Christmas has passed and New Year’s is upon us. It’s so great to hear people saying that ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’ around the holidays, but as soon as Christmas is over, does Jesus go back in the box with the decorations?
I’m guilty of this also – we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior and then the next week we look to New Year’s and what we want to do or change in the upcoming year. How amazing could 2011 be if we remember that Jesus is the reason for every season?
If we expect God to do a little, He can do a little. If we don’t expect Him to do anything, He won’t do anything because Jesus says, According to your faith will it be done to you (Matthew 9:29).
In 2011, what are you going to put your trust in – yourself, education, the economy or another person? Or are you going to trust God, the Creator and King of the Most High?
Matthew 6:25-27, 31-34 says ~ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I challenge you to trust God entirely – with all you have – in 2011 and keep Jesus as a part of your everyday life, then watch what he does in your life. I look forward to seeing and hearing about amazing things!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Why Jesus is better than Santa Claus
Santa lives at the North Pole… Jesus is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh… Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year… Jesus is an ever-present help.
Santa fills your stocking with goodies… Jesus supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited… Jesus stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.
You have to wait in line to see Santa… Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap… Jesus lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn’t know your name, all the can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”… Jesus knew our name before we were born… not only does He know our name, he knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly… Jesus has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is Ho Ho Ho… Jesus offers health, help and hope.
Santa says, “You better not cry”… Jesus says “Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you.”
Santa’s little helpers make toys… Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but… Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree… Jesus became our gift and died on a tree… the cross.
Put Christ back in Christmas… Jesus is still the reason for the season!
I pray that God fills your heart with the love and joy that only His Son can bring this Christmas season. Have a blessed Christmas!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Santa rides in a sleigh… Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year… Jesus is an ever-present help.
Santa fills your stocking with goodies… Jesus supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited… Jesus stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.
You have to wait in line to see Santa… Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap… Jesus lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn’t know your name, all the can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”… Jesus knew our name before we were born… not only does He know our name, he knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly… Jesus has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is Ho Ho Ho… Jesus offers health, help and hope.
Santa says, “You better not cry”… Jesus says “Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you.”
Santa’s little helpers make toys… Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but… Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree… Jesus became our gift and died on a tree… the cross.
Put Christ back in Christmas… Jesus is still the reason for the season!
I pray that God fills your heart with the love and joy that only His Son can bring this Christmas season. Have a blessed Christmas!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
What if Mary had said ‘No’?
From Luke 1:26-38 ~ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
What if Mary would have said “no” to the angel that appeared to her to announce that Jesus, the Son of the Most High, would be born through her? God has given us free will to choose what we do.
In verse 29, it Luke says that Mary was troubled. What if she would have dwelled on her concern wondering why she was chosen or worrying about all the details? What if she had told the angel that she would have to pray about it and get back to him?
As humans, we want to reason things out. We want to know the who, what, when, where, why and how of every situation.
God may not use us to bring His One and Only Son into the world, but He does use us to do His will. Have we missed some of God’s opportunities because we were reluctant to know it was the Holy Spirit leading us?
My personal prayer this week, and I hope you will adopt it as one of your own, is that I be more like Mary. When I’m being led by the Holy Spirit, my answer will automatically be, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Have a blessed week!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
What if Mary would have said “no” to the angel that appeared to her to announce that Jesus, the Son of the Most High, would be born through her? God has given us free will to choose what we do.
In verse 29, it Luke says that Mary was troubled. What if she would have dwelled on her concern wondering why she was chosen or worrying about all the details? What if she had told the angel that she would have to pray about it and get back to him?
As humans, we want to reason things out. We want to know the who, what, when, where, why and how of every situation.
God may not use us to bring His One and Only Son into the world, but He does use us to do His will. Have we missed some of God’s opportunities because we were reluctant to know it was the Holy Spirit leading us?
My personal prayer this week, and I hope you will adopt it as one of your own, is that I be more like Mary. When I’m being led by the Holy Spirit, my answer will automatically be, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Have a blessed week!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Stress-Free Holidays
Holidays can be nerve-racking, especially Christmas when people attend too many parties, spend too much money, eat too much, and are altogether too busy.
Tip 1: Set a budget. A lot of the stress around the holiday’s stem from money. It is very easy to spend much more than you originally planned. I recommend taking out a set amount of cash, that way you can physically see how much you have left. If you do your shopping online, Have a set amount that you will spend on each person. If the gift you have in mind for them is more expensive, shop around or find another item.
Tip 2: Don’t procrastinate! Get your shopping done ahead of time and wrap and tag presents as you go.
Tip 3: Have a plan. If you are having multiple Christmas parties with extended family, have it set when you are going to be with each one. Keep your gifts organized by which party they are going to in order to help the day run smooth.
Tip 4: Schedule time for yourself everyday – read, take a walk, take a bubble bath.
Tip 5: Stay healthy. It is easy to over eat during the holiday season but trust me, if you can set aside 20 minutes a day to take a walk or even just get outside and move around, you will feel much better!
Tip 6: Indulge. This tip contradicts the previous one, but I believe that it is 100% okay to go for the big piece of chocolate cake. This may mean an extra 20 minutes of walking or exercise for a few days, but you only live once!
Tip 7: If you have someone you are not looking forward to seeing, I recommend going into the situation with a positive attitude. Be the bigger person and if necessary, spend time in other areas of the house when possible.
Tip 8: And finally, take time to enjoy those you are around. Be thankful for the people you have been blessed with and remember the reason for the season!
Psalm 46:10 ~ Be still and know that I am God.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Tip 1: Set a budget. A lot of the stress around the holiday’s stem from money. It is very easy to spend much more than you originally planned. I recommend taking out a set amount of cash, that way you can physically see how much you have left. If you do your shopping online, Have a set amount that you will spend on each person. If the gift you have in mind for them is more expensive, shop around or find another item.
Tip 2: Don’t procrastinate! Get your shopping done ahead of time and wrap and tag presents as you go.
Tip 3: Have a plan. If you are having multiple Christmas parties with extended family, have it set when you are going to be with each one. Keep your gifts organized by which party they are going to in order to help the day run smooth.
Tip 4: Schedule time for yourself everyday – read, take a walk, take a bubble bath.
Tip 5: Stay healthy. It is easy to over eat during the holiday season but trust me, if you can set aside 20 minutes a day to take a walk or even just get outside and move around, you will feel much better!
Tip 6: Indulge. This tip contradicts the previous one, but I believe that it is 100% okay to go for the big piece of chocolate cake. This may mean an extra 20 minutes of walking or exercise for a few days, but you only live once!
Tip 7: If you have someone you are not looking forward to seeing, I recommend going into the situation with a positive attitude. Be the bigger person and if necessary, spend time in other areas of the house when possible.
Tip 8: And finally, take time to enjoy those you are around. Be thankful for the people you have been blessed with and remember the reason for the season!
Psalm 46:10 ~ Be still and know that I am God.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
December Holidays
From www.holidayinsights.com, here are a few holidays other than Christmas to look forward to in December:
December 4: Santa’s List Day. “Have you been good all year? Have you been Naughty? Or, have you been nice? Santa knows.
Santa's Elves have been everywhere, checking up on children all over the world, to see who has been naughty, and who has been nice. Thanks to the hard work of his elves, Santa now has two lists. The short list contains the names of a few children who have been naughty. A much longer list is filled with the names of children who have been good all year long. Which list are you on?”
December 13: National Ice Cream Day. “We found no factual information about this day. We suspect that it evolved from some local event. Perhaps a school ice cream social somehow took on an undocumented, national recognition as a special day.”
December 16: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day. “Chocolaholics rejoice! Today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day.
Its a great day to indulge, binge, "pig out", and otherwise consume to excess, your favorite food....chocolate. We believe the timing of this day, during the holiday season, couldn't be better.”
December 28: Card Playing Day. “Card Playing Day is the perfect time to spend an hour or so playing cards with family and friends. And, it arrives at just the perfect time of year........ a few days after Christmas. The holiday hustle and bustle is over. The kids are getting bored of their new toys. It's time to turn to card games for a calmer, relaxing, and more slow-paced form of fun and entertainment. Spend the day playing cards with family and friends. You'll find its quality time with the kids that will create many warm memories."
And I want to share “A Morning Prayer” by Estella Wright Szegedin with you:
Lord, in the quiet of this morning hour,
Let me feel Thy love and power.
Let me so full of Thy spirit be,
That others can see the Christ in me.
Let me reflect Thy presence sweet
To every one I chance to meet.
Let me a friend to people be
That they, too, will search for Thee.
Let me add to this, Thy day,
Love and peace in every way.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
December 4: Santa’s List Day. “Have you been good all year? Have you been Naughty? Or, have you been nice? Santa knows.
Santa's Elves have been everywhere, checking up on children all over the world, to see who has been naughty, and who has been nice. Thanks to the hard work of his elves, Santa now has two lists. The short list contains the names of a few children who have been naughty. A much longer list is filled with the names of children who have been good all year long. Which list are you on?”
December 13: National Ice Cream Day. “We found no factual information about this day. We suspect that it evolved from some local event. Perhaps a school ice cream social somehow took on an undocumented, national recognition as a special day.”
December 16: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day. “Chocolaholics rejoice! Today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day.
Its a great day to indulge, binge, "pig out", and otherwise consume to excess, your favorite food....chocolate. We believe the timing of this day, during the holiday season, couldn't be better.”
December 28: Card Playing Day. “Card Playing Day is the perfect time to spend an hour or so playing cards with family and friends. And, it arrives at just the perfect time of year........ a few days after Christmas. The holiday hustle and bustle is over. The kids are getting bored of their new toys. It's time to turn to card games for a calmer, relaxing, and more slow-paced form of fun and entertainment. Spend the day playing cards with family and friends. You'll find its quality time with the kids that will create many warm memories."
And I want to share “A Morning Prayer” by Estella Wright Szegedin with you:
Lord, in the quiet of this morning hour,
Let me feel Thy love and power.
Let me so full of Thy spirit be,
That others can see the Christ in me.
Let me reflect Thy presence sweet
To every one I chance to meet.
Let me a friend to people be
That they, too, will search for Thee.
Let me add to this, Thy day,
Love and peace in every way.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
I’m Thankful For…
All month I have been posting a status each day of what I’m thankful for. It’s amazing what all happens in one month! The following is a look at each post:
Day 1: I’m thankful for the ability and opportunity to wake up on a Monday morning and attend college to receive an education.
Day 2: I’m thankful for the cool, crisp air of the fall morning and the deep colors of the leaves.
Day 3: I’m thankful for Dr. Meyers’ class – best writing class I’ve ever taken!
Day 4: I’m thankful for great roommates!
Day 5: I’m thankful for my warm bed and amazingly soft pillow.
Day 6: I’m thankful for my sweet family! I absolutely love being at home and spending time with them!
Day 7: I’m thankful for RA Brown!
Day 8: I’m thankful for a God whose love is never-ending!
Day 9: Today I’m thankful for my awesomely cool older brother, Nick.
Day 10: I’m thankful for all the fun people I work with at Triumph.
Day 11: I’m thankful for all the neat things I learn as an agricultural communications major.
Day 12: I’m thankful for all the sweet friends that I am blessed with!
Day 13: I’m thankful for Saturdays!
Day 14: I’m thankful for the ability to go to the church of my choice and also to go to church in the first place.
Day 15: I’m thankful for safe food, especially beef!
Day 16: I’m thankful that my Sales class next Tuesday is cancelled so I can go home early.
Day 17: I’m thankful for God’s power in the wind – It’s so amazing!
Day 18: I’m thankful for my sweet boyfriend who calls me early in the morning to help me with my homework.
Day 19: I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to lecture to the ag communications technical writing class today.
Day 20: I’m thankful for modern medicine and that my grandmother is doing okay.
Day 21: I’m thankful for my little corgi – especially when he is so excited to see me that he tries to sit on my lap while I’m on the computer.
Day 22: I’m thankful for my amazing family!
Day 23: I’m thankful for a sweet mother with a kind heart, who is also an amazing role model!
Day 24: I’m thankful for a loving God who has blessed me beyond what my mind could ever fathom!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Day 1: I’m thankful for the ability and opportunity to wake up on a Monday morning and attend college to receive an education.
Day 2: I’m thankful for the cool, crisp air of the fall morning and the deep colors of the leaves.
Day 3: I’m thankful for Dr. Meyers’ class – best writing class I’ve ever taken!
Day 4: I’m thankful for great roommates!
Day 5: I’m thankful for my warm bed and amazingly soft pillow.
Day 6: I’m thankful for my sweet family! I absolutely love being at home and spending time with them!
Day 7: I’m thankful for RA Brown!
Day 8: I’m thankful for a God whose love is never-ending!
Day 9: Today I’m thankful for my awesomely cool older brother, Nick.
Day 10: I’m thankful for all the fun people I work with at Triumph.
Day 11: I’m thankful for all the neat things I learn as an agricultural communications major.
Day 12: I’m thankful for all the sweet friends that I am blessed with!
Day 13: I’m thankful for Saturdays!
Day 14: I’m thankful for the ability to go to the church of my choice and also to go to church in the first place.
Day 15: I’m thankful for safe food, especially beef!
Day 16: I’m thankful that my Sales class next Tuesday is cancelled so I can go home early.
Day 17: I’m thankful for God’s power in the wind – It’s so amazing!
Day 18: I’m thankful for my sweet boyfriend who calls me early in the morning to help me with my homework.
Day 19: I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to lecture to the ag communications technical writing class today.
Day 20: I’m thankful for modern medicine and that my grandmother is doing okay.
Day 21: I’m thankful for my little corgi – especially when he is so excited to see me that he tries to sit on my lap while I’m on the computer.
Day 22: I’m thankful for my amazing family!
Day 23: I’m thankful for a sweet mother with a kind heart, who is also an amazing role model!
Day 24: I’m thankful for a loving God who has blessed me beyond what my mind could ever fathom!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Beef on a Budget
I have two very sweet friends at Oklahoma State University that share my passion for God and the cattle industry. These are two people I hold very close to my heart!
Amy Brown was raised on ranches in Colorado and Texas.
“I choose to major in agricultural communications to show agriculture to the people who live in apartment buildings and ride the subway to work, to those who buy their groceries with no knowledge of how that food came to be on the shelves.
“The public needs to understand how public policy can affect the production of food that is feeding the world. I want to tell a story, the real story of rural America.”
Anna-Lisa Giannini grew up in the North-eastern half of California on a ranch that her family purchased when coming to America from Switzerland in 1903.
“As I have grown older I have grown to appreciate my ranch raising more and more. Ranch kids are just raised a little different. I heard it said once that a ranch woman will find way and make a way, over, under, around and through! I believe this to be true in all aspects of our lives. We find a way to use every cut of meat in the freezer, we find a way to cook a meal that our families will enjoy and we make a way for our dreams to come true.”
These two inspiring ladies created a blog to share their experience of cooking on a budget with beef while attending college and living in town.
According to their blog, “We want to share with you how easy it is to eat high class, while also eating healthy and enjoying every bite all the while making every dollar count!”
I encourage you to check out their website http://beefonabudget.com/ for amazing beef recipes… on a budget! They do a great job of explaining the recipe with how they came across it or the inspiration behind it as well as the directions, pictures and a cost break down.
Featured recipes for October included Beef Burox, Pumpkin Chili and Stew A Fuego.
While browsing through receipes, scroll down to the bottom and sign up for their emails when they post updates.
Psalms 34:8 ~ Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Amy Brown was raised on ranches in Colorado and Texas.
“I choose to major in agricultural communications to show agriculture to the people who live in apartment buildings and ride the subway to work, to those who buy their groceries with no knowledge of how that food came to be on the shelves.
“The public needs to understand how public policy can affect the production of food that is feeding the world. I want to tell a story, the real story of rural America.”
Anna-Lisa Giannini grew up in the North-eastern half of California on a ranch that her family purchased when coming to America from Switzerland in 1903.
“As I have grown older I have grown to appreciate my ranch raising more and more. Ranch kids are just raised a little different. I heard it said once that a ranch woman will find way and make a way, over, under, around and through! I believe this to be true in all aspects of our lives. We find a way to use every cut of meat in the freezer, we find a way to cook a meal that our families will enjoy and we make a way for our dreams to come true.”
These two inspiring ladies created a blog to share their experience of cooking on a budget with beef while attending college and living in town.
According to their blog, “We want to share with you how easy it is to eat high class, while also eating healthy and enjoying every bite all the while making every dollar count!”
I encourage you to check out their website http://beefonabudget.com/ for amazing beef recipes… on a budget! They do a great job of explaining the recipe with how they came across it or the inspiration behind it as well as the directions, pictures and a cost break down.
Featured recipes for October included Beef Burox, Pumpkin Chili and Stew A Fuego.
While browsing through receipes, scroll down to the bottom and sign up for their emails when they post updates.
Psalms 34:8 ~ Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)