Simple Abundance

My friend, Andrea from NY, posted a beautiful blog entry last week honoring her grandmother who died recently... A story of simple abundance, joy, and beauty. I invite you to visit her blog today and read this beautiful tribute - and then think of all the ways you live in abundance as well!

Thanks, Andrea!

PS: The give-a-way ends at noon today!

Simply Give

Here's some easy things to do or "give away" this year - in order to spread the holiday spirit!

*Hold a door for someone

*Give thanks

*Write a letter

*Say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" to a stranger

*Forgive

*Make a joyful noise!

*Do a secret good deed

*Give someone a hug

*Take some of your good stuff to Goodwill

*Invite someone to dinner

*Tie up a loose end

*Tip generously!

*Pray for our soldiers

*Really listen

*Smile

*Give something away - without telling anyone!

*Be a comfort

*Spend time with the elderly

*Get to know your neighbor

*Buy a cup of coffee for a stranger

Just a few ideas... more to come! (Do you have any?)

Be sure to check out our Christmas give-a-way!

Sunday at SPUMC - Dec. 6th

Today was another festive and wonderful day at St. Paul's UMC!

During the Education Hour:
*The Children talked about recognizing the people you love by doing something to show them! And they are preparing for their FABULOUS Christmas performance - Dec. 20th during worship!
*The Confirmation youth explored some of the prophecies of the coming Messiah (and had fun playing some Advent games!)
*Our Study Group is discussing the "Advent Conspiracy" - a book that challenges us in our spending during the holidays... Can we spare buying one more gift, and instead give to someone who has greater needs?
*The Wired Word discussed the White House party crashers and what it means to be offered admittance... into Heaven, too!

Worship focused around the "scandalous" relatives of Jesus - and how comforting it is to know, if these are Jesus' family, then we must have a place at the table, too! Jeanette and her girls lit the Advent wreath like old pros. We sang some great Advent carols. Communion was served as the bells played beautiful music!
And "Yes" and "No" bills were handed out! These are meant to be "spent" this week - say "yes" only when it feeds your soul, and "no" when it's just one. more. thing.... You can make the choice to make this season holy!

After church, we had a lovely fellowship hour with yummy cakes and cookies; and the 2nd-6th graders headed out for some bowling!

A great day!

Remember to check out our Give-a-way! There's several ways to enter!

Serving Others

"The capacity for caring illuminates any relationship. The more people you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you are."

--Anonymous

On Sunday, we talked about the "overlooked" family members in the Christmas story... But what about the "overlooked" in today's story? Who are the people you pass by everyday - unnoticed, unseen, and unheard?

Is it the homeless man at the door to the grocery store? Is it the lady cleaning the bathrooms at the airport? Is it a family member that is struggling with life? Is it an old friend that has gone a different direction... and has become lost?

When I think of the overlooked in my own life, I wonder what I could be doing this holiday season to make sure they know they are loved - by me, but more importantly, by God.

What ideas do you have? What is one simple thing we can do to reach the overlooked with love and compassion this Christmas season?

A Month of Simplicity

"Half the joy of life is in little things taken on the run. Let us run if we must... but let us keep our hearts young and our eyes open that nothing worth our while shall escape us. And everything is worth its while if we only grasp it and its significance."
--Victor Cherbuliez

As I've been looking at my own schedule and list of things to do for this busy time of year... I feel I'm already failing on the "simplicity" challenge. I've decided to look at each engagement and obligation and decide - 1) do I WANT to do this? 2) do I NEED to do this? 3) how does this particular activity nurture my soul?

Most of my plans are already about family, friends, and fun homemade gifts! So now what?! How do you simplify further when you've already weeded out the things that don't need to be done and don't inspire or uplift your spirit?

When I'm overwhelmed and over-busy, I lose steam, lose joy, and lose appreciation for all that surrounds me - which is why I liked the quote above. "...Everything is worth its while if we can only grasp it..."

What have you noticed today that has made you stop, smile, and appreciate the season? Maybe part of simplifying is simply being aware of what is around us... even when we're off to something else!

So far today, I've noticed:
*one of my favorite ornaments on the tree lit up from the sun this morning
*a Jimmy Buffet Christmas song on the radio (that made me laugh)
*my little "Pause" gift on my desk that encouraged me to close my eyes and take a breath
*someone taking the time to drop off more presents for our Neighbor's collection
*some of my blogging friends doing tours of their Christmas decorations - and they all had Nativity Scenes!