December 6, 2018

Luke 1:28-33 – Blessed

“Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” -Luke 1:31

Blessed:

• held in reverence

• honored in worship

• of or enjoying happiness

• bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune

I want to share a video today, it was originally written as a poem by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius and first published in 1582 and is sung by a capella choir.

I love the beautiful stained glass images in the video and the wondrous story it portrays of Jesus’ birth and life!

What is your typical reaction when someone comes to you and says, “Don’t be upset!” Most of us respond with, “Why? What happened? or something similar. I’ve been thinking about Mary, here we have a young girl, probably around 13 years old, she promised in marriage to a man, who was probably a bit older than she and now an Angel appears to her and tells her she is favored by God and then says to her, “Do not be afraid,” never-mind the fact that an Angel, yes a real Angel is in front of you and talking to you, Wow! I can’t imagine Mary’s thoughts at that moment in time, fear/being afraid was probably only one of many thoughts. The parts of the story Luke doesn’t tell us is what the Angel looked like, flesh and bone like Mary, spirit or a day-dream like experience. This is most likely not a critical issue of the story, what we do know is that Mary was a believer in God and had knowledge of Jewish heritage and the long struggles of her people and angels would have been a well known fact in those stories. When I think of Mary I imagine her as a quiet and obedient daughter, a friend to everyone in her village, a helper, a devout woman of faith and someone who loved and feared God, believed in Him as creator of all things. I also think she probably never wanted to stand out, she enjoyed her life and was humbled to serve God in whatever situation God placed her in. The Bible tells us, Mary was “highly favored” by God. “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%201:28&version=NIV

Truly, Mary is Blessed! You and I are also blessed.

• Blessed to know this story

• Blessed to be a part of this continuing story

• Blessed to share this story

• Blessed because we were created by God, made with a purpose and are LOVED by God.

Carry the word BLESSED with you today as you navigate your way through life, be reminded that you too are BLESSED and are a blessing to someone.

I am honored, humbled and BLESSED to be able to share my thoughts with you and I am thankful for your support.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me to grasp the wonder of your coming. Amen.

~Peace and Blessings~

References:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_the_Father%27s_Heart_Begotten

https://hymnary.org/text/of_the_fathers_love_begotten#Author

https://www.biblegateway.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Luke 1:26-28

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. -Luke 1:26b-27

Entrusted:

• assign the responsibility for doing something to (someone).

• put (something) into someone’s care or protection.

Quote: “There would be no sense in saying you trusted Jesus if you would not take his advice.”

Source: “Mere Christianity” (1952)

Today’s reading reminded me of one of my favorite hymns from my childhood and I believe it is fitting for today’s word of “entrusted.” I hope you like it and maybe even know it.

This song reminds me of the obedience of Mary and Joseph, it also shows us the trust that God had in them, He entrusted them to raise His Son, Jesus. Jesus, left Heaven to be born and live in Human form to be one of us and to teach us how to live a life pleasing to God! I can’t even begin to imagine how scared and terrified Mary and Joseph were when the Angel came to them. Although they were young and inexperienced, they bravely accepted the plan God had for their lives.

What has God placed upon your heart/entrusted you to do(?). For some of us the answers may be clear, while others are still seeking and waiting, nonetheless we must endure and continually pray for God’s Will to be completed in us.

May this Advent season provide all of us with clear and concise journey for us to fulfill for God’s glory.

Prayer:

Help me to trust in your power. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I have been entrusted with personal knowledge for individuals hurting during this season of Advent from infants to the elderly within my circle of friends. I ask a special blessing for the little boy having surgery today, for loved ones near and far as they are readying for the holidays, may we all be mindful of the greatest gift available to each of us, accepting the Lord, as our personal Savior! Amen, and Amen!

Thanks for following along, I hope you have a terrific day wherever that may be.

A reminder during this holiday season, BE KIND!

~Peace and Blessings~

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Luke 1:13-17

“He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” -Luke 1:17b

Expectation:

• a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.

• a belief that someone will or should achieve something.

• one’s prospects of inheritance.

Today’s work is expectation and the story from Luke 1 tells us of Zechariah’s expectations of the day he was to offer new incense at the inner altar of the temple sanctuary. It was an honor to be chosen to complete this task, I’m sure he was nervous and wanted to do a good job and I’m sure he had planned every little detail out in his mind so that he would know what to expect to happen. As the saying goes, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” ~ The phrase from which John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” was coined.

Zechariah had not expected to see the Angel Gabriel as he entered into the holy place. All his planning had disappeared from this thoughts as he listened to what the Angel was telling him. The message that Gabriel gave to Zechariah still holds truth for us today. Although in the past it was the expectation of a holy man, John. John would later be called, John the Baptist and would help lead Israel into a new age, the coming of the Messiah. We know the story of Jesus’ birth and life, our expectation is His return with a new Heaven and new earth. This Advent draws us into expectation, our hearts expect to celebrate the birth of Jesus, all those many years ago, knowing why He came and knowing He is returning again. As believers and followers of Jesus it is our responsibility to continue to prepare the way of the Lord, to share the Good News of Jesus with all those who do not know Him. Let’s make space for holiness and righteousness here on earth, spreading hope, peace, joy and love to all the world.

I’ve included a C.S.Lewis quote that shares thoughts of, “what did you expect.”

Prayer:

Come, Lord Jesus! Let us prepare your way. Amen.

~Peace and Blessings~

References:

For a more detailed story of Zechariah read Luke 1:5-80. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%201:5-80&version=NIV

December 2, 2018

“In those days and at that time, I will raise up a righteous branch from David’s line, who will do what is just and right in the land.”

~Jeremiah 33:15

Reflections by C.S.Lewis on Jeremiah 33:15-16

“Justice is much more than the sort of thing that goes on in law courts. It is the old name for everything we should now call “fairness”; it includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all that side of life.”

~from Mere Christianity

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and I am planning to daily share with you through this platform during the season of Advent, I will share some of my thoughts but most importantly sharing the words of God and His promises with you.

I am using a pamphlet published by Abingdon Press, it’s called, “Advent – A Calendar of Devotions 2018.” If you would like a copy I would be happy to send you one, just message me and I will make arrangements to get you a copy.

As I read the reading for today, the writer reminded me of the terrible times in the history of Jerusalem, the ruins of the city by the Babylonians, Roman rulers and the kings of the Hebrews, none of which were righteous enough to lead them into a true community of God. The believers at that time were looking for a person to come and mightily defeat all who persecuted them, someone with power, strength and a command presence. How often have you wanted, wished and waited for something to only be disappointed when it arrive looking different than you had imagined. Life, at least my experiences have often been filled with surprises, good and difficult ones. The one thing I know for certain is this…when I was willing to see the “thing” through to the end and put in the necessary work, God opened my eyes and heart to a clearer path. This reminds me of a favorite verse of mine, 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV) “ 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.” God’s desire is not to hurt us or to see us hurt by others or even ourselves. He loves each of us and calls us His children and knows each of our names. Some lessons can only be understood by walking through them not around them or over them or under them. I, myself have had to accept that my situations are not caused by God or even Satan, but by my own decisions I’ve made in life. None of us enjoy struggling, and admitting our faults but by doing so we can start to unravel the falsehoods we have learned in life and better understand God’s grace and unconditional love. The one thing I trust completely in is God’s promise to always be with me and to never leave me, that means I will never go through a situation or event without Him. This is just one of many promises from God, promises made centuries ago, like the prophesy of a descendant of David that will execute justice and righteousness in the land. What a blessing to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to share in the promises of God with all those we encounter especially during this Advent season.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me and I pray that you cling to and believe in God’s promises. I have one more thing to share with you, as I got in my car to drive to work yesterday I was greeting with a beautiful rainbow in the sky, though it was only a partial rainbow, God’s promises are full. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Prayer:

Lord, may I know Jesus Christ’s unexpected salvation. Amen.

~Peace and Blessings

Week 5

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second,” 

-Marc Riboud

I remember taking each of these pictures and they still invoke in me the sensations I felt at the moment I was taking them. The rose was still beautiful after an early frost, at my mother’s grave sight; the warm and bright sunny day at my dads with his flowers in full bloom; the cold winter afternoon visiting my mom in the cemetery; an early fall day driving in the country near my home just to view this huge gorgeous tree; at home watching a  thunderstorm with cold front moving across the sky in early fall; bushes budding in early spring at home; a warm summer afternoon in the country near the huge gorgeous tree, I can still feel the warmth of the setting sun and smell the tar bubbling on the pavement.

I just found this video and I thought it was beautiful and wanted to share it with you.  I would like to also say that all of our moments are gifts from God, He alone is Savior and Creator of all.  I hope you enjoy the video.

A Time for Everything 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ecclesiastes%203:1-8&version=NIV

~Blessings and Peace~

I’m excited to share with you a birthday gift I received from a very dear friend.  She blessed me with a photography course online with http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com called “Contemplative Photographers Practice Group, Year 4!”  The course invites the participants to share photos that are relatable to the quote of the week.  I participated in this course during year 2 and I loved it. I wanted to share them on my blog. So far I have completed 3 weeks. The photos can be either taken by me or one that I admire.  One can tell a lot through a photograph! I hope you like them.

Week # 3

This week, be on the lookout for everyday objects that tell a story. The candlestick that you used for three days straight during the blizzard when the power went out. The door knocker that brings to mind one particular life-changing visit. The name tag that you keep on your kitchen windowsill to remind you of the best dog ever. If you look closely at the things around you, you will discover that more of them carry stories than you ever would have imagined with a mere passing glance.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

Hello friends –

How would you best describe your best friend?  Are there specific characteristics you would use or personality traits?  What might be attributes of a best friend?

For me the idea and meaning of a best friend has changed as I have grown and experienced different stages of life.  I remember my childhood and the group of neighborhood kids that I spent countless days riding bicycles and playing baseball or kickball.  My teen years were spent trying to be “cool” and “accepted” just like every other teenager.  Friends become boyfriends or girlfriends and best friends are those we share our deepest secrets and dreams with.  The college years sometimes means a stronger bond with your friends from high school or the creation of new “best friends.”  What I’ve learned so far in my life is that I’ve been blessed with some amazing friends while traveling on this journey called “Life!”  I have also learned that the qualities of a best friend while in high school or college can be quite different from a best friend later in life.  With that being said, I believe that the one thing that never changes is the trust component of a best friend.

I have a favorite poem that has been very special to me for several years and it continues to teach me to this very day.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” ~Flavia Weedn

I have been so blessed to have had wonderful friends throughout my life, some I have been able to maintain contact  with and some I have not spoken with for a very long time.  I have beautiful memories of all these individuals who left footprints on my heart.

My best friend encourages me through actions and thought-provoking questions. She doesn’t provide answers to my questions, she encourages me to search.  She is truthful and honest, she is patient and thoughtful.  She is intentional in her actions and her words.  She is respectful and sincere.  She would caution me to tell you that she is human and makes mistakes just like everyone else, she is not perfect.  After all, we are all human!

The best word I can use to describe my best friend is “humble” she displays “humility.”  A phrase that makes me think of her is “Trust in the Lord” and “Trust the Plan.”  The fall season/foliage, the turning of the leaves makes me think of her and the joy she receives as she views the many shades and hues of yellow, golden, red, crimson, brown and green, as fall settles in before winter chases it away.  Her anchor verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 and she has a thirst for knowledge; giving and receiving it.  She’s a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, a cousin, a friend, most importantly she is a child of God!  She’s brave and strong, responsible and reliable, trustworthy and honest. She’s creative and resourceful.

Best friends are special gifts from God! I encourage you to tell your best friend just how you feel, pray for them and thank God for them. 🤓

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

~Blessings and Peace~

References: 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%203:5-6&version=NIV