I wrote a post for New Year's on my other blog "Freedom NOW Ministries" - please stop by and check it out. While you're there, I'd love it if you'd join my blog.

Wishing you all a blessed 2012.

Holiday Humor by Anita Renfroe

I want to wish ALL my wonderful blogging friends a very Merry Christmas!

I hope you each have a chance to spend time with family and friends, eat a lot of delicious food, exchange gifts, and get some probably much needed rest.

If however, you are not able to have the "ideal" celebration here at Christmas...I pray you will STILL celebrate the greatest gift of all...God the Father sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

He humbled Himself and came as a baby, lying in a manager, so that you and I could experience true joy, and peace, and ultimately have everlasting life.

I am grateful for the many gifts the Lord has given me - my family, friends, church, good health, a hope and a future...but nothing compares to the gift of knowing that Jesus is Immanuel, God with me. He will never leave me or forsake me. He won't leave or forsake you either if you've accepted the gift of Salvation.

I pray you will experience His presence today and everyday throughout the New Year.

Merry Christmas & a Blessed 2012!

The Holidays Expose the Heart

Today my family and I were out running some errands after my son’s basketball game.  As usual this time of year, my patience is tested with the crowds and the traffic. I was given evil stares as I made room for a man in his minivan to go by – even though HE was going the wrong way down the lane in the parking lot!

 I told my boys that this time of year brings out the best in some people, and the worst in others, depending on what’s in their hearts.

True intentions of the heart are often exposed during the holidays (due to the focus on family, friends, celebrations, and giving – all this coupled with stress, social and financial obligations, and sometimes dysfunctional relationships)

For example:

·         Generosity flows a little easier at Christmas, as people participate in a variety of different outreach programs. Whether it’s “Angel trees”, “Shoeboxes through Samaritan’s Purse”, donating to the “Salvation Army”, or just baking something extra for your neighbor - a lot of people live out the message “it is better to give than to receive”.

·         Selfishness is brought to the forefront, as witnessed on Black Friday when shoppers trampled one another to get a good deal.

·         Impatience is easily recognized as drivers, and long lines make the busiest of people do something they don’t normally do…WAIT.

But one secret of the heart that is often brought to light this time of year is depression.  Whether it’s due to loneliness, the loss of a loved one, absence, distance or division from family & friends, or financial stress…depression comes knocking on the door a little louder & clearer during the holidays.

My errands later led us to Wal-Mart. By this time, my husband and kids couldn’t take anymore – so they opted to stay in the car while I did my shopping.  When I returned, Bobby told me what he and the boys witnessed. 

A lady came out of the store, loaded up her groceries, got in her car, and laid her head in her hands and began to cry. They have NO idea what was upsetting this dear women!  By the time I came out of the store, she was gone.  Bobby didn’t feel at liberty to approach her by himself, but he said his heart really went out to her. 

Thankfully we can pray to a God who knows exactly why she was crying – AND knows exactly how to help her!

Interestingly enough, we just spent some time yesterday with two of our precious friends, discussing the topic of compassion verses pity.  As you see people hurting this Christmas, for whatever reason, make sure you offer them true compassion (which comes from the Holy Spirit) and not just pity. Compassion is usually backed by action – The Bible talks often about Jesus being “moved with compassion.” We don’t have the capacity in and of ourselves to have compassion, only pity.  Believe me, people can tell the difference!  The only person who appreciates your pity, is someone who insists on staying a “victim” and craves attention anyway they can get it. Otherwise, people want authentic/ genuine, from the heart, compassion! 

So keep your eyes, ears, and hearts open for those who may need some extra encouragement, fellowship, or prayer.  Ask God to fill you with His compassion and listen for how He might have you act it out.

A New Spin On An Old Classic

My family was driving home from church last night and we were listening to Christmas music.

My oldest son, Jay, was singing in the back seat - the song was "Let it Snow". 

We had just pulled in the driveway and as I turned off the ignition we were at this point in the song:

"in the meadow we can build a snowman..."

Instead of the original lyrics, this is what Jay sang "and pretend that he is Carson Brown"

Bobby (my husband) and I started laughing. Jay said "What? What's so funny?"

and we were like..."who is Carson Brown?"

We had to explain to him that it was "Parson Brown". 

He laughed and answered, "Oh, I thought it said Carson.  Wait, what's a Parson?"

These young kids just don't understand the old Christmas classics.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Christmas Treasure Train Blog Hop. For those of you who won, I hope you enjoy the great give-away prizes.

Please stop by often and see what's going on here at Laugther Does the Heart Good - as well as at my friend and co-host of the Blog Hop, Anitra at The Mama Zone.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Treasure Train

Today is the LAST Day of the Christmas Treasure Train blog hop give-away.

I hope you've all enjoyed it and you win a lot of great prizes. Tomorrow we will announce the Grand Prize Winner.

If you haven't visited all the listed blogs, don't delay because time is running out. Sign up now to register for the prize drawings.

Thank you so much for participating in the Christmas Treasure Train. Please continue to stop by and see what's going on here at Laughter Does the Heart Good, as well as my good friend and co-host of this blog hop give-away, Anitra at The Mama Zone.

Have a great week.

#ChristmasTreasure Train Featured Stop & Bonus Prize 12/2

Today's featured blog is Savings in Seconds where Dianna is giving away a 50 Holiday cards from CrinkledNose.com ($80+ value)!

While you're there, check out her online deals and printable coupons. Leave a comment (or two) and remember to let her know you're riding the Christmas Treasure Train.

How about another bonus prize? You can win a beautiful hand painted vase and a set of thank you cards by artist Eleatta Diver here.

If you haven't climbed aboard, get over to the list of train stops and enter to win some wonderful prizes in time for Christmas.