Religion & Spirituality

Letting Go of Christmas Expectations and the Stress

December 25, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

As you eat prime rib, turkey, and open gifts from your family and friends are you thinking this Christmas is not meeting expectations? Is it different, are your traditions changing? Our Christmas traditions are definitely changing and it’s not a bad thing. It’s an adjustment.

Due to outside family obligations, we have “our” Christmas on Christmas Eve-Eve on December 23rd and open presents at 12:01 am on Christmas Eve.

Long story, but it’s become a tradition. Normally I get the 23rd and or the 24th off, but this year I had to work and it really put my Christmas season out of whack.

We had the dinner, which was AMAZING, but then can prime rib roast NOT be amazing. My husband was wonderful in getting dinner prepared while I was at work and Christmas program practice.

I basically showed up and ate, which wonderful and odd at the same time.

It’s now Christmas Day, it is just the two of us, and the house is quiet. This gives me time to reflect on the year and where I’ve been and where I’m going.

This year I “let go” during the Holidays.

- I didn’t get every Christmas cookie made.
- I didn’t get cards mailed, ok that’s several years in a row.
- I didn’t stress about all the presents under the tree being adorned with bows, ribbons and looking fancy.,,,in fact
- ALL the presents were with the SAME wrapping paper, and not a bow to be seen (OMG!)
- Not all the Christmas decorations were put up this year.
- I shrugged off the fact my “extra” presents for people didn’t happen this year.
- I didn’t cry when all the kids couldn’t be home during dinner. (traveling from out of state isn’t predictable)
- I didn’t stress about the “yearly” family Christmas photo in front of the tree where everyone is dressed up for church service. (didn’t happen this year)
- I didn’t freak out that everyone couldn’t make it to Christmas Eve service. (my daughter had to work late)
- I didn’t go into a panic trying to find that present (ornament) that got “lost” this year. It will show up this week I’m sure.

What I did do this year.

I was thankful for the present, now and today.
I sat on the couch, watched the Christmas tree lights and listened to Christmas carols on Pandora.
I hugged my adult kids when I could, much to their dismay.
I snuggled on the couch with my husband watching Christmas movies.

and…

- I played the piano during the church Christmas Eve program and listened to the pure sound of the kids singing Away in the Manger.
- I teared up singing Silent Night at the Candlelight portion of the service.
- I am grateful to be alive and have all my grown kids healthy, happy and all together today. No matter where they are spending the day.

Holy Gifts: The True Meaning of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh C Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ’s Birth

Does it feel different? Yes, and it feels odd. But,…Christmas is not about the commercialism, the wrappings, or the gifts.

It starts with Christ, a baby born a humble birth, in a time of turmoil, who was sent by God to save His people and world. The Peace of God, the everlasting forgiveness who washes away our sins, cleanse us and makes us new.

To think over two thousand years ago a simple baby, a child, a man, was able to change the world. All of this without social media, just word of mouth from one person to another.

Merry Christmas Everyone and Remember the Reason for the Season!

The First Christmas Night The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey The Christmas Story: From The King James Bible Away in a Manger: The Christmas Story from a Nativity Scene Lamb’s Point of View

National Day of Prayer

May 1, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The first Thursday of May is designated as the National Day of Prayer and people from all over the country will gather at flag poles for “See you at the Pole” events to pray for our country, our government, and good leaders. At our local school district students will meet in front first thing in the morning to observe the National Day of Prayer. To pray in Jesus name to ask Him to come into our lives, give us peace, hope, unity and strength.

History of the National Day of Prayer

You might be surprised to learn that it was the United States government under President Truman that enacted the first official Day of Prayer.

The National Day of Prayer (36 U.S.C. § 119)^[1] is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation”. Each year since its inception, the president has signed a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.^[2] The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952; however, days of prayer have been called for since 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.^[3]http://en.wikipedia.org

Prayer and religious freedom is why the United States was founded. People escaped from religious persecution and found a home in America where they could worship freely. Now, more than ever we need to remember this. The Christian faith is being attacked from all sides. The military is limiting outward signs of prayer and faith. However, at least in the Marine Corps, chaplains, faith and God are a cornerstone. A prayer is said by the chaplain during the graduation ceremony.

Marine Corp Champlain leading off the graduation — Marine Corp Chaplain, Captain Johnson, leading off the graduation with prayer

The National Day of Prayer has been challenged over the years by the Freedom of Religion Foundation, but they have lost several times. When such government entities dating back to 1775 and the Continental Congress reaches all the modern day governors from all fifty states, there is support that no many can put asunder.

Let’s continue to keep God, Christ, faith, and prayer in the United States, our country and out hearts.

Listen to “We Pray”, recorded for the National Day of Prayer

How will you recognize the National Day of Prayer? Will you attend a rally, have a small group. Or will you prayer privately, alone with your Father who knows and hears all things. Regardless of how you prayer, just pray, not just today, but every day. If you don’t know what to pray, or how to start, start with the Lords Prayer, which is the perfect prayer.

Links to the National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer to Encourage a United Voice

Thursday marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer. This year’s theme is “One Voice, United in Prayer.” An estimated 40,000 people nationwide will mark the day with special events, including many at local and national government buildings.

And furthermore … National Day of Prayer

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National Day of Prayer to Encourage a United Voice – US …

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National Day of Prayer 2014 – American Association of …

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Easter Version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

April 17, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

New Easter Lyrics to Hallelujah – Kelly Mooney Version

I love Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, my kids have sung it in choir and when I heard the following version by Kelley Mooney written with spiritual and liturgical lyrics I knew I wanted to post the song and video on my blog for the Easter season.

History of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen wrote this song in 1984 and struggled with it for many years with it going through 80 drafts verses before settling on the final edit.

Considering the struggle to write and originally publish the song it has been covered and sung by more than 300 artists and sold more than 5 million copies (source Wikipedia). In 2013 it was sung at Fenway Park to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings before the Red Sox game.

Lyrics to Hallelujah- Kelly Mooney Easter Version

You may have the music to the original Hallelujah version, but if you would like to substitute the words here are the lyrics to the New Easter lyrics to Hallelujah by Kelly Mooney.

Celebrate Easter with the an Easter Halleluja Cohen version writen for Easter.

Lyrics to An Easter Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen Music

A crown of thorns placed on His head
He knew that He would soon be dead
He said did you forget me Father did you?
They nailed Him to a wooden cross
Soon all the world would feel the loss
Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah