Carmen Horne

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Pondering the Birth of Jesus

by Carmen Horne 4 Comments

Hey friends, welcome Ellen Chauvin to our porch. I wrote for her a few weeks ago, Learning to Listen. Hop over there to remind yourself of how Ellen and I met. Ellen has an amazing Christmas e-book that she is gifting to her subscribers and she wants to offer it to Y’all too. 

Ellen is a joy to be with and a steady, calm voice to my heart when I need it. Enjoy the words she has written for you today. 

Abiding Joy Book Cover

You. Hey you! The one with the pumpkin spice candle burning. The one holding a pumpkin spice latte. You in your boots and all your fall colors, and a scarf tied around your neck! Yeah, you.
I have a reality check for you: there are only sixteen more days until DECEMBER! Yes! Only sixteen! You know what that means, don’t you?

Frasier Fir candles and air fresheners! Ummm, they smell so much better than pumpkin spice! Oh, yeah, there’s also this: Christmas pillows EVERYWHERE! Along with holly and pine garland and poinsettia!

Sadly, it also means rushing around. RUSH, RUSH, RUSH from church parties to company parties to family get-togethers. You shop until you drop for just the perfect gift, you bake until you can’t stand to see another dessert in the house. You run, run, run until you can’t go anymore.

I know. I’ve been there. It’s EXHAUSTING!

Matter of fact, I was there last year. I was so frazzled with the frenzied, frantic, fast and furious pace that I made a decision. I would spend a few minutes each morning, quietly reading the scriptures that told the story of Jesus’ birth. I took just a few passages each day and soaked in them. It calmed my heart.

I figured if I needed this slowing and calming, maybe you do too? That’s why I turned all my notes into a 21-day advent devotion called Abiding Joy. My prayer is that it will help YOU slow down and ponder the birth of Jesus.

It will take five minutes or less for each days reading. But DON’T! Don’t rush through it. Ponder what it was like to stand with the shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Imagine what a sight it must have been to see the multitude of heavenly hosts and hear them singing “Glory to God in the highest!”

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)

Let your imagination smell the hay in the manger, and watch while Mary and Joseph gaze upon their newborn babe for the very first time! Put yourself in the story. Linger over it!
Ask yourself this: Do I need to slow down this Christmas season? Do I need to get back to the basics of the Christmas story?

If your answer is YES, I believe Abiding Joy will help you do just that. You can click here (Sign Up For Abiding Joy) to receive at no cost, my 21 day PDF devotion in your inbox on December 1. It’s my gift to you. Click here for a sample of Abiding Joy. Just a little bit of Christmas to prepare you for the complete e-book delivery after you sign up. I pray it blesses you tremendously!

Thank you! And (ahem!) may your home be filled with the fragrance of Frasier Fir this Christmas!

Ellen pens her stories from the Bayou Country of South Louisiana, but her heart and birthplace are in Mississippi. She’s a Southern Belle through and through. When not writing and digging into God’s Word, you can find Ellen digging in her flower beds, relaxing on the back porch, hanging out with her grandkids, or traveling with her husband John.

Ellen has loved writing since high school, but this passion lay dormant for many decades. When her mom passed away in 2011, Ellen felt the Lord urging her to write her stories, stories that help her see the story of His faithfulness He is writing in her life.

Ellen has a passion to see women grow in the yearning and thirst for God’s Word. She is passionate about scripture and shares the truths she finds there at Ellen Chauvin (dot) com. Ellen encourages her readers to soak in God’s Word and sprout seeds of faith.

She has contributed to Deeper Waters, Word Nerd Wednesday, The Laundry Moms, Sweet to the Soul, The Consilium and The Message, a study magazine published annually by the women’s department of WEGOM, a non-denominational evangelistic organization in Nigeria.

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It Really is Who You Know that Matters

by Carmen Horne 2 Comments

“It’s not what you know but who you know that really matters.” Have you ever made that statement? I have. I said it recently when my daughter changed jobs with the help of a recommendation from her friend. 

I’m pretty sure that Lazarus and his sisters were depending on their connection to Jesus when Lazarus fell ill. He had dined in their home. Reading their story in John 11 feels like there is a closeness. This family was more than mere acquaintances with Jesus. The sisters called Lazarus Jesus’ dear friend. 

That’s why Mary and Martha just didn’t get Jesus’ response. Good grief, I don’t either Martha and Mary. I do because I have read Jesus’ explanation in the Scripture, but I don’t ’cause I am a sister and my heart goes out to these ladies as they were trying desperately to get help for their brother. Verse five can make your heart sink if you are a sissy and your Bubba is near death, “So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. FINALLY [emphasis mine], he said to his disciples, ‘Let’s go back to Judea.'”

My word. 

Martha ran to Jesus when she heard He was about to arrive back in town. Mary was deep in grief. She stayed home. Gosh, don’t you know she wanted to punch someone like Malynne wanted to do in Steel Magnolias?

The Bible records several emotions from Jesus when He arrived back in Bethany – anger, sadness. I don’t comprehend all the feelings Jesus must have had swirling within. The disappointment His friends felt in Him, His disappointment with their unbelief, and His grief at the death of a dear friend. 

Jesus lived to glorify His father. Every action and decision He made was with that desire in mind. His obedience after all brought us forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. It is at this scene that Jesus reveals to Martha what it really means to know Him, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die.” God’s glory shined that day. When Jesus shouted “Lazarus, come out!” and Lazarus walked out bound in grave clothes, many believed. 

Jesus is life to us. He is our only hope. When this world beats down on us with all it’s got, we can rest in the knowing that we have life even after these bodies of ours give up. 

He solidifies our way to this everlasting life He has promised with John 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Quoting Lysa Terkeurst in Finding I AM, “Jesus doesn’t come to show a “better” way. There is no other way. There is one way, and that way is simply and solely through Christ.” 

It really does matter who you know. Do you know Jesus?

If you have never made Jesus your Lord and Savior, today can be your day. It’s pretty simple. Lord, I surrender my all to You. Forgive me where I have failed You and empower me with Your Holy Spirit to live for You the rest of my life. I welcome You into my heart, Jesus. I’m Yours and You are mine. In the name of Jesus, amen!

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What Others Are Saying...

"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."

Deana G.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:28:02-05:00

Deana G.

"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/deana-g/
"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."

Norah A.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:27:16-05:00

Norah A.

"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/norah-a/
"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."

Judy H.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:26:03-05:00

Judy H.

"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/judy-h/
"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."

Karen S.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:23:50-05:00

Karen S.

"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/karen-s/
"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"

Dianne A.

Carmen Horne, Life Coach
5
2016-06-25T01:22:56-05:00

Dianne A.

"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"
https://www.carmenhorne.com/testimonials/dianne-a/
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Carmen Horne, Life Coach

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