Happy anniversary…

 Happy anniversary…

Yesterday I spent part of the day going through this year’s day planner and transferring some of the info into a new one, birthdays, anniversaries, appointments already made, some events coming up…

(I know , i know that I have my phone with info on it, but I still like a written out day-timer…)

While I was doing that, I was going through birthday and anniversary cards and sorting them for family and friends for the coming year…finding out which ones I still need to purchase, addressing them and putting them into order for the year…this process has made it easier for me to keep up with the dates and get them off in a timely manner without running to the store for every event…( I do pick up cards I like at odd times)

But, there are some missing birthdays and anniversaries that aren’t on the “card” hunt  anymore…grandparents, various relatives, parents, husband…we remember those in our hearts and minds… they aren’t celebrated with cards or dinners or phone calls…and they are so missed…

Like today…53 years ago I was waking to my wedding day… excited, scared…rejoicing that the day finally had arrived…we walked down that aisle into a new permanent relationship…good years, some trying times, feasts, “famines”….

Some ask, “would you do it again?”…”oh, yes, without a doubt, but I would cherish more, laugh more, live more, encourage more, build up more…”

I have sorted out the extra “happy birthday/anniversary” cards no longer needed from my stash of cards…but not from my heart or memories …I don’t send them anymore through the mail or phone calls or parties but through the air, wishing those gone from here wonderful times …rejoicing that I will see them someday again…

Thank YOU…

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. 

He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 

This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:22-33

And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Luke 20:34 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Unopened presents…

 

Unopened presents…

I have to admit I didn’t get to some of my Christmas presents yesterday…they lay unopened beneath my tree…I was gone from home off and on all day, and when I was home, I was getting ready for the next event and then tired at the end of the day…

But, mostly I wanted to extend Christmas…I wanted to focus on what each gift will be and write a card of thanks for each one as I go…

I have a wonderful family and friends who give good gifts and I want to savor each one…I have never been the “rip and tear” gift opener, loving more to watch others open their gifts to see their joy and exuberance…and have had to be reminded to open mine through all of the excitement…not that I don’t like gifts, I love gifting more…not that I don’t appreciate gifts, I do…

I think of those three gifts the wisemen brought to give the child Jesus long ago…they were chosen with care…did the wisemen watch in anticipation as they were opened? …did they smile and exclaim as they worshipped?…how did Mary and Joseph receive each gift? Wonder at an odd assortment of things?…did they thank them profusely?

Wandering back in scriptures to Abraham’s servant sent to find a wife for Isaac , he took camels laden with gifts…

Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 

And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. 

He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments.

Genesis 24:10,52-53 

Or the Queen of Sheba coming to see Solomon…

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 

She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 

Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. 

Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

1 Kings 10:1-2,10 

Gifts given…to pay tribute ….as a dowry and to acknowledge greatness, royalty…

Mary and Joseph received those gifts that long ago day on behalf of the Savior born both to be king and bridegroom …the gifts were useful in their flight to Egypt to avoid death, to help in their lives at a particular trying time…known beforehand, given before they even knew what lay ahead…

We have unopened gifts in each day…maybe not wrapped in gift bags, ribbons or wrapping paper…but, known beforehand and given by a loving Father…probably not brought on camels or wisemen…gifts that we need to acknowledge with thankfulness…knowing that they were especially prepared for us…

Thank YOU…

 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

The Joy of Christmas Is Far from Over - Topical Studies

The Joy of Christmas Is Far from Over

Hallelujah chorus…

 Hallelujah chorus….

I awoke with such awe this morning…Christmas Day…

Handel’s Hallelujah chorus singing in my mind as it does every year…whether this day is the actual birth day of Jesus or not, is somewhat irrelevant…we are celebrating the birth of the King of kings, Lord of lords…

hallelujah chorus from the Messiah, YouTube…(if you search In YouTube, you can get many, many renditions of the music..from Australia’s opera house to last year’s online virtual to scenic to St. Andrews in Europe…to “The Royal Choral Society has performed Handel's Messiah on Good Friday at the Royal Albert Hall every year since 1876”…)

“Text for “Hallelujah” comes from the book of Revelation in the New Testament. Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 11:15 reads, “And he shall reign for ever and ever.”

What way to start this day!

Thank YOU…

"Hallelujah" Chorus (Lyrics)

 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

 

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

 (For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth)

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

(Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah)

Hallelujah

 

The kingdom of this world;

is become the kingdom of our Lord,

and of His Christ

and of His Christ

And He shall reign forever and ever

And he shall reign forever and ever

And he shall reign forever and ever

And he shall reign forever and ever

 

King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

and Lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

and Lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

and Lord of lords

King of kings and Lord of lords

 

And he shall reign

And he shall reign

And he shall reign

He shall reign

And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever

and Lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah

And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and Lord of lords

King of kings and Lord of lords

And he shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever and ever and ever

(King of kings and Lord of lords)

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah

Trust in the belt…

 “Trust in the belt”….

Having a YMCA/rec center with a pool nearby was a requirement to where I wanted to live….I need the exercise to maintain mobility and water Aerobics is the best way to fulfill that…

Yesterday, I had the privilege of helping two other people try their first time in the deep end of the pool…you need a safety belt which helps you float instead of sink when doing the exercise routines…but launching out into the  deep/letting go of the edge for the first time is a bit weird, the pool is several feet below you and it feels a bit like dangling in midair…you have to trust the belt…

As soon as I said, “trust the belt”, I knew a blog was coming…the Ephesians verses about the whole armor of God popped into my mind…”the belt of truth”…we have to trust the Truth…and who is the Truth but Jesus himself…

The Holy Spirit guides into truth, we are to walk in truth, seek truth, learn truth, listen to truth…all the while believing in Truth…which sets us free…

Thank YOU, thank YOU…

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with whichever you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Ephesians 6:13-17

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalm 86:11

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Proverbs 23:23

I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.

Isaiah 45:19 

so that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes.

Isaiah 65:16

 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32 

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:13-15

assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

Ephesians 4:21 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

 

Everyday things…pomegranates…

 

Everyday things….Pomegranates….

As a child, when pomegranates were ripe, we were relegated to the outside porch steps to eat these seed filled fruits…it seems the liquid is a permanent dye on children and their surroundings…we sat there, picking the seeds out, crunching through the liquid filled bits…hummmm so good…

Now you buy the juice, the pre-picked seeds, as well as the fruit in the stores when the fall season arrives…recipes abound for their use…

They are included in Scripture as well..

They are part of the design for the priestly garments-

On the hem of the robe they made pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around the hem of the robe, between the pomegranates— a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate around the hem of the robe for ministering, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:24-26

They were included I the list of fruits brought back by the spies from the promised land… 

And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs.

Numbers 13:23

 They were listed as a fruit of the promised land-

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

Deuteronomy 8:7-10 

 

The Israelites lamented that they didn’t have any in the desert along with no water-

And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

Numbers 20:5

Solomon Speaks of them several times in the Songs of Solomon-

Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices— a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon.

Song of Solomon 4:13-15 

They are represented in decorating the Temple that Solomon built-

Likewise he made pomegranates in two rows around the one latticework to cover the capital that was on the top of the pillar, and he did the same with the other capital. 

The capitals were on the two pillars and also above the rounded projection which was beside the latticework. 

There were two hundred pomegranates in two rows all around, and so with the other capital. and the four hundred pomegranates for the two latticeworks, two rows of pomegranates for each latticework, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars;

1 Kings 7:18,20,42

Thank YOU for using even the fruit to give us lessons from Your Word…

https://www.gotquestions.org/pomegranates-in-the-Bible.html

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/pomegranate/

http://www.amazing-pomegranate-health-benefits.com/pomegranate-in-christianity.html 

“The symbolism of pomegranate fruit in Christianity pretty much holds with representing the death, suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ along with the hope of eternal and everlasting life.”

https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Jesus_Paid_It_All/

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/9-jewish-things-about-pomegranates/

Renovation…

 Renovation….

Early this morning I started to do a Bible study lesson on Romans 12:2…my mind wandered quickly in how that works…thinking about renovating houses..what a picture, I thought…reading further into the lesson, I found that the author had partially already taken my illustration…but, wanting to further that explanation, here is more…

When I was in grade school, my parents purchased a small two-story farmhouse in the country…needing much TLC, they started working through each room…scrapping, painting, revamping…the attic as rough unfinished wood, which eventually became my room. We finished it off by insulating, painting, building a closet, shelving and finally carpeting…and voila a I had a room( I had been sleeping in the utility room on a fold-up bed)…

They did all of this, actually, in preparation to build a regular sized home, on the same property at a later date…which they did when I was in high school and college…piece by piece, project after project…until eventually the new one replaced the other…many years in the renovation and building…the goal had been in their mind and they diligently worked for it…and one day they had a mortgage burning party…it was complete…paid for…finished…until they moved moved to smaller quarters as they aged…

Since then our family has renovated two houses, built four…my children have each had their homes renovated and/or built new ones over time…all for the better…acceptable…

Fixing up to make better…changing…piece by piece transforming…with a goal in mind…isn’t that what Romans 12:2 is talking about?

I especially liked “The Message” version of this verse…

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1 MSG

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

Romans 12:2 AMP

We were transforming houses into homes that fit our family…God wants us to renovate our minds to be transforming into 

Godly character…which is his plan and purpose for each of us…through His Word, His truth-revealing Spirit, His example… 

Thank YOU… 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12,14

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 

Psalm 86:11

Glory of the Lord..

 

Glory of the Lord…

We have been blessed over the years to live in places that have magnificent sunrises and sunsets…plus we have visited places that had the same…where the colors are vivid both in front and behind us(you always look behind you to see if the colors are reflected in the sky).

As I was reading, the phrase, “glory of the Lord” stood out in the story of Jesus’ birth…shining  around the angels who came to proclaim Jesus’ birth to the shepherds…

“Glory….

: great beauty and splendor : MAGNIFICENCE…

: something marked by beauty or resplendence…

: the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven…” Merriam Webster

The glory of  the Lord is mentioned over 90 times throughout the Word…a few..

Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.

Exodus 24:17

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 

And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.

But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 

For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 40:34-38 

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

2 Chronicles 7:1

May the glory of the Lord  endure forever; may the Lord  rejoice in his works,

Psalm 104:31

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord .

Psalm 138:4-5

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 40:3-5

As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal….

Ezekiel 1:4+ (description of what Ezekiel saw) 

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Luke 2:9

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,  are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, 

may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, 

that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:15-23

When looking this phase up, I was stuck with such awe over and over again..these all lead to that description of heaven when we shall not need the sun and moon for light but, God  himself shall be the light, His Glory will reign supreme…until we see for ourselves, descriptions will fail…and then we will know truly what the glory of the Lord is…thank YOU for glimpses of a much bigger picture and meaning…to You be the Glory…as You are the Glory…

 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, And night will be no more. 

They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 21:23-24,22:5

Questions to think about…

 Questions to think about…

One of my grandsons climbed into my car the other day and as we were driving home, he posed the snow globe question…

Then as I was reading this morning, the Christmas story question popped out…

1. Which person in the Christmas Story would you like to interview?

2. If you were in a snow globe, what/who would you like to be with?

What open ended questions…we all would come up with a variety of answers and reasons why…

Christmas story-

Mary and Joseph had a longer time to think about all the happenings…

We know Mary thought about deep things as the words, “pondered, considered” are associated with her…

Both Mary and Joseph were very obedient…what were their life experiences previous to this amazing/monumental event…what made them the people they were? Later, they marveled at Simeon’s blessing, what must they again thought?

The shepherds were astonished but soooo excited …

The Inn keeper, what did he think from all the ruckus or did he even care? Did he bring out fresh water and clean out the manger a bit? Did he take pity on the young couple and their dire circumstances?

Being the mother of the Christ child, was Mary excused from the pain of childbirth?

The wisemen, later, how did they know, what was their training, education that they looked for a star? 

The Who, what, when, where questions….

Etc….

The snow globe-

Opened ended for everyone…but fun…

As I read scripture, there are questions I ask as well

The Who, what, when, where of portion…

The context, who is writing, time frame, to whom is it written, why…

Any repeated words, phases…

My most important question is, what is this saying to me? What is the application? What is the Spirit teaching?

To me, one of Jesus biggest questions was, 

“And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Mark 8:29 

This a question each and every person around the world has to face…not just Peter long ago…it is a question that can change our eternity….

Later, a jailer questioned…

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 16:30-31 

 

It would be a fun quest to just study questions asked in scriptures and where they lead…

Thank YOU for Your answers…in Jesus…

Why frankincense….

 

Why frankincense?

 I read a short devotional about the gifts that were presented to the child, Jesus,  by the wisemen who followed the star and found him.

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

Each gift, various authors contend, symbolize something of Jesus…

Gold symbolizes Kingship…frankincense, healing …and myrrh represents suffering…

Then following the word, “frankincense “ throughout the Word, I found it was used 21 times…I have to admit, I have skimmed over it quickly many times, observing it was an ingredient for various mixtures and knowing that it was a gift…but, healing and a holy ingredient…and then to find out that the resin itself is called “tears” in its collected stage…

Aah…what fragrant connections…Jesus went about healing as part of his earthly ministry…we are healed by His wounds because of the cross…

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

Jeremiah 17:14 

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Matthew 4:23

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Matthew 4:23

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

1 Peter 2:24

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1-2

The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you. And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord.

Exodus 30:34-37

Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.

Isaiah 60:4-6

Thank YOU…your connections and pictures are sooooo telling…so teaching…if we take time to listen and look…

Fun info…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankincense

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/frankincense

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-448/frankincense

https://healthyfocus.org/frankincense-essential-oil-benefits/ 

It’s that time again…

 It’s that time again…

Every year, I make a choice on which plan to go through the Bible or parts of the Bible…

Now you can get it in so many ways…on your phone, computer, or just the “old fashioned” way-the Book itself…but a plan in place helps me keep rooted in the Word….do I want an overall picture, detailed topics, a study of Jesus, the epistles, the Bible in chronological order…

There were seasons in life when a chapter or even a paragraph was all I could absorb…but the important, bottom-line commitment is to be in the Word…listening, meditating, learning what God want to say, to teach my heart, soul and mind…

The Word never gets old, it gets richer, more relevant…

Paul admonished Timothy to continue in the scriptures…

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

David wrote in Psalm 119 what the Word meant, taught over and over… 

Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. 

Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.

Psalm 119:27,38 

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

It makes me think of the question Joshua asked…” Choose whom you will serve…” of the Israelites…which plan will you follow…Find God in the faithful reading of the Word…what does He say to you and me…how does He speak to your heart on a daily basis…

Thank YOU….

Some suggestions-and  there are many more…

You version app…lots of suggestions,

Bible Gateway app…lots of suggestions…

https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/10-bible-reading-plans-to-start-this-january.html

https://lp.billygraham.org/daily-bible-reading/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=nn%20biblereadingplan&SOURCE=BY2101BPB&msclkid=4114cc5fdc38105fdeb7ade4f7a12901h

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-verse-of-the-day/

http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf

https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans/#

https://christianaffection.com/blogs/christian-affection-blog/bible-reading-plans

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/

The “Who” and “Why” are more important than the “to do”

 For me, a task oriented person, with lists, “to dos”, I easily get caught up in the “stuff “ of Christmas….rather then the “Who” and “Why” of this season…

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Lest we forget…

Thank YOU…

Reading “the gift “ on You  Version of the Bible o

Comfortable in thr stable ….

 Comfortable in the stable…

I had just put out my favorite Christmas quilt, laid it across one of my couches, added a nativity pillow from Panama and walked away…

Coming back, to my consternation,  laid my little dog comfy and curled in the comfort of the quilt scene…I wish I had taken a picture, but, no, I shewed him off the couch, quilt and pillow…he has his sleeping place and it is not there…but he sure was comfortable with a newfound place…

Thinking back later… I thought about that picture…

Are we comfortable with the nativity? What do we do with that piece of history that changed the world…mankind…

Do we blow it off, negate, belittle, deny, ignore…

According to the angels, they sang, proclaiming ….

The shepherds hurried and spread the word of this sight…

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

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.

Luke 2:8-20

So we each get to ask…are we comfortable with the nativity and what will we do with it…

Thank YOU….

Glass balls…

 Glass balls…

One of my uncles was a commercial fisherman out of Eureka, California…when he wasn’t fishing for crab or salmon or whatever else he fished for, he supported his family by fixing  radiators….every once in awhile we would fear on salmon or Dungeness crabs….what a delight and treat…

For whatever reason, I ended up with two glass ball floats from those fishing expeditions…my grandmother may have had them, and gave them to my mother…not sure, but I treasure them…it reminds me of bygone days of salmon and crab feeds, sitting around dining room tables, cracking crabs, visiting, laughter of challenges of who can hold out the longest before feasting on their accumulated fresh crab meat…

Eating crab became a family tradition for the Christmas season…I need to reinstate it…even when crabs have become higher in price…the fellowship is worth the price…

A friend gave me an antique fishing ball wrapped beautifully in wire for Christmas this year…not knowing all this about me…I was so humbled, honored that she would bestow this treasure on me…it has so much meaning and God stirred her heart to bless me…

Thank YOU…

Those balls have traveled the circuits of the seas and their history is fascinating…no longer manufactured for fishing and replaced with other stuff…but highly treasured…

 

So I started this with a title of “glass balls”, but so much more is tied to them …value…fellowship…family near and far…God’s creation of the seas and circuits….His faithlessness…His majesticness ….His Gifts…Christmas….thank YOU again…

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”

Genesis 1:20-22

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. 

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 

You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:1-9

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Psalm 24:1-2

 How many are your works,  Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.

Psalm 104:24-25

He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.

Psalm 146:6

 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

Isaiah 42:10

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Acts 4:24 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_float

The great exchange…

 The great Exchange…a crown for a cross….

“Definition of exchange (Entry 1 of 2)

: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another 

: the act or process of substituting one thing for another

: reciprocal giving and receiving

: something offered, given, or received in an exchange

Definition of exchange (Entry 2 of 2)

: to part with, give, or transfer in consideration of something received as an equivalent

: to give and receive reciprocally”

Merriam Webster…

My first nativity set was/is an Avon white porcelain one…

I bartered/ exchanged work for it during some very lean years for our family and I couldn’t afford each piece and only a few pieces came out each year for several years… so I bartered with the Avon lady to do some sewing/ knitting for her family for each piece…I exchanged my skills for each piece of that nativity each year until I had a complete set. I still put it up each year, remembering those lean times, those exchanges…now I have added little nativity sets from places I have traveled since…each with fond memories.  But the first, with it’s yearly exchanges/sacrifices, remains my favorite.( I now see it is sold on eBay as a “vintage” set now)

Christmas time can be for many a time of exchanges, maybe visiting or having company, giving/receiving of gifts, cookie exchanges, potentially spending time with others, taking time to reflect…maybe exchanging good memories for not so good ones…serving others, giving of ourselves to others, sacrifice….and for some it may be a time that brings heartache as well…

When I think of Jesus leaving the heavenly realm, the creator of the universe coming be a man born in a smelly, bug  infested stable…that is a huge exchange…but he brought joy to those new parents, the shepherds who sought him because of the angelic announcement…he was a fulfillment of what His Word proclaimed…He was the Word…but he exchanged his place for all mankind’s sake, yours and mine…he exchanged the crown for a cradle and later for the cross…so that we might exchange our temporal for eternal through faith in him…we who lived in darkness exchanging it for light…

He ministered to those around him, teaching, admonishing…walking among the people in human form…enduring the cross , taking on our sin  so that we could be clothed in righteousness…exchanges through it all…

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:15-20

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Ephesians 5:8

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1 Peter 3:18,22 

He exchanged riches unfathomable  for earthly poverty….the Creator to live among the created…the greatest exchange in all time…

A crown for a cross to return to the right hand of God the Father...that we all might live through faith …he took our sin for his forgiveness…

“he was born to die…a sacrifice for the sins of humanity” ( David Jeremiah)…

what a great exchange…

Thank YOU…..

So as we exchange gifts , cookies, fellowship here today and throughout this season…I challenge each of us to remember the “reason for the season”…

the greatest exchange…

“Christmas is not just about ugly sweaters, big meals, and beautiful gifts. It is not even really about a baby in a manger. It is about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the prophesied descendent of Abraham and David who will reign forever in Heaven. He offered Himself as breath and living water for those who are spiritually dead, who seek everlasting life.” A quote from Bethany Verrett

Blessings…

A donkey brings the truth…

 A donkey brings the Truth…

I was reading early this morning about a donkey who carried bundles of Bibles over the border into a restricted country…the owner couldn’t cross the border with the donkey and its boxes…so the owner took the donkey to a place out of sight of the patrol and set the donkey free with its “cargo”. It went over the border to a place that it had been before and received a treat…carrying its precious cargo of much desired Bibles….

Donkeys  were counted amongst the wealth of various men in ancient times and were mentioned numerous times throughout the Word…they are still valued today in various countries…

The article brought to my mind two very specific scenes about Donkeys…

1.

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 

But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. 

Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. 

Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. 

So he beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 

Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times? ” 

Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now. ” 

The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” 

“No,” he said. 

Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. 

So he bowed low and fell facedown. The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

Numbers 22:21-33

2.

They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.

Matthew 21:7 

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

John 12:14-15

In the first, the donkey was the one who saw who was in its path…and spoke truth…

In the second, the donkey carried the King…  the Truth…

In the restricted country , the people are hungry for the truth and a Donkey is carrying it to them…

In this season, we see multiple portrayals of a donkey carrying Mary to Jesus’ birthplace…although the Word really doesn’t say anything about that…it was a mode of transportation at the time…but what a picture…a donkey carrying the unborn King at the beginning of his life and carrying Him near the end of that earthly life…

If God can use donkeys to carry truth…He can use anything….or anyone…thank YOU….

Well, it is time…humanly speaking…

 Well, it is time, humanly speaking….

I awoke with this conversation on my mind early this morning…not trying to be sacrilegious or anything…

Just thinking of  the season we humans are celebrating…

The Father and the Son are discussing the time…

“Well, Son, it is time…we have promised this time for human centuries…from the book of Genesis until now…we know the beginning and the end of the story…

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 

We have given them specific descriptions of Your  birth…your mother, your birthplace…your character…

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Micah 5:2 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 

We have given them “pictures” through out the Word …from the colors of cloth used in the tabernacle, the serpent standard of the Moses in the desert, the Kinsman-redeemer of Boaz, the Lamb and the Shepherd, the time of the Passover… The Whole Word points to Us…nothing in the Word is wasted…

So it is time to leave this heavenly place and become a man for awhile…it won’t be long, our time isn’t theirs…I have chosen a young woman to give you birth …I will watch you in Mary’s Womb …I will move the world so that you can be born in the prophesied town…the angels will rejoice over You and tell the shepherds….wisemen will seek you…kings Will try to murder you…but as promised I will keep you safe…You have an assignment as we know…we desire that all should come to us…believing…You bring salvation…through your awful death , but glorious resurrection….

You bring light to those who live in darkness…you bring the promise of the Holy Spirit who will teach them about you after you return here…

You will walk among the people we created…you will love them and show compassion and judgment as well…you will have friends who will walk with you…an earthly father who will teach you his trade until you start to astound people with your teaching…you will  make the Word come alive in their hearts, speaking with authority…

You will pray with them and for them, knowing their stature…You will show them the way…because You are the way, the Truth and the Light…

Oh, there will be days that are be rough, you will know the temptations of man, but will use the Word to walk away…You will have victory and You are victory…you won’t have a place to lay your head to rest…you will weep with them as well as rejoice…

Then you return and sit at my right hand, preparing a place for all believers to finally come home…

You know Me and will do my bidding among the people…oh, how I Love You…you are my only Son, but the 

World needs You so much and I promised to send a Savior that they might have eternal life…so I am sending You…

Now, go fulfill all that we have promised…”

Thank YOU for bringing this to mind…Your eternal preparation, your eternal promises…

Anticipatory joy…

 Anticipatory joy….

“Essential Meaning of anticipation

: a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen

: the act of preparing for something

: the act of looking forward”

Merriam Webster 

After my husband was diagnosed with cancer, our family, really without realizing it or even knowing what it was, started going through “anticipatory grief”…it wasn’t an excitement of what was to come, both more of a preparation and use of as much time as we had left…it was family and friend time times 10…it was wondering what the next steps we needed to take…(there are websites about the subject which are really helpful)…

But, I was thinking about “joy” instead of “grief” in the nighttime watches last night…

That joy that comes from the excitement of things to come…things we look forward to…

Like family times, the birth of a child, something fun, birthdays, wedding…a word of encouragement, serving others, giving…whatever brings joy to your heart or others…

I looked forward to the birth of all my children…even though it brought more work, sleeplessness nights, each was met with joyful anticipation….now as adults, they still bring joy in their own unique ways…

I looked forward to marriage, with its highs and lows, it brought joy and fulfillment…

I wouldn’t trade marriage and motherhood for anything…they were and are a joy…

What brought these thoughts about? Christmas and it’s anticipatory joy…

I thought of Mary and Joseph…their anticipatory joy…parenting a Gift directly from God…marriage that was planned…trusting their lives to the Father…

The Jewish people waiting in anticipation for a Messiah…a king…not sure they appreciated Him coming as a tiny baby and not as a King…

But, going further back into history, life after life waiting in anticipatory joy…for one thing or another…

Moving forward…we wait in anticipation of the returning King…of heaven….or even  the Christmas season…

May each be met with joy…we, being ready….thank YOU….

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9,11

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-4

Zeal…

 

Zeal…

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV

For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; 

And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From that time forward and forevermore. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 AMP

“Zeal

: a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something..

: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : FERVOR

ZEAL implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.”

Merriam Webster 

A simple four-letter word, zeal, packs a huge punch…is it not a passive or behind-the-scenes word…it is out there, moving …active…for humans…just think how it must be for God…it is used for wars, judgements, love, fulfilling prophecy…

When you look at the statement, “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this”…you know He means business…this will be no matter what…nothing stopping Him…

Then I read the following in Romans…”never lacking zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”…He wants that same zeal to characterize my life as well…moving, action, not passive…

Thank YOU ….

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

Be devoted to one another in love. 

Honor one another above yourselves. 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21

Lights again..,

 Lights again…

Our town had it annual light parade again last night…trucks, trailers, cars, people, floats of all shapes and sizes rolled down the crowed streets one by one for over an hour…participants throwing handfuls of candy…children oohing and aahing at the sights and lights…both secular and religious themes showed their brilliant displays…

We also have a downtown display along the creek, with a fire-breathing dragon, a fishing Santa, with thousands of  lights strung through the trees and bridges…a skating rink surrounded by lights as well…

Along the streets, multitudes of homes are set up with their displays as well, even a driver’s guide for the best lighting displays to see….

So we are back to lights again…we use the artificial ones to bring light to our world…but God spoke the original plan into being with infinite creativity…can you imagine being there to see that “light parade” amongst the heavens? It must have been more than amazing…

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 

And God saw that the light was good. 

And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. 

And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. 

And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” 

And it was so. 

And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 

And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. 

And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:3-5,14-18 

Another lighted place I thought of, was the lamp stand of pure gold in the tabernacle…it’s brilliance reflecting the burning oil in a room lighting the way to the Holy of Holies…turning darkness into light…

You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold.

Exodus 25:37-38

David speaks of “light” over and over again..moving from lighting the darkness to equating the “Word” as light…

For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.

Psalm 18:28 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130 

Isaiah speaks of darkness  and light…finding light after living in darkness…

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Isaiah 9:2

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. 

And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 

The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 

Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.

Isaiah 60:1-3,19-20 

And Jesus’ words of light..from the Word who dwelt amongst the people…

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

John 12:46 

 Paul further speaks of the light…

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Ephesians 5:8-9p

John…

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:5,7

 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, And night will be no more. 

They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 21:23-24,22:5

I just gives my goosebumps…from the beginning of God creating light, seeing it was good…to Jesus being the light to the world…to no need for created light because God was the light…

Thank YOU…

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_lights

Songs of the heart…

 https://youtu.be/ifCWN5pJGIE

Songs of the heart….

My mom would stand/sit in the wood shed as a child and sing or direct the make-believe  choir or orchestra. She sang in choirs her growing years and on into college…so it was no wonder that music was part of my childhood as well…my dad played the harmonica well…at Christmas time we had family sing-alongs with every gathering…

Mom led choirs in the churches we attended, it was just part of life…I remember the first song we sang together, “Jesus Loves me” in front of a small town church in Lemon Cove, California…there we sang the doxology every week…there I found my all time favorite, “Holy, Holy, Holy”….(I walked down the aisle on  my wedding day to this song)…

I carried on with singing as well through school and beyond…choirs, worships groups, solo work…and when I finally had to quit because of continual esophagitis, it was a huge loss along with others at the time(my mom and dad both being treated for cancer, church split, etc)…and as I have said in past blogs, “songs in the night” kept me moving forward as my husband was dying…God  would recall to mind songs that spoke to my heart each day…

music still speaks to my soul…I see my grandchildren love music now as well as my children…a variety of styles, genres…but speaking to their souls as well…I am so glad when I listen to each of their favorites, the messages that speak to their hearts…

Christmas brings out the nostalgia of music…the songs of Christ’s birth…even the secular ones of family or fun times…the radio or tv dedicate channels to Christmastime…

Scripture has songs from the beginning to the end…

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:2 

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14

The song of Mary…

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. 

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 

he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 1:46-55

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

Revelation 15:3

Thank YOU…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16

Thank YOU…

Swaddling cloths…

 

Swaddling clothes…

I inherited a box of linen toweling from one of my grandmothers…some old towels, some “new” fabric to make more towels, extra scraps…a “variety pack”. I have added to the box from various estate sales over the past few years and had even bought some new tea towels to use. I finally went through it all, kept some, and “regifted “ some, painted on some for gifts…

But, each time I handled this bounty I thought of Mary and her swaddling cloths which she had for her newborn…how when my children were born, I had prepared a new outfit to take them home from the hospital, a new blanket, all the accruements for my newborn babies…

Mary and Joseph weren’t rich, even though they received the most valuable gift of all…I am sure she lovingly prepared her cloths with as much love and care and maybe more so as excited new mothers do…

Those cloths, clean and ready to hold this tiny baby, the King of the Jews, the Counselor, the heir of all things…Creator…the Lamb of God…

Reading about swaddling cloths was interesting…some say that it was a symbol of the death linens which Jesus was later wrapped in after his crucifixion…

Other authors/commentators write about how the lambs taken care of for sacrifices were wrapped/swaddled, laid in mangers so that there would be no blemishes and kept perfect for the sacrifices…the shepherds would have seen this symbolism when they arrived to view the Christ child  after being told by the Angels heralding His birth…

I love this picture…this simple thought, a simple piece of cloth used to teach, to point to the Lamb of God…we use these cloths to clean…to wrap around…to hold…now we can further think of them as part of Jesus’ story…

Thank YOU….

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:7 niv

And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:12 amp

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 esv 

https://messiahsmandate.org/secret-surrounding-the-birth-of-messiah/

https://ingrace.us/what-are-swaddling-clothes-dr-james-a-scudder/

https://messiahsmandate.org/unlocking-the-tower-of-the-flock-mystery/

“WOW! What imagery! They are looking for lambs to be birthed, when right under their nose, Mary  was giving birth to the Lamb of God. Jonathan Cahn goes further and teaches that Yeshua was born on Nissan 1. Nissan is the first month of the year, a time for new beginnings. But it would not be a time of pilgrimage or in the dead of the cold, wet winter. Cahn makes the case that every other major event in Yeshua’s life and kingdom coincides with a Jewish feast day:

• Passover > His death

• First Fruit Offering is brought  (Lev. 23) > His resurrection

• Shavuot (Lev. 23) > Birth of the church (Acts 2)

• Rosh Hashanah > the Second Coming

• Yom Kippur > End time forgiveness (Zech. 13:1)

• Feast of Tabernacles > Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Is. 25, Rev. 19, Zech. 14)”

First fruits?….giving Tuesday…

 First fruits?…giving Tuesday…

Fall sales have passed, Black Friday is over…cyber Monday has finished…oh, but some are extended for further bargains…

And now, by the way…let’s give something…it’s Giving Tuesday…last but not least…

Or maybe it should be first and the most…oh well, at least it is acknowledged….

I think this every year as this day approaches…I get multiple solicitations for “Giving Tuesday”, some with matches of funds to double the giving…it feels like an “add on” sale or last minute thought instead something planned…something CELEBRATED….giving is an act of worship…an act acknowledging Who really owns it all…Who really gives the ability to give…thank YOU…

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

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. 

As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.

Exodus 23:16

and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Numbers 13:20

And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 26:10

We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;

Nehemiah 10:35 

Roots…

 Roots…

One of my cousins just sent me a video about exploring old homestead ruins from where our grandparents settled in the 1920’s.   There were some foundations of homesteads of former settlers from another era.  Bits and pieces of oak logs, rocks in rows or stacks from former foundations…pottery shards here and there…

As a small child, I remember some standing cabins we explored in the same area…scavenging through the old bottles and cans, even an old wood-burning kitchen stove filled with a pack rat’s home…

A homemade brick kiln…

Times gone by…

My cousin had taken some former neighbors, now in their late eighties, well known artists, to wonder over the meadows where grains had been coaxed out of the rocky soil, cows/pigs/chickens had once ranged…families long forgotten or moved on from the foothills of the towering Sierras near the giant redwood forests of central California…reminiscing of places and people they had known as youngsters…

He has written a book about the history of the area…filled with facts, humor, pictures of area…but is always looking for more info…meeting and finding more people from our heritage…

My own memories have taken different paths…not the facts and figures of townships and ranges, but the games, foods, family times we spent…recently, one of my children asked me to resurrect a game started in the lean times of newly married couples (my parents and their siblings)…we played it wherever we were able to get together for the holidays…it continued through the beginnings on my marriage…we played it again when my children were newly married…now to continue with grandchildren in college…

Identical closed boxes filled with groceries…the object is to guess what might be in the boxes…there were usually 20 items…some everyday items and some extra treats…whichever family who guessed the most items correctly got a jar of jam, the loser got an onion…but all got to keep their boxes…I think is was my grandmother’s way of fun giving of normal stuff and help with groceries …so now we are down to the fourth generation with a simple gift…

I make persimmon pudding from my grandmother’s recipe…it is drowned in lemon sauce which makes the dessert even more delectable…both fruits from the fall bounty of orchards nearby…

All this to say, we can hand down memories from generation to generation…we can be enriched by our spiritual heritage as well…their faith, their love, their stories…their steadfastness …

Or if our heritage is wrought with dysfunction…we have the choice to break from the bad and start a new cycle…not be hounded by broken relationships or people…but growing in grace, faithfulness…giving to future generations good foundations to build upon…good memories…relationships…

Reading through Genesis, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and further, there are some repeats of bad decisions and good ones as well…God’s continued patience and promises from which we reap still today…by example and blessing… that generation to generation…

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 

I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 

And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” 

Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 12:2,13:16,15:5-6 

Thank YOU….

Psalm 20

Thinking about all the prayer requests that come our way…thank YOU….

 Psalm 20

May the Lord  answer you in the day of trouble! 

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 

May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 

May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! 

Selah 

May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! 

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! 

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 

They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. 

O Lord, save the king! 

May he answer us when we call.

Psalm 20:1-9

The wicked…

 

The wicked….

Several of the psalms have descriptions of the wicked, especially 10 and 37…Proverbs has contrasts all the way through….there are 469 references to the word “wicked “ in the NIV version of the Bible…

It is not a subject that brings laughter and joy, but rather discouragement in one regard, that it seems like it is increasing in these days…and I don’t want to dwell in the negative….but wickedness is as real now as it has been over the centuries…we really haven’t gotten any better with time( as some would argue)…the descriptions are the same now as they were when God’s Word was written down…

There is a remedy…turning away from wickedness and turning toward God…it has always been open and will continue until the end…thank YOU….

“Why, Lord, do you stand far off? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. 

He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. 

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. 

His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. 

He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” 

He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.” 

His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. 

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims; like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. 

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.” 

Arise,  Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. 

Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? 

Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? 

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. 

The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. 

Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out. 

The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.”

Psalm 10:1-18

Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:12

Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him…..

1 Samuel 25:25a

The Lord had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 28:19

When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. I

Job 9:24a

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1:6

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:1-2,7

 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. 

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. 

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. 

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. 

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Proverbs 15:6-9,26,28 

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:23-24

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

Ezekiel 18:27,31-32

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Dysfunctions….

 Dysfunction….

I have heard that some people aren’t interested in the Word because it doesn’t address “real” life, “it has no help for me”,  and other similar opinions…

From beginning to end there are real people going through real life situations…there are

Prideful…

Murderers…

Adulterers…

Drunks…

Self-centered…

Doubters…

Thieves…

Jealousness…

Prostitutes…

Wicked…

Liars…

Cheaters…

Etc…

Etc…

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 (written about 50 AD)

Centuries before the Ten Commandments addressed some of the same issues…

Just like today’s population…we really haven’t changed, just some new names on old situations…

Families today are going through the same dysfunctions that have happened for centuries…”nothing new under the sun”.

The words of encouragement are still the same now as then…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 

Each one should test their own actions. 

Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 5:22-6:6,10

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:17 

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 

Thank YOU that You have made a way…for all who seek You…

Notes on shoeboxes, Operation Christmas Child…written in 2018

 Notes on shoe boxes....November, 2018

Notes for Samaritan’s operation Christmas child shoeboxes....

This week is collection week for millions of Operation Christmas Child boxes...some thoughts about them.....

Reminds me of song...

 Song " thank you for giving to the Lord"  

“Thank You



I dreamed I went to heaven


And you were there with me


We walked upon the streets of gold


Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing


Then someone called your name


You turned and saw this young man


And he was smiling as he came


And he said friend you may not know me now


And then he said but wait


You used to teach my Sunday School


When I was only eight


And every week you would say a prayer


Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer


I asked Jesus in my heart



CHORUS
Thank you for giving to the Lord
 

I am a life that was changed


Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave



Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time


A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry


You didn't have much money


But you gave it anyway


Jesus took the gift you gave


And that's why I'm here today



CHORUS (repeat)

One by one they came


Far as the eyes could see


Each life somehow touched


By your generosity


Little things that you had done


Sacrifices made


Unnoticed on the earth


In heaven now proclaimed



And I know that up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry


But I am almost sure


There were tears in your eyes


As Jesus took your hand


And you stood before the Lord


He said, my child look around you


For great is your reward



CHORUS (repeat)

I am so glad you gave”

Quote " you can't put a dollar value on generosity "

"What is Operation Christmas Child?

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.

Why shoebox gifts?

Shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."

*******

Sometimes we may think a shoe box gift or gifts in shoe box are of little consequence ...we put in our balls, pencils, tablets, toys assembly line style from our abundance...but these are just temporal/tangible things...the heart of each box may be the intangible....

What can we possibly find in a shoe box?

    1. Love....john 3:16.  For God so loved...

    2. Laughter....walking and keeping and praising God...

    3. Wonder....amazement...

    4. Sharing...giving In our abundance to those in need...

    5. Playing.....fellowship...

    6. A livelihood.....crafts, a screw driver, a fishing kit...

    7. Help in schools with supplies...basic education supplies

    8. Help for young women/ men in personal hygiene

    9. The very Word of the Creator on the universe ....a chance to study God's Word...

    10.  A means to present the gospel

    11. An invitation that has the power to change lives in generations for eternity

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:17

    12. Church planting, a potential to start a fellowship in a new area of the world

    13. Opportunity to bring people from various cultures together

    14. The gift of giving which can change the givers life....A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great....Proverbs 18:16

    15. Opportunity for all ages to give and receive...all ages can give and receive...

    16. Touching someone's heart

    17. The potential to build dreams

    18. A new path in life...because of the gospel

    19. A new song....He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.....Psalm 40:3-5

    20. A new life

21. Desert to lushness...

22. Dry to water...fulfills a thirst

23.  Hardness to brokenness and freedom through Christ...

24.  Death to life...

25. Darkness to light...

26. Unknowing to knowing Christ...

27. Hopelessness to hope...

28. Anger to joy....

29. Neglect to care ....

30. Frowns to smiles...

31. Hate to love...

32. Bad to good...

33. Transformation of a soul, family, village, country....the world...from a small gift given in love...prayers guiding that gift to the heart of the receiver...

Jesus' prayer for believers to come...

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

John 17:20-26

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians---

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Thank YOU for making such a difference in your world ....with a little shoe box....