HAPPY DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE

First, I would like to recognize, acknowledge and applaud everyone who is a respectful member of a religious community. From my perspective -- living a Godly and religious life is not simply about the religion we are practicing. It is also important that there be respect of our individual selves AND the selves of others while embracing all differences.

When people begin to live with, in and among violence while claiming religious freedom, they are defiling the religion they claim to embrace. They are neither respecting their own lives or the lives of others.

I acknowledge there are many other religions, beliefs and traditions. I am a Christian, yet I respect the rights of others to reflect and live different. Here is a list on the day before Christmas Eve........

From InTouchMinistries from the teachings of Dr. Charles Stanley:

Principle #1 Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.

Principle #2 Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

Principle #3 God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.

Principle #4 The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.

Principle #5 God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.

Principle #6 You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.

Principle #7 The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

Principle #8 Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.

Principle #9 Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.

Principle #10 If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.

Principle #11 God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.

Principle #12 Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.

Principle #13 Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

Principle #14 God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Principle #15 Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.

Principle #16 Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes.

Principle #17 We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

Principle #18 As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.

Principle #19 Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.

Principle #20 Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.

Principle #21 Obedience always brings blessing.

Principle #22 To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.

Principle #23 You can never out give God.

Principle #24 To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

Principle #25 God blesses us so that we might bless others.

Principle #26 Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.

Principle #27 Prayer is life’s greatest time saver.

Principle #28 No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.

Principle #29 We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.

Principle #30 An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.