I Want to Be Bedazzled

AMEN!!!! Beautifully written!

Dearest Cathe~

You wrote that so beautifully...I feel exactly the same way. It breaks my heart and even stirs up righteous rebellion in my spirit that the world keeps pushing materialism and extravagant spending, leaving Christ out of Christmas...even the word, Christmas, is almost obsolete, being replaced with "Happy Holidays," Jesus is weeping along with His sheep. Even some of our friends get caught up in the frenzy of "Holiday spending," and consumer guilt, feeling "less-than" if they don't spend a great deal of money on loved ones...it is almost as if the dollar amount is significant to the love in their hearts! Do we not remember that our Savior was born NOT in a mansion, or even a big, cozy home, but in a small, cave-like stable, surrounded by animals, and the only beauty was the love that shone in the eyes of Mary & Joseph, the shepherds, and the three kings...the star of Bethlehem, high in the sky, which led them to Love...

Thank you Cathe for the beautiful reminder of where our focus should be.
Jesus truly is the reason for the season.

Cathe,

This is beautifully spoken. Just the other day in church I was talking to some of the younger children about what Santa was going to be bringing them for Christmas. Even in the House of the Lord, we are so consumed with.... Well, consuming! Not once did I think that maybe what this child and many others for that matter may need more than anything this Christmas to be consumed with the light and love of the Lord, Jesus Christ- the Savior who brought to us a better gift than any I-pod touch or Espresso Machine...

Eternal life, with Him.

Thank you for this today, I will be praying that these reminders of the true gift do not leave my mind this Holiday season.

Blessings,
Jen Norris

Amen!!! Sister! He, Jesus, is my hearts desire. I am in love with my Lord, and His name is Jesus! But moreover, He is in love with me. The Lord bless you sister, and may your joy be complete in His presence.

Psalm 20:4
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 40:8
I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Well spoken! Exactly my sentiments! Thank you for expressing my heart (and others). I pray this will be a reminder to me Who we worship and adore. Who He really is!

What pearls of wisdom! I loved it.

Hi! Cathe,

I, too, want to receive this Christmas as a child with childlike wonder as I marvel at the fact that Jesus, the
Son of God came to US!!! This is the most amazing "story" of all. As I look at the Manger Scenes, I not only see Jesus lying there but I also see the shadow of the cross over him. How can anyone overlook this birth of Our Lord and Savior, God Himself, being born of a woman and placed in a manager, with all the stench and filth of the animals surrounding Him. In essence, this is the description of mankind and all our sins!!! Yes, we do need to sing songs of praise and worship even more so at this time of the season. God will always be in control and we should always be so humbled and thankful. GLORY ALLELUIA!!! TO THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!!! (John3:16 - the Perfect Gift of ALL times and seasons!!!)

Thank you so much Cathe, I can't tell you how your words touched my heart. I have sent it on to people that I care about. It summed up the Christmas season to me. As christians we are guilty of all of the above but we keep on striving to be closer to our beloved Jesus.
thank you.

I Love the email system especially when it sends me such a beautifully written article I received from you.
Yes, Christmas is a season filled with knowing that God's Son, Jesus, was born in a stable. Purpose of His birth? Salvation for all man kind. I am so thankful that I know the Real Reason for this marvelous day and season! "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"! "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Revelation 4:8

Awesome Cathe! Ever since I let Christ in my whole view of Christmas has changed to include him more in my thanks and giving. But you're post really put into perspective what is truly important. I have been giving the gift of prayer for a few days now & I have been honestly drawing a blank as to what to get my family & friends. Your post has directed me to a Christian bookstore that I love. A small token to remind them of the gift of Christ is more than enough. God Bless you, as always!

Amen! The glory be given to the almighty-our Lord Jesus Christ... May the love and glory of the Lord embrace each and every one of you. I have read all of the comments and let me tell you they have been a big blessing in my life.

Beautiful Cathe Love this~

Dear Cathe,

Thanks for reminding us of the gift of hope and eternal life. He will be forever in our hearts and we will be forever in his presence as he gave us an eternal home, with Him. Wow, a forever promise for a forever gift of relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. His love fills me to overflowing. Thanks again and keep on writing. Keep on investing in the relationships that Jesus has put in your midst. Fill the needs and then reach out to those who are seeking someone to cling to....only Jesus can fill that need. God is so Good. This is a glorious season, but there are still many lonely and broken souls who need the forever gift... Jesus Christ.
Mary

Thank you Cathe for reminding us about our Savior, Christ the Lord, who has come to us.

Some ask why Jesus' birth is so important? The reason is because slightly over 2,000 years ago, God stooped down from Heaven and became a human being: Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:14,NIV Think of it: God became a man! He did it because He loves us--and that's what we should celebrate as Christmas approaches. Take time between now and Christmas to reflect on this great truth. Thank you for your truthful words.

Dear Cathe,
Four days ago, after my morning praise and prayers, The Spirit of God reminded me that we sometimes have a tendency to enjoy celebrating Christmas by inviting friends over to enjoy eating and giving gifts, etc. so much that we neglect keeping Christ at the center of our lives.
But our Savior is only on our lips and not in our hearts. He wants to be invited into our hearts as our loving Lord and Savior. I have started sharing with my fellow Christian friends that this is what the Lord desires from us. The non-Christians will experience Him through our lives because we are to be the Light and Salt to the World.
Daughter in Christ,
Agnes

Recently I heard "make it all about Jesus" and I want to thank you personally for always making it about Jesus. Your ministry has touched my heart, stirred my soul and always brought my spirit closer to the One I love, closer to my Heavenly Father. Your fellowship has been a shining example of what is truly important and again... it is all about Jesus!

I wish you and your entire family a most wonderful Christmas. May blessings surround your family and friends and make this a delightful time of celebrating the One who we love and cannot live without!

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful message.....You are one in a million woman, always willing to share and touch the heart of other people... A very Merry Christmas to you and to your family...God bless you always..

Thank You for this Cathe : ) This truly made my day! May you & your family have a Wonderful Blessed Christmas. I look forward to the next Virtue Women's Study in January.

That was beautifully written and so true. Materialism has taken over so much of the holidays and people spend so much time running around and spending money they really don't have. In reality just being with family and realizing how blessed we are to have a Father that died for our sins should be enough. Since starting Harvest, I have found such blessings in Pastor Greg's sermons and such peace in what you write. It has strengthened my faith that was destroyed by an abusive ex-husband and given me strength in my life today. It is wonderful to know that the Lord is always here for me, and for the first time in my life I am reading the Bible and Psalms on a daily basis. The new START Bible has been a big blessing in my life and has strengthened my faith in the Lord and in my new marriage. It is wonderful to go to church on Sunday with my family and always feel so full of God's love.
Have a Merry Christmas and many blessing to you and Pastor Greg!

I am humbled and grateful for this beautiful reminder of the true reason for the season...There is no better gift than that of the love of our God in sending Jesus to us. What an honor it is to be able to glorify Him through shining our lights to those who don't know the truth!

Merry Christmas to you and your family,

So beautiful that I've added it to my email signature for this month :)

I agree Cathe. I too want to be bedazzled. In the midst of my complicated life, I want to bask in God's goodness and see beyond "...what is seen" vs "what is not seen". It is so hard to focus on the eternal when what is pounding on our door are our teenagers who bring us to tears at times for the ways in which they push us aside, bills that are bigger than our paychecks, and the busyness of everyday that even includes our church activities. Just this past Sunday after church, each of my three kids all had separate church activities to attend and my husband and I also had lunch with friends. Then we squeezed in getting a Christmas tree amidst time constraints. How do we change the cycle? I do yearn for the eternal and I yearn for the simplicity of what Christ's presence in our lives should mean.

Beautiful!

I literally have tears welled up in my eyes. Thank you for making that happen!

He that is is called WONDERFUL, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace is also the one called EMMANUEL, God with US! This bedazzles. That this same God would take pleasure living with us, in us and through us. How WONDER"FILLED" we are indeed!!!

AMEN! That is exactly my heart. Though difficult to explain to others when they think something is wrong, when in reality IT COULDN'T BE BETTER!

So thank you! for saying it so well.... must run in the family =)

Hi Cathe, I live in Hawaii now, but attended many of your women's events when I lived in California. I have always loved your newsletter and I am so glad I get to still get them even when I am so far away (also on Facebook). Thank you for the wisdom that you share with all of us women. When I read notes such as this one, I don't just read well written words, but I feel the heart and love behind them. May the Lord bless you and your precious family!

WOW....so beautifully spoken.

Hi, Sister Cathe, I thank Father GOD for you and your family. I appreciate the gifts and GOD's wisdom from your inspirational words and testimonies. May you continually be blessed in all you do for His Glory IN JESUS NAME!!! Love, your sister in CHRIST JESUS, Theodosia