‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – with a twist

December 24, 2009

May you have a blessed Christmas! Enjoy this poem as my gift to you.

Love,
Kira Wagner
Your Freedom Guide

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land -
Not a person was stirring, no woman nor man;
Heads were bowed and in silence they’d start,
To offer up prayers that God’s love would fill hearts.

The faithful knew peace and love still abounds,
Yet even their hearts questioned as they looked around;
Confusion, despair, depression and more
All searching for peace to be bought in a store.

Some children seemed lost, forgotten, alone,
Some on the streets – others at home.
Families broken in pain and in strife
Values confused between money and life

Fighting abroad, precious lives lost
Fighting within – joy being the cost
No sound of laughter rang through the night
All eyes were cast downward to avoid such a sight.

Then throughout the heavens rang bells clear and strong,
Sending a message in beautiful song.
The angels gave praise as they sang loud and clear,
Rejoice in His love, hold this one thought dear.

God’s love was a gift – to me and to you.
He freely gave and paid the price too.
His power is greater than any on earth
His love came to light the night of His birth.

Look to the stars; let your heart fill with joy
Each moment give thanks for that tiny boy
He came with purpose and power and might.
He led the way with actions and sight.

Give thanks overflowing; let your heart fill with cheer
Banish the doubt, the dark and the fear.
God’s love reigns supreme He’ll care for us all
Be still in His plan, then follow his call.

So trust and faith were the answer to prayer
With a touch of patience as we rest in His care.
Share laughter and joy as you see with His sight
And, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

12/24/2009 Kira P. Wagner

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By Kira | Posted in Freedom, Religion, Twas the night before Christmas, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Gratitude Day 14 – So Many Blessings

November 22, 2009

The other day one of the posts on FaceBook said that the problem with finding something new every day until Thanksgiving to be grateful for was that “it was harder the longer it went on”. I’ve thought about that … a lot since then.

I admit there are moments when the dreams or plans I’ve had seem to take a turn in a direction that I can see no purpose or point – and I get in a temporary funk. But it’s always come full circle and slowly I’ve learned to just be present with…whatever is happening. As long as I continue to do my best and be prayerfully minded I’ll understand it eventually and it will all work out perfectly.

If I’ve had any challenge with this series, it’s picking only one thing a day to be grateful for. A warm bed to sleep in and food to eat are two that so many of us take for granted. I thank God for these and so much more. Sometimes I like to sing myself to sleep with the words of Irving Berlins, Count Your Blessings – as he wrote, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings.”

Until tomorrow…

Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

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Gratitude Day 13 – “Redneck”

November 21, 2009

Today I’m grateful that I’m a Redneck. I know, it’s a bit of a left turn and with the “redneck” association to the south but I was pleased when I received this in an email from a friend. It’s a different take, and I think that it applies across continents and cultures as it’s really about respect and heart.

So while we have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, it’s time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God.

You might be a redneck if:

  • It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God’
  • You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places
  • You still say ‘Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival’
  • You bow your head when someone prays
  • You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem
  • You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have
  • You’ve never burned an American flag in protest, nor intend to
  • You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening
  • You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same
  • You’d give your last dollar to a friend

BTW – My daddy’s family was most recently from Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma area while my mom’s was from Russia and the Ukraine so I get the cross culture concept :)

Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

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Gratitude Day 12 – Light

November 20, 2009

I’m grateful for the light that illuminates the way before me and guides me. Sometimes it’s the sunshine — always its the Sonshine. It just depends on what I’m asking for and where I’m going.

May love and light be yours always!

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Gratitude 9 – Opportunity

November 18, 2009

Today I am grateful for opportunity. The opportunity to try something new and just be present with the experience.

I have the opportunity to make mistakes – to fall flat on my face, get up and try again. I even have the choice to listen to “the committee” and worry about what “they” will say, think or do OR know that the truth lies between God and I and that’s a good thing!

Ultimately I am blessed with the opportunity to learn, grow and experience so much in life. May you all take chances, see choices and create change in your life by embracing of the opportunities that come your way!

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Gratitude – Day 7 Love

November 15, 2009

Serendipity plays into life when we stay in the moment.

Today I am grateful for love, the caring of family and friends both near and far. The love of a God who is all present and all knowing and loves me unconditionally.

And tonight my prayers go out to the young family of Noah Biorkman in Tennessee. While his CarePage has the same information it also requires a log-in. It’s times like these that this poem is so fitting.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.” ~ by Mary Stevenson

May you be held in the palm of His hand – today and always!

Kira

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Gratitude – Day 6 Peace of Mind

November 14, 2009

Today I’m grateful for peace of mind.

Sometimes when it seems that there is a firestorm all around God speaks in the still small voice and says; “Peace, be still” and I know that whatever is on the horizon will come out OK.

It reminds me of the story about the old Chinese emperor who wanted his artisans to create something so unique that it would always keep him centered. After many trials, a fine jeweler brought him a gold ring with nothing more than four words engraved around the inside of the ring.

At once he knew that this was what he had been looking for. When he was on the top of the mountain so proud in his accomplishments or in the valley of despair, one look and he would find a balance in his life.

All of this with these four simple words, “this too shall pass“.

May the wisdom of this saying be yours today.

In Harmony,
Kira

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Gratitude – Day 4

November 13, 2009

I wear a ring that says “Everything is possible when you have faith”. And yes – sometimes I wear it to remind myself :)

The saying is true. Who know what we could accomplish if we would release the negative self-talk, that committee that sits on the shoulder and says, who are you to imagine that?

There is a reason that you can’t turn around without seeing some kind of motivational saying about never giving up, always believing, having faith.

Last night a part of me was wondering what was the point of this self-imposed idea of 50+ days writing and sharing about something to be grateful for. Isn’t it just one more voice that keeps saying “the same thing”? And then I heard that little voice repeating “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

And suddenly I understood in my mind what my heart had told me long before – these ARE the thoughts that will serve us, they are profitable for the body, mind and spirit.

Our thoughts do create our reality so…today I am most grateful for the simple suggestion of doing this gratitude “excercise”.

Who knows what will happen by the New Year!

Join me, won’t you, in seeing what you can accomplish with just a little faith!

In Harmony,
Kira

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Gratitude – Day 3

November 12, 2009

It’s the third day and I find and interesting dichotomy playing in my mind.

Today is Veteran’s Day so we remember those that have served our country in times of peace and war. As a former Marine I was blessed to have never been in any conflict…but many of my friends were not so fortunate.

Now the flip-side is that it’s “Day 3″ which reminded me of the freedom as a gift of personal sacrifice by one man and on the third day He returned and confirmed the fact that death had no power over Him. Christ came and set an example of peace. He preached a gospel of peace and love for our fellow man. The “law” that advocated a time for war was prior to his birth. I wonder what it will take for mankind to embrace the grace that has been imparted.

I am most grateful for the grace. It is because of that love, the mercy of a God who knows that I have one heck of an ego and sometimes get very full of myself – and still loves me while helping me to see the truth that I can close my eyes and night and rest. I would have a hard time sleeping at night otherwise.

There’s an incredible freedom in that knowledge – and I’m grateful for that too!

What is it that you’re grateful for today?

Kira

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Easter Sunday – Our Independence Day

April 12, 2009

Have you ever considered that today is the Universal Independence Day?

When Christ hung on the cross as intercession for each and every one of His own he stated, “It is finished”. He had paid the price and guaranteed our place in Heaven.

But, we still had a fear that death would consume us. Mankind saw him die on that cross and, just like today, most of us only believed what we “saw”. The question of “what if…” crept in. Then three days later his body was no longer confined to that tomb and he walked among us once again.

Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the assurance that death has no power. Those three days that He laid in the tomb were a time of transformation.

Because of His caring, His unconditional love, you and I are free today to choose our path. We have the ability to rejoice in a state of gratitude and know that we are blessed beyond measure.

We have the beauty of sun, moon, sky around us every day. Even when we can’t see it – we know it’s there.

We have the choice to, as Bobby McFerrin sang, don’t worry, be happy”. 

Yes, there are situations that we have created in this world that are less than pleasant, created out of fear. However, we have the choice to change those things and slowly, we’re doing so.

So take a moment today and reflect on the wonderful freedom that you and I share. The freedom that allows us to be at peace within, regardless of the circumstances without.

Share a smile today, be grateful for the state of grace you find yourself in and give thanks to the one who made the miracle possible.

Happy Easter!

Love,

Kira

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