Category: Praise

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The Smallest Details

I am amazed every time I am out in nature! God’s handiwork can be overwhelming. When we were in the mountains we took our grandson on a couple of nature hikes. We wanted him to see things that he didn’t experience at home. We found a massive Ponderosa pine tree that had fallen and the roots were exposed. Tangled in the root base were big rocks. Can you imagine the strength it took for those roots to push past them and go deeper into the earth to provide the stability for the tree’s growth?

Then just a few steps later we were looking at mushrooms. All kinds of mushrooms – yellow, pink, orange, red and white mushrooms. Why didn’t God just create one kind? They all appeared to be similar in structure – just different colors. Another opportunity to stop and wonder at the greatest of God.

And then there were the flowers…I’m not sure if they were echinacea or Spanish daisies but I had to stop. Just like I stopped for the young deer playing tag by the road side or the turkeys coming down from their roost in the pines or the herd of elk in the meadow enjoying their morning grazing. All of these sightings caused me to stop and ponder the greatness of my Father.

I understand the words of the Psalmist:

“When I look up and think about Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in their place, 4 what is man, that You think of him, the son of man that You care for him? 5 You made him a little less than the angels and gave him a crown of greatness and honor. 6 You made him to rule over the works of Your hands. You put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and cattle, all the wild animals, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and all that pass through the sea. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how great is Your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-9 NLV

What is man that You think of him? With all that the Father has made and all He has done I am awed when I think that He desires relationship with me. There is no room for self-loathing and low esteem when we realize that the God, who created the universe, loves us and desires a personal relationship with us.

Recently our daughter posted an ultrasound image of her unborn daughter to Facebook. Less than nine weeks and baby Elizabeth will be here to greet us all. Kaci has studied that image and knows every bump and wiggle – this is her and Stephen’s daughter. They are “mindful” of her existence and her development. They already have two children, Sam and Kristine, but their hearts are full of love for Elizabeth. That’s the amazing thing about a parent’s heart – it’s expandable and will have more than enough love for every child.

That’s how the Father’s heart is toward all of us, loving and expansive!

Jesus wanted us to know the depth of the Father’s love and gave this example to the disciples so that they could gain understanding and know the answer to the Psalmist question, what is man that You think of him.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Matthew 6:25-30 NLT

If God knows about the birds, the trees, the flowers, the elk, the deer and the mushrooms don’t you think that He knows and cares so much more for us?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33

Take a look around today. Look for the smallest details in nature; God created the minute and the great. But most importantly of all He loves us and He cares for us!

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The Face of God

Do you remember when you were a kid and the local television station would sign off for the night? No?

It used to happen like that – after the last program of the night, the announcer would come on and declare the stations call letters, soft music would play in the background and then a man with a comforting voice would quote the poem “High Flight” and the television screen would go dark. Broadcasting had ended for the day.

High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

This is a brief biography on the author of the poem. High Flight was composed by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee,  Jr., an American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born in Shanghai, China in 1922, the son of missionary parents,  Reverend and Mrs. John Gillespie Magee; his father was an American and his mother was originally a British citizen.

 He came to the U.S. in 1939 and earned a scholarship to Yale, but in September 1940 he enlisted in the RCAF and was graduated as a pilot. He was sent to England for combat duty in July 1941.

In August or September 1941, Pilot Officer Magee composed High Flight and sent a copy to his parents. Several months later, on December 11, 1941 his Spitfire collided with another plane over England and Magee, only 19 years of age, crashed to his death. His remains are buried in the churchyard cemetery at Scopwick, Lincolnshire.

A young man of 19 was so touched by what he experienced in the heavens he had to record his feelings and give glory to God!

I was reminded of this poem this morning as I was reading in the Book of Revelation – the final book in the Bible. This book of Revelation does just that. It reveals how things on this earth will culminate and how we will spend eternity. The Lord wanted John to write down the things he saw and heard in heaven; the glory, the majesty, the worship.

John recorded the words of the songs of praise that the heavenly elders and the angels, millions upon millions, were singing around God’s throne. When we join them, those of us who have accepted Christ, we will be joining that chorus. We will be in the presence of God. We will sing:

“These living beings were giving glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever. And every time they did this, 10 the 24 elders bowed down before the one who sits on the throne. They worshiped him who lives forever and ever. They put their crowns down before the throne and said,

11 “Our Lord and God! You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. You made all things. Everything existed and was made because you wanted it.” Revelation 4:9-11 ERV

and then…

“As I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them, 12 and they were saying in a loud voice,

“The Lamb who was killed  is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength,
    honor, glory, and praise.”

13 Then I heard all beings in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea offer praise. Together, all of them were saying,

“Praise, honor, glory, and strength forever and ever to the one who sits on the throne
 and to the Lamb!” 14 The four living creatures said “Amen,” while the elders knelt down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:11-14 CEV

Each morning as I see the sun christen the day with golden rays and hues of pink I am in Awe of Him, my Father God, who sits on the throne. And each evening my heart is stirred when I see the sun nearing the horizon; streaking it rays through the clouds. They turn from brilliant gold to fiery red and then to gray as the sun vanishes from sight. My heart is filled with the majesty of God.

I know why those in heaven spend their time singing – He is worthy to receive honor and glory and power forever!

God, who is worthy to receive all honor and glory is the same one who invites us to come boldly into His throne room when we are in need and there we will find help in every situation. He is the God of the universe, maker of all things but He is my father and He wants my relationship with Him to be personal.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLV

Like Pilot Officer John Magee, when I look at the heavens in all their splendor I am wonder-filled and know that I have reached out and touched the face of God.

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Great Is Our God

The vastness of the mountains are just a small reminder of God’s greatness!

The joy I feel each morning is almost inexpressible! God is SO faithful, SO good, SO precious! Life’s experiences do not diminish the goodness of my Father God but instead they serve to illuminate it. Since God is unchangeable, He is always loving, always gracious, always giving, always faithful, always just and always merciful, our devotion and love toward Him should never be based on our circumstances but on who He is.

He doesn’t bring the adversary to test us but when the adversary comes if we remember who He is, we will come through any test victoriously because of our faith in God!

Don’t let the enemy steal your joy with distracting cares and anxious moments. Wake up each morning praising our God and Father who has led us in the past, is walking ahead of us in your present and preparing a glorious future for us!

”I will praise you, LORD! You saved me from the grave and kept my enemies from celebrating my death. 2 I prayed to you, LORD God, and you healed me, 3 saving me from death and the grave. 4 Your faithful people, LORD, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. 5 Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate. 6 I was carefree and thought, “I’ll never be shaken!” 7 You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain. But when you hid your face, I was crushed. 8 I prayed to you, LORD, and in my prayer I said, 9 “What good will it do you if I am in the grave? Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are? 10 Have pity, LORD! Help!” 11 You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth. 12 I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my LORD and my God.” Psalm 30 CEV

Thank you Lord that you have made me strong. I trust you!

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Time to Play and Pray

What a wonderful weekend!

We were with our youngest daughter’s family; Kaci, Stephen, Sam and Kristine. It is such a joy to live closer to our daughters and be able to spend time with them. Those years in Montana had us living too far away. We can be to everyone in just a couple of hours, even our son is only a couple hours by air.

This last weekend was NASCAR weekend in Phoenix. As you know, Dave and I are big race fans. That’s how we roll. The kids all grew up knowing the names of car drivers and their team owners. So, this race was special. It was Kaci’s first time to a NASCAR race. She compared it to going to the Super Bowl for someone who grew up in a football family. Stephen enjoyed it as well. It was a great day!

Saturday night was play time with the grandkids. Sam had been telling me on the phone that he wanted us to watch Lightning McQueen when we came. Now most of you with littler children may have seen the Disney movie, Cars, but we hadn’t. Sam had several favorite spots and wanted to make sure we saw them all. Little Kristine would shout “go, go, go” during some of the race scenes and then dance with the music. It was a family event. Sam knew we were going to the race the next day and I think this was his way of joining in.

This was one of the first times I had seen the grandkids since my back procedure and it was so special to be picking them up, having them crawl over my lap, wiggle and squirm and playing toys on the floor without pain. Thank you Lord!

But the best time of all was putting them to bed, getting them in their jammies and saying prayers. Kristine cuddled in during prayer time, gave tight hugs and kisses and then she was off to sleep. Sam picked out a book to read and then we had prayers. He prayed along with me. He had so many things on his mind he wanted to thank Jesus for, people he wanted to pray for and things he wanted to pray about. We were in no rush. There was plenty of time to make sure everything was covered in prayer.

What a blessing!

I couldn’t help but think that our heavenly Father’s heart must have been filled to overflowing with the love and childlike faith of my little grandson. I know mine was. Such a joy to see the love for the Lord that this little man has. It was definitely a weekend of making family memories.

These two verses came to mind as I was thinking on our time together.

“Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right.” Proverbs 22:6 CEV

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:16-17 CEV

Whatever we do can, and should, be a time to thank the Lord for His love and provision. It may be something as simple as watching a movie, going to a race or saying bedtime prayers. They are all opportunities to give thanks.

What small things are you going to praise the Lord for today?

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Everyone Has Reason to Sing

“Bless the Lord oh my soul – oooooooooo my soul and worship  His holy name. Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul and worship His holy name!” Those are some of the lyrics to a song written by Matt Redman called 10,000 Reasons.

I love waking up singing praise to the Father! I know He likes it too. The Psalms tell us that He inhabits the praises of His people, that means He lives within our praise. I love it – just love it. We all have reason to praise.

Yes, we do…

If God has been doing amazing things in our lives we have reason to praise. If we have been going through a particularly dry spell we have reason to praise and if we are living in a disaster zone right now, we have reason to praise.

If you are at a time when you are experiencing God’s overwhelming goodness these verses may reflect the gratitude you have in your heart. These are only a few verses from this chapter. The whole chapter is filled with so many wonderful reasons to praise the Lord.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been. 3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4  and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. 5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5 CEV

For those who think life has been dry and unproductive – nothing is happening, not good or bad, let these verses speak to you.

“The poor and needy look for water, but they cannot find any. Their tongues are dry with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer their prayers. I, the God of Israel, will not leave them to die. 18 I will make rivers flow on dry hills.  I will make springs of water flow through the valleys. I will change the desert into a lake filled with water. There will be springs of water in that dry land. 19 I will make trees grow in the desert. There will be cedar, acacias, olive trees, cypress, fir trees, and pines.” Isaiah 41:17-19 ERV

And for those who have been going through some really rough stuff lately here are some instructions for praising the Lord that will bring you to a place of peace.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:4-7 ERV

Now for anyone who doesn’t feel they’ve been included above, we have David’s instruction in Psalm 34.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart, I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name.” Psalm 34:1-3 CEV

Praise brings strength to our lives. As I said at the beginning, the Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Almighty God comes to brings us life, joy and peace as we praise Him.

Want more joy – want more strength? Begin to praise the Father who created you – the Savior who died for you and the Holy Spirit who indwells you with power!

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Celebrate Good Times – Come On

Today is a day of celebration!! No, it’s not my birthday but thanks for asking. The reason I feel like having a party is because today is January 15, 2019 – and it’s a perfectly good day to celebrate.

“The Lord made this happen, and we think it is wonderful! 24 This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today! 25 The people say, “Praise the Lord! The Lord saved us!” Psalm 118:23-25 ERV

From the beginning of time, God has planned and ordained this day. His plans are good, very good. I don’t know what He has designed for me today but I do know if I start out praising Him for His mighty works my day will fill with joy and I will see God’s goodness spreading out before me.

When I went to Biblegateway.com this morning and did a search on the word rejoice it brought up 240 references for that one word in the King James version of the Bible. This did not include the words praise or joy. That’s a whole lot of good times! Everything that God does is good; one of His attributes is goodness. God doesn’t do evil; it’s not in His nature.

“Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. 5 Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:4-7 CEV

Do you see that? That one word – ALWAYS! It’s an absolute. It doesn’t mean sometimes, possibly, the majority of the time, on days that begin with S or T; it’s not conditional.

ALWAYS!

We don’t rejoice because of our circumstances. There is one reason that we can ALWAYS be glad or joyful. That reason is God’s unconditional love! Each year, each day, each hour and minute Jesus walks with us and showers us with love.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

Rejoice – be glad! God has made this day just for us.

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Power Failure at Christmas

Do you remember those scenes from the Christmas movies when the man of the house had worked so hard at putting up the Christmas lights and when he plugged them in nothing happened?

Or worse yet, the lights came on for just a moment and then they tripped a circuit breaker. All that effort, all that work but not enough power to display it. We had a tripped circuit breaker at our house the other night. Not from too many lights; it was caused because there was too much power demand made on too small a circuit. It could have been easily averted if the cord had been plugged into another outlet with a greater capacity.

Many of us live our Christian lives in a similar scenario. We have the desire to be a witness for the Lord. We want to share His love with those around us and live the kind of life that reflects the Lord but the effort is all ours. We aren’t depending on God. We are plugged into the circuit of our own power when we should be utilizing the Lord’s power.

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 32 “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?
33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.” II Samuel 22:31-34 NKJV

As Christians we are all witnesses. The question is what kind of witness are we? When we are operating in our own power we have a tendency to burn out. When we allow God to energize our lives we take on a new glow and allow His godliness to shine through us.

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!”[a And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ.

7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us. 8 We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:6-9 ERV

The important thing to remember is we must depend on His amazing power and not our own. When things get difficult…and they will, when life greets us with unexpected hardship, devastatingly disastrous events and serious setbacks if we are plugged into that amazing power of God we won’t quit.

“For this reason, I ask you to keep using the gift God gave you. It came to you when I laid my hands on you and prayed that God would use you. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind. 8 Do not be ashamed to tell others about what our Lord said” II Timothy 1:6-8a NLV

When we go through those difficult times I mentioned above and we keep an attitude of joy and stay in a place of peace those around us will notice and eventually they will want to know why we weren’t destroyed in the face of difficulty. Our actions will reveal the source of our strength. God’s light within us will come shining through.

The power that lit the sky on that first Christmas night is the power that has been made available to us. In fact, heaven is still singing of God’s power.

“I looked again. I heard the voices of many thousands of angels. They stood around the throne and around the four living beings and the leaders. 12 They said with a loud voice, “The Lamb Who was killed has the right to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and shining-greatness (glory) and thanks.”

13 Then I heard every living thing in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that are in them. They were saying, “Thanks and honor and shining-greatness (glory) and all power are to the One Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever.” Revelation 5:11-13 NLV

Let’s join with the angels’ chorus and sing praise to the Lamb of God, who sits on heaven’s throne. Let’s thank Him for the power He has given us.

“Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him” Acts 1:7-9 CEV

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Singing sweetly o’er the plains:
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

The best way I know to operate at full power is to praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!

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Choosing The Right Gift

Many of you know that this year I wrote a book, The Best Gifts of Christmas. Isn’t that what we look for when we are getting gifts for those we love? The Best Gifts.

It’s easy enough to buy the latest trinket or gadget but when it’s a gift for the love of your life, that special someone, a dear friend or family member the decision on what to get is a bit more difficult. 

This morning in my Bible reading I came across this verse in Hebrews.

“Let us give thanks all the time to God through Jesus Christ. Our gift to Him is to give thanks. Our lips should always give thanks to His name. 16 Remember to do good and help each other. Gifts like this please God.” Hebrews 13:15-16 NLV

One of the best gifts we can give our heavenly Father is the gift of praise. We can give Him our thankful hearts, expressing praise for the wonderful things He has done for us. 

Over the last few days Facebook has been flooded with 2018 Yearbooks. They are helping us remember our past year by providing a collage of the images we have posted and others have “liked”. 

But what if we made our own collage of things we know God has done for us over the past year. A collage of praise, overlapping from one blessing to the next, giving God thanks for ALL He has done. 

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:17-18 ERV

Our loving Father has given us every good and perfect gift that we receive. He has given us the best. What He desires in return is our thanks, our gratitude, our love. There is nothing better that we can give Him. 

There’s a song that’s been circulating the last few years, it has a familiar melody but the lyrics have been rewritten. A friend sent it to me in a message the other morning and as I listened my eyes filled with tears as my heart overflowed with gratitude. I hope it does the same for you. 

A Hallelujah Christmas

I’ve heard about this baby boy
Who’s come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I’m singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God’s only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You’ll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Father, accept our heart-felt hallelujahs as our gift of praise for all You have given to us. 

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Red & Green Have New Meaning

I don’t really know much about the traditions of Christmas. Why the use of red and green, what’s the message behind the tree, and the tinsel? I’m sure they have meaning but I’ve never researched it.

And really, I’m not a big “red and green” person. They add festive color to our homes at the holidays but  they’re not colors I would decorate with the rest of the year.

Looking around my living room  I was struck by the red and green poinsettia, it’s absolutely beautiful! Then I noticed a deer with a nice red bow. He’s adorned with a holly sprig and sits on my fireplace hearth. He was a  gift from a dear friend years and years ago. 

As I sit here, I realize I am impacted in another way by  red and  green. The words, in red, in my Bible have had a life changing effect. The words of Jesus, and His shed blood, have brought me life. Green is the color of living things.  God’s word gives me abundant life here on earth and eternal life with my Father in heaven! 

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6 ERV

“10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Today’s Christmas carol is an old traditional carol from England. In European Christian tradition, the prickly leaves of the holly bush represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. The berries are symbolic of the drops of blood that were shed by Jesus because of the thorns. In Scandinavia, holly is known as the Christ Thorn. It would seem then that holly would be more appropriate at Easter but it grows in winter and so it was used to adorn homes during the holiday season.

If you’re not familiar with this carol, you may click this link to hear the song, The Holly & The Ivy.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

 When I see the red/green color scheme now, I won’t just think of Christmas but I will be mindful of the words of Jesus, and the growth they have brought  to my life.

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Thankful for Little Things

Let me first thank you all for your prayers yesterday. They are valued and appreciated. The book made it to the publisher by end of day and I’ll have a working copy to proof by middle of next week. Thank you. I could feel your prayers as things were wrapping up.

 

Did you realize that Thanksgiving is only three weeks away? With that in mind I’d like us to focus our time on being thankful. Many times we over look the small things that make such a big difference in our lives.

Thankful for a warm jacket on a cool and windy day. Thankful for a warm fire on a chilly night. Thankful for a hot cup of coffee or tea and the visit with a good friend.  Wouldn’t want you to think I’m only grateful for warm things. I’m also grateful for a cool breeze, a cold glass of water and ice cream.

Yes, the little things. Many people around the world have no good water source or the ability to keep things cold. And when we go to the closet to grab a jacket we have at least two or three to choose from.

Gratitude!

One of the little things I am grateful for are the little verses in the Bible that are right to the point.

“Praise the Lord because he is good to us, and his love never fails.” I Chronicles 16:34 CEV

The King James Version says that “his love endures forever”. Last I checked we have not exceeded “forever”. That means  God’s love has not failed, a big reason  to be thankful. He still loves us and His love is still reaching out to us continually.

So let’s  take time today to give thanks and praise the Lord for His wonderful love, His goodness and His mercy.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.” I Chronicles 16:34 KJV

The verse above is quoted seven times in the book of Psalms. When something is important it is repeated. If we  had nothing else to be thankful for we can be thankful that God is good and not evil. His mercy will last forever! His mercy keeps us from receiving judgement for the wrongs we have done.

It’s because of the Lord’s unfailing love and his mercy that we have all the little things that we enjoy.

As we start our day let’s begin to give thanks for the little things. Speak them out loud, let our ears hear that we are being thankful. It will improve our day.

Give thanks!

 

 

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