“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21

Christmas season is upon us again. Another time to remember that Jesus was born all those years ago so that you and I could be forgiven and live with Him forever in Heaven.

This year – remind yourself of this simple idea – you are enough.

You are enough for God to send Jesus here to die in your place.

You are enough without buying all the stuff.

You are enough without overscheduling yourself.

You are enough without having to run around like a crazy person trying to “get it all in”.

Be at peace with yourself. Jesus is ready to be at peace with you. He’s ready and wants to celebrate Christmas with you. In the right way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. – Henry David Thoreau

Reminder – thankfulness and gratitude shouldn’t be a once a year thing.

The Bible implores us to have thanks in all circumstances. And I think it really means ALL.

Let’s make it a habit.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. – W. Clement Stone

Being thankful is a great place to start because it reminds us that we have something to give.

We weren’t put on this earth to consume all that we can and be thankful along the way. We were made to give.

If you are thankful for all the love in your life, show it and share it.

If you are lucky enough to have a little extra money, give it away.

If you have some free time, find a place to volunteer.

There are many ways we can share this holiday season.

A great place to start is that list you think of over Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. As you think of what you are thankful for, take a moment to think of a way to share whatever it is you are thinking about.

Our real opportunity to change this place forever lies in our ability to share and give the best of ourselves with others.

What are you going to share?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward

Being thankful is the beginning of a better and more full life.

When we are thankful for what we have we transform our attitude and prepare ourselves for more of the same.

Think of an area of your life where you want to see a change.

Find something in that area to be thankful for.

Maybe an example would help.

Let’s say you wanted to save some money.

First, be thankful for whatever money you do have.

Treat that little bit as if it were a blessing that you get the opportunity to steward.

And then you will have the attitude it will take to start adding more.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/xi4OpBMbyGY?si=VVxUubV2lzFHS57k

We watched Home Alone over lunch yesterday (and with the kiddos last night).

While it’s a Christmas movie – it’s also a good lesson on being thankful for what you have.

Kevin wishes away his family in a moment of selfishness.

Then finds himself wanting nothing more than being with them.

The holidays can be hectic and chaotic. It’s easy to miss the real reason they are important.

Jesus was born to save us from sin. Our family and loved ones are a blessing to be thankful for. Our neighbors, coworkers, and those we interact with are to be served with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Resending this daily attitude from Thanksgiving last year.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thanksgiving is a time to remember to give thanks.

It’s easy to think about our families, jobs, and the other big things we are thankful for.

This verse reminds us to be thankful for everything.

I was listening to a podcast the other day where they said “I believe that life is working for me.” Both the good and the bad are happening for me. And for that I can be thankful.

Not just the easy stuff, the hard stuff too.

Being thankful is harder, but better.

Remember to be thankful for EVERYTHING this Thanksgiving.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away. – Arthur Helps

A kind word is never thrown away.

What kind word can you say today?

Who in your life needs to hear a kind word?

Thanksgiving is a great time to think about those in our lives we are thankful for and how to show them.

Say something nice today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Rule 2: Take care of yourself, the way you would take care of someone else. – Jordan Peterson from “The 12 Rules for Life”.

Imagine if there was some crazy new system where you were actually in charge of someone else’s life.

You got to choose how they spent their time, what they ate, whether they exercised, their inner monologue, all of it.

How would treat that person?

What would do to make sure that person was happy?

Now imagine you loved that person. That you would do anything to make them happy. Not happy like the commercials say we should be. But full of joy.

That person is you.

You are supposed to take care of yourself. Jim Rohn calls it “enlightened self interest”. You take care of yourself so that you can make the greatest impact.

You are worth it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self. – Napoleon Hill

Reminder for the week.

Most of our battle lies within.

Let go of your selfishness and embrace service with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/nsZBEng7aJM?si=yLzN2UD6CMeRYayK

Time to get thankful.

There is so much to be thankful for.

Are there problems? Of course.

Worries and concerns? Yep, plenty.

But there is plenty to be thankful for as well.

You get more of what you focus on.

You get to choose.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without a written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future.