Avoid the Hectic Activity of Christmas by Focusing on the King

Christmas with the Kranks

 Several years ago the movie Christmas with the Kranks, based on the book Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, revealed a humorous look at the hectic activities of Christmas and all that is involved in trying to keep up with the traditions and expectations of other people.  Luther and Nora Krank, played by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, are a couple who usually spend thousands of dollars on holiday decorations, cards, food, and parties. But this year Luther wants things to be different. He breaks the news to Nora that they are going to skip Christmas because their daughter, Brooke, is not coming home for the holidays. He produces cruise tickets to replace the yearly decorating frenzy.

Revolutionary Thanksgiving Proclamation

by Barbara Latta

On November 1, 1777, the Continental Congress made a Thanksgiving Proclamation. This was the first observance of a national day of giving thanks.The entire document can be read by clicking on the link below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

George Washington in prayer

Continental Congress Thanksgiving Proclamation

Withholding Thanks Hardens Hearts

by Barbara Latta

Self can become a god

One of the signs of the end times is being unthankful (2 Timothy 3:2). All one has to do is see a news report for a few minutes to know ingratitude and rudeness are prevalent in our society. The spirit pervading the air reeks of promoting and elevating self and selfish desires. Intelligence and technology have become a god and the “gimme” attitude has its hand out for more at the expense of others.

Build Bridges, Not Walls

by Barbara Latta

Bridges take us places and connect locations that otherwise would not be accessible. Emotional walls can close us to learning or receiving spiritual enlightenment; bridges keep us connected to God and open the path to fellowship with others. 

As a shy child, I had walls around me, but when I encountered the Holy Spirit, and through meditating on the Word of God, I became more open and bold. I am now more willing to talk to people and teach what I have learned.

How do you keep your bridges open?

Sidney Lanier Bridge
over the Brunswick River, Ga

Are Pieces of Regret Drifting from your Life?

by Barbara Latta

Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island, GA

Ocean waves slap against the shoreline, then recede, slap, recede, slap. Each time the foam leaves the sandy shore pieces of fallen trees, branches, and other debris are left lying in the sand. Bleached from the sun and dried from the salt water absorbed on the floating journey, driftwood finds a new home on the north end of Jekyll Island, Georgia. Aptly named Driftwood Beach this stretch of sand has become a tourist attraction and popular venue for weddings.

Salute to Veterans

by Barbara Latta

Today we honor those who have served our nation in the armed forces. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard we thank you for all the sacrifices made to keep our country safe and free.

I am proud to have a military legacy in my family. My husband, Ken, our two sons, Kenny and Jonathan; my father, Lloyd Watson, my grandfather, William Watson, and numerous uncles all served in various branches of the armed forces.

Take this opportunity to recognize a veteran who is close to you.

Sowing and Reaping

by Barbara Latta

Foggy beach at Jekyll
Island

This week Ken and I attended the Georgia HOG Rally on Jekyll Island with our friends, Russ and Cindy McGee. The trip was fun despite the fact that we were on an island off the coast of Georgia and didn’t see the sun until the day we left to go home. That’s OK because at least we did not get rained on.

Are You A Mighty Oak or A Falling Nut?

by Barbara Latta

When we stand against opposition, wrong thinking, and the urge to give up we will become like the mighty oaks with the strength to shelter others from the storm and we can provide seeds to plant into their lives. Or we can give up and remain a nut on the ground that gets washed away in the storm.

Napoleon Hill said, 

"The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and scorching sun." 

I recently had a request to write an article about a subject I knew little about. I almost turned the offer down because I thought I couldn't do it. After some research and learning, I wrote the piece which caused me to stretch my writing muscles and encouraged my confidence. Had I given up I would have missed an opportunity to grow.

What opportunities have come your way to make you grow like a mighty oak? 

Time Is Our Most Valuable Possession

by Barbara Latta

Time can't be bought with money

Spring forward, fall back. We gain an hour, we lose an hour. If you haven’t done it yet, today is the day. The day time is manipulated with the goal of …what? I’m not sure anymore, but I think when this was first instigated, it was supposed to save electricity by having more daylight hours available after people came home from work. If it were left up to me, the time would stay the same in the summer as in the winter. I wish we could just leave it alone.