I’m going for the Gold!

I don’t know about you, but I certainly enjoy watching some of the events featured in the 2006 Winter Olympics from Italy. I especially appreciate the fabulous ice skaters as they glide around on the ice with such smooth & graceful movements....they make it look so easy!! And then, there are so many other arduous sports....downhill skiing, bobsledding, and speed-skating, etc... to name just a few.
Anyway, I was making dinner the other night as the TV was on in the other room. Matt was watching downhill skiing and the reporter was doing a special feature on a woman skier from Croatia. I didn’t really pay much attention to this report until I heard all the obstacles that this woman had to endure to make it to the Olympics...she had an upbringing of poverty and numerous injuries from her sport causing her to undergo eleven surgeries on her knee...but still she wasn’t a quitter. And here she was on the TV skiing in the downhill event with still another strike against her... she was battling the flu even as she skied! Despite it all, she pressed on.... And believe it or not, she won the gold medal for her event! Oh, the look of exuberant joy on her face when they announced that she had won that top prize!
Just listening to the report about this woman and her tenacity in life caused me to stop and reflect on my own life. I had to ask myself, "Do I let obstacles get in my way of pursuing a walk of faith?" "Do I have the tenacity that this woman had to go after goals and visions that the Lord has placed within my heart and life?" Let me encourage you with some wonderful words from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Chapter 6 - Message Bible) that we don’t have to handle it on our own! he writes, "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an INDISPENSABLE WEAPON. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." I don’t know about you, but I’m keeping my eyes on Jesus and I’m going for the Gold!

The aroma of pumpkin pie

The aroma of pumpkin pie and luscious treats wafts through the air amidst the noise of happy children’s voices. The table is set with your best china - or if you’re expecting a large group, it might be potluck style, served on paper plates, with friends and family tucked into every corner of your house. The tree is illuminated with hundreds of colorful lights with a sea of shining packages adorning the base. And, oh yes, let’s not forget the crackling fire blazin’ in the fireplace! Have you captured the picture? Christmas is almost here!
I encourage you to enjoy the true meaning of the holiday. Be a giver, of course, but don’t just get caught up in the material aspect of this glorious season. Have a thankful heart for all things that God has blessed you with through this year of 2005....health, family, friends, a warm home, prosperity, your walk with Jesus, etc...
Jeremiah 33:11b says, "Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good: His love endures forever." May we all be laying a foundation of thankful-ness and faithfulness for our children to build upon, not only during the holidays, but always!
Merry Christmas! Ellen

“But what saith it?

by Ellen Mytnik

“But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach.” Romans 10:8 The Word of God is always near me. I have hid it in my heart in order to avoid sin. I will keep it in my mouth. I will speak its faith-filled principles and promises to my own heart, and this will build faith within me to appropriate His promises to my life. I will speak the Word to the enemy and he will have no choice but to flee! I will speak the Word to others and they will be encouraged. I will walk in the light of God’s Word today. I will memorize it, meditate upon it, pray it, believe it, obey it, and live it throughout this day and every day. Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” What are you hearing? What are you meditating upon all day long? What words are coming out of your mouth? Are you walking in the light of God’s Word today? If not, make the change! Start speaking faith-filled principles and promises to yourself. Watch faith build within your own heart. Speak the Word! Pray it, believe it, obey it and live it! It’s the only way to experience victory today and every day! Have a truly faith-filled Thanksgiving season! En Agape, Ellen