It dawns on me, the day after Thanksgiving, that our next holiday is Christmas. As I reflect on this, and remember what Christmas is all about, I am listening to praise songs about the birth of Christ on KHCB Christian Radio. Then, moving over to a more worldly thought, I think of my children and the birthdays they used to have.
When we were children, I am sure some of our best memories were the birthday parties that were held in our honor. It was a celebration of the fact that we were born into this world. On a more deeper level, it is a celebration of who we are. The fact that we exist -- that we are here to brighten the lives of those around us with our presence.
But, when we die, who is going to celebrate our birthdays? And, if they do, how many years will it last? It seems kind've strange to have a birthday for someone who is no longer there...
Then, my thoughts wander back to Christmas: The greatest birthday party ever celebrated; A party that has lasted for over 2,000 years. And, no matter how many people try to distract us from this celebration every year, the holiday has continued to grow and spread.
Christmas: The birthday of a man who came to earth, placed in a manger because there was no crib for him, who grew up and became one of the greatest men the face of the earth has ever seen or heard of. He was God's son, through and through. He taught love, Godly obedience, mercy, forgiveness and hope. Then, as humbly as he was brought into the world, he died being nailed painfully to a cross, with a crown of thorns on his head. His last words, before announcing that his job was finished were, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."
And today, we celebrate His birth. We celebrate it, not because He was born, but because He existed -- then, and now. He is alive. His life is celebrated, not His birth -- just as OUR life is celebrated with each birthday that rolls around. At the end of our lives, our birthday parties are not celebrated. But, at the end of his visit to earth, HIS life was just beginning. Today, we see Him in every good thing that exists. And, on Christmas, we remember the sacrifices He made so we could, and we celebrate.
This Christmas, I pray that when you look back on your lives, and build memories with your families, you are able to see what the celebration is all about, and that you take as many moments possible to stop and Praise Him, because HE is what Christmas is all about.
So, let us all celebrate -- not just on Christmas Day, but on every day that leads us to it, and every day thereafter. And, on Christmas, let's all throw the best party we can in His honor!
Shonda Ponder
Friday, November 28, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
What I am Thankful for This Year:
It's not Thanksgiving Day yet, but I would like to say what I am most thankful for this year.
This year I started my job at Wadley Hospital. Here, in Texarkana, I can't think of a better place to work. I love my job, the benefits, and the people I work with every day, including the patients and the doctors and nurses. I am SO thankful, because God has placed me where I am, and it's ten times better than where I have ever been. I consider it my "retirement job" (if they will have me that long, and if my health holds out).
I am thankful that I made the decision to stay single, and that I am not with who I was with last Thanksgiving. My life, this year has been SOOOO peaceful, and I feel ten times more safe and secure with God as my husband and best friend.
I am thankful for my family, who I know I can lean on in hard times, and who shower me with blessings every time I am with them, just because they are there and they are who they are. I love and cherish each and every one of them, and the relationship I have with all of them.
I am thankful for my baby dog, Milo. He has brought me so much love, laughter, and companionship. God knew what He was doing when He sent Milo to me. I don't know how I would get along without him. He gives me a reason to come home every day, and has a very stabilizing effect on my everyday life. I love him so.
Finally, I thank God for all of you. You guys (and gals) have given me freedom from boredom, and a reason to keep going. You encourage me, inspire me, and bring out the best in me when the worst is just around the corner. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys to focus on for information, laughter, tears and just plain life. I never have to leave home to be with all of you (although it's nice to get out once in a while). I love each and every one of you, and look forward to praying for each of you as the occasion allows.
I hope you all have a very special Thanksgiving and have at least as many blessings as I have found I have this Thanksgiving!
Thank you!
This year I started my job at Wadley Hospital. Here, in Texarkana, I can't think of a better place to work. I love my job, the benefits, and the people I work with every day, including the patients and the doctors and nurses. I am SO thankful, because God has placed me where I am, and it's ten times better than where I have ever been. I consider it my "retirement job" (if they will have me that long, and if my health holds out).
I am thankful that I made the decision to stay single, and that I am not with who I was with last Thanksgiving. My life, this year has been SOOOO peaceful, and I feel ten times more safe and secure with God as my husband and best friend.
I am thankful for my family, who I know I can lean on in hard times, and who shower me with blessings every time I am with them, just because they are there and they are who they are. I love and cherish each and every one of them, and the relationship I have with all of them.
I am thankful for my baby dog, Milo. He has brought me so much love, laughter, and companionship. God knew what He was doing when He sent Milo to me. I don't know how I would get along without him. He gives me a reason to come home every day, and has a very stabilizing effect on my everyday life. I love him so.
Finally, I thank God for all of you. You guys (and gals) have given me freedom from boredom, and a reason to keep going. You encourage me, inspire me, and bring out the best in me when the worst is just around the corner. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys to focus on for information, laughter, tears and just plain life. I never have to leave home to be with all of you (although it's nice to get out once in a while). I love each and every one of you, and look forward to praying for each of you as the occasion allows.
I hope you all have a very special Thanksgiving and have at least as many blessings as I have found I have this Thanksgiving!
Thank you!
Monday, November 03, 2014
Are looks really a factor in this election?
by Shonda Ponder
November 3, 2014
The "Harkin commenting about Ernst's looks and how she responds" is the thing I hate about elections. Can't we stick to the issues? Who cares if someone says you are or are not attractive? And, the point I see in this is that Democrats are sick in the head to think that it is okay to refer to looks as being a commendation for anything. To me, as a woman (if you want to get on that "war on women thing", that is the WRONG thing to be focusing on when it comes to intelligent voting.
I compare it to dating. A single woman goes out to have a good time. There she meets a single (or otherwise) male who may want to get to know her better. A smart man would take stock of himself before approaching her if he thought she was worth it; which, too many times, depends on what he is after. What he is after determines whether or not she should (or will) accept.
Now, if he wants a temporary "fix" that might later lead to drama and heartache, he will say something like, "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life!" This will automatically raise flags for a smart woman because once he gets to know her, he may feel intimidated by her intelligence, expect less of her than she expects of herself, and try to keep her from ever growing beyond what he can see her as. Not good for a relationship.
If, however, he is looking for something better, he might strike up a conversation with her by saying something like, "I totally believe Obama is clearly misguided about women's values when it comes to staying home with their children. He makes it sound as if women shouldn't WANT to do that, and that he'd like to take that choice away from women if he could."
This challenges her to respond with what she really thinks, and I believe if a man is smart enough to start a conversation off like that, he's smart enough to know by her response whether she is worth taking out on a date. Furthermore, such a woman who has her priorities above her looks is smart enough to decide by his opening statement whether she even wants to engage in morally supporting a man who is willing to speak on what he believes.
Democrats who think women care about looks are perpetuating the war on women by using such abusive verbal attacks that are focused on making them feel insecure in their campaigns. If they really cared about women, they'd start asking women what THEY want. And Republicans who respond to it certainly have lost focus of their priorities.
November 3, 2014
The "Harkin commenting about Ernst's looks and how she responds" is the thing I hate about elections. Can't we stick to the issues? Who cares if someone says you are or are not attractive? And, the point I see in this is that Democrats are sick in the head to think that it is okay to refer to looks as being a commendation for anything. To me, as a woman (if you want to get on that "war on women thing", that is the WRONG thing to be focusing on when it comes to intelligent voting.
I compare it to dating. A single woman goes out to have a good time. There she meets a single (or otherwise) male who may want to get to know her better. A smart man would take stock of himself before approaching her if he thought she was worth it; which, too many times, depends on what he is after. What he is after determines whether or not she should (or will) accept.
Now, if he wants a temporary "fix" that might later lead to drama and heartache, he will say something like, "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life!" This will automatically raise flags for a smart woman because once he gets to know her, he may feel intimidated by her intelligence, expect less of her than she expects of herself, and try to keep her from ever growing beyond what he can see her as. Not good for a relationship.
If, however, he is looking for something better, he might strike up a conversation with her by saying something like, "I totally believe Obama is clearly misguided about women's values when it comes to staying home with their children. He makes it sound as if women shouldn't WANT to do that, and that he'd like to take that choice away from women if he could."
This challenges her to respond with what she really thinks, and I believe if a man is smart enough to start a conversation off like that, he's smart enough to know by her response whether she is worth taking out on a date. Furthermore, such a woman who has her priorities above her looks is smart enough to decide by his opening statement whether she even wants to engage in morally supporting a man who is willing to speak on what he believes.
Democrats who think women care about looks are perpetuating the war on women by using such abusive verbal attacks that are focused on making them feel insecure in their campaigns. If they really cared about women, they'd start asking women what THEY want. And Republicans who respond to it certainly have lost focus of their priorities.
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