Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such "wisdom" does not come down from Heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:13-18
As an artist, the part about selfish ambition really stands out to me because artists can easily get caught up in the strive for recognition and awards and being prideful of one's artistic skills-not acknoledging or even understanding that it is a gift from God.  They may even think they are "wise" because of special training they may have received or because of something they "taught themself".   I even see at the arts and crafts shows, where it is supposed to be all handmade by the vendor, there are always those folks who sneak some buy/sell items in there.  Maybe they had seen another vendor doing really well and they became envious of their sales so they thought that cheating a little might help out.  That may not seem like a very big deal, but it is.  It is a deceptive practice, and actually, evil selfish ambition.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To Him belongs eternal praise. Psalms 111:10  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Who doesn't have faults right?  That is why we need most perfect Jesus Christ!  We need to repent of those sins we have in our lives-like the selfish ambitions-bitterness, and envy.  Let go of that pride and realize that we don't know as much as we think we do.  God's Word is the absoloute Truth.  And only the blood of Jesus can wash those "faults"away.  Ask God for wisdom, He generously gives it, and He will show you Right from Wrong.  
  

I've had a few good friends along the way and I know they love me and I love them, however, it doesn't even come close to how much Jesus Christ loves us.  I accepted Him as my personal Savior as a child, my parents had also dedicated me back to Him as an infant, and as I've gotten older I have rededicated my life to Him.  He has never left me nor forsaken me and although I have screwed up many times He hasn't let go of me and I can feel His love bursting inside of me!  He loves me and continues to guide me, show me, and teach me many wonderful things about His truth.  Don't miss out-don't harden your hearts to the love that Jesus Christ has for you.  Open it up and let Him in to show you how much He loves you and has prepared for those that love Him.  I am soo thankful He calls me friend!
...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:20
This verse is very encouraging in the days that we are living in.  As a Christian, it is very clear that soon the end of this age of grace will come.  Don't let the things happening around the world trouble you but repent now before it is too late and put your hope and trust in Jesus Christ and know that He will be with you always even until the very end of this age.

Dear Father in Heaven,
I pray for the unborn babies in this world that do not have a right to their lives and are not given the chance to be born, but are merely done away with out of selfishness.  I pray that you would comfort these little ones as they experience the torturing pains and fears as they are being destroyed.  Let them feel at peace as they are dying.  Please forgive us for letting this happen daily in America and give us the strength and courage to do Your will and fight for those who cannot.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,
AMEN

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  1John 3:16
God is so awesome, these verses are definately not a coincidence.  We are so loved!  I guess we had better stop being so selfish and love one another as we are loved and put others before our own selves.  Look at Jesus, young and strong and in the prime of His life but He gave it up for us.  His love for us is sooo great!  Let's think about some of our own selfish wants and ambitions and what we can give up in order to help someone else out.

I AM the beginning of all things, the end of all things and in the midst of all things.  I was present at your birth; I will be there at the end of your years and through all the days in between.  I AM ever present.  I AM not only the God of your past and your future, but I AM also the God of your present moments.  All that I have been and will be, I AM to you now.  You do not have to look at the coming year and wonder how you will get through it physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, or spiritually.  I AM your life, health, strength, and supply.  I AM your source, your confidence, your victory!

"I AM the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me..."  Isaiah 45:5

God is in control and all things happen one way or another in order to bring glory to Him and further His kingdom.  Are you searching for something and unsure of the direction of your life?  Put your trust in Jesus Christ and hang on, you'll find THE WAY and be filled with peace.

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild

Thank you Lord for saving my soul.  Thank you Lord for making me whole.  Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich & free!  How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us...That we should be called the children of GOD!  1John 1:3  I am sooo thankful for His love, patience, mercy, & grace, & for the blessings that are overflowing.  I hope you all would experience the celebration of Thanksgiving with truely thankful hearts, hearts that are full of thanks to a God who loves us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins & die in our place.  I hope you are following Jesus today & have the assurance of eternal life, & that your life is beaming with gratitude for the only one who can save your soul!  

Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.  Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped.  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  Psalm 124:6-8
Wow! 'am I thankful that the great God of the universe is on little old me's side.  He didn't just make me for the fun of it but actually wants me as part of His very own family!  I can't imagine going through this life without being part of God's family.  But did you know that if you don't love & obey God, & your trust is not in Jesus Christ as your Savior then the Holy Bible says you are an enemy of God?  Ouch!  God loves you very much and it is not Him making Himself an enemy of you but it is you & only you who would be making yourself an enemy of Him-by making choices that are contrary to God.  If you are not helping others get to Heaven but are setting the opposite example then can't you just see how that would make yourself an enemy?  Don't make yourself an enemy of God.  Choose to repent and follow Jesus Christ all of your days!

For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they shall not prosper, And all their flocks shall be scattered. Jeremiah 10:21
I'm sure if you think about it you have seen examples of this.  Ministers who have lost the fire and are just going through the motions with the congregation following behind & straying off to go their own ways in the world, not grounded in the Truth of God.  It is very important to go to a good preach from the whole Bible church that is on fire for the LORD and speaks God's Truth.  I'm very thankful for my pastor & the other teachers in our church & that I was raised in a good, Christ centered church.  Let's also not forget to pray for our pastors, as well as ministers of God throughout this country, they are leaders as well, and play extremely important roles in this country. 

I thought I'd share one of my favorite hymns with you that I looked up on youtube.  Piano & lots of bass guitar, sounds great!
Send the Light Hymn
The lyrics are listed below: