Tag-Archive for ◊ Christmas ◊

Twas The Night Before Jesus Came!
Author: Judy Conway
•

This time of the year when we, as Christians, think about the birth of Christ I hope throughout the upcoming year we will take it one step further and think about whether we are ready for His return. Below is a revised version of “Twas The Night Before Christmas” .

‘Twas The Night Before Jesus Came’
written by Unknown Author

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “it’s not here” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

The song below sung by DC Talk is one that I have also loved and it does cause one to think.


I hope that you and your family have a beautiful Christmas. May it be one where we all look at others through the eyes of Christ and share his love, not just on Christmas, but throughout the year. We have so very much to be grateful for. Jesus was born into this world to be an example to us and to die for us. What a true gift He was. This should fill our hearts with much joy.

Blessings,

Judy

Category: Children, Christian, Christmas, family, Helpful Hints, holidays, Inspirational  | Tags: , , ,  | Leave a Comment
Where’s The Line To See Jesus?
Author: Judy Conway
•

I received the link for this awesome song in an email this morning and just had to share it.  I am including below the story behind the creation of this song and I hope you enjoy it.

About the Song

“While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, “where’s the line to see Jesus”?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus.

My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus… with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville … still no response.

Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD’s, iTunes, anything… we had nothin’.

After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring… this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs… the real deal….. and here we are today.

Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together…. remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults cannot understand. Hopefully Spencer’s observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone.”

I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas and that 2011 will be a prosperous year filled with all your favorite things.

Judy

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Are You Sharing The True Meaning Of Christmas?
Author: Judy Conway
•

This time of the year can be one of great excitement, joy or depression.  It all depends on what is happening in your life.  Are you sharing the true meaning of Christmas?

To people who do not have financial worries this time of the year is truly joyous.  It is a wonderful feeling going to the stores and looking for gifts for your family and friends.  It is a great feeling to pull out your list and checking it twice of all the notes for what people in your life have mentioned they would  “love to have” throughout the year.  Your smile widens at the thought of them opening your gift.

But, there are those people who are wondering if they are going to be able to make their next mortgage payment and how they are going to buy food to feed their children or themselves.  This can really cause depression at this time of the year.  I personally know how it feels not to be able to buy gifts for the people I love.  You can come through the month of December feeling like a failure and very, very sad.

Maybe you have experienced dealing with a less than congenial sales person or cashier.  Instead of rewarding their less than appropriate attitude with one of indifference I end up asking myself what could be going on in their life.  Are they feeling badly watching all the money that is being spent and wishing they only had maybe twenty dollars that they could spend on a gift for their spouse or child?  Cashiers in grocery stores may be wishing they could afford to buy the makings of a traditional Christmas dinner.

Even if you are in the position of not have enough money to splurge on Christmas with the gifts and all the decorations, I am sure you can find something to be thankful for.   Healthy children, a spouse that loves you and is by your side, a job, or even a part-time job …. These are just a few blessings.

I can remember one year after I was divorced that I did not have money to buy my girls Christmas gifts.  They “needed” new nightgowns and that was the only gift I could wrap and put under the tree.  In addition to the wrapped nightgowns under the tree, I sat down and wrote each of my daughters a note telling them how much I loved them and how important they were to me.  I told them that I was sorry I could not give them more but I was giving them the greatest gift I had … ALL of my love!  And I hung the notes on the Christmas tree.

So as you are going through this hectic time I hope you will try to have compassion for the less fortunate people around you.  And for people you don’t know an outstretched hand, hug or simple Merry Christmas could do a great deal to lift that feeling of depression.

Many years ago I wrote the following and every year around this time I like to share it.  I hope you will take a few minutes from your busy schedule to read it.

The title is, “The Greatest Gift”.

As the last faint sounds of Christmas carols fade off in the distance, and the water begins to chill around your ankles as you soak your aching feet …. What will you really recall about Christmas?  What was the greatest gift?

I honestly believe that if a poll was taken as to the true meaning of Christmas, “receiving/buying gifts” and “Santa Claus” would rank as the most often answered.

Will a smile of love and appreciation cross our faces in the midst of scurrying around to find a bigger and better present for sister Sally than what brother Joe will give her; hunting down the fullest and tallest tree, and decorating our dwellings.  Will we remember the real purpose of this Holiday Season, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?  Will we stop to ponder about that baby in the manger and how His life and death has brought meaning to our lives?  His life was an example of the way we are to live.  He loved us so very much that He was obedient to the end, even unto death on a cross.

We seem to get so caught up in the materialistic outlook of life we lose touch with the most important gift we have to give, not only at Christmas, but every day of our lives.  That gift is the gift of love.  Not love as the world knows it, but as Jesus Christ lived it.  Instead of, or in addition to, decorating the outside of our dwellings, we should decorate the inside of our “temples”.  We should take Christmas out of our pocketbooks and put it back in our hearts!

Reach out and help that one person others may look at as repulsive.  Maybe before the economy took the dive it did that person was a corporate CEO.  Take a minute and ask yourself, “Are you sharing the true meaning of Christmas?”

I wish your and your family a blessed Christmas,

Judy

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You CAN Lose Weight in 2010! Even if You Have Metabolism B
Author: Judy Conway
•

 

Okay, we have launched another year.  As with past years, my on-going resolution is that I am going to get fit and lose weight this year.  I am sure I am not alone in this mindset.

For those of you who have been following my blog since I stated the Metabolism Miracle program on November 9th, 2009 here is an update.

December is a month of celebration for me.  My two daughters and four of my five grandchildren have birthdays in December.  Not to mention Christmas dinner parties, New Year’s Eve and all the epicurean delights along the way.

I usually come out of the holidays gaining at least 10 pounds.  However, this year I tried to stay on my Metabolism Miracle eating program as closely as possible, and today weighed in only gaining 3 pounds.  I was relieved to say the least.  So even with the stress, and bad food choices, I am still 12 pounds less than I was on November 9th.

As a result of diverting from the program more than once or twice, I have chosen to start from day one, thus repeating Step One.  I am excited about the continued progress and look forward to reaching my goal weight.

I can honestly say that while on the Metabolism Miracle program I do not feel deprived or hungry in the least.  I do have the following suggestions for anyone starting this or any other weight loss program:

  • Check with your doctor first.  Get your lab work done so you will have a starting point for all of your criteria. It is truly an encouragement to see the improvement from one time to another.
  • Make sure your kitchen and food pantry are totally ready for your success.  If you cannot resist opening a package of cookies or other foods not allowed on your program….get rid of them.  Don’t set yourself up to fail before you even begin.
  • On a similar note, make a list of foods that you can have.  Stock your cupboards and refrigerator with these items.  That way you will not be tempted to eat things that will defeat your purpose.
  • The Metabolism Miracle has some great recipes.  One is for delectable muffins.  I look forward at the end of the day to sitting down with a cup of coffee and a chocolate brownie muffin.  Hard to believe this is an allowed food.
  • Plan ahead.  If you have not planned out your day’s menus you could possibly find yourself resorting to eating more than you are allowed, or something that you should not be eating at all.
  • Remember eating healthy is not any more difficult than eating poorly and look at all you have to gain (really lose!) from making the right choices.
  • It helps to have a “buddy” you can check in with and share your progress.  I have a friend who has just started the same program I am doing and we will continue to encourage each other along the way. It definitely helps to be accountable to someone else.

Be sure to fit exercising into your day.  I know how you feel.  I used to think, “And just when am I supposed to do that?”  I am using the Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds program and it takes thirty minutes to walk two miles and do the stretchy bands for toning.  This includes your stretching, beginning and ending.  Just think about it.  Isn’t your health worth 30 minutes?  You will feel so much better.

If you have a day, or two, that you stray from the  weight loss program you are on, the most important thing to remember is …. DO NOT GIVE UP!!  Start right back on the program.  The longer you wait to do this the harder it will be to get back to basics.

My “Aha” moment was in thinking that I needed to lose weight and get healthy.  I want to be around to enjoy my grandchildren, watch them grow and have families of their own, and most definitely enjoy my daughters and their spouses.  I do not want to be a burden in my “golden” years.  It all boils down to my making the right choices.

Remember … nothing tastes as good as thin!!

Blessings and success with your weight loss program,

Judy Conway

Email:  judyconwaymarketing@gmail.com

Skype ID: judy.conway

http://jconway.gogvo.com

 

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Are You Too Busy to be Thankful?
Author: Judy Conway
•

This is an extremely busy time of the year for everyone. It seems every December I feel I should have started the previous January so that I will have everything done on time! Of course that sounds utterly ridiculous. But in fact when you are like me and enjoy showing your love and appreciation for others in special homemade gifts at least starting planning for the projects you want to complete and setting up a schedule for completetion makes perfect sense.

The month of December is a month that is full of joy and activity for me. I am not only getting Christmas cards out in the mail to keep in touch with special people that have touched my life, but also celebrating six birthdays. Both of my daughter’s were born in December, and four of my five grandchildren have birthdays in December. One really needs to stay focused with this type of schedule.

I was just thinking how sometimes we get so caught up in all we have to do that we miss the sheer joy of the season. Every year I have a dear friend that opens her home for an annual Christmas dinner get together for three of her friends. We may go the entire year without seeing each other, but that friendship is still there waiting to be rekindled at Christmas time. That is truly when you know you have a good friend. You just pick up where you left off and it seems like no time at all has elapsed since you were last together. I am very thankful for these friends.

With technology as it is, we communicate more regularly by emails. Telephone calls are not even as frequent as they used to be. Think back to many years ago when dropping by a friend’s home to check on them and share a cup of coffee or tea and discuss what was going on in your life used to be the thing to do. Now we get on the computer and shoot an email. I have a very wise friend who doesn’t like communicating via an email. He told me once, “I don’t really know how Judy is feeling by reading an email. I can’t sense the emotion.” How very true. As it has been said, we get so caught up with high tech activities we fail to use the high touch things we used to do.

This plays a big part with those who are involved with internet marketing. People are more apt to hit the “delete” key when you are trying to share an opportunity, than if you gave them a call and personally told them about the opportunity you feel might be helpful to them. That is not to say that both methods can not be use together.

We are so busy we forget to look around at the beauty and blessings we have in our lives. I hope that you will take a deep breath and do just that …take a deep breath and look at all you you have in your life. With the economy the way it is, we all have suffered losses of one kind or another. But if we look around we will discover we really have a lot to be thankful for.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a New Year that will allow us to open our eyes and hearts to what is going on around us. We are truly blessed!

Blessings,

Judy Conway
Skype ID: judy.conway
Email: judyconwaymarketing@gmail.com

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What do Holidays mean to you?
Author: Judy Conway
•

Holidays are just around the corner. What do holidays mean to you? They all mean something different to each of us. Before we are caught up in the chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas let us all take a deep breath, sit and take a quiet moment to search our hearts and decide what these special days mean to us.

We all have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The God who sits on the throne of our hearts, our families, loved ones, friends, the lives of our people in the military service, and the list goes on. It means more than turkey, all the trimmings and Grandma’s favorite pumpkin pie.

Remember those who have lost their lives for our freedom and have left families and loved ones with memories of their lives. There are those who have lost their jobs or encountered financial difficulties. A meager turkey sandwich, or no meal at all could be their meal of celebration. These people will be thankful just for having survived another day. As we give thanks let us keep each other in our prayers. Reach out to those in need. Think of ways we can bear one another’s burdens.

Now on to Christmas. With economic conditions as they are this is going to be a very stressful time for many. I hope the following will give some encouragement. This piece was written many years ago during a very difficult time in my life. I had been divorced after 12 years of marriage when my husband chose a different lifestyle, lacking financial support and feeding my 2 children on $10.00 a week. By the grace of God I am here today to help others in whatever way I can. I am recently retired and can’t financially help others, but I can be that gentle touch, or caring shoulder to cry on and show them that they are loved, not only by me, but by Jesus.

THE GREATEST GIFT

As the last faint sounds of Christmas carols fade off in the distance, and the water begins to chill around your ankles as you soak your aching feet …. What will you really recall about Christmas? What was the greatest gift?

I honestly believe that if a poll was taken as to the true meaning of Christmas, “receiving/buying gifts” and “Santa Claus” would rank as the most often answered.

Will a smile of love and appreciation cross our faces in the midst of scurrying around to find a bigger and better present for sister Sally than what brother Joe will give her; hunting down the fullest and tallest tree, and decorating our dwellings. Will we remember the real purpose of this Holiday Season, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Will we stop to ponder about that baby in the manger and how His life and death has brought meaning to our lives? His life was an example of the way we are to live. He loved us so very much that He was obedient to the end, even unto death on a cross.

We seem to get so caught up in the materialistic outlook of life we lose touch with the most important gift we have to give, not only at Christmas, but every day of our lives. That gift is the gift of love. Not love as the world knows it, but as Jesus Christ lived it. Instead of, or in addition to, decorating the outside of our dwellings, we should decorate the inside of our “temples”. We should take Christmas out of our pocketbooks and put it back in our hearts!

Have a blessed Holiday and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season! ~~~

You are loved for the person you are and your love for others. Especially during these hard times you don’t have to “buy” your way into someone’s heart and wonder how you are going to pay your credit card bills. True love cannot be bought!

I hope that you will have a blessed holiday season. A loving hug or a special phone call will mean so very much to the people whose lives you have touched. You are a special person who is loved without a present in your hands.

Happy Holidays!

Judy Conway
Skype ID: judy.conway
http://joinjudyconway.com/make-money-with-foreclosure-cleanouts.html

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What is Your Approach to Christmas?
Author: Judy Conway
•

 

With the economy the way it is, a lot of people are taking a very different approach to Christmas this year.  If you don’t want to start 2009 out further in debt, you are probably setting new priorities when comes to buying Christmas Presents.

 

Just because you don’t have “extra” money to buy gifts don’t bailout on true Christmas Spirit.  “I love you” doesn’t have to be wrapped and put under the tree.  This feeling comes from the heart.

 

Please take a moment to read “The Greatest Gift” at http://www.judyconway.com/2008/11/.

 

Just remember you already have The Greatest Gift.  It is free to you….for the asking

 

I wish you a stress-free Holiday Season and a heart filled with Love!

 

Judy

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Your Children’s Understanding of the Economic Bailout
Author: Judy Conway
•

There is so much in the news nowadays about the economic bailout situation in our country.  How can our young people not hear about it and wonder how it affects them?  I am sure there are many parents wondering exactly how much information they need to share with their children, especially concerning their personal financial situation.  I hope that what I have to say will shed some light on that issue and also help with the guilt that I know parents are feeling at not being able to give their kids all the want.

 

I remember a time in my life that I was suffering from hard personal economic problems.  My girls were 11 and 12 years old.  I was recently divorced and a struggling single mom.  Financially, we did not have much.  It was in 1981 and granted things were a little less expensive.  We lived in southern Florida.  I became a pro at feeding my girls on $10.00 a week.  Although we did not have money in our pockets we had a lot of love in our hearts.  We were blessed to have found an awesome church family at the First Christian Church of Boca Raton.  The first time I walked into that church my thought was, “These people really love one another.”  They reached out to me and my girls and truly showed us the love of Christ.  I am forever grateful to this family of friends.

 

When Christmas came I just didn’t have any money for gifts.  The girls needed new nightgowns so those were more of a necessity than a gift.  I felt so very sad.  My children had been through a lot.  Divorce is not easy on the spouses, but it is very difficult on the children as well.  Christmas Eve I wrapped the nightgowns and put them under the tree.  I sat down with a very heavy heart and cried.  Why is it when we can’t “buy” things for our children we feel like failures?

 

As I sat there that night I wrote my girls notes that ended up being my true Christmas gifts to them.  Sometimes, as parents, we try to hide our feelings from our children.  Don’t under estimate their ability to understand.  I found that with being “real” with my girls we were very close and shared each other’s burdens.  My notes simply, but sincerely, told them how much I truly loved them and was there for them.  I expressed my sadness for not being able to buy them lots of gifts…but I did give them the greatest gift I had to offer….My Love!!

 

The nightgowns were a hit but let me tell you the notes ended up being very special gifts.  I was never afraid to say, “I’m sorry”, “I made a mistake”, or most importantly, “I love you” to my girls.  There were times when the stress of a day caused me to lose my temper and composure and I would find myself sitting on the bottom of their beds tearfully apologizing.  I used to say, “When you came into this world, God did not have instructions tied on your toes!”  I was the first to admit, I was not perfect, and I made mistakes.

 

I hope that you will find in this financially difficult time of the year that you can be honest with your children.  Simple joy will benefit us all more than beginning 2009 in debt and facing a personal economic bailout.  They can handle a lot more than you think and in the long run you will draw closer together and be able to share the best gift you can give each other….the love in your heart.

 

I truly wish you hearts filled with love, an awesome Christmas and a 2009 that will be filled with lots of “Aha” joyful moments.

 

Blessings,

 

Judy Conway

 

This post was written on December 13, 2008

 

Save money on what you are already doing!

 

$200 Per Day Blueprint

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A Few Memories Remembered …..
Author: Judy Conway
•

At this time of the year I always remember something I wrote many years ago.  Its content applies today and is just as important.

 

I would like to share this with you.  The title is, “The Greatest Gift”.

 

 

As the last faint sounds of Christmas carols fade off in the distance, and the water begins to chill around your ankles as you soak your aching feet …. What will you really recall about Christmas?  What was the greatest gift?

 

I honestly believe that if a poll was taken as to the true meaning of Christmas, “receiving/buying gifts” and “Santa Claus” would rank as the most often answered.

Will a smile of love and appreciation cross our faces in the midst of scurrying around to find a bigger and better present for sister Sally than what brother Joe will give her; hunting down the fullest and tallest tree, and decorating our dwellings.  Will we remember the real purpose of this Holiday Season, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?  Will we stop to ponder about that baby in the manger and how His life and death has brought meaning to our lives?  His life was an example of the way we are to live.  He loved us so very much that He was obedient to the end, even unto death on a cross.

We seem to get so caught up in the materialistic outlook of life we lose touch with the most important gift we have to give, not only at Christmas, but every day of our lives.  That gift is the gift of love.  Not love as the world knows it, but as Jesus Christ lived it.  Instead of, or in addition to, decorating the outside of our dwellings, we should decorate the inside of our “temples”.  We should take Christmas out of our pocketbooks and put it back in our hearts!

Have a blessed Holiday and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season!

 

I enjoy being able to shop when I want to and even do it in my PJ’s in the comfort of my home!  This helps reduce the threat of impulse buying.

 

A true gift this Christmas is Acquire Benefits Group.  It is taking the internet by storm.  They have amazing benefits and over 1800 Online stores where you can shop and get up to 20% cash back on your purchases, or print out coupons for your local retail establishments. This company helps save money on what we are already doing and make money helping others save.  This membership would be a welcomed gift for those less fortunate wanting to save money.  During our current economic condition this is something we all need.

 

So as you are out there amidst the crowds of people trying to find the bargains, and nicest gifts remember what Christmas is really all about.  A simple hug or warm touch can be a greater gift than what money could ever buy.

This post is written by Judy Conway                   

on November 28, 2008

http://www.200blueprint.com/r/judyconway/lcpage1.html

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