Welcome to Day 23 of the Christmas Peace for Busy Moms online Bible study. Today I have a video and a special guest interview. Visit the YouTube link below to access the video.
Here is my review for Devotions for Christmas, the book I mentioned in the video.
My special guest today is Pam Depoyan, artist and blogger. Read her writing, then browse through her online art gallery where she loves to paint stories of our lives in classic pen and ink, pastel and pencil. I love Pam’s detailed drawings!
Q: How do you keep peace day by day in your heart?
I think the chief way to maintain His peace is to keep conversational prayer ongoing throughout the day. How this might look:
- Consciously turning my waking thoughts to God as I open my eyes and think about my day. Greeting Him, declaring a promise of His or two in statement form – the way David does in the psalms. Such as, “Thank you Father that you surround me today with songs of joy and victory. You bless the work of my hands. You make me run and not get weary.” Asking Him to make me aware of any “divine appointments” He wants to send my way that day.
- Singing my prayers or even just praise on occasions when I’m alone – doing dishes, driving, etc.
- Asking Him to make me aware of beauty and light and grace around me – to see paintings and stories all around in our daily lives in simple moments of wonder.
- Asking Him to show me who and what to pray for that day.
- Stopping myself immediately when I fall into negative thinking, get frustrated with other drivers, act selfishly and turn to Him to ask for His help, His forgiveness, His strength.
- Paying attention to others around me in stores, in cars, on errands and lifting them up to Him. Praying for whomever is in need when I see ambulances racing.
- Setting specific time to sit and listen to Him in His Word, to write down what I think He is saying. Then I always ask Him to confirm those thoughts with His Word, turning to Scripture.
- Forgiving anyone who has hurt me, asking for forgiveness of any way I may have hurt another… telling God I don’t want anything to stand between me and Him.
Q: How do you plan to bring peace to your home and family this Christmas?
I used to try and do everything to the nth degree for Christmas. It wasn’t always peaceful. Now, I want to be more thoughtful about the decorations and ornaments I do choose to put out.
Not everything has to be used every year. I want to take time to sit quietly and listen to Christmas music and enjoy the tree lights, even if it is only for 30 minutes a day. To re-savor favorite Christmas movie classics and introduce young friends to some of them they may not have seen. To ask God to bring people my way who may need an encouraging touch from Him and to show me how to use my gifts that way.
Q: Where do you experience the most peace at Christmastime?
I always experience peace at church in the worship time especially, but at Christmas everything is even more alive with His Peace. In candlelight, in poinsettias, in handshakes one to another, in carols so ingrained upon our hearts. So many of those carols are scripture-based, and I always feel them wash over me with His anointing and presence. I especially love the candlelight service, watching the darkness turn to blazing warm light.
Questions for you:
What part of the video inspired peaceful thoughts?
Which part of Pam’s interview sparked a new idea for your peaceful practices?
How to plan for a peaceful Christmas celebration. #christmaspeace #xmaspeace4moms Click To Tweet
Please head over to Day 24 now to learn about peaceful preparation.
Our theme verse for this week:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
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