Heart Hope by Olga

It seems that on every Top 10 New Years Resolution List there are always similar items. They may be worded a bit differently or they may be in a slightly different order, but almost all of them include: Lose weight Stop smoking Drink less alcohol Exercise more Learn something new Get out of debt Enjoy life more Get organized Help others Get a new job All of the resolutions on this list are good things. We should try to get healthy, improve relationships and manage our money better, but I think something might be missing. There is nothing regarding our spiritual life, so I would like to make a recommendation--this year, why don’t we include some additional items to our list such as: Memorize 12 scriptures, one a month Pray for friends, family and even strangers Give expecting nothing in return Read through the Bible Join a Bible study Serve in your church and your community Spend time with people you love Adopt a child through Compassion International and make the di...

Now that the hubbub of Christmas is over, maybe you will have time to sit back, relax and drink a cup of tea and reflect on the wonderful season and the purpose of our celebration. 2 1/2 c sugar 2 c Tang 1 t cinnamon 1 t ground cloves 3/4 c instant tea (plain) 1 pkg lemon Kool-aid Mix together the above ingredients then add 1 T of mixture to a cup of hot water . Enjoy! www.hearthope.org

What are your favorite TV shows? Are there ones that you must watch each week?  I am not a huge television watcher, so some of you may find the following confession quite odd. I watch Judge Judy—okay, I said it. She can be quite offensive with the badgering of the litigants and the loud accusations and harsh words, but there are certain things that I do enjoy about the show. It is difficult for me to understand why people cannot get along. Now I know that there are certain situations where lawsuits are necessary, but I have a hard time comprehending how mothers can sue daughters and grandchildren can sue grandparents or how about best friends being so upset over such little things that they must take it to court. Most of the cases are over money or possessions, but shouldn't  people and relationships be considered more important than “things”? Also what ever happened to forgiveness and working things out through compromise? I have noticed a pattern on Judge Judy. Many are d...

The presents have been opened and some of them even returned. The cards are neatly stacked. The candles have been burned and the food has been consumed. The Christmas carols are no longer on the radio and the tree trimmings have lost the luster. It seems that there is such a build up to Christmas and then it is over way too quickly. Some people are depressed during the holidays, while others get depressed when it is over. However, our depression or the let down feeling is unnecessary. Christmas can be celebrated throughout the year. Jesus is not a once a year occurrence, we can experience Him—His birth, His life, His presence all year long. It might take a little effort on our parts to set aside the time to be with Him. We might not have the lights or the carols or the scents, but what is keeping us from having other reminders of Him during the whole year. We can replace the cinnamon and cider scents and allow our actions to be the aroma of Christ to the world. We can have praise ...

This has been around for a long time, but it is well worth reading again. Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the Child of a peasant woman.  He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.  He never wrote a book.  He never held an office.  He never owned a home.  He never had a family.  He never went to college.  He never put His foot inside a big city.  He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born.  He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.  He had no credentials but Himself.  He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His Divine manhood.  While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him.  He was turned over to His enemies.  He went through the mockery of a trial.  He was nailed to a Cross between two thieves.  His executioners gamble...

Today I am a guest blogger at Mary DeMuth's Thin Place blog. I hope you will check it out at: http://www.marydemuth.com/?p=7739 www.hearthope.org

When is the last time you watched It’s a Wonderful Life uninterrupted? Is it one of your annual Christmas rituals? Have you ever wondered why it is considered a Christmas classic when it is relevant all year long?  These questions were floating through my mind as I watched It’s a Wonderful Life all the way through for the first time. Of course I had seen bits and pieces of the 1946 classic in the past, but snuggled on the sofa recently, I didn’t miss a scene. As most everyone knows, the show set in Bedford Falls takes you through the life of one man who was going through a tough time and wished that he had never been born. Clarence, the angel who is trying to earn his wings, takes George Bailey on a preview of what would have happened to people and his hometown if he had never lived.  George had always been a selfless man, who stood up for what was right, looked out for the best interests of others and even sacrificed his own dreams for the sake of others. When the sho...

I have just left City Market in Avon, shopping for my weekly groceries. There is ample evidence that it is Christmas week. The parking lot is jam packed with cars bearing license plates from across the US parked haphazardly, the scent of cedar greets you as you arrive at the entrance and the aisles are swarming with customers wandering aimlessly around looking for the necessary items to create the Christmas magic.  It can be challenging for “locals” at this time of year, being invaded by the masses who don’t know where they are going, or how to drive in the snowy conditions, but my heart goes back to the days when we too were visitors so I try to be patient, loving and kind to the people who gather here for the holiday season.  After checking out with our groceries, my husband remembered that he needed to pick up a prescription, so I stood at the front of the store looking at the masses in line, people not only from this country, but from   across the globe who had c...

One of my favorite days of the season--Susan Brooks' package arrives with her delicious Caramel Crunch enclosed. She has graciously supplied the recipe in case you need a last minute gift. 12 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 c unpopped) 1-3 oz can chow mein noodles 1 c dry roasted peanuts 1/2 c raisins 1 1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar 3/4 c butter or margarine 3/4 c light corn syrup 1 t ground cinnamon 1/2 t baking soda Combine the first 4 ingredients in a lightly greased roasting pan and set aside. Combine brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan;cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until mixture boils. Remove from heat, and stir in soda (mixture will bubble). Pour brown sugar mixture over popcorn mixture; stir with a lightly greased long-handled spoon to coat evenly. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately pour onto waxed paper, breaking apart large clumps as they cool. Store in airtight conta...