nancy duggin | dandibell

extreme Christmas (3of3)

November 25, 2013 No Comments

this is guest post three of three from my dear friend, nancy duggin. (read post one of three HERE. read post two of three HERE. ) she has such a heart for parents, children, and families as a whole to experience the reality of Jesus in every day life. i look forward to how she will challenge us all as we prepare to celebrate Christmas 2013.

past examples of extreme Christmases from others.

One year we began to pray I Timothy 6:18, “Be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” God led us to give to Lottie Moon the same dollar amount that we spent on all holiday activities and gifts. One of our children wanted to empty his piggy bank, getting a gift for a classmate who had no coat.
We begin our conversations about giving before Thanksgiving. It proves to be the perfect time, as we focus on giving thanks and expressing a life of thanksliving. One year God led us to several individuals we were able to bless anomalously. Jesus set the example of giving without expecting anything in return. That is hard for us—hard for our children. However God blesses us with great joy as we see others being blessed by our giving and service. We left bags of groceries on the porch of a family whose dad had lost their job, a Christmas tree and lights at the backdoor of a struggling single mom and spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve visiting those in a nearby nursing home with no family. We had to be intentionally about the giving of these gift, but oh the joy we continue to experience because of our obedience.
We needed acts of service because our financial means are adequate; however, limited. We decided to ask God to show us service projects we could do as a family and share the reason for the hope in us. We joined our church in Christmas caroling at the homes of those who’d experienced great tragedy in the previous year, served meals at a local homeless shelter. Each of our children chose some books and toys to leave at the shelter. My wife made a big pot of soup. We took some to a recent widower on our street, spending an evening eating, laughing, and listening to him share about his beloved wife.
We were tired of giving gifts that no one really needed, so we agreed to give gifts of ourselves—gifts of time, memory making gifts, or Gifts for Women that they really need. We were sharing of what God had done in our lives over the past year and what we believed He was doing in our lives as we opened His word to read the record of our Savior’s birth. All this sounds wonderful—maybe even a bit “goodie-two-shoes”; however, we knew we needed and wanted to make Christ the center of our celebration—not just talk about doing so.

Jesus was always investing in others. We never read in scripture where he told the disciples to hurry up. His every step was intentional, yet he was ever so sensitive to the needs of those around Him. Do you remember when the woman touched the hem of His garment, in the midst of a large crowd? May we be that sensitive so we might become His hands and feet in our hurting and lost world.

Love, joy, and blessings to each of you this holiday season, as we rejoice and celebrate the birth of our Messiah!

Nancy Youree Duggin taught public school for 24 years and served on a city school board for four years. She also is a mother to two and grandmother to three with one on the way. This October she will celebrate 40 years of marriage. Even with her plate full with family and training teachers, she spends countless hours encouraging and mentoring young moms.

In confident in CHRIST

extreme Christmas (1of3)

November 21, 2013 2 Comments

this is guest post one of three from my dear friend, nancy duggin. she has such a heart for parents, children, and families as a whole to experience the reality of Jesus in every day life. i look forward to how she will challenge us all as we prepare to celebrate Christmas 2013.

Our society, it seems, is all about extremes—extreme makeovers, extreme sports, extreme weight loss, etc. Would you desire to experience an extreme Christmas in your heart, mind, and soul? a Christmas with surprises at every turn? surprises in the form of miracles from Jesus Himself?

Extreme would certainly describe the events leading up to the first Christmas: the “be it unto me” confession of a pregnant virgin, the Infinite pressed into the finite, Joseph not divorcing Mary quietly as tempted, the birth of a king (the King) in a dark, cold, and, most likely, dirty stable.

How might Jesus desire to come into you and bless you this holiday season as He did Mary, and in turn use you to be a blessing to countless others? Pray individually and as a family, for God to reveal to you what gift you can give His Son this Christmas, one even as extreme as Mary’s gift of herself (see Lk 1:38). Ask God to show you how to live and give like Jesus. Pray audacious prayers (like Lk 1:46-55). Ask God to be the difference in you that makes a difference in the life of others—for all eternity—with NO thought of anything in return. God doesn’t need our works, but there are countless individuals all around us who do, works that are the overflow of the love we have for the Christ of Christmas.

In the Old Testament we read about God asking Moses if there was “a limit to His power”. How would you answer that question? Since there is NO limit to His power, how might our Omnipotent God desire for you to see and to be an extreme Christmas.

Stay tuned. (Read post two of three HERE.)

Nancy Youree Duggin taught public school for 24 years and served on a city school board for four years. She also is a mother to two and grandmother to three with one on the way. This October she will celebrate 40 years of marriage. Even with her plate full with family and training teachers, she spends countless hours encouraging and mentoring young moms.

In confident in CHRIST

The Five Ps for a Successful School Year (guest post)

August 11, 2013 1 Comment

dawson kids is on a mission to help equip children and families to be confident in Christ. i am hoping this new category on dWELL will serve as a venue of encouragement and education for families and kid min leaders. i am excited to share with you a post from my dear friend, nancy youree duggin.

Years ago I was introduced to the five (5) Ps for successful living: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. A short time later, I developed my own five (5) Ps for successful and joyful living in Christ: Prayer, Practice, Perseverance, Patience, and Praise.

The beginning of a new school year provides the perfect opportunity to implement and focus on the 5 P’s of a life well lived in Jesus Christ. As the parent you will want/need to take the lead, with your elementary age children, in understanding and practicing each of the Ps.

Prayer: “Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Begin and end each day with prayer.
Pray for your teacher(s) by name. If they are not a believer, be mindful of praying for their salvation.
Pray for classmates—especially classmates who may not be kind to others.
Pray for godly friends.
Pray for wisdom concerning right and wrong—for a heart that longs to do right according to God’s Truth.
Pray for a growing desire to be pleasing in God’s eyes and NOT the eyes of the world. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23

Practice: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

telling the truth at all times.
giving your best effort in all things, at all times.
kindness to others.
a joyful attitude from morning till evening.
good work and study habits.

Perseverance: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Don’t give up if you aren’t successful the first time you attempt a new task or learning.
Don’t give up because someone is better at a sport or academic subject.
Never give up on yourself—God NEVER will!

Patience: ”Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7

Practice patience with those you love.
Be patient with yourself
Be patient when things don’t go your way or when you don’t get something you want.

Praise: “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1

Make time to intentionally praise God for who He is.
You are all knowing, all powerful, all loving (Psalm 147:5).
You are caring, compassionate (Psalm 145:9), and changeless (Hebrews 1:12).
You are the Holy One (Isaiah 12:6, Lord Almighty (Psalm 46:7).
and You are my Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18), if your child is a believer.

Guiding your child in seeing how God is at work around him/her will cause them to focus on who they were created to be and to develop the ability to see themselves as their Creator sees them.

Take time to assist your child in setting some goals around the 5 Ps. Revisit your goals weekly, asking God to give you success in each area.

Blessings in Him throughout the 2013-14 school year!

Nancy Youree Duggin taught public school for 24 years and served on a city school board for four years. She also is a mother to two and grandmother to three with one on the way. This October she will celebrate 40 years of marriage. Even with her plate full with family and training teachers, she spends countless hours encouraging and mentoring young moms.