Christmas: Always On My Mind.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  ... Romans 12:2

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I can't decorate this dining area for Christmas because, to me, it's already decorated as festively as I wish. Already my house, each day, is decorated for Christmas, what with the long green wall and the red couch, door and grandfather clock. Throw in this glowy scene, above, (shining brighter in Winter after the leaves fluttered down) and the Jesus of my heart who nudges me to spread joy to others, and well, I've got Christmas year-around.

One added bauble, I feel lately, will tip the whole house into clutter mode.

Also, Tom keeps asking me for a Christmas list, something more than just an amazon.com gift card (love those), but seriously, until yesterday I couldn't think of a single thing I wanted. What happened yesterday? Good ol' Pat tempted me at Facebook with these knitted headbands: 

Naughty Pat for spreading temptation. heh.

But seriously? This year I feel that God, Tom and Naomi have already given me every hold-in-your-hand-or-go-anywhere thing I ever really wanted. 

Truly. My personal Christmas list is so empty, it's echo-y.

I even--get this--have stopped wishing for a dreamier house. Yes, for weeks I've been addressing my personal 'house issues' (y'all know I have them) and coming to terms, to peace, with just enjoying stepping through  'Blondie houses' or unchanged 1940's cottages (opened for estate sales) without craving one for my own. Allowing my head to only snatch ideas I can copy, to be happy for the families who lived there ... and to walk away without lust angst. 

You know, disciplining my mind to only go where God leads it and to want only what He wants for me. 

Wandering farther from those two points, only leads me to disappointment, complaining and self-inflicted sadness--all brought on by my own undisciplined mind. Blaming others would not be truth.

This whole post may sound trivial (not to mention confusing), but to me it's all huge. Disciplining ones mind always is.

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"But the fruit of the spirit is ....... self-control."   ... Galations 5:22

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“Why is discipline important? Discipline teaches us to operate by principle rather than desire. Saying no to our impulses (even the ones that are not inherently sinful) puts us in control of our appetites rather than vice versa. It deposes our lust and permits truth, virtue, and integrity to rule our minds instead.” 
― John MacArthur

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Speaking of vintage houses, my all-time favorite comedy series is The Dick Van Dyke Show and here are a couple color photos from the house set:

 

(That one was colorized, for I've seen other photos where the furniture, etc., didn't really 'match' at all, but was used solely because the shades in black and white looked right. So, of course, I shared this one since it looks much nicer.)

 

 

 

 

LOVE all the turquoise!

 

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Non-Shoe-People Might Get This

"Be it unto you even as you have believed..."


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So Tom's company's silly fancy Christmas party is looming nearer and I needed a pair of black dress shoes to wear.

Some women are Shoe People. You know, give-me-shelves-and-shelves-of-shoes-lest-I-die people.

I am so not one of those women (but I do get that way about books. er hem.)

Most years I own only these shoes:

1 pair walking shoes (and a back-up pair (or two) in case they crumble)
1 pair of shoes for the supermarket, estate sales, the dentist, etc.
1 pair dress shoes for special occasions (ones which usually pinch my feet and bring me dangerously close to swearing or crying or both).

Well. Somehow I managed to own no dress shoes this year so I thought I might order some online. Gah. Have you ever tried to do that? I'd spy a cute, these-might-be-comfortable! pair and then read the comments about them:

"These shoes run a half-size larger so order them smaller."
"These shoes run a half-size smaller so order them larger."
"These shoes look cheap in real life."
"These shoes look terrific for the small amount I paid."
"I love these shoes."
"I hated these shoes and sent them back."

And that helps how?

So I gave-up that idea and considered buying new shoes from our town's shoe store. I found their website, perused their inventory and prices and I knew. I knew I'd only pay that much for dress shoes if good ol' Salvation Army had none to offer, first.

I mean, it's weird. Tom and I are doing better financially than ever before, but I still didn't want to spend $30 on shoes and not because of a fear of future lack (or whatever). I. Just. Didn't. Want. To. Spend. That. Much.

Which showed me that no matter how much money we have, I'll always be a cheapskate.

Anyway, there I was fighting dread again. You know, about not wanting to shop at Salvation Army on a Saturday morning (which I could be spending with Tom) possibly not finding shoes there and then needing to brave the wild-eyed December crowds at a real shoe store. (Not to mention doing battle against dreading the fancy, schmancy party.)

But Saturday came (as it will) and I drove to S.A. with anticipation and Grace in the car and what did we find there? Three pair of black dress shoes which fit me wonderfully--all together for half the price of one new pair. (Yes, I bought three. Call it a thinking ahead type of extravagance.) 

Plus, I discovered a vintage copy of Henry Huggins, the only book missing from my collection of that series. Oh, and a pretty sweater top. Plus, I even had a pleasant time (gasp!).

Note to self again: stop dreading things. Even a tad. Dread is a misuse (dare I say abuse?) of the imagination and spoils days and whole weeks. Instead, expect great things and good times (with God beside you) and you will much more likely find them.

And that's the end of this shoe story.

 

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"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."   ... Romans 5:13

 

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"Earth's crammed with heaven,
                And every common bush afire with God;
                But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
                The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,
                And daub their natural faces unaware."

.... Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,

And daub their natural faces unaware.

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING, Aurora Leigh

Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/b/browning_elizabeth_barrett.html#k08ZgMQAcx4pQ6bM.99

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,

And daub their natural faces unaware.

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING, Aurora Leigh

Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/b/browning_elizabeth_barrett.html#k08ZgMQAcx4pQ6bM.99

Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/elizabeth_barrett_brownin.html#btayvoIxxss8O1kT.99

Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/shoes.html#fWpjKWlOTuThgSFm.99

Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/shoes.html#fWpjKWlOTuThgSFm.99

Seeing God. Everywhere.

"Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the Lord."   ... Jeremiah 23:24


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Remember how that Haley Joel kid said, "I see dead people"? Well, I see God. Everywhere. Been seeing Him pretty clearly for years, in fact...

... when a singer blows me away, I see the God who placed that marvelous voice within him/her.

... when an actor is so real in his part that I must convince my mind that he isn't that character, only playing him, I'm glimpsing the God of all talents.

... when I hear outstanding police officers, chefs, doctors, janitors, teachers or campground managers say they bounce out of bed because they love their jobs or when people live steady and joyful, not shaky and bummed-out,  I see God there.

... when gymnasts, ice skaters or dare devils perform impossible moves, when excellent parents raise excellent kids, when love motivates sacrifice and when the sinking sun turns a blue sky an intense orange, instead ...

... when words in a book are so beautiful that I must read them again, when I glimpse buildings or bridges with amazing lines, when I walk past imaginative yards and huge country gardens which make me gasp, well, I see God there, also.

... His hands, imagination, talents, power, ability and smiles.

Seeing dead people? Eh. I guess that might be something unique. But seeing God everywhere? Spending entire days with Him, my eyes watching Him? That's even more incredible, at least to me.

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"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."  2 Chronicles 16:9   (Oy! I think that's my new favorite verse.)


"And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."  ... Isaiah 6:3


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In times of trouble, people ask, "Where's God?". I would say He's still everywhere and those who seek Him with all their hearts, find Him.... as Jeremiah 29:13 has always stated.