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!!!
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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!