My Reflections

12/14/2024

Take UP Your Cross

Blog Prompt: What has influenced your faith?



Answer: There are many things that have influenced my faith throughout the years. First of all, my dad was a preacher. He mostly preached in the Okc and Guthrie Oklahoma Jails. He also did some preaching at nursing homes and rescue missions. Occasionally, he would help in a church somewhere. He also had a radio program when I was a really little girl until it got too expensive for him to stay on the air.

My Grandmother had a Pentecostal background. Her prayers and Bible reading also had an impact on me.

I went to private (Christian) schools and to church. Both of these had an impact too.

I have also done a lot of research and studying for myself. I think this has been a huge influence by itself.


Prayer prompt: Pray that God would use you as an encouragement to those who are discouraged, downtrodden, and weary.

Dear God,

Please be with those who are struggling with depression, are discourage, are downtrodden, and weary. Help them to find their identity in you. Be with them. Renew their strength.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

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FORUM

Feasting On The Word of God   (E) This is for a Bible study group. #2245217 by Marvelous Friend

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Are you in the need for prayer? Let us know here and we will pray for you.

SURVEY

Open Door To Grace Prayer Hot Line  (E) Do you want prayer? Ask for it here! All requests are confidential. #1372909 by Marvelous Friend

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FORUM

Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt Forum  (E) This is the forum where blog prompts will be posted for the Blogging Circle of Friends. #1901904 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

Nostalgia looks different to each person but when it comes to Christmas decorating, we all have a few memories in common. What's your favorite decoration as a child, as an adult? Do you choose themes for your trees each year?

I have many wonderful memories of decorations as a child, at my home and at my grandma's house. I helped my best friend's dad decorate their house as an adult and have enjoyed using my creativity to decorate in years past. I have decorated my workplaces before as well. I haven't ever really been much on choosing a theme for the tree.

When I was a child, I wasn't allowed to have a tree at our house. We put our gifts around the nativity scene. Grandma had a tree at her house though. I have always enjoyed various nativity scenes. I think my favorite decoration has always been the lights.

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On December 14, 1911, Norwegian Roald Amundsen becomes the first explorer to reach the South Pole, beating his British rival, Robert Falcon Scott. If you were offered a free trip to the South Pole to help with research, would you go?

While I would probably enjoy helping with some research, I don't think the South Pole would be the place for me to do it since I have a sensitivity to the cold. When my skin gets too cold, I break out in hives. I discovered this as a teenager when I went ice skating with a school group. My hands and fingers had always swollen, but those hives were absolutely miserable. My mother took me to the doctor immediately. I was diagnosed with Cold Urticaria.