The Purpose of Christmas & FREE Printable

Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life, has a new book out, The Purpose of Christmas, New York, Howard Books, 2008. It's a quick read with profound truths. I recommend it as a gift of love to those who are new to the faith, those who struggle during the holidays, those who need a gentle yet powerful reminder that Jesus is the Reason for the Season or those who desire a deeper understanding of what Christmas is all about. In it he describes the purpose of Christmas as a time for celebration, for salvation and a time for reconciliation. Amazon says "Beautifully written, The Purpose of Christmas will stir readers to honor the true significance of Christmas and to nurture God's gifts of love and peace in the world."

FREE PRINTABLE
Today I have a bookmark for you to tuck into a book gift, a greeting card or use for yourself during the month. Print on card stock and laminate. If you don't have a laminator, cover it with clear contact paper (available in the house-wares section in your department store) both front and back before cutting it out. Click on image to view full size, then right-click to save it to your computer.

Love and Lord Bless, Lisajo

Happy Thanksgiving!

I got this in an email tonight and thought I'd share....lol

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off of your thighs!

Wishing all my friends and visitors a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs, Lisajo

Kitty's Flowers & Cookies

My dear friend Kitty sent me these photos. The first one is flowers from one of her daycare children to which Kitty added the sucker covers I shared a few weeks back. The second photo is cookies that she made. Isn't she the best?!! Thank you, Kitty, for allowing me to share. ;)

Hugs, Lisajo

The Great White-Tail Deer Hunter

My oldest son Ryan bagged his first deer today on my property. His brother and I helped track it. At the point where he shot it, there was a small tuft of fur so he knew he'd hit it. I found a couple more tufts of hair but no blood trail. I followed a couple of tracks that were leading from the blueberry field to the back woods. I came upon a deer run in the woods and decided to follow it. I found the blood trail and then a large spot where it appeared to have laid down and called to the boys who were still in the blueberry field. We spread out to track it but no luck and no more blood. As we were heading back to the blood, Kyle found the doe only 10 feet from him. Their dad came over and helped field dress it. We are so happy for Ryan!! Whoo-hooooo! It was such a joy to share your success with you, hon! Congratulations, Ryan! Love you!!!

Hugs, Lisajo (and mom)

Living Water Devotional & Printable

The Feast of Tabernacles is a week-long autumn harvest festival that usually occurs in October. Feast of the Tabernacles is also known as the Feast of the Ingathering, Feast of the Booths, Sukkoth, Succoth, or Sukkot. This is to be a joyous festival! The Israelites were instructed in Leviticus that after they had gathered the crops, they were to live in booths for seven days so they would remember that the Lord had them live in booths when He brought them out of Egypt.

The American pilgrims, who originated the Thanksgiving holiday, were deeply religious people. As they were trying to find a way to express their thanks for their survival and for the harvest, it is quite possible that they looked to the Bible (Leviticus 23:39) for an appropriate way of celebrating and based their holiday in part on the Feast of Tabernacles. Celebrating Thanksgiving on the third Thursday of November was established by the American government and may not necessarily coincide with the pilgrim's first observance.

Jesus attended the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7. Notice that Jesus STOOD and said these words in a LOUD voice when it was customary for a Rabbi to sit and speak. He wanted to get their attention, and He wants to grab yours too! 37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

In this passage Jesus captures the intent and meaning of Isaiah 12:3, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." And Isaiah 44:3, "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." And again in Isaiah 58:11, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails." Because God's Word stands forever, Jesus was able to call upon a promise of Scripture and make it available to His hearers.

Most of us know that we need eight 8-oz glasses of water each day. Water is your body's principal chemical component, making up 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

But did you know that your soul needs a drink too lest it become parched? Only through Him can we renew, refresh, replenish and revive our souls! He promises that you will never be thirsty again!! "Jesus answered [the Samaritan woman at the well], 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"--John 4:13-14

So I encourage you to meet Him today at the Well. Let Him be your Lord. Learn from Him. Commune with Him. As Max Lucado says in Come Thirsty, "let Him be the water of your soul." He's just plain good for your soul's health. :)

Today's FREE Printable is a water bottle label. You can click on the image and then right-click and save it to your computer if you want a 100 dpi jpg. If you'd rather have a 300 dpi png, please click on the link below. Should you use a different size water bottle than an Ice Mountain, .5L (1PT, 0.9FL OZ), you probably will want to grab the 300 dpi so you can resize it in your graphics program. Just measure the label on your bottle and resize accordingly.

I recommend spraying the label with fixative so the ink will not run.



http://www.4shared.com/file/72723071/8196f022/Thirsty_WaterBottleLabel300dpi_LisajoStudio.html

Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving...
Your Sister in Christ, Lisajo

Thanksiving Meme

While surfing, I found this meme at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

1. Which do you like better: cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?

I've never hosted Thanksgiving at my home. What?! Yup, I'm almost 47 and never hosted. It was always held at either my mom's or at my older sister's home. This year my sister's oldest son will be hosting it (he just moved and has a spacious house)....not sure who's cooking the turkey (all I know is that it's not me).


2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?

To the best of my knowledge it's a Butterball frozen...but is always thawed before hitting the oven rack (so does that make it semi-fresh? ROTFLOL)


3. What kind of stuffing?

I like my mom's stuffing...but I'll gobble down whatever is in the bird.


4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie with a big dollop of whipping cream!! There is nothing better!


5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?

What left-overs? When you eat at their house, they get all the perks of raiding the fridge later. So I guess I get the "curse" and they get the blessing.


6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?

Mom's "Luscious Potatoes"...she has to make them EVERY time we get together.


7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?

What carcass?! What soup?! See question 1 & 5.


8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?

Well, it doesn't get much easier than just bringing a dish to pass.


9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?

See question 1 ....I get to sleep in. neener, neener, neener! LOL We eat around 2.


10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?

The relish tray and dip (no point in slaving myself ROTFLOL).


11. What do you wish one of your guests would not bring to your house? What would you like them to bring?

We all contribute to the dinner, and there is a slew of us so there is enough food to please everyone.


12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?

We’re all thankful and blessed to be able to spend the time together....we're one big, happy family!!!


13. Is your cranberry sauce fresh or canned? Whole or jellied?

Canned jellied (I won't eat anything else!)


14. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?

Turkey!!!

14. Share one family tradition.

My sister Judy says a few words recapping the year as a family and how we've been blessed before saying grace and eating. She has a real knack for making this prelude very meaningful and moving. Sometimes she then has us go around the room and tell what we are thankful for before saying grace.

Your turn....Just copy this meme, post your own answers on your blog, and link back to me.
Hugs, Lisajo

Thanksgiving Teabag Holder Printable

Today's Printable is a teabag holder. I chose my favorite verse for this season. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."~Psalm 100:4 Where are God's gates and courts? The Quest Study Bible answers:

"These words borrow from practices familiar to ancient culture. Gates were often used as places to conduct legal business; the open enclosures of courtyards were used for large assemblies of people. The temple gates and courts symbolized the idea of meeting with God."

As I've already said this month, we must meet with God at His gates and courts daily. And a grateful heart must be cultivated, nurtured and developed. I encourage you to use the teabag holder during your quiet times right up to Thanksgiving. Each day concentrate on a heart of gratitude when you meet with our Lord and enjoy your tea times with our Savior.

Click to view/save full size. I like to print them on brochure paper...it really makes the colors pop!

Love and Lord Bless, Lisajo

Turkey Card

A food editor of the local newspaper received a telephone call from a woman inquiring how long to cook a 22-pound turkey. "Just a minute," the food editor said as he turned to consult a chart. "Thank you very much," replied the lady and hung up.

Here's a turkey that will only take a few minutes to "cook up."


Hugs, Lisajo

Turkey Soup Can Cover

Today I have a turkey soup can cover for you. This wrap fits a large soup can and has two parts. You can use a new can of soup or an empty can filled with treats.

Download Link:
http://www.4shared.com/file/71380346/c4e567df/TurkeySoupCanCover_LisajoStudio.html

Hugs, Lisajo

Thanksgiving Bag Topper

Today I have a small bag topper for you that you can use as a favor for your dinner guests. Click on image to view/save full size. Print on card stock. Cut out, score and fold. Staple it to a 3 inch ziplock baggie filled with any candy of your choosing. The template is Paulette's. The creative work and poem are mine. Enjoy!

Hugs, Lisajo

Thanks-living & Printable

This month we focus on Thanksgiving and take time to count our blessings. However, we should live each and every day with thankful hearts. It is then that each day becomes Thanks-living. I love that term, don't you? :) I first read it in a small book of prayers. But what about those times when we struggle with problems and don't feel an ounce of thankfulness? If we look at Philippians 4:6, we see that in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, we are to present our requests to God. In verse 7 we see that by doing so the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will GUARD our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It's all about your attitude. If you choose to grumble about your boss, you will not be at peace and will probably end up hating your job. Each day will be miserable and full of drudgery. However, if you take a moment to heartily thank your boss and God that you have work to do, you will enjoy your job more. The same is true for any life situation. There is a saying, "too blessed to be stressed." A thankful heart doesn't sweat the small stuff. So in order to enjoy your life more, you must change your attitude and make each day Thanks-living.

If you are struggling with thankfulness, try these suggestions:
1. Each morning or before bedtime, write down five things for which you are grateful.
2. Make it a point to show your gratitude daily to friends and family.
3. Demonstrate gratitude to people who work in public.
4. Count the blessing that surround you in nature.
5. Begin your day with a prayer of thanks.
~ God's Devotional Book, Honor Books, 2005, page 20.

Lord, this month we celebrate Thanksgiving. Each day my list of thanks grows for the gifts you bestow upon me. Let me live each day with a heart of gratitude so that each day becomes thanks-living. Let me take your love to others that they may too live abundantly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Printable is a card and envelope. Why not write a note of thankfulness and drop it in the mail to someone you are grateful for in your life. Maybe even your boss. :)


http://www.4shared.com/account/file/70876672/85e50194/ThanksgivingNotecardEnvy_LisajoStudio.html?sId=h22bXCjNqeDq7TrC
Templates used are by Paulette.

Lord Bless, Lisajo

Thanksgiving Game & Napkin Holder

Why not do something a little different this year for Thanksgiving or the day after when you're chowing on leftovers? Play a game of Thanksgiving Links. The first person says something they are thankful for. The second person must think of something that begins with the last letter of the word the first person used. For example, if person one says "food," the second person must think of something that begins with the letter D. A sequence might go as follows: food, dog, God, dentures (whatever, Grandpa! lol), snow, water, rainbows, etc. See how long a link you can create. This idea came from Christian Family Guide to Family Devotions, James S. Bell, Jr., Series Editor, by Pam and Stan Campbell, Alpha Books, 2003, page 322.

Today's Printable is a turkey napkin holder. Print on cardstock. You may want to laminate them so they can be used over and over. Cut out. Use an exacto knife to cut the circle out where the napkin will slip through. Score and fold in half. Slide a rolled napkin through the hole.


Lord Bless,
Lisajo

I've Received an Award

RhondaSue from http://craftymumzcreations.blogspot.com has given me an award. I am tickled pink by this, and my heart is all a-flutter! :) Thank you so much, hon! Be sure to check out her blog; she really has a BIG heart!

The rules of the award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you've nominated.

The blogs I am nominating that I think have hearts are:

http://designsbycindyb.blogspot.com
http://nancysmemoriesandscraps.blogspot.com
http://sassyprintsandcrafts.blogspot.com
http://www.happybirdscraftinghaven.com

These wonderful bloggers share from their hearts with really adorable freebies. They really put their hearts into their work!!! Stop by and give them some love.

Hugs, Lisajo

Scripture Name Cards & Sucker Cover Printable

My good friend RhondaSue has some Thanksgiving place cards on her blog. One uses a turkey that I did the creative work using her template (she then made it into a place card). The other is a Pilgrim hat. Go grab them at http://craftymumzcreations.blogspot.com Look for her Saturday, October 25, 2008 post. You can find RhondaSue's turkey templates on her October 25th post as well. Another good friend has a cute printable set that includes a place card and more. Visit Victoria at http://sassyprintsandcrafts.blogspot.com Look for her Monday, October 27, 2008, post. Be sure to leave them some love. :)

When you make your individual name cards, write a Scripture verse on the back or inside. These verses should be in line with Thanksgiving. Example: Ephesians 5:20, "Always give thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (***more verses below***). Have each guest read their scripture as the blessing of thanks before your meal. This idea came from Emilie Barnes' 15 Minute Family Traditions and Memories, 1995, Harvest House Publishers. (My book is two-books-in-one...the other being 15 Minute Home and Family Organizer, 1991).

Today's Printable is a turkey sucker cover I made that matches RhondaSue's place card. Click on image to view/save at full size. Enjoy! (Remember, I'm also posting some verses for your place cards so read on).


Here are other verses from the King James Version to get you started on your place cards. If you use a modern version, please check your concordance for thanks/thanksgiving as the translations may be different. I'm citing the KJV because it is public domain. I used e-Sword, a handy electronic Bible, which I downloaded for free. Get yours at http://www.e-sword.net This is only a sampling of verses that you could use.

1Ch 16:8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.

Lev 22:29 And when ye will offer a sacrifice fo thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will.

Psa 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Psa 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wonderous works.

Psa 30:4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psa 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.

Psa 16:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psa 79:13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks forever; we will show forth thy praise to all generations.

Psa 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psa 106:47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, to triumph in thy praise.

Psa 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psa 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

Psa 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Psa 147:7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.

Jer 30:19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry; and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

1Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.

Rev 7:12 Saying Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.

Well that should get you started. :) Until next time....
Love in Christ, Lisajo

Clean Hands (and Printable)

Isn't it wonderful to give yourself a manicure? I gave myself one this weekend. I've never had one done professionally (maybe someday), but I do like to pamper myself when time allows. But we must remember that how our hands look doesn't matter to our Lord. So what does matter to Him? Clean hands. And not the clean hands we get from soaking them during a manicure.

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." ~Psalm 24:3-4

What does this mean? Hands that please God are clean...not involved in sin. They symbolize a heart that is innocent, pure and unsoiled. A heart that has repented, sought the Lord's forgiveness, and is following after Him.

I remember making my first cross-stitch project. It was stuffed fabric hearts with ribbon joining them so you could hang them over a knob. The cross-stitch said, "Hands to Work, Hearts to God." The Lord gave us hands to do His good work. Colossians 3:23 tells us, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." This means that whatever work we undertake with our hands, we should do it with our heart focused on God and not for the recognition or monetary reward we may receive from people. We are, after all, serving Christ.

Today's Printable is an emery board case. I hope as you use it, you will be reminded to keep your hands clean and to do good works unto the Lord. Why not make another and tuck it, along with an emery board of course, into a card for someone in a nursing home or for a shut-in, or you could use it as a thank-you token for someone who has given you a helping hand.

Click picture to view/save full size. Print on cardstock. Score and fold on dashed lines. Put glue on side and bottom tabs.



Love in Christ, Lisajo
P.S. Today is my nephew's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mike! May your day be blessed!!