As I think about the perfect gifts to give my kids, my husband and my mom this Christmas, I’ve decided that more than anything, what they want is more of “me.” More of my time, my attention to really listen and be together for no purpose but just that!
God’s been whispering to my heart about loving well, living deeply, enjoying the gifts of those I love most! He’s been reminding me through His Word, through messages and music that when I look back on my life, it won’t really matter who I knew, what I have or what I did, what will matter most is how I lived!! That brings me to my next thought…
Cool Christmas Give Aways
– TWO DRAWINGS!!!
It’s time for my Cool Christmas Give-Away and we extended it since the response has been so amazing!! I just couldn’t only choose one. I have loved reading everyone’s comments and stories, and hope you’ll leave one, too!
About my gift: Have you heard Point of Grace’s newest song, “How You Live”? It’s my favorite!! When it comes on, I turn up the music and sing with all of my heart. It embarrases my kids but, oh well.
Last month I had the incredible blessing of getting to know three of the members of Point of Grace on the Girl’s Get-Away Cruise. I told them about how we do give-aways on our blogs, so they gave me a signed copy of their photo and their newest CD – “How You Live” to give away!!! Here’s the music video they did with their kids. (click on the arrow to watch) You might want to get some tissue or get ready to sing – either way, turn up the music and listen closely – it just might change how you live!!
There’s more….
My Cool Christmas Give-Away includes the Point of Grace CD, an autographed photo, a 2 session DVD from my “Living and Leaving a Legacy” women’s conference and a copy of God’s Purpose for Every Woman with devotions for everyday to help you really live! And I am giving away Two Gift Paks now!!
To enter the drawings, click on the word “comments” below and tell me how this song touches your heart and why’d you’d like to win. You can also post on Lysa TerKeurst’s blog (for double entries). We’re now doing the drawing Thursday morning, and we’ll both announce the winner on our blogs.
Remember this Christmas and all throughout next year, it’s not what you give…it’s how you live!!!
Point of Grace is such an inspiration and blessing to me, I love to hear them sing and would be so happy to win their cd. I love the Lord and glad he is a part of my life and my families. God is good, he is good all the time.
The entire song is a reminder to live my life in a way in which my husband and children will be proud to say, when I’m gone, that was my mom or my wife! I love her and want to be just like her!
My husband and I just lost our jobs. Mine through forced retirement and his through a termination. How I live right now is especially important as a witness to my children and grandchildren and friends. Point of Grace is where I am at right now. I know God has a plan and I know it is good.
Renee, I love the Point of Grace video. This year the Lord has really been showing me how to cherish each and every day with my husband and children realizing that each morning I awake is another gift from Him and an opportunity to love those around me.
Thank you for your ministry.
Hi Renee! Thank you for your reminders about how important it is to spend time with the ones you love. In the past holiday seasons, I would take every opportunity to go shopping and toil over what gifts to give and how many more people were on the list. I love to give presents that really mean something to someone and I enjoy watching them open and react the present that I have spent time on. But… this year, I have decided that I am not exchanging gifts with anyone but my mom and my dad. I am single and in my mid-20’s so no kids to worry about. Instead of giving gifts, I am scheduling time to spend with all those that are important to me. I am having a movie night with a bunch of girlfriends, a game night with a group of guys that I am close too, I am serving at the soup kitchen with our church youth director and spending the entire day on the 26th of December with my little brother who moved last year. I have found myself looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with those that I love and care for so much and less stress around having the money to buy the present or what to buy or when to find the time to go. It has given me more time to spend with the Lord which has resulted in blessings beyond measure! Thank you for your inspiration and encouraging words! I pray that you will enjoy a Christ centered Holiday Season!
My husband and I just lost our jobs, forced retirement for me and a termination for him. I know God has a plan for us so we are taking it one day at a time. I have met some great people at the outplacement agency and I am truly looking to the Lord to show me where he would have me go next. Point of Grace is where I am at and is wonderful to listen to. How I live now is especially a witness for my children and grandchildren and our friends.
I plan to live for my marriage and family, I want to make my house a happier one this year and try to mend my relationship with my husband.
Proverbs 31 ROCKS !! Merry Christmas everyone!
What an amazing song! A very dear friend of mine recently had a massive stroke but Praise God survived and is making huge strides (http://joannebudd.blogspot.com)
This song just reminded me of her. She didn’t have any idea that this stroke was coming, but it came. Hers & her families life won’t ever be the same, but I know that they are cherishing every single moment that they have together. I would love to win this for her ~ to send it to her so that she can stay encouraged thru her long recovery. She is walking and talking but has difficulty with these things and with her right hand. She has always encouraged me in the word and with her life & I would like to do the same for her.
First of all…I LOVE Point of Grace!! This song encourages me so much to really look at life and live it. Not only live it, but live it the way God intended me to live. I have 3 boys and so many times I get so caught up in doing the things that the world wants me to do instead of just doing what God wants me to do and that is to be the best mommy I can be for my boys. I just need to turn up the music and play it out loud!! Thanks for this great reminder!!
I just love this song by PointOfGrace. They are such beautiful women, both inside and out. I love the video with their families. My husband and I just had our first child. A beautiful little girl named Jennifer Faith. This song couldn’t have had better timing in our life. It really is all about hos we choose to live our lives. This song has really affected our approach to life. My husband and I always give each other a little glance every time we hear it come on Klove and realize how blessed we are to have our new precious little gift!
I am sitting here trying to think of my favorite line out of that song and have come to the conclusion that they are all my favorite! I have lost my sister, my mother and my father. I know that the time we spend here is so very small and that we need to not take that for granted. There have been times when how I did it with my boys and my husband was wrong – short temper, not listening or paying attention and when I reflect on that it hurts me so much, probably more than it hurt them. This reminds me that I need to think before I act.
I forget sometimes to remember that everything God gives us is a true blessing, I think we all do. Especially when things aren’t going as good as other times. God’s blessings come in so many forms and I know for me I sometimes forget to look and listen for the unknown. The last 2-3 years have been rough for me, but as I look back all the stuff that happened has gotten me where I am at, which is stronger. That in itself is a blessing from God. I am exactly where I need to be and where God wants me at this time. Thanks for letting me share!
I am visiting this site for the first time and it is amazing! I love the group Point of Grace, and have for years. Wow! What a wonderful, powreful song to share w/the world. It is a wonderful reminder to me to live each day to the fullest, one day at a time. God has a plan for my life, my husband, and my children. I praise Him that He is such a big God for me. Blessings…..
Hi! My name is Michelle, and I just discovered your blog today! What a blessing. I truly look forward to reading it everyday from now on.
I actually just purchased the new Point of Grace CD last week. It’s wonderful!!! The song, “How We Live” is just amazingly beautiful. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. It’s a song that everyone should hear, and I can’t imagine anyone not loving it. It’s the perfect reminder for all of us.
I have a handicapped daughter who demonstrates this song daily. The song reminds me and helps to find ways to make her days more loving.
I have bever visited your site before, very inspirational, Thanks!
Thank You for sharing on your blog.
Living life to the fullest, Praise God.
Debra
Everytime I listen to this song it reminds me of how precious each day is and what a gift it is as well. I have lost so many loved ones throughout my life and I know that you have to live each day as if it were your last. Don’t leave any situation unresolved and any kind word unsaid. Everyday I deal with so many different people and I let them know God’s promises for their lives. I know that all that I have lost or gained is for the purpose of glorifying God. Just this past Friday, after women’s prayer, I had some of my Christmas lights stolen from my front yard. All I could do is pray for that lost soul that is in such a strong bondage that would lead him/her to do something so awful. Anyhow, the day didn’t stop there, then I got news that my cousin died that morning as well. What a heartache I felt, but God’s joy is my strength and believe that He gave me a triple dose that day. I’m so thankful to the Lord because He is in control and He knows the plans He has for my life. I lead a Women’s bible study group and every week we share of our triumphs in the Lord and also of our failures because those are the things that mold our character and help us mature spiritually. I love to heare of God’s miraclous power over all things of this world. This song just wraps it all up. It’s amazing and makes my heart warm everytime I hear it. Especially now with the loss of my cousin, it is just another reminder of the fact that tomorrow is not promised and therefore live your today as if it were your last. God bless you all!
That song has really touched my heart. In the past year I have taken on the task of leading our church in worship as well as singing a special solo every week. We have gone through a difficult time in our church with a split and half the congregation leaving. It has been a struggle to be motivating and positive in such a joyless atmosphere, since I have never been in a leadership position before. God has given me many blessings through this position. He brought me to that place and he will hold me up as I lead my church back to a place of praise, worship and joy. Thank you for reminding us to focus on how we live our lives and not on who we know or what we do.
I have recently discovered the Proverbs 31 team and I have been SO encouraged. I look forward to reading the devotional every day. Thank you for all you do to help women grow closer to our Lord.
Thank you for your part in the awesome ministry of Proverbs 31. I am constantly encouraged and challenged by what is shared through your radio spots and the email devotionals. God has blessed me through you all!
Time is such a precious gift. We moved recently and I realized that the boxes would wait but my kids would keep growing up each day and if I didn’t slow down then I would miss it.
So it has taken a while to get all the boxes put away, but we have enjoyed the swingset in our new yard, taken walks in the new neighborhood and played on our back deck.
And, truth be told, some of the boxes are still hanging around. Maybe I will just wrap them in some Christmas paper and call them decorations!
Boy, has that song spoke to me also. We all worry so much about what people think about us. People aren’t going to remember who we knew or what we did, but they will remember the type of life we lived. I can hear the song in my head now and I would ove to win the CD!
Thank you and God Bless
The song is a daily reminder of how to live my life, not about what I have or don’t have, or what I want to do and can’t do, but to live in the moment, celebrating everyone and everything that comes my way, and being THANKFUL for it all. It helps me look at the world through a new light, and reminds me of what is truly important.
Awesome song. I LOVE it and would so appreciate winning this prize pack. I actively leave a legacy through scrapbooking however this song is a great reminder that we need to LIVE our lives not just preserve the memories all the while keeping our sites on Him. Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi, I love reading your devotionals. Thank you so much for sharing them.
In Him,
Amy
LOVE LOVE LOVE the devotionals, been receiving them for a few years now. It’s funny, well not really funny (I’ll call it God) how at very specific times when I needed encouragement I would open up my inbox to discover a word JUST FOR ME! I’m a mom of 3 one of which has Down Syndrome and I am forever battling with guilt of not doing enough or neglecting what matters most. Thanks for being there to show I’m not alone in this journey. God Bless!!
That is my new favorite song too! I bought the cd with some money my dad gave me and I have been playing it in the car and at home. I turn it up loud and sing along. My husband is an over the road trucker, and my kids are grown, so I am alone a lot. But god is so faithful, and has encouraged me to 1) count my blessings each day and 2) appreciate and enjoy wht He’s given to me. This is the first time I’ve been to your blog, but I will be back. Thanks!
Memories can be a blessing. That song reminded me of my Mom. She went to be with the Lord at the sweet age of 88. She taught me how to love my enemies and not worry about tomorrow. It didn’t matter if the house was in perfect order but what did matter was the time she spent with you. She always was ready to help anyone in need or just say a kind word to you. If I had to describe her I would say that her life show me what it meant to be Christ-like.
Tammy
Thank you so much for a great giveaway. What a lovely blog you have!
Laura
This convicted me just as I was coming home from shopping. Even though I am done with Christmas shopping, every time I am out, I think “just one more thing” for one of my daughters. You are so right…it is not more stuff but more me that they want. And do they really want the me that is right now or the me that I know God wants me to be? It gives a lot to think about.
Hi Rene,this’s what i derived from the song.It urges me to forget about the past and press on towards the goal ahead.Can’t change my past but can work on the “now”(present) and the future.Also not be self-centered but care for my neighbours.To crown it, i should value whatever i give out,for it’s not how big or much that thing may be but it’s how willingly i give it.Gloria
Renee, I love the Point of Grace video. This year the Lord has really been showing me how to cherish each and every day with my husband and children realizing that each morning I awake is another gift from Him and an opportunity to love those around me.
Thank you for your ministry.
I plan to live for my marriage and family, I want to make my house a happier one this year and try to mend my relationship with my husband.
I have bever visited your site before, very inspirational, Thanks!
Thank you for the opportunity to share my comments with you. I have never posted a comment on any website before. God has been convicting me lately to share the blessings that he has bestowed upon me and my family. For whatever reason I get intimidated and miss out on so many opportunities to share with others how great our God is. I’m working on that and so here is the first for me.
Point of Grace’s song is a song that has touched my life. It took several years for my husband and I to have children. We now have two wonderful boys, ages 7 and 9. We cherish each moment with them and try to raise them to serve God and be an example. Sometimes we get so caught up in it that we fear what is ahead of them in the years to come and we want to protect them. This song makes me realize that we do have to put our trust in God and that He will take control of everything if we leave it to Him. I can get so caught up with everything from deadlines to dishes, but sometimes it just helps to leave it all and live life and cherish each moment. Because when we grow older we probably won’t remember what dishes didn’t get washed but we will remember the times that we spent living life with family and friends and making memories. Those are the cherished moments that keep us alive in Him. Just this past Saturday, our little boys wrote up a long list for us to do. On that list was everything from playing baseball, duck, duck, goose, basketball, and croquet. At the end of my boys’ list was “and mommy needs to clean house”. Guess what? At first I thought “how am I going to get my stuff taken care of if I am busy outside playing? Well, I didn’t care. I just made sure their list got taken care of. When we laid our heads on our pillows Saturday night, my house was not clean, but my heart felt refreshed! Those are moments that cannot be taken back!
Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you for your part in the awesome ministry of Proverbs 31. I am constantly encouraged and challenged by what is shared through your radio spots and the email devotionals. God has blessed me through you all!
Hi Renee – What any amazing video – and the words so touched my heart! They are right – it is definitely “..How you live…” and I am teaching my children that you need to leave to please the Lord first and foremost – and he will direct your paths in the way you should go! It is amazing how many lives you can touch for Christ – when you just lean on Him! WoW – I would really love this CD – I know 3 people right off the bat that I could give it too! I may just have to go – and buy them up for my friends! What a powerful song…
Renee – I so appreciate you attaching that video to your blog -it sure touched my heart and know it will touch others. Keep Shining for Jesus!
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This touched my heart with the importance of making the most of every opportunity, and not living with regrets. Thanks so much for sharing this Renee.
Hey Renee! This is Ashley. My family and I were with you on Cayman Brac aroung Labor Day. I have been lurking around your blog since then:).
Wow. That song is soooo true. It is totally not who you know, what you have, but all about how you live! I have been reading the book The Ultimate Gift. In it it talks about that we are given the ultimate gift- “‘Make the gift grow and be fruitful. Make your life an extension of the ultimate gift you have received. If you will do all of these things, you will have— in your own way— given to me your version of the ultimate gift.’” This statement makes me think of Jesus and His gift for me. Jesus came to this earth with one purpose— to die for my sins. He paid the price for my ultimate gift. Now in my life, I need to take his gift of forgiveness and share it with others– I need to make it grow and be fruitful. I need to make my life and extension of that ultimate gift.
Merry Christmas!
Memories can be a blessing. That song reminded me of my Mom. She went to be with the Lord at the sweet age of 88. She taught me how to love my enemies and not worry about tomorrow. It didn’t matter if the house was in perfect order but what did matter was the time she spent with you. She always was ready to help anyone in need or just say a kind word to you. If I had to describe her I would say that her life show me what it meant to be Christ-like.
Tammy
I was raised in the church but spent most of my adult life without a relationship with God. I was very goal oriented, earning several post-graduate degrees and a professional career. I traveled in Europe and South America. Married. Had a baby. Check. Check. Check. I’ve only just begun to get reacquainted with God in the last month and one of my biggest struggles has been giving up the illusion that I’M the one setting the goals and I’M the one achieving the success in my life. Being on maternity leave with my son has been a wonderful experience but sometimes I just go stir-crazy… desperate to have a three-year plan, a clear direction, a multi-tasking computerized spreadsheet of a to-do list. I’m used to living that way and I miss the comfort of the old familiar. I am trying to listen. Trying to be still. This song reminds me of the importance of living life and not living my plan.
I have been reminded recently of the saying to live today for we no not what tomorrow brings. Each day is so precious and is a gift from God. As Christians we need to share God’s gifts with others, love, compassion, joy,and peace that passes all understanding. All of us have sorrow and pain at some point in our lives. That’s when we need to reach out to others with the love that God has given to each one of us.An hour, a day, a week goes by so quickly let’s remember to use our time wisely and share God’s special message of love and hope.
How we live is something I need to keep in front of my eyes throughout this special time. I need to remember its not the arguments, it’s what is in a persons heart. My family is extremely stressed out this time of year, my father is a pastor and I am very active in the church, both for out ministry and the day to day functioning of out daycare and preschool. Often I get sidetracked with the small things that get to me and frustrate me. I am also in recovery, which adds additional stress. the point I am making is to focus on God, He gives me the ability to look past the small things and look at the BIG picture
Thank you so much for a great giveaway. What a lovely blog you have!
Laura
This convicted me just as I was coming home from shopping. Even though I am done with Christmas shopping, every time I am out, I think “just one more thing” for one of my daughters. You are so right…it is not more stuff but more me that they want. And do they really want the me that is right now or the me that I know God wants me to be? It gives a lot to think about.
Hey Renee! This is Ashley. My family and I were with you on Cayman Brac aroung Labor Day. I have been lurking around your blog since then:).
Wow. That song is soooo true. It is totally not who you know, what you have, but all about how you live! I have been reading the book The Ultimate Gift. In it it talks about that we are given the ultimate gift- “‘Make the gift grow and be fruitful. Make your life an extension of the ultimate gift you have received. If you will do all of these things, you will have— in your own way— given to me your version of the ultimate gift.’” This statement makes me think of Jesus and His gift for me. Jesus came to this earth with one purpose— to die for my sins. He paid the price for my ultimate gift. Now in my life, I need to take his gift of forgiveness and share it with others– I need to make it grow and be fruitful. I need to make my life and extension of that ultimate gift.
Merry Christmas!
I have been reminded recently of the saying to live today for we no not what tomorrow brings. Each day is so precious and is a gift from God. As Christians we need to share God’s gifts with others, love, compassion, joy,and peace that passes all understanding. All of us have sorrow and pain at some point in our lives. That’s when we need to reach out to others with the love that God has given to each one of us.An hour, a day, a week goes by so quickly let’s remember to use our time wisely and share God’s special message of love and hope.
I’m just a new discoverer of your web site and I love the inspiration you give. I lead a ladies bible study group which I absolutely love, but sometimes the leader needs some teaching as well!By reading your blog I can get my daily dose. How does the Point of Grace song touch my heart? Well, last year my family and I moved to be quite a distance away from any family and friends because of my husbands work. Whilst we have settled as best we can, I still have my struggles with missing everyone and wondering what the point was. Yet, deep down, I know God has a wonderful and perfect plan for us. I have had to learn not to let my attitude get in the way of that, to be a bad witness to my children. I constantly remind myself that God is in control and that how I live my life in any circumstance is what is important. The song reminds me to take advantage of every opportunity that God puts before us,to strive to discover His will and always wear a smile, for He is good!