Have A Holly Jolly Hodgepodge

Welcome to the holly jolly Hodgepodge! If you've answered the questions, add your link at the end of Joyce's post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. We're all about spreading Christmas cheer here on Wednesdays.

1. Are you more task oriented or people oriented? Elaborate.  I get my tasks done....but I am definitely a Mary in a Martha world and am people oriented.

2. December 15 is National Wear Your Pearls Day...do you own/wear pearls? If you're a man answering the question, does your sweetheart own or wear pearls? Everyone share a 'pearl of wisdom' with us here today.  I adore pearls and own a couple of strands of black, gray, and white. 

My pearl of wisdom for today is this...

3. Speaking of pearls...oysters? Are you a fan or not a fan? If you answered yes, tell us your favorite way to eat oysters? If you said no, be honest-have you ever tried one or does just the idea of eating an oyster make you gag a little?  I like oysters. They're not my favorite seafood, but I like them. Best way? Raw

4. Time Magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump Person of the Year. Let's take presidents and presidential candidates out of the mix for a minute. If a political figure had not been chosen who would you name Man or Woman of the Year for 2016?  I would have had it be a collage of a firefighter, policeman, or military personnel.

5. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2017 has been announced and it's a vibrant green, aptly named-greenery. Your thoughts? Is this a color currently in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade for the new year? Click here to see the color.  I love the color green! I don't have the color in my home, but see it all around just outside my windows. I would definitely wear this color, and have a top that's close to it. I might look for something in this particular shade because I like to wear green. 

6. Today I've had too many__________________.  ...argumentative students, whining parents, and negative people for one day.

7. Share a favorite lyric from a favorite Christmas carol.  I have a carol and a song I want to share.

The first is by Pentatonix

"Mary, Did You Know?"

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?..
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?..

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?..
Mary, did you know?

The second is by Rascal Flatts

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

8. Insert your own random thought here.   Being sick during the holidays stinks.  I have been sick since Thanksgiving and right now am trying to get through finals on the 20th so I can work on getting better.  Merry Christmas to all.....and say a little prayer for me tonight.

Pray A-Z: Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community

About The Book: Pray A to Z: Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community (Worthy, November 2016)  Change the world one prayer at a time.  How would our community change if instead of absently saying, "I'll pray for you," we actually did pray---deeply, intensely, and purposefully?  Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Praying for Your Community will help you topically organize your prayer requests and lay the burdens of your community at the feet of our Heavenly Father.  With compassion and encouragement, Amelia Rhodes offers Bible verses and prayer prompts, organized topically for every letter of the alphabet. There are five topics per letter---three prayers of petition asking God to work in a certain area of need, and two more prayers of praise to reflect gratitude for God's presence in the daily issues and relationships of life. Through petition and praise, your specific, focused communion with God will lighten your heart as you place the heaviness of those prayer requests where they belong---on His strong shoulders.  Whether you are praying for a friend's adoption journey, a neighbor's bankruptcy, or a family member's cancer, this book will give you Bible verses, prayer prompts, and prayer starts to guide you through praying for even the most difficult issues that affect the people you know and love. Perfect for either individual or group prayer, Pray A to Z will help you experience the peace that comes from communicating with God.  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2guYoyl

About The Author:  Amelia Rhodes is a speaker and author of Isn't It Time for a Coffee Break: Doing Life Together in an All-About-Me Kind of World. Amelia's writing has also been featured in four Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, devotionals for the OneHope blog Undeterred and the international devotional Upper Room. Amelia has a growing speaking ministry and speaks regularly to women's groups on topics of spiritual growth, friendship, and community, offering practical tools for living our faith in the everyday. She lives in Lowell, Michigan.

My Thoughts On The Book: I love the way this book helps us pray with power and intensity! The simplicity of the layout makes the praying person pray with a deeper concern for family, friends, and community.    I am a pastor and loved this book so much that I have introduced it in small steps to my congregation and prayer groups.  It is a powerful teaching tool when you can develop a more disciplined prayer life.  The A-Z layout gives us a diving off spot.  Her categories don't have to be your categories, and her prayers don't have to be yours either, but they allow the Holy Spirit a starting place.  I loved, loved, loved this book! It is a great way to a highly effective prayer life.   I would highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book  from Litfuse.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”