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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I just saw Point of Grace on their holiday tour. Awesome concert!!!
What a great way to get into the spirit of the season.
Today was the first time I had been on your site, out of the blue my mom sent me the link to read and I instantly feel in love with your blog. It’s kinda funny that this is my new favorite song as well. I heard it a couple weeks ago for the first time and I cant even explain how it made me feel. I am 23 years old and I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful little boys. Though my life seems perfect on the outside I have been battling bulimia for about 7 years. I recently have reached out for the help I need and this is has been extremely challenging for me. When I hear this song, I am reminded of what is truly important in this life, there is a phrase in the song “Dont run from the truth, cause you cant get away, Just face it and you’ll be ok” I repeat this when I feel weak. This song encourages me to make peace with myself and my past and grow with God, to turn up the music and appreciate the little things that are so amazing in my life. What a beautiful song to me remind me that there is hope in a greater God. Though my journey may be long, I will be OK!
I love you devotional. It makes you take time to think and meditate on what’s important.
Thanks for allowing God to use you in such a postive way
Thanks, Renee, for sharing. What a poignant reminder of what is important!
The song “Leaving a Legacy” has always reminded me of the special times we share with our family and the morals we want them to have if we happen to die. This song became very real to me this year because a friend of mine went to be with Jesus on Thanksgiving day. She was only 37 yrs. old and left her husband, and two girls. When I hear this song now, I think of Tanya and the legacy she left for her daughters. I pray that if God chooses to take me home someday, that I would leave a Godly legacy behind. I now cherish every special moment with my kids and don’t worry as much about the little things that don’t mean much.
Thanks for your encouraging devotionals that I receive every day. I look forward to reading them. Cheryl
I thoroughly enjoy the daily devotions from Proverbs 31 and frequently share with women at work. Many of them have spurred me to think about how I am living my daily life and what my life shows to others. I am striving to be a shining light in a dark world. The song from Point of Grace really sparks a lot of memories. I have three boys (each about 2 years apart)who are grown with children of their own. I look back, as the song says, and realize that my time spent with them was the greatest gift God could have ever given me. They are very special to me! We enjoyed going to church together, reading, coloring, projects, and Bible quizzing throughout the years. Christ-centered activities, I believe, made the difference in our relationships. They have turned out to be two ministers and one church deacon, and are raising their families for God. Who could ask for a greater reward — in spite of all my shortcomings. I would like to encourage young mothers to enjoy their time with their precious little ones. They are much more important than a spotless house, a new house or car, or whatever else we tend to put before them. Each moment is precious!!!!! I can now spend time playing with my grandchildren and hopefully show them how much Jesus loves them!! I want my life to portray my love of Jesus more than anything else.
Renee, it is alwyas a BLESSING to open up my email and read the Proverbs 31’s Words of the Day. Renee, it was a Blessing meeting you back in October 2005 when you attended my “Women’s Advance” in California” My churche is The Well, that is when I was first introduced to the Proverbs 31 Ministry. Our Women’s Minsitry has grown so much since then and I know you being there was a blessing. May the Lord continue to smile upon your ministry and your family. God Bless!
Sherae
Proverbs 31 Daily devotionals have been such an important part of my life the last couple of years. The Point of Grace song touches my heart especially these days. My eldest son died 1-1/2 years ago and that loss has been huge for me. Without God I don’t know what I would have done. This song is a great reminder that we have to live each day as though it were our last because we never know what tomorrow will bring.
Hi, I have been enjoying the daily emails from Probverbs 31 since August. Always looking for ways to help my relationship with Jesus grow !! Jessica in Fl. I am VERY excited about the different blogs I will be visiting this Christmas Season email: [email protected]
This is my favorite song. Infact, I asked my daughter to get me the cd for Christmas. I played it on youtube and listened to the whole song with her. It is such a beautiful song. It touched my heart so deep and it brought me back to the way that I used to live before Christ came in to my life exactly 2 years ago this month. Things that used to be so important to me like keeping the house always in spotless condition, with six kids, so you can imagine the shape I was constantly in. Yes, AN INSANE WOMAN. I made everyone who came to visit us so uncomfortable and nervous. All the beautiful dishes and glasses belong in the china cabinet for show. Never leave the house without my hair and makeup all perfectly made. And the list goes on and on… From the outside, I look like a wife and mother that always have everything under control and well put together. Did God ever showed me who is really the BOSS that has control here. As I am still going through my lessons in life, which I have so much more to learn. And most importantly “how to live” with faith and hope and in order for those two to be effective, I must also have trust. Trust in the one and only, Jesus Christ.
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!!