December 17th, 2023

Happy Sunday my friends ~

Today, I want to share a daily devotional from the Henri Nouwen Society. I have provided the link at the bottom of this post.

https://wp.henrinouwen.org/?page_id=2224

Friends, I take no credit for the above and it is my sincere hope that it provides you joy in both the physical and spiritual.

As mentioned above, there are many things that can provide temporary “joy” but what about lasting joy. Our faith and trust in God is the only true, lasting and fulfilling joy! Daily, we can be drawn into the temporary and self-servicing joy that the world offers and quickly escapes our grasp. There is nothing wrong with the temporary joys in our lives, they can help us to continue to grow and develop goals to be successful in life. Lasting joy has to be planted in fertile soil, tended and pruned and be absent of conceit and falsehood. Lasting joy comes from within, it takes discipline and sacrifices. When we have accepted God as the Lord and Savior of our lives, He provides for all our needs and increases our abilities to live and love like Jesus. Have you ever observed someone going through difficult circumstances and yet they find ways to be positive, even joyful (?) and ever wondered why? With much certainty, I can say that those individuals have the love of God in their hearts and persevere because of their faith in God, they trust in the promises of God; therefore, JOY is always with and in them.

My prayer for you this week is for you to know and trust in the one true JOY, that no matter what situations you face in life you will always have a reason to have joy in your heart. I may never meet many of you in this temporary life on earth but I am looking forward to meeting you in Heaven and we will certainly experience JOY beyond anything we could ever imagine.

“May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season” ~Charlotte

December 12th & 13th, 2023

I am delayed yet again in posting but am glad you stopped by today. As in the title of the book I chose for advent, “An Unlikely Advent,” my real life advent continues to be unlikely as well. The feeling of being overwhelmed weighs on my heart but I endeavor to make Christmas joyful! My heart is excited for this time of year of celebrating and honoring the birth of Jesus; however, my “behind the scenes” activities cause me to feel the void of the absence of my parents this season. I would not describe my feeling as sad necessarily, and I will miss them terribly. No, this Christmas for me is about connections with family. God, the main character of this season is also “behind the scenes” working within my life. By no means am I placing God in the shadows, or casting as a minor character; God makes all things work for good. We, mere mortals often do not recognize the hand of God working within our lives but when we do “WOW” it is beyond any imaginable possibility of our comprehension.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (KJV)

During this second week of Advent, the theme is that of “Peace.” In what ways are you experiencing “Peace” this week? I can say that yesterday and today, I have an overall feeling of “peace” unfolding from the inside out. I am experiencing less chaos and turbulence within my daily activities. I’ve been able to relax and enjoy significant people in my life. Just yesterday, with so many things on my “to do list” I allowed myself some grace to be present with myself and those around me. My time is limited with my work schedule and living an hour and a half from my parents home; of which, I’ve been traveling back and forth on my weekends to pack up the house for selling. Yesterday, I had the privilege of having coffee and breakfast with my brother, to start my day. Then, my second cousin, Kayla, who has been staying in my parent’s home just happened to have the day off. I suggested we go shopping specifically for her dietary needs. I suggested “Trader Joe’s” as they carry many organic and gluten free items. After a quick google search the closest was over an hour away, so we decided after we had finished a few tasks to make the journey. God presented us with a gorgeous sunny day for the drive. We listened to classic Christmas songs on Pandora radio and engaged in so many topics of conversation. We shared some of our struggles in life, our accomplishments of overcoming those struggles. We discussed how God has and continues to work in and through our lives. I was able to share some “life lessons” I’ve learned so far in life. We shared challenges we have faced in life and how during difficult times we often can’t see how God is working and making a way for us. Most importantly, God does not delight in our pain and struggles. He loves us and if we are honest with ourselves, the struggles we face are based upon not so great of decisions on our part. Hence, the conversation of “free will” was discussed. What a blessing to be able to share my faith and my less than perfect life. None of us are perfect, we are sinful humans living in an imperfect world. I’m not saying this as an excuse for my decisions or the paths I have traveled so far in life. What I am saying is, I’m thankful for the grace and mercy of God, for my salvation which was paid for by Jesus. Jesus, the baby we celebrate this season who became one of us, to save all of us. Let that just simmer on your heart; “Jesus, the baby we celebrate this season who became one of us, to save all of us.”

Getting back to the biblical “behind of scenes” of an unlikely advent, I had previously shared the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth. In the moment of disbelief, Zachariah was suddenly stricken with the inability to speak. I can easily see where this could be viewed as a punishment from God; but “behind the scenes” God use’s Zachariah to bring glory to God at the moment of the naming of his son.

“Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” —Luke 1:18-20

“When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcisethe child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” —Luke 1:57-64

As you progress through the rest of this week, it is my prayer that you experience “Peace” in a multitude of ways. Be attentive to God working in and through you to be an ambassador of “Peace” with those you come into contact with. May you be watchful to God foremost that He is the One true God, creator of all things, the center of all the universe; and also works “behind the scenes” in all our lives.

Until next time… Charlotte!

“May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season” Charlotte

December 6th & 7th, 2023

Dear friends,

I am delayed in posting but am glad you stopped by today. As in the title of the book I chose for advent, “An Unlikely Advent,” my real life advent is unlikely as well. I’m feeling overwhelmed and bit uneasy, this will be the first Christmas without both of my parents. My inner emotions have been chaotic and I keep them very much undercover when possible. My heart is excited for this time of year of celebrating and honoring the birth of Jesus; however, my “behind the scenes” activities cause me to feel lost. I would even go as far as comparing myself to Zachariah and his doubt in God’s Will. In Zachariah’s case, God made him mute until 8 days after the birth of his son. My muteness is more self-induced, insomuch as I don’t share my deep grief outwardly, too much. Oh, don’t worry I have plenty of friends and family I trust and could share my grief with but I am guarded. It’s a tug-a-war between heart and mind, my heart (soul) rejoices that my parents are now filled with everlasting joy free of pain and worry. That same heart now has a void, a reserved space for only mom and dad. In my head, that is my mind wants to fight the joy my soul revels in. I know my soul will win this battle, grief is a journey not a destination!

Yesterday, as I was working on emptying out my parents home of sixty plus years I found something I was hoping to find among the Christmas decorations, an advent set made of glass. I am not sure how old it is but I have vivid memories of setting it up every year. I brought it home and set it up in my empty stable. The beautiful part about it is, because they are frosted glass figures, the word that came to mind was HOPE. Hope of what is to come, the figures seem almost ghostly, not fully there yet. In this broken world, there is always hope for those who believe in Jesus. As I sit here in my living room, looking at the glass figures, they all believed in the Christ child, Mary & Joseph, and the wisemen who travel from far away, they all had hope.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

—1 Corinthians 13:12

Scared Speechless

“And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time. Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.” —Luke 1:20-21

I am challenging myself and inviting you as well, as I go about my day I want to be attentive to the opportunities placed before me and choose to trust God. This may sound like an easy task, but the evils of this world try to confuse us and cause us to doubt “truth.” My prayer for all of us is to consciously choose to follow “what would Jesus do” some may think that’s a “corny” saying; I would then say, okay, “Not my will Lord, but Your Will be done!” They mean the same, so you choose what works best for you.

Jesus praying to God, the Father

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

—Luke 22:42

There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for who I am, where I’m at, what I’m doing or to whom I belong. No one person has a perfect life, everyone is struggling with something. Life is not about comparison but about compassion. Love is free to share, spread some of it today. 💜

May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season ~Charlotte

December 5th, 2023

Welcome to Day 3 of Advent —

Today I want to share some thoughts on the people not so popular but are essential people involved in the Advent story. I want to shine a light on Elizabeth and Zachariah and how they are working “behind the scenes” in preparation of the birth of Jesus.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 

6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 

9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 

10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 

13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” —Luke 1:5-15

I love verse 6, “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” Here are two people joined together as a married couple and were childless. It would have been a custom and a dream to have children, heirs to the family name within their community. I would venture to say that many gossiped about Elizabeth and Zachariah as to the causes for no children. Verse 6 tells us about the character of Elizabeth and Zachariah, they were “blameless” in observing the Lord’s commands and decrees. Zachariah served as a priest in the Temple and belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. These two were faithful servants of and to the Lord.

There are three distinct individuals “behind the scene” that precede the birth of Jesus. You guessed it, Elizabeth, Zachariah and John, their son. God, the Creator of all things, and makes all things work together for good; and so, setting the stage, if you will for Jesus’ arrival into our broken world.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

—Romans 8:28 (NIV)

As one can imagine, the news of becoming a father was quite surprising; in fact, the Bible tells us that Zachariah was “startled” and “gripped with fear.” This priest and faithful man of God, reacting in such a way! How many of us have had similar reactions to God’s power in our lives? God, loving Zachariah did not take the gift of having a son away, no but there was a price for his faith wavering, he became silent unable to speak. He was unable to speak until 8 days after the birth of his son while at the Temple for the circumcising and naming of the child.

Zechariah’s Song

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
⁷¹ salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
⁷² to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve himwithout fear
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.” —Luke 1:67-80

Pondering Thoughts

I believe that God is working through all circumstances of my life, no matter what. I know for certain that God has never given up on me, through all my mistakes, bad choices and even the good choices. Because, like Zachariah my faith has wavered, I’ve had to learn lessons the hard way and I’m better because of the lesson. How about you (?) is God giving you a gift of something dreamed for or wished upon and you are a bit fearful (?), my friend…don’t be fearful, trust in God and you will see just how awesome our God is! We are all special and significant in God’s plan. Some of us are minor characters “behind the scenes” while others may be major character; makes no difference to me as we are all children of God, created by God, and made for God’s purposes. This life is not and never was about us, it’s about God and His gift to us. This season is not about gifts and pretty trees decorated, no not at all, the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus.

See you all tomorrow!

May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season ~Charlotte ✨

December 4th, 2023

Welcome to an Advent Journey ~

As promised today I want to talk about the nativity. Do you have a special nativity set that you like to display during this season of hope?

I used to keep my nativity set/scene on display year around. Unfortunately, I moved a year and a half ago and I have yet to discover the box the characters and animals are packed in. I do have the stable sitting out and it’s probably just as dusty as the one Jesus was born in was dirty. The nativity gives me meaning and assurance, the meaning that Jesus was born among us and experienced life as we do now. The assurance that God loves me, no matter my place in life. I am loved simply because God created me, on purpose! Below is a picture of my nativity from two years ago…

And, here is it now….

As I am reflecting, on the emptiness of my stable, I’m reminded that in this season I want to empty myself of all the tangles in my life, to be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. To seek hope, peace, joy and love within Advent and carry it with me all year long.

Most nativity scenes have the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus), shepherds, magi/wisemen, angels, and an assortment of livestock. Some scenes/sets are rugged and plain, some are made of glass or marble and others may be made of gold and silver, shiny and bright.

How about you? Which kind of nativity brings meaning to you? Do you have more than one nativity scene?

Have you ever wondered why churches re-create the birth/nativity scene of Jesus? Do you or have you re-created any other historical figures birth or circumstances of their birth? The nativity is very popular during Advent and Christmas season for a number of reasons. There is definitely something about the nativity that draws people in. Maybe because it’s so relatable, people can see themselves in similar situations of just needing a little help and shelter.

Many places around the world even have “live” nativity’s where people can come and observe others playing the parts of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, wisemen, and live animals as well.

There’s no right or wrong answer to the kind of nativity you decorate, create and re-create. I can only share my experience and I love my set, it’s not necessarily made from quality craftsmanship nor is it shiny and bright, but it does remind me of life, specifically my own. It’s a work in progress, not perfection. I am thankful to have a personal relationship with Jesus, who is also my personal Lord and Savior. Without Jesus, I am nothing, I would not exist, as I was created by God. God’s grace is sufficient. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he (Lord) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I have one more photo to share, it was a special gift from my friends, Greg and Margaret. It’s a beautiful figurine of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Lucky for me, it is on display year around in my living room.

The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-21 (NIV)

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ 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.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ 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.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you come back tomorrow. I will be sharing about the “B Players” in the story of Advent and the birth of Jesus.

May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season ~Charlotte ✨

December 3, 2023

Dear Friends ~

Wow, December and Advent are here already! Where did the time go? I had hoped to be more prepared at this point; however, I am not. The past few weeks have been challenging, rewarding and exhausting and I have no regrets. Many of you may know that I had been caring for my father who is now in heaven. And, so in many ways this will indeed be an unlikely Advent and holiday season for me and my family. I have read several pages of Rachel Billups book, “An Unlikely Advent” and I’m very excited to continue reading and sharing my thoughts and ideas with you. My hope is to write daily and I pray that together we can learn, grow and discover something new during this season of hope and waiting.

This advent journey will give deeper insights to the less popular figures within the Christmas story, a closer look at the people behind the scenes, if you will. The first two individuals we will read about in Luke chapter one, Elizabeth and Zachariah. They would have been considered “unlikely” to become parents in their advanced years; however, our God is all about not sticking to the “likely” or “ordinary.” Read the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah then ask yourself these questions:

• Did Elizabeth and Zachariah have dreams of becoming parents that they had given up on?
• Did they have plans that had to be changed due to not having children?
• Think about your own life, your dreams…did they happen the way you planned?
• Often when our dreams and/or expectations change it’s because God has bigger plans in store for us. Has this happened in your life?

Luke 1:5-80 (NIV)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

⁵ “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.⁶ Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. ⁷ But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

⁸ Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. ¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

¹⁸ Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.²⁰ And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ²² When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

²³ When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴ After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgraceamong the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most Highwill overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[b] the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a childin her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendantsforever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁷ When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcisethe child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, ⁶⁰ but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

⁶¹ They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

⁶² Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,praising God. ⁶⁵ All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Song

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn^[c] of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David
⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
⁷¹ salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
⁷² to show mercy to our ancestors
    and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve himwithout fear
⁷⁵     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit^[d]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.”

Life seldom works out the way we plan or dream it to be. In the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah, similar to Abraham and Sarah, God blessed them with children in their old age. The plans that God has for us often differ from our own plans. If we will but trust in God, He will bless us in unexpected and extraordinary ways.

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, thank you for the person reading this and I ask for your blessings upon them. I’m thankful for the freedom and opportunity to share your words of hope. Open our hearts and minds to your plans for our lives. Help us learn and grow through your word and in your ways. All that I am is because of you, Lord. I ask all these things in Jesus name. Amen.

TOMORROW

LET’S TALK NATIVITY SCENES

May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season ~Charlotte ✨

November 18th, 2023

Dearest friends and family ~

The Advent season is quickly approaching and I wanted to share a video of the book I am planning on reading this season. Advent begins on December 3rd and goes through December 24th, 2023. I look forward to journeying with you as we discover new and beautiful things during this season. I discovered a book several months ago that peaked my interest based upon the title, “An Unlikely Advent” written by Rachel Billups. I hope you will consider joining me as I look to God’s Word to experience God in new and different ways this season. The older I get, the more people, memories and emotions mean too me than any possessions. My heart is full and I want to share my heart with you. Below are a couple of preview videos from the author. See you all real soon.

~Charlotte, Seeker of Unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A7-18&version=NIV

“Now if the ministry that brought death,which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnationwas glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

November 14th, 2023

Hello friends & family~

Over the past twelve years I have found solace at this gravesite . Anytime I needed to share my thoughts out loud to my mom, this was the place. I know the grave only holds the remains of my mom’s earthly shell of a body. Truth is I know and have the ability to have a conversation (sort of) anyplace or anytime. In a sense it’s like praying, talking things out. The “talking” things out is an outlet for me. Over the years, my need to do this has lessened and lessened. This is in part that I live over an hour away from the cemetery. The truth is, I have no way of knowing if my mom can hear my verbal cries for help or my words of excitement and joy. I do know that God does, and that’s enough for me. I do like to visit the cemetery and place new flowers and decorate for holidays. This is another way of caring for my parents. I just shared with a friend yesterday, (I know this sounds silly), but staying true to who I am being authentic, I said to her, “I’m going to feel a bit uneasy going to the gravesite to talk with mom now that dad will be there too.” (My dad passed away on Saturday, November 11th). See, silly…right! He’s not going to be there anymore than my mom is there. I love my parents equally; however, there are times when a girl needs her mom, some conversations are simply meant for “mother/daughter.”

Truth may be that I have been just holding onto my mom’s memory, not wanting to let go. It’s difficult to lose the physical presence of a loved one, there’s a void that feels like emptiness. Is it really, though? I have a lifetime of memories of both my parents that fills me with overflowing joy. That joy will sometimes be seen through tears, happy tears expressing the love that endures.

I am not the first person to grieve the death of a parent, what’s happening to me is no different than anyone else that must say “goodbye” to a parent. I’m at an age where many of my friends have had to say, final goodbye to their parents. And, though it’s not something one wishes for but it is so comforting to share in this natural grieving of losing a parent. I am enormously blessed with amazing friends that are choosing to travel alongside of me on my grief journey, my heart is grateful and thankful. Grieving is a natural response when losing someone important to us. For even believers whose faith and trust is in God, will grieve. We grieve because we miss the physical presence of our loved one and know all the while that our loved one was a believer in Jesus Christ and are in heaven. So, allow yourself some grace, time to process and a time to weep.

“…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

—-Psalm 30:5b

Remember, Jesus wept! He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Below are three Bible passages in which, Jesus wept.

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.  When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”  When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.  Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.  When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” ~John 11:17-37

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.  If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.  As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.  As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.  The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.  They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” ~Luke 19:28-44

“Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.  He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.  This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.  And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”      ~Hebrews 5:1-10

“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” ~Numbers 6:24-26

Thank you for your support and encouragement, I appreciate YOU!

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://christ.org/life-of-jesus/jesus-comforts-mary-and-martha/

https://dcmuirigo.org/palm-sunday-when-jesus-wept/

https://www.preceptaustin.org/hebrews_57-8