NO ROOM IN THE INN

The couple had traveled such a long way.
They had come far by night, and had come far by day.
The lady was Mary, she would give birth soon.
Her companion was Joseph, who hoped to find a room.

But all the Inns were full, no rooms anywhere.
Wasn't there just one person, out there who cared?
The last Innkeeper, was sorry to say...
There just aren't any rooms left here today!

But the kindly man saw, that Mary needed rest.
So he quickly announced: "this offer's my best."
"There's a stable out back, and you're welcome to stay.
There isn't a bed, but lots of warm hay."

The animals all quieted as they entered the door.
Joseph led Mary to a clear spot on the floor.
They kept their quiet vigil all through the night.
Just before morning...they saw a Great Light.

The babe had arrived, with a sweet smiling face.
He'd been born among them, in this small little place.
But soon the stable was crowded with shepherds and kings.
They had followed a star, they had heard angels sing.

Gifts they had brought him, from far and from near.
Something had told them all to come here.
Each one of them knew, as the morning progressed;
That things had changed, that they each were blessed.

Can you imagine the Joy, they felt that day?
To see our Lord Jesus on that first Christmas Day!
Do you think if the Innkeeper knew now, what he didn't know then...
That he still would announce, "No Room at the Inn?"

Author:

LadyGator 1999

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:13-14

Christmas is coming, are you ready?

Okay everyone, this is it. The home stretch to Christmas Day! How are you all doing with preparations? Me? Well, I've finished all grocery and Christmas shopping. HALLELUJAH!!!!

No more crowds (because I HAVE to be out in them). I had planned to start my cooking on Monday, but since that is weigh-in day, I think I'll start on Tuesday instead and just get the major house work done instead.


I know we each will be busy in the next few days and I want to take this time to send out Christmas blessings! I don't know when I'll be able to post next, maybe again before Christmas, but with all the work to be done before then it could well be after.


But, preparations aside, let us not forget why Jesus came. He came, not to just be born in a manger, but to save men, women and children from sin. Let's not leave Him in a manger because that was not His ultimate goal. His goal was to come and make a way for you and I to be saved from our own wicked sinfulness. He laid down his life that we might have a wonderful, beautiful and personal relationship with God. It's that amazing? Doesn't that just humble you? To think that the God of Glory gave up soooooo much just for the likes of us. How awesome!!!!

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:17-21

Are you celebrating Christmas for the RIGHT reasons this year? It is very easy to get sidetracked by commercialism, but are we remembering to make Christ first and foremost the head of what we do this season? Is all we are doing for His honour and His glory? This is just some food for thought. Pretty basic, yes but nevertheless we sometimes get our priorities misplaced in all the mad dashing around that we do and then we have no joy in the celebrations or the many activities that are taking place and they become "Old Hat" and we're just going through the motions. Not the way I would like to spend this Christmas at all, but I know that I probably have in the past and what a shame.


I pray that as we give and receive gifts, we might look into our own hearts and search to find what we might give Christ this Christmas. Your most likely thinking, "I've already given him my heart!" That is true in a sense, but is there a chamber in your heart that He is not welcome. A secret place that you don't want Him to have? Somewhere that you want to keep just for yourself? If so, think about this: He gave HIS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shouldn't we?

May God bless you with a Christ filled Christmas and Glorious New Year!!!

Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Grocery Shopping

I don't know about where you live, but where I live trying to shop in the run up to Christmas and New Year is INSANE!!! Being as how the week is almost over and I still have some things in the freezer, I went ahead and decided that I was going to try and get up a menu for the rest of the year (sounds like a long time,huh?) and shop accordingly. Also get my Christmas dinner stuff in. I know that I may need milk and bread, but that I can get that at the corner shop instead of the big supermarket. PTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made 2 lists and started shopping for our main groceries first. How interesting. I kept thinking of things I needed to get that weren't on my list, but then would remember that that was a Christmas dinner item and therefore on my 2nd grocery list. How fun!! Talk about frying your brain cells. LOL

Once I got the first list finished I headed toward the check-out and got myself sorted. My husband and the children left to take that stuff home and try to put some of it away while I get started on the the second list. I was doing real good and cruising along when I saw someone that goes to the national pastors church. We got to talking and I mentioned our churches Christmas get-together (which has now been turned into a New Year get-together, long story!) and it hit me that I still had yet another run to the store to make, albeit a little run. I have a few things left to get for that and my mind wanted to start on another list as we were talking. My poor brain!!!! LOL It has enough trouble trying to keep up with everything as it is.

I think list making is probably one of the best things ever thought of. I know that I'd be lost without them. I couldn't keep everything straight. NO WAY, NO HOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I spent about 3 hours at the store today. Not my idea of a great time, but at least it's done (except for the Christmas [New Year] Party).

More news from the Madhouse later! I need some serious chocolate, but will resist! LOL

God bless!

Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy

Weigh-In Day

Well, let's just say it hasn't been a very good week. I put on 2 lbs. Not good! We've been that busy we've been eating on the run and not tracking like we should be. Roger managed to stay the same. I tell you, life sometimes just isn't fair! LOL I knew I didn't want to go tonight, but I also knew that it could lead to me putting on more next week so figured that I'd better go ahead and bite the bullet.

With the Lord's help, I plan to track properly this week and drink my water like I should. Definitely a must! I would like to loose at least 3 lbs. next week. That would take back what I put on plus an extra pound. This time of year must be the pits for all those who are trying to loose weight. Thankfully we do not miss any meetings throughout the holidays. Our group is open the Mondays before and after Christmas as well as the one after New Year. I think it's a good idea. You aren't as tempted as you might normally be if you are aware that you have to face the music in a few days! At least that is my prayer! LOL

That puts me at a total of 12.5 pounds lost. Hope to have a better update next week.

Have a blessed day!

Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy

"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13

This week has flown by

Where has the week gone to? I think it just zoomed by and was gone!

As many of you homeschool moms know, your world can be very small. Basically consisting of your four walls. Does it ever seem like to you that the space inside those 4 walls gets smaller and smaller at times. I know mine usually does. There are times that I don't see anyone from Sunday to Thursday and then for about an hour on Saturday and then church on Sunday. I don't even get to the store some weeks.

I know what your thinking? You just went out last week! Yes, I did. But there is a big difference of going with your husband and children and going by yourself. For one thing, you can look at any shop you like for as long as you like and no one is going to complain. RIGHT????

Well, I thank the Lord for my hubby! I was kind of feeling crowded in. Okay, not kind-of! So on the Thursday my husband said he would stay home and do school so that I could go look around Kettering/Corby or where ever I wanted. How fun! The last time I got to really look around Kettering was either a year or 2 years ago. I've been to Kettering town center about a dozen or so times during that period of time, but it was either to nip in for something specific, wait in the car, show some one visiting what town looked like, or to pass out tracts. You now IN and OUT!


I tell you I had a blast!!! I went in every store I wanted to and stayed and looked until I was done. I think I left the house at about 10:15 and didn't come home until around 4:30. It was GREAT!!! That should do me for a while now. I guess you could say I've had my fix! LOL LOL

The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband. I know some men who wouldn't take on homeschooling, not even for a day. NO WAY, NO HOW! But, he gladly let me have the day completely to myself (although I did have to be back here in time to get ready for church). I reckon he figured I had enough grey hair!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

I got alot accomplished. I had to buy some bits to decorate the church. I'll have to take some pictures and figure out how to post them on this crazy thing. It looks really good. I sure wish we had our own building. I would love decorating it and doing up different bulletin boards and what not. We can dream, can't we??? At least the guy who does all the main jobs and organizing at the school said we cold leave the room set up for the rest of the holiday season even though they have school. No one should be in there except for Monday and that is just for violin practice, so pray they don't mess with anything.

Today we had to try and finish up some shopping for a birthday party and church gift swap. Almost done. I think I am just about shopped out. MARK 'ER DOWN FOLKS, MARK 'ER DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I guess I've had enough excitement for one week and I'm probably not makin' a lick-a-sense so I'd better go for now!

Blessings to you all!

Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy