GCR Women

Christmas Day. So full of memories, so full of meaning.  Earlier this month, I encouraged you to watch “The Christmas Candle” on  Netflix.  I hope you did.  It’s one of the sweetest Christmas stories I’ve ever watched. The heart of the story is told in the theme song:  “Miracle Hymn”. The lyrics describe our Christian hope in words that few songs or hymns do. Something about this hymn resonates in my soul. Here are the lyrics: Miracle Hymn On a starry night in Bethlehem, ​a child was born to bring light to men, ​and our faith waned, our eyes grew dim. ​In a candle's light, we found hope again. ​ ​There are miracles all around, ​miracles yet to be found. ​Hid in every heart is an answered prayer. ​Like a candle's flame, hope will lead us there. ​ When the darkness comes, let the light shine through. ​A spark of flame will ignite in you. ​In a candle's glow, a virgin's womb, ​in a simple prayer, in the empty tomb. ​ ​There are miracles ...

This time of year, I look back over the past year and reflect on what I've done and where I've been.  Often, it's the mistakes and missed opportunities that stand out the most.  But the apostle Paul reminds us to look forward, not back.  We know we can't change the past, whether good or bad.  But our choices for the future - the ones we make right now - can be made with an eye toward the prize we hope to attain. So, as 2017 comes to a close, pray to the Father for wisdom and insight for the choices you'll be making from this day forward.  Don't tie yourself to failures in the past.  Build on successes and keep moving ahead.  No successes?  Then, start now and make progress. The best is yet to come. Looking forward, Patrice Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win th...

We recently watched "The Christmas Candle" on Nextflix.  It's a film based on a Max Lucado book and it has a sweet and timely message for the season - indeed for all year long.  I don't want to reveal the plot.  The story is compelling. God knows the darkness is a lonely and scary place.  He didn't leave us there alone, on our own, struggling to find our way out.  He sent the Light - His Son Jesus - to shine on us and show us the path to life and He asks us to share it with others. Each of us has moments when we need someone to shine a little light into our lives.  Clouds cast all of us into the shadows from time to time, and the gentle glow from a friendly flame can lead us back to light and life.  Each of us has a little light to share. There's someone whose name comes to mind right now that is very gifted in shining her light.  She doesn't wait to be asked; she seems always to know where to shine.  She isn't caught unaware; she s...