Believe

Blessed is she who believed

that there would be a fulfillment

of what was spoken to her from the Lord.

Luke 1:45 ESV

Kaedyn and I were reading from Matthew 2 today about Herod asking, "Where does the Bible say the Christ will be born?" She was fascinated to find out that His birthplace was recorded by Micah 700 years before Jesus' birth.

There is an amazing article on CBN news about all the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. 

http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/biblical-prophecies-fulfilled-by-jesus

When We First Believed

The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. 
Romans 13:12 Message

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

1. 
   

Prince of Peace

Kaedyn visited today. The weather was beautiful. We went for a nice walk. and worked on this week's memory verse, getting ready for her Christmas program.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

frosted windowpanes

Blessed be the name of God,

forever and ever.

He knows all, does all:

He changes the seasons and guides history,

Daniel 2:20-21

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

Leaves are Raining Down Today!

Thankful

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

Getting Ready for Christmas

Praying for you, Mr. President

"What I hear most often as I travel the country are these words that never, ever fail to touch my heart. I hear it so often. 'I am praying for you, Mr. President,'" Donald Trump has said many times.

When I think about all the major catastrophes that America has had to deal with since January, in addition to strife among elected officials, riots in the streets, and threats from other nations, I know it is by the prayers of believers and God's grace that our leaders are able to keep on going.

Chaplain of the Senate Barry Black says, "When we pray we are making our voices heard in heaven."

Praying for Iraq, Iran and Kurdistan Quake Victims

A missionary couple that are dear to me, posted this today:

Jesus is beautiful enough to keep us looking at Him; Jesus is good enough to keep us drinking and eating from Him; Jesus is bright enough to never be affected by the darkness; Jesus is faithful enough for us to never doubt Him; Jesus is powerful enough to never fear. Jesus is enough!!

For several years they have faithfully ministered to refugees in an area where there has been fighting. And now today a 7.3 earthquake.

HELP!

When I was very little

I wanted to 'do it by myself''.

Let me make the biscuits, Mom

I don't need grown-up help!

But Mother would soon lose patience,

She had so much to do

It's quicker for me to do it myself

Than to clean up after you.

When I grew up and married

And supper was up to me

I'd call my grandma on the phone

Please give me your recipe.

Oh, just add a smidge of salt

And a dab and a half of spice..

A splash of milk 'til it looks just right

And bake it til it smells nice.

Now I have senior moments,

My doctor says with a frown.

But I got my very first smart phone

(My antique flip phone drowned).

Please teach me how to use this thing!

I begged my granddaughter today

Oh, Nana, it's intuitive!

And off she went to play

No Longer in the Dark

Yesterday, just after sunset, the lights went out and our community was without power for many hours. I had forgotten just how dark "dark" can be! It reminded me of my college days as an usher at the Atlanta Auditorium on Courtland Avenue. Trusty flashlight in hand, I would guide guests to their seats before the concert as the house lights began to dim.

We knew the star was about to appear on stage when the auditorium became completely dark. Then suddenly, the spotlights illuminated the one everyone had been waiting to see.

As the darkness of evil increases in our world, we look for Jesus Christ to appear, but we also realize that the time is short to guide people to their reserved seats. Jesus is giving a personal invitation to all who will come to Him: 
I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness.John 12:46

Pastor Francis Frangipane wrote: "Too many of us are so focused on what the devil is doing that we fail to see what God is doing. The focus of the Lord is not on how dark evil becomes, but how Christlike the Church becomes!"

Though None Go With Me

I watched the movie: Though None Go With Me on youtube and thought this was timely advice:
Pastor Ben Phillips, in his farewell sermon to his congregation before being deployed to the Korean conflict in 1951 says:

"Our own power isn't enough to get us through the difficult times.

Inevitably some things happen that make us see that our power is limited

but God's power is infinite. All He requires of me is one simple prayer:

'Not my will but Yours, Lord.'

 I accept whatever it is that You have chosen for me.

Though none go with me still I will follow

No turning back."

Thanksgiving at Grandma's

Pickled peaches and spiced apple rings

Candied yams and good green beans,

Cornbread dressing and sweet iced tea,

And pecan pie baked just for me.

Grandma in her apron,

Flitting all about,

Grandpa greeting kinfolk,

"Come in this house!" he'd shout.

Young'uns in the kitchen,

Cousins acting silly.

Grown-ups 'round the dining table

"Ask the blessing, Papa Billy."

I'm missing all the loved ones

Who once gathered around

But thankful for the love we shared

And the faith that they passed down.

Karen Rice

I Can Be Glad

I can be glad for my hope is in the Lord

'Cause He gives a confidence that this world doesn't know
He's the Lord of all creation
And whatever the situation
I'm glad for my hope is in the Lord

Larnelle Harris

Potter and the Clay

O Lord, You are our Father.

We are the clay

You are our Potter,

and we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Our God Sings

I was reading "Sarah Plain and Tall" to my grandchild. It was set in the late 1800's and tells about a widowed father of two who advertises for a wife willing to come to the prairie from back east. He gets an acceptance letter from Sarah, from Maine. The youngest child, Caleb, tells his father to write Sarah back and, "Ask her if she sings!"

I thought about a little boy's heartfelt request when I read this promise:

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Nothing

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Years ago when I was at the hospital with my young son, I had a bookmark with this verse printed on it. A nice nurse came in and I felt an urge to give her that bookmark. She stood there reading it, and then told me she couldn't believe how it was just what she needed at that moment, because her husband had just told her he was leaving her. She had never read that verse before.

I am so thankful for our faithful Father in heaven and for His Word.