Standing in a pharmacy line....

Standing in line at the pharmacy.....

Yesterday, I was standing, yet again, in line at the local pharmacy...there were many doing the same  and the time was ever so slowly ticking away.....the pharmacists looked frazzled, the clerks-tired....but everyone was pleasant....the young woman In front of me commented about the time it was taking and I remarked, "that at least we had the service" and she said, "that was true".

I was picturing in my mind other pharmacies I had visited in various places...in New Zealand and Australia, they were similar to one In which I was standing...

Beijing was in a huge department store on the bottom level...counters and counters of over the counter drugs, herbs, tinctures of this and that...basically , I looked for a familiar colored package and then asked, both in acting out the problem and words for the meds...and finally got some amazing  Cough drops...

Mongolia was very different...I needed some antibiotics...the "pharmacy" resembled our Fourth of July fireworks stand, only about 6-8 feet square...with wooden shelves lining the walls. You stood there gazing at the selection of medicines, all written in some foreign language...finally, I was able to get some Russian erythromycin . .., not a bottle, like we are used to, but one pill at a time...each carefully counted out and handed over, by hand ....I was glad to get it....

Two  of my friends go to India twice a year..handing out medicines, vitamins, love.....a ten day supply, knowing that the patients will again have the problems ten days later, because of the sanitary conditions...but the people feel cared for, valued...and will have also received the Gospel message, which is much more lifesaving than any of the medicines given ...

We are so blessed to be able to get the medicines we do here, even with lines at the pharmacy counter...so many parts of the world there is very little medical care, let alone big buildings for just that purpose...

I feel as though God has blessed us so much and I taken things for granted and I need to be reminded of His blessings ....even standing in a pharmacy line...

Thank YOU for the blessings you have bestowed ....the abundance, overflowing....

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

Psalm 65:9 You care for the land and water it;you enrich it abundantly.The streams of God are filled with waterto provide the people with grain,for so you have ordained it. 

Long-johns....

Garments.....

Today is long-john weather....cold ...cold...cold...after a snow storm and wind yesterday.....so to go out almost requires long-johns....or under amour, which is so popular.... 

I feel bulky and really dislike wearing another layer of clothing, felling like the little brother in "the Christmas Story".  It really isn't that bad, but tending toward it...

I imagine Adam and Eve felt rather  odd wearing  clothing  after nakedness, but maybe not...it must have been different...though...

After that, clothing was the accepted way of life...special garments for priests, clothing that didn't wear out in the 40 year sojourn in the desert, all manner of clothing through the ages...different purposes, uses, colors, styles, cultures...very elaborate to the very plain....from the very expensive to the very least expensive...contrasts abound from the red carpet in Hollywood to the torn shirt worn by a refugee child in  a war torn country...

 

Being no fashion model, I do enjoy comfortable clothing....but there is a desire to put on God's clothing of righteousness, justice, praise...characteristics beyond fashion ....always in fashion....a gift .....only He can bestow....

Thank YOU that give we sinners the robe of righteousness as a covering for our forgiven sin filled life...

Genesis 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Exodus 28:2-5 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor. Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. 

Deuteronomy 29:5 Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. 

Job 29:14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. 

Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord;my soul rejoices in my God.For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

Mark 1:6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 

John 19:23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 

Consistent ......

Consistent ......

: always acting or behaving in the same way

: of the same quality; especially : good each time

: continuing to happen or develop in the same way

Synonyms

accordant, coherent, compatible, concordant, conformable (to), congruent, congruous, consonant, correspondent (with or to), harmonious, nonconflicting, 

Antonyms

conflicting, conflictive, incompatible, incongruous, inconsistent, inharmonious, noncompatible

As I was driving home yesterday, I realized again how much the road is the same as when I first started driving it 46 years ago...the building along it are the same, the fields are basically the same...each curve is the same, just a little bit more traffic...and yesterday the antelope had congregated together rather little groups here and there in the giant alfalfa fields.....the drive is consistently the same....

God is consistent....He works in our lives....for our good....there may be a few surprises along the way, but the focus is the same...glorifying Him...we are or I am (hopefully) developing a more and more Christlike character in this journey of life....

thank YOU for being consistent....

1 John 2:5-29 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. I am writing to you, dear children,because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young men,because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children,because you know the Father.I write to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,because you are strong,and the word of God lives in you,and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. 

Little things....

Little things....

It snowed last night again...about three inches ....so another icy day...but this land desperately needs water..so I can't begrudge the snow...

As I look out my hotel window, everything is sparkling white, few vehicles on the roads, the lights are still shining making the snow look like millions of snowflake diamonds.....so pretty to look at, but oh, so cold to be out in...

Little pieces of ice adding up to a reservoir full of water .....one small act of kindness makes a big  difference in someone's life...the small ant gives a huge lesson in stewardship...a piece of bread feeds a prophet...one Christmas gift for a lonely senior....one tiny baby moves the nation, saves the world....one word changes the day.....a gift from each person provides for the building of the tabernacle in the desert....a potter molding a pot helps us look at our lives as being molded....seeds on various types of ground asks us what kind of "ground" we are....so many little things with big lessons, big outcomes .....

Thank YOU for the little things that teach, encourage us through the. It times in life....

Jesus calling-December 28

I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present Help in trouble. Therefore, you don’t need to be afraid of anything—not even cataclysmic circumstances. The media are increasingly devoted to fear-inducing subject matter: terrorism, serial killers, environmental catastrophes. If you focus on such dangers and forget that I am your Refuge in all circumstances, you will become increasingly fearful. Every day I manifest My grace in countless places and situations, but the media take no notice. I shower not only blessings but also outright miracles on your planet.

As you grow closer to Me, I open your eyes to see more and more of My Presence all around you. Things that most people hardly notice, like shifting shades of sunlight, fill you with heart-bursting Joy. You have eyes that see and ears that hear, so proclaim My abiding Presence in the world.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
—Psalm 46:1–3

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
—Psalm 89:15

Preparations....

Preparations.....

46 years ago I was getting ready for a wedding, mine...the rehearsal was a few hours away  with a dinner following...we had had our hour long session of premarital counseling, our clothes were pressed and ready to go...the church was ready, we were ready...it seems like a hundred years ago and five minutes ago...I look at the wedding pictures with parents, grandparents and new husband and I am the only one left.....

So much preparations for an hour long wedding....the hour long premarital counseling didn't cover a wide range a subjects that we met in those 43 years, four children, jobs, moves, financial upheaval, loss of parents, widowhood, loss of babies, accumulation of things and years......

What would I have changed??? Prepared differently? Not sure...apparently God had a path for us to walk and we tried to make our decisions based on that belief...He didn't promise that everything would be perfect, or no suffering, or that we would get our way all the time....but He promised to walk with us, provide our needs, love us, prepare a place for us, comfort us, give us peace.....through all the trials here on this earth...all in preparation for eternity...

Thank YOU that You Are with us, in us, all around us....that You have a perfect plan, are making the preparations ..... 

Jesus calling-December 27
I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength—until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness.
How much better it is to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will doless but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness.Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world.
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
—Isaiah 64:4
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
—John 15:5
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
—Psalm 36:9

Holly lobby pic....

Holly lobby pic....

Hollylobby.com.   Picture "behold"

This picture was a full page "ad" in the paper yesterday.  The very fine print at the bottom told who had placed it..it is an intriguing picture....the toddler out with his earthy father..playing with spikes....and then His shadow-the cross....with the light shining brilliantly on his little head...

I can just hear those spikes being pounded ....pounded....pounded...and this innocent little one taking the sin of the world on his shoulders....oh, the weight of those....did Mary and Joseph see that shadow?  Did they fully understand all that was told them about this precious little baby?  I can't even imagine and we have the hindsight of the story in written form ....

 Faith, trust, belief...and the hope that goes with it....a common denominator that we have them....

Thank YOU for this little child, his life, his resurrection ....His hope...his gift of the Holy Spirit...

Luke 2:25-27, 29, 31-40 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you may now dismiss your servant in peace. which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. 

Thank YOU....

good morning. Lord, thank YOU....

Today we celebrate the newborn King..

With gifts of love we bring...

Our hearts, our souls, our minds...

We give to you with all of time...

Humble, thoughtful Mary...

Obedient, rejoicing, she did not tarry...

Listening Joseph, man of integrity ...

Providing care and earthly fatherhood...

YOU came to earth to save us all....

Providing peace for our souls after the Adams fall...

Our one provision for eternal life....

After earth's final strife...

Help us in faith, obedience, rejoicing...

To follow YOU in love, care and peace...

Luke 2:11, 14, 19-20 Luke 1:32-33 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

Thank YOU for this day..this gift...this life...

Jesus calling-December 25

As you wait attentively in My Presence, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines upon you. This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding. It transforms every fiber of your being: renewing your mind, cleansing your heart, invigorating your body. Open yourself fully to My Presence; be awed by My glorious Being.

Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby. I set aside My Glory, so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions—a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming “Glory!” to awe-struck shepherds.

When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven’s vistas open up before you—granting you glimpses of My Glory. I became poor so that you might become rich. Sing hallelujahs to My holy Name!

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
—2 Corinthians 4:6
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
—Philippians 2:6–7
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
—Luke 2:13–14

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
—2 Corinthians 8:9

Appetizers...

Appetizers.....

We celebrated Christmas two days early due to work schedules...so we had our Christmas dinner yesterday.....

We had appetizers which one daughter brought..various cheeses, crackers, meats, olives, puff pastries, etc....so good...she tries a lot of new recipes and researches various food...

Not bragging or anything ...but all of my children are great cooks....so it is fun to see their creativity and taste their wonderful cooking  delights...they trade recipes, consult one another about foods, never afraid to try new things in whatever country they find themselves in, .....it is just plain amazing and fun to see them as adults, parents, citizens no matter what they are doing.... I love it 

Growing up was the testing of my parenthood, the "appetizer" for the adult life they find themselves in now...the testing ground, the new recipe...now they are in the "real meal"....we were not the perfect parents by any means, but strived to give them a base from which to  fly and discover on their own...and each are doing well, which is a huge blessing....

So, is this life here the appetizer of life to come...the "pre-feast" of the wedding  feast to be experienced later??? We have choices to make...to choose Christ as our Saviour or not...to read His word or not,.... to be doers of the Word or not... To live uprightly or not....to give or not...to comfort or not....to be content or not ....and so many others....all much more important than what I choose the taste from the appetizer plate on  Christmas...

Thank YOU  for the  appetizers of life...bringing  to mind the choices I need to make daily...and how they affect  my  life and  maybe those around me...YOU are the true Bread of life...not just bits and small portions,,,but abundance...

Genesis 18:3-8 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. 

John 12:2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 

1 Chronicles 12:39-40 The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, for their families had supplied provisions for them. Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel. 

We three Kings.......

We three kings of orient are....

We don't know how many kings, but three listed gifts...they came from a far away place, where they studied stars...they came to a child, not an infant....

Guided by a star that led them to the house where Jesus was...can you imagine what Mary and Joseph felt, when these men with their entourage stopped by with gifts ???

Gold fit for a king...

Frankincense for worship  in the temple...

Myrrh for burial....

Not typical baby shower gifts ....

I wonder what Mary and Joseph used the gifts for...gold maybe to flee to Egypt..soon after.... Did they sell them?  

All these details .....questions...awe...wonder...perfectness...a king...worship...Christmas...

Thank YOU...for all...

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Refrain

O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

Jesus calling-December 22

Come to Me, and rest in My Presence. As you ponder the majestic mystery of the Incarnation, relax in My everlasting arms. I am the only Person who was ever sired by the Holy Spirit. This is beyond your understanding. Instead of trying to comprehend My Incarnation intellectually, learn from the example of the wise men. They followed the leading of a spectacular star, then fell down in humble worship when they found Me.

Praise and worship are the best responses to the wonder of My Being. Sing praises to My holy Name. Gaze at Me in silent adoration. Look for a star of guidance in your own life, and be willing to follow wherever I lead. I am the Light from on high that dawns upon you, to guide your feet into the way of Peace.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
—Luke 1:35

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
—John 1:14

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.
—Matthew 2:10–11 nkjv

A Light from on high will dawn upon us…to shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet…into the way of peace.
—Luke 1:78–79 

"Our tree"

"Our tree"

Is this sorrowful feeling a warning?

This breaking a limb from my precious oak tree?

It was such a joy to watch it grow, my wonderful family tree...

I treasured it more than words could tell, 

This 'three branched' tree from my loved one to me...

'Twas a symbol- a branch for each "little blessing" that came our way.

Today my tears are falling for one branch, (the largest), was taken away...

But still I can say-"it is better to have had and lost, than never to have had"

For God gives the life to both tree and man...

Clara E Whitney, June 8, 1943, my grandmother....

I found this poem this past month written by my grandmother...it must have been written about the time my father-the oldest/largest- graduated and left to try to enlist in the military...or went away to college..(he was turned down for the military ...which was always a disappointment, but he had grand stories of the trip to try to enlist...a bunch of country boys in the city.)...

This poem just reaffirms to me how each generation of mothers are so similar...we feel pain, joy, wonder, closeness to our children through their various joys and trials of life...

How was it when the first baby was born ?  When Eve held her first child...Sarah finally held her son....Noah and his wife held theirs  before the flood which destroyed so much....or Hannah held her much prayed for son, Samuel ....or Ruth, the widow, blessed with another marriage to have her first child.....or Bathsheba feeling at the loss of hers....or Elizabeth, waiting many years for John....or Mary, told by an angel about her baby and his heritage and later, on the cross....or Eunice , watching her son, Timothy, go out into the world, pastoring....

We all hold those babies, no matter how many, close to our hearts, both physically and emotionally ....even when they grow up, leave home....they are "close".. Loved, prayed for, cared for from afar....

Thank YOU for mothers, for the privilege of being a mother, a blessing beyond words....

Genesis 3:20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. 

Ruth 4:16-17 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. 

1 Samuel 1:20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” 

John 19:25-27 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 

Being welcomed...cared for....

Being welcomed......cared for....

Included in this a video about a most welcoming man...a shoe shiner .....

He started doing this as a boy with his brothers...proud of his work...welcoming people ....a man with dignity, humility....with smiles and care....

It just reminded me of Jesus washing his disciple's feet....as a servant...loving them.....welcoming them...teaching them....

Not afraid of the touch of love...."you will be blessed if you do them"

John 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Date: Saturday, December 20, 2014 Hello Suzi, Robert Williams has been shining shoes longer than most people have been alive. Today he has some good advice for anyone trying to make it in business or life in general. You go Robert! Shoe Shine Man Extraordinaire! If you like today's video please share it with your family and friends.   Thanks for watching and sharing the videos! Mel More of Mel's Videos: Recently Added Videos Most Viewed Today Random Pick Dog Videos Cat Videos Funny Videos Prank Videos  Live Eagle Cam Other Stuff: Sudoku - Improve Your Memory Solving Video Playback Issues    You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website at http://coolestone.com. Unsubscribe Srwdecker@hotmail.com from this list | Forward to a friend | Update your profile Our mailing address is: Mel Turbyfill 144 River Run Rd. Banner Elk, NC  United States Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2014 Mel Turbyfill All rights reserved.

Centerpiece.....

Last night I took a class on Christmas centerpieces.

So what is a centerpiece?  A focal point, something that sits at the center, eyes are drawn to it, central or most important feature....

What is the Christmas centerpiece?  In this case a floral arrangement, but the REAL Christmas Centerpiece is Christ!   

First we prepared the holder with winter greens, the structure and line of the bouquet.....I thought of this as the prophecies that prepared the way over the many years of a Messiah ....foretelling .....preparation.....the structure .....

Then we added filler,  accessory flowers, like God added the moving of the world so that Joseph and Mary "had" to go to the right town, all of the movement so that the prophecies were fulfilled ....the shepherds, the Angels, the inn's barn, .....all pointing to the focal point, Christ..... 

Then we added the mass flowers which added focal point flowers, the big beautiful roses, .......the birth and beauty of a tiny baby surrounded by watchers, held in the highest esteem...cradled by a manger...as the focal point flowers  are cradled by the surrounding fillers....

Finally, we added a few design baubles...candles, ribbon, glitter, whatever to highlight or enhance.....the hosannas, the praise ....the worship of the Angels , shepherds, the star...kings....

All for the real Christmas Centerpiece...the Christ Child, the Prince of peace, the Messiah, the Savior, the Redeemer.... 

So now when I look at my centerpiece, sitting there adding beauty...I think about Christ who adds so much to my life and can add so much to others as well...the real "Centerpiece" of the world..... 

Jesus is really the reason for the Season.....

Thank YOU for all the reminders of YOU.....in the day to day ....the gifts, the flowers, the people, the music....

Luke 2:13-20 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,and by your will they were created and have their being.” 



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