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FAITH:

Romans 5:2-4
"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope"

Perseverance is the key to every great accomplishment because nothing of lasting value has ever been achieved without it. Industrialist Henry Ford is one of the great success stories of American history, but he failed in business five times before he succeeded. A Ford Motor Company employee once asked his boss the secret of success, and Henry Ford replied, "When you start a thing, don't quit until you finish it."

The path ahead of you is strewn with obstacles. People will oppose you. There will be financial setbacks, time pressures, illnesses and misfortunes. Some of the biggest obstacles will be inside of you: self-doubt, insecurity, procrastination, and worry. You must give yourself permission to succeed.

When we persevere through adversity, we win the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ, who told the suffering church at Ephesus, "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. . . . You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary" (Rev. 2:2-3). That, I'm sure, is the same commendation Joseph received from God when he passed the perseverance test.

Perseverance is a refusal to quit. It's falling down 100 times and getting back up 101 times. We need to remember that perseverance is not a matter of forcing doors to open; it's standing in front of the doors as long as it takes before God chooses to open them.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. The race doesn't go to the swiftest, but to those who don't give up. We need endurance in order to deal with the stress of adversity. We must maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. People give up or give out when they feel depleted?
When they physically, emotionally and spiritually run out of gas.

When going through adversity, watch out for pessimists, blamers and toxic personalities. Beware of people who try to talk you out of your dreams and goals. Spend time with optimists and encouragers. Seek out people of faith.

Persevere to the end. by Os Hillman

FRIENDS:

Father, You know my heart and my heartaches. You have showered me with blessings and carried me through the valley of pain and sadness. Thank you for the godly influence of special people in my life. Thank you for those who pray for and encourage me. I even thank you for the hard times and trials I have been through, for they have strengthened my faith. I praise you for giving me a spirit of hope, love, and acceptance, rather than allowing me to become angry, bitter, and downcast. I praise you God, from whom all blessings flow. May I, in return, be a blessing to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR
1. The way food tastes
2. The church Christmas party
3. A spirit of helpfulness in others
4. Uncle Rube
5. My laptop
6. Christmas lights and decorations
7. The first Christmas card I received
8. People caring for each other
9. Retirement
10. If I say the Farmers Market again it's not an oversight, just
me being grateful every time I eat something I bought there.



FOOD:

this got rave reviews on one of the food lists I belong to

Hollywood Squares (LIKE Reese's Peanut Butter Cups)

Ingredients:
2 cups peanut butter
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted

Topping:
2 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 tbsp. peanut butter

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except topping ingredients.
Mix well and press into a buttered 9-inch pan.
Melt the topping ingredients together (the microwave works well for this) and spread over the top of the peanut butter mixture.
Chill until topping is firm.
Cut into squares.

FUN:

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots
on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the
Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots,
leave immediately. Go next door, where
they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And
quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other
time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares
that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not
as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic
or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it.
Have one for me. Have two.
It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the
whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone.
Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed
potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
Eat the volcano.
Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're
made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's
skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a
sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a
party in an effort to control your eating.
The whole point of going to a Christmas party
is to eat other people's food for free.
Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise
between now and New Year's.
You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long
naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet
table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food
and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good
at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies
in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself
near them and don't budge. Have as many as
you can before becoming the center of attention.
They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave
them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat.
Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like
mincemeat, have two apples and one
pumpkin. Always have three.
When else do you get to have more than
one dessert? Labor Day ?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake?
Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory
calories, but avoid it at all cost.
I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible
when you leave the party or get up from the table,
you haven't been paying attention.
Re-read tips; start over, but hurry,
January is just around the
corner. Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely in an
attractive and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
chocolate in one hand, body
thoroughly used up, totally worn out
and screaming "WOO HOO what
a ride!"

Have a great holiday season...