike feelings.  What can possibly weigh in as heavily as tangible fear?  Despair so close you can taste it?

I had a chat with the hubster a week ago regarding all the things that are in full swing, and let me tell you, I'm being swung!  He began to encourage me to truly engage my Creator.  He beckoned me to pray intentional prayers.  Big prayers.  Bold prayers.  Specific prayers.  His kind voice reminded me of a precious Heart that longs to hear my cries, feel my pain, and touch my needs.  And through shaking voice and wet face, I began praying that God would hear my cries!  The aid of the Holy Spirit guided my thoughts and emotions, channeling them toward the One who listens and can do something about it.

There's a certainty of the longing and desire that the Father has for communication with His children.  He is full of love, compassion, peace and mercy, and all we have to do is come.  Draw near.  Pray big.  Pray bold.  Strangely, prayer doesn't seem to hit the top of the to-do list in my Christian walk.  Give me bible studies, give me blogs to write, give me worship songs to sing!  But prayers?

Talking to the Lord?  Talking face-to-face, in a sense, with my God?  Building on the relationship with my Redeemer?  My best Friend??  Why not?  Why does it take a period of darkness to pray for Light?  Why do I wait for despair before I grasp for Hope?  Why  don't I learn that God wants to speak to me and with me in the good times and bad?

Friends, pray.  Pray big.  Pray bold.  Pray!  Just sit with your Master, lean on His shoulder, cry in His lap, and listen to His words.  I don't take advantage of that which Jesus my Christ purchased for me on the cross.  My salvation, yes!  Yes and amen!  But He also TORE THE VEIL that I may have CONSTANT, IMMEDIATE, FOREVER ACCESS to the Holy of Holies!  To the LORD of creation!  To the good, good Father!  I sing about it.  I read about it.  I study about it. 

It's time to pray…

Much love,

Deeds

PS - I'm still working through the "ABC's of Christmas," by Hillary Krippaehne.  The letter 'I' is for "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," and the prompt was to pray to God, asking for peace in a dark time.