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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This song is so beautiful. I have sent it out to so many of my friends.
I wanted it to touch their hearts as it did mine. We all have a story to tell and it’s so hard to leave the past behind and let the joy and beauty of today consume us. But as this song says, we must let go and turn the music up loud and live now! I am so blessed with a Godly husband and wonderful children. We have all come a long way. Thanks be to God that I am cleansed and renewed from where I’ve been. This is my favorite song now and it speaks directly to my heart. I should have grabbed the tissues like you suggested in the beginning. 🙂
Amen Sista!!! I was just thinking about this, today, as I walked, barefoot toward the parking garage of the Houston Galleria Mall. I was tired and my feet had blisters in places I didn’t even know they could have blisters!! I was trying to remain positve and thinking all the while that I was determined to make this year a year of living in the moment and looking forward to being w/family and the “gift” each individual brings to this unit rather than the “gift” that the media andt he world tell me I should want!!! I want to laugh as my father-in-law asks me, for over 15 years now if I like eggs and the family gives a resounding “NO!” in my honor. I want to cry w/my husband when he reads the Christmas card I give to him and to be thankful that God brought me a man after His own heart. I want to “live in the moment” as Oprah encourages BUT I want it to be a God moment. I want to look for Him in all that life has to offer. I’m off to soak my tired feet and I’m going to listen for God as I meditate on the blessings of my day-yes even those blessings at the Galleria (a parking space that was front and center!!!). Do you hear him too? Listen carefully for HE speaks above the hustle and bustle of our world and His message is the only one that matters.
Blessings,
Pam
Hi Rene,
I was a first-time attender to the P31 conference this past year and signed up for the daily devotional there. I have so enjoyed the daily encouragement from all you ladies. I also have to tell you that I am very excited because you are coming to speak at my church’s womens’ retreat in February. I have already been praying for you.
I do love that song that you posted on your blog. I always crank it up when it comes on the radio – partly because I love it and partly to mask my singing voice! I am always especially touched by the line that says ‘have what you want, but want what you have.’ As I have grown to love Jesus more, He has really given me a contented heart – a heart that is filled with joy and peace and gratitude. I’ve been doing a Bible study on James and am reminded there also that God uses our trials in life to grow us up spiritually, but we have to cooperate, we have to ‘want it.’ It’s not like making a Christmas list of what we want and presenting it to God. He has a list and invites us to come, sit on his lap on the throne and walk through it with him. I would not have placed every item on my list that God has placed there, but he promises to use all of it to my benefit and to his glory. Because I love him and trust him, I ‘have what I want and I want what I have.’
Blessings,
Chris
I am sooo in love with this song !! I have been struggling lately with changes in family traditions ( grandparents away from my children ( and ME!) for Christmas….) and just little things that have really got my spirit down, but this song lifts me up -I turn up the music and let it all go away and really in the end my focus is on my 4 lovies ( ages 9-1) and letting God’s word fill me up and remind me of the REAL reason for Christmas- His Son that died for me…. Thank you for your blog and have a wonderful day ( well night it is 10pm so I better head on to bed LOL!!) Love
Kate
I have been hearing this song on KLOVE and turn it up every time.
I was a single Mom while my children were growing up, so I feel like I missed out on alot with them. Now, I have 7 grandchildren. I plan to spend every possible moment with them. I want them to love the Lord, enjoy the world He has given us.
I have had Christmas china for years and used it maybe once a year. Today I got it out for me to enjoy every day until I decide to put it up.
The family decided to downsize gift giving this year and just spend time together. I am looking forward to Christmas more than ever.
Then I am going back to the Mississippi coast to do relief work for a week at the end of the year. Spending New Years doing something for someone else sounds like the perfect beginning to 2008 I look forward to the email that delivers my devotional each day. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
Thanks for sharing the video! I love the words.
Thank you for having this video on your blog. I hear this song on the radio all the time but had never seen the video. (We are so blessed to have a local Christian radio station) Anyway, this song reminds me how important it is to keep this earthly life in perspective. We can get so caught up in our careers and the things of this world that we miss out on the little things such as a walk on the beach or just sitting down with a good book and a cup of coffee. This song is about leaving a legacy of loving Jesus and loving others as Jesus would love them.
Thanks for just being there everyday for me to read! You are my morning devotions. I feel so encouraged each day and look forward to how you use your everyday life to illustrate a great point from the bible. Looking forward to hearing the song, havn’t heard it yet but I will look for it today!
“You must believe…to receive”!!!
Prayer Warrior
Thank You for sharing on your blog.
Living life to the fullest, Praise God.
Debra
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!
Renee,
I think the words of the song that I want to work on are: “Give to the needy and pray for the grieving.”
I want to enjoy your beautiful gifts with my sisters and friends. I want to listen to the CD and let it minister to me, then give it away to minister to someone I love. The same with the DVD and the devotional. I like that they’re all reusable, to be listened to, and read over and over again and blessed by them.
Merry Christmas, Kathy
I just love the song and this is my first time on your site….not my last. I’m Canadian and I’d love to know if I can get this CD in Canada. It has touched my heart and since I just found out this week that I have a heart condition (nothing major, God is so good) I would like to hear more of their music. Thank you
I’m a Mom of four so I have little time to give to anyone and find it hard to find the time I need to give to God as well so I am so happy to see the devotionals I get from you. When I get the chance to get on the computer. Thanks. Loved the video too!
This song has blessed me and challenged me since I first heard it when it came out. I have lost some dear friends and relatives this year, and I am watching a friend fight moment by moment for her life as she battles cancer at the age of 32. It makes me think about how short life truly is and how we need to live it to the fullest!
I have been a Point of Grace fan since the beginning and am touched by so many of their songs.
Life is the time I spend with my son, every day, every simple little moment. Thanks for your continued inspiration.
The song just reminds me and confirms what God has been speaking to my heart lately. It isn’t about the perfectly clean house and every task completed. It is about loving my family, spending time with my friends. Enjoying the wonderful blessings of my children.
Debbie
I have not heard the song. I enjoy your blog, thanks for all of the encouragment.
Just viewed the blog for the first time and what encouragement. It is so appreciated to have others who seemed divinely inspired to write and sing just what is so essential! It is sometime misunderstood even in the family what we are trying to live. MANY THANKS FOR THE SONG and it beyond understanding how that song was meant for today for me ‘…how we live!’ God will grow for all involved and especially in me in that He loving orchestras life with supreme wisdom that He longs to impart. Thanks for the song and the blog to reassure that I am not alone and that God cares about every circumstance with love even when I am not aware of it so live joyfully and in His reassurance that He cares for those I love more then I can.
What an awesome song. Simple words to live by yet so difficult to carry out. Thanks for the reminders to “smell the flowers” because tomorrow they may be gone.
Our children are grown so quickly, we must enjoy them, love them, treasure them, guide them, appreciate them, respect them, everyday!!!
Renee,
My name is Connie and I just found my way back to God. I always believed in God, but was not living my life entirely according to the Bible. I have recently been born-again and have Jesus living in my heart again and it feels so good. Your song reminded me of when I was young and life was so much less complicated. Everyone needs to remember what Christmas is about, it isn’t the gifts we receive. it’s the glory we give to God. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.