Tempus Fugit

Last night we attended the annual Christmas party for an organization my husband participates in. The food was delicious; friendship and good-will prevailed; the gift exchange was conducted in an entertaining manner. It was one of many events that combine to make time seem to FLY during this season.

For me, the simple lighting of the Advent candle at our little church each Sunday

is the call to intentionality amidst all the activity...

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. ~Carl Sandburg

...last week, a public display of nativity sets; this week parties, ladies' Bible study & gift exchanges.

Next week, our Lady Bugs Christmas meeting. Wednesday noon advent meals.

An evening dinner with friends. Then comes the Candlelight Christmas Eve service, my 62nd birthday, a much-anticipated extended family Christmas gathering,

and far too soon - 2011.

Tempus fugit

Buy up your opportunities (Weymouth New Testament)

...making the best use of the time (English Standard Version)

Ephesians 5:16

16 comments:

Jacquelyn StagerDecember 10, 2010 at 7:40 AM
Oh another pretty new look over here! I LOVE stars!

I looked at the calendar this morning and just cannot believe how fast and furious this month is progressing. I missed two weekends that I normally would have gotten the cleaning and decorating finished between our SC kids being here and then me getting the flu.

So, I'm doing the best I can to keep is sane, simple and sacred!
And I'm trying to live in each moment and enjoy it instead of stressing over what is not getting done. It's a different season of life and I just need to accept that, and I do.

Thanking the Lord for our friendship Rebecca! You are only a month older than me, almost to the day, by the way!
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Wanda.....December 10, 2010 at 7:59 AM
For a moment I was confused and didn't know where I was, Rebecca...your blog has a different look. Showing first on my reading list was "Tempus Fugit"...I follow Sheila at ~Tempus Fugit~ who has a red background, thought I was there, but just for a "moment"! Your post about intentionality and time being well spent made me smile.
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GailDecember 10, 2010 at 8:05 AM
I recall, warmly my complete involvement with a faith community - and at Christmas, when we served at the home less shelters I was so humbled and blessed. Since my separation from the 'church' I have found ways to commune, serve and celebrate faith in the most simple and wonderful ways - I do miss a "faith community", but that is not where I belong or feel safe. This blessed Christmas season I am reminded of random acts of kindness and sharing what we have to offer hope and warmth and love to others. I am humbled and gratified to serve.
Love to you this season and always
Gail
peace and hope for us all
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RebeccaDecember 10, 2010 at 8:16 AM
Wanda - I'll go check Sheila out!
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RebeccaDecember 10, 2010 at 8:24 AM
Gail, I WANT to tell you that there ARE genuine "faith communities" out there and God designed life to be lived in them.

I'm glad you've found ways to commune and serve and celebrate faith simply... May you also celebrate and find peace and joy in Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (as the Bible describes Him).
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SueDecember 10, 2010 at 8:42 AM
I love to read about activities that people participate in at this time of year Rebecca.
The quote by Mr Sandburg is so true!!
I also enjoyed reading your last post too.
Your new blog design is so pretty, great job.
Thank you for visiting me and for your sweet notes.
Hugs,
Sue
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GailDecember 10, 2010 at 8:53 AM
Hi again-

I am the best of friends with Jesus - we are so in love that I could blush. If you read my post that I emailed you about I hope you can understand why I am not safe at 'church'. Jesus didn't have any structure to lead and love and teach - and I believe you when you say that there are safe faith communities - I do.

Love to you
Gail
peace.....
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Kathleen December 10, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Truly these are silent nights, holy nights!

Wish I'd been at that dinner. Everything looks scrumptious.

Blessings,
Kathleen
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Simply ShelleyDecember 10, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Christmas blessings to you and yours...sounds like you are having some blessed times during the season....enjoy...Shelley
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myletterstoemilyDecember 10, 2010 at 5:06 PM
you have a very busy few weeks ahead of you!
i hope every activity is a happy one.

thank you for your dear prayers.
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Jacquelyn StagerDecember 10, 2010 at 5:57 PM
And I'm sure being a pastor's wife, there are many many little (and big) things you do that the rest of us have no clue about. Bless you!
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PatDecember 10, 2010 at 7:20 PM
It certainly does seem that time flies...especially in December, but what wonderful and sacred celebrations they are! I'm enjoying every moment and when I sing those beautiful Christmas songs, me eyes fill with tears at the wonder of it all!
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Nellie's Cozy PlaceDecember 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Morning Rebecca,
I know I can hardly believe it is just 2 weeks till Christmas........I need to get the lead out!! lol
Our faux tree is only half way put together and I still have some decorating to do. Know what I am making for Christmas dinner, but need to figure out Christmas brunch still.
Our shopping is done, cause we didn't do much,
and I am making everything else. Need to make a few more things but shouldn't take long.
But I have to say I truly enjoy every minute of every festivity.
I am reading a lil book by Pastor Rick Warren called "The Purpose of Christmas". and it has been a special blessing, as is listening to Christmas music all along the way. Love love love it! but like you say 2011 will be here before we know it!! Amazing!!

Like you new Christmas look....I am not totally happy with mine, but it was the best thing I found, but didn't want to spend a ton of time
looking!! lol

That is a very good quote by Carl Sandberg - that is so true because sometimes people make you feel like you have to do things you really don't feel led to do and if we cave in it jams our schedule so full you just are too worn out to enjoy anything!!
I am addicted to living a peaceful life.....
because I don't believe God is the God of frantic activity, I believe he is the God of Peace!! Think scripture supports that....Since
Jesus was never in a hurry.

Blessings for a joyous Christmas Season!!
Nellie
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RebeccaDecember 11, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Nellie, That phrase "addicted to living a peaceful life" resonates with me. I'm so glad you typed those words this morning.
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LisaShawDecember 11, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Rebecca,

Looks like a beautiful time was had by all. Love your list at the end of all the BLESSINGS you are involved in upcoming and...may I be the first to pray a beautiful Birthday for you on your special day.

Just the thought of JESUS warms my heart.

Blessings and love!
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Crown of BeautyDecember 12, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Hi Rebecca,
I have been visiting your blog off and on this past year... and here I am again, on such a beautiful post. Your words are few and simple yet direct to the point.

I love how you focus on intentionality - and that Sandburg quote, how true. Time is the coin of our lives indeed, and if we are not careful, time is dissipated, wasted... and we are the poorer for it.

Happy Birthday in a few days, dear friend.

Your posts reflect a heart that is full of wisdom yet uncluttered.

May you have a new experience of Jesus this Christmas.

Much love,
Lidj
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"We simplify, not just to be less busy, even though we may be right to pursue that. Rather, we simplify to remove distractions from our pursuit of Christ. We prune activities from our lives, not only to get organized, but also that our devotion to Christ and service for His kingdom will be more fruitful. We simplify, not merely to save time, but to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing Christ. All the reasons we simplify should eventually lead us to Jesus Christ!" (Donald S. Whitney)

Dedicated to my sister-in-law, Beth--a TRUE home manager....

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry,
and see a fine picture every day of his life,
in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Contentment makes poor men rich.

-Benjamin Franklin

"What I am gradually discovering is that in the writing I come in touch with the Spirit of God." ~ Nouwen

~~"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting."~~Edmund Burke

C.S. Lewis: "To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in trusting a person if you wouldn't take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him."

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony." William Henry Channing

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Apostle Paul: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand. It stops us from taking anything for granted. It has also taught me alot about living in the immediate moment. I am somehow managing to live one day, one hour at a time." Madeleine L'Engle

FIVE CERTAINTIES
WITH WHICH TO
START YOUR DAY

God holds you. Each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19 NLT
God sustains you. THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1 AMP
God covers you. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust. Psalm 91:4 AMP
God pours His love upon you. Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me. Psalm 42:8 NLT
God will not fail you. The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Lamentations 3:22 NLT

THE BLOGGER'S PRAYER Lord, help me to learn to spell without spellcheck, manage to visit all that visit me, and post regularly - all in 5 minutes a day, so that I can clean house and take care of my family. Help me to not look at every occurrence in my life as a blog post, and to quit taking pictures of weird things to share as well. Please Lord, help me to stop talking about my blog friends as though they are next door neighbors or someone I have known all of my life. And help me, dear Lord, to think of something witty and wise to post tomorrow.
Love, The Dust Bunny Hostage

Sane, Simple, Sacred

Mercy

Tempus Fugit

Tempus fugit

Buy up your opportunities (Weymouth New Testament)

16 comments:

Writing a Song a Week #3