PEACE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
WHAT IS PEACE? Sunday, December 4th(Each day this week, we will be focusing on the difference Peace makes in our lives.) If you have an Advent wreath…
PEACE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
(Re-Blogging) Simply Soul Searching by Karen
First Saturday • Advent 2022
December 3rd, 2022
God’s Steadfast Love Endures
Lamentations 3:1-24
“I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; against me alone he turns his hand,again and again, all day long. He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones; he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago. He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy chains on me; though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer; he has blocked my ways with hewn stones, he has made my paths crooked. He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding; he led me off my way and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate; he bent his bow and set meas a mark for his arrow. He shot into my vitals the arrows of his quiver; I have become the laughingstock of all my people, the object of their taunt-songs all day long. He has filled me with bitterness, he has sated me with wormwood. He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes; my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, “Gone is my glory,and all that I had hoped for from the Lord.” The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah and consists of five poems (chapters) in the form of laments for Judah and Jerusalem when they were invaded and devastated by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, for the sufferings of the population, and for the poet himself during and after the catastrophe. The prophet Jeremiah also prophesied the birth of Jesus. *See references below for links.
“’The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior’”
(Jeremiah 23:5-6).
The New Day
As I reflect on this first week of advent and the preparation being made to welcome the birth of Jesus; I am reminded each day we have is a gift. It is a precious, priceless gift from God. We can choose to hold on tight to it or we can step out from the darkness and shadows into the light. The light is our invitation to seek God, share God and grow closer to God.
Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending a Christmas luncheon with seventeen ladies associated with the church that I am a member. These women are truly gifts from God and they see me, really see me and love me. I was able to visit with women I had not seen in a very long time, friendship that knows no boundaries of time, love and conversations flow like a river. Each woman brings something so rare and beautiful, their gifts and talents filled my heart to overflowing. As I left our gathering, my heart was full from their many gifts, to mention but a few; smiles that actually made their eyes glisten like precious stones, their hugs were warm and inviting, my worries and stresses seemed to just slide off my shoulders simply by being in their company. I am so blessed to have so many caring, loving and godly women in my life.
“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Ps. 9:1
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James 1:17
This week I have shared…
• Night Vision (https://charlotteannrobinson.com/2022/11/27/first-sunday-of-advent-2022/)
• Annunciation (https://charlotteannrobinson.com/2022/11/28/first-monday-of-advent-2022/)
• Choosing (https://charlotteannrobinson.com/2022/11/29/first-tuesday-advent-2022/)
• Shadow Goddess (https://charlotteannrobinson.com/2022/11/30/first-wednesday-advent-2022/)
• The Night I Landed (https://charlotteannrobinson.com/2022/12/01/first-thursday-advent-2022/)
• Blessing For A Lonely Night (https://charlotteannrobinson.com/2022/12/02/first-friday-advent-2022/)
• A New Day •
I love verse 22 and 23 in Lamentations 3, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Welcome To A Brand New Day
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/biblical-literature/Lamentations-of-Jeremiah
https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/prophecies-that-foretold-jesus-birth.html?amp=1
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lam.3.22,Lam.3.23&version=KJV
(Re-Blogging) Poetry By Deborah Ann
Wonderful Is His Name ~
https://poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com/
His name is Wonderful,Faithful and TrueHe came into the worldso He could save you. His name is Eternal Life,Deliverer, Lord of AllHe became flesh to …
Wonderful Is His Name ~
(Re-Blogging) Simply Soul Searching by Karen
ADVENT HOPE: FROM FEARING TO FINDING
HOPE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR OUTLOOKFriday, December 2nd Fear: to be afraid of; expect with alarm; to have a reverential awe ofFind: to come upon…
ADVENT HOPE: FROM FEARING TO FINDING
First Friday • Advent 2022
December 2nd, 2022
Blessing For A Lonely Night
As I was preparing to write todays post, I spent some time thinking about darkness and how it can also lend itself to loneliness. In this season of advent we place our focus on Mary, Joseph and Jesus and well we should, as it teaches us many value lessons. Mary and Joseph collectively and individually had so much happening to them it’s fair to say darkness and loneliness were fighting for their attention. The Bible gives us passages of God sending angels to guide them, protect them and instruct them. In their moments of darkness, the light of God was sent to them through His Angels.
• Matthew 1:19-20 (Angel sent to Joseph in a dream)
• Luke 1:26-30 (The Angel Gabriel sent to Mary by God)
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”Hebrews 1:14
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall name him Emmanuel,”which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
I also wanted to share the birth story of Abraham’s son Ishmael by Sarai’s (later called Sarah) handmaiden/Egyptian slave Hagar. I also believe this is an important story of God’s promises fulfilled when His children are surrounded by darkness and feelings of aloneness. Many place Abraham at the foundation/focal point for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Abraham is seen by all three religions/traditions to have been a man who put his trust in God. It is my hope that all three find ways to trust each other enough to be able to engage one another with openness and respect.
I believe in the One True God, and I am His creation and it is His will to be done not my own. I am sharing this story because God placed it upon my heart, I know not the purpose but He does.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Bible Gateway 1 Timothy 2:5
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Bible Gateway James 2:19
Genesis 21
The Birth of Isaac
The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away
The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.” The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
In closing, I watched Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas on TV last night, I understand that she may not be everyone fan favorite and that’s okay, but she sang a song that I believe we all can relate to. I have included the lyrics below.
Hello God Song Lyrics By Dolly Pardon
Hello God
Hello, God?
Are You out there?
Can You hear me?
Are You listenin' anymore?
Hello, God?
If we're still on speakin' terms
Can You help me like before?
I have questioned Your existence
My resistance leaves me cold
Can you help me go the distance?
Hello God?
Hello?
Hello?
This old world has gone to pieces
Can we fix it?
Is there time?
Hate and violence just increases
We're so selfish, cruel, and blind
We fight and kill each other
In Your name defending You
Do You love some more than others?
We're so lost and confused
Hello, God?
Are you out there?
Can you hear us?
Are you listenin' anymore?
Hello, God?
If we're still on speakin' terms
Can You help us like before?
Oh, the free will You have given
We have made a mockery of
This is no way to be livin'
We're in great need of Your love
Hello, God?
Hello, God?
Can You grant us
Love enough to make amends?
(Hello, God)
Is there still a chance
That we could start again?
Hello, God?
We've learned our lesson
Dear God, don't let us go
(Hello, hello)
More than ever
Hello God?
Hello?
Hello?
Hello, God?
We really need You
We can't make it without You
(Hello, God)
We beseech You
In the name of all that's true
Hello, God?
Please forgive us
For we know not what we do
Hello, God?
Give us one more chance
To prove ourselves to You
Hello, God?
Hello, God?
Songwriters: Dolly Parton
Hello God lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Thank you for stopping by today, may you be blessed as you have blessed me. Keep HOPE alive and seek the Light of Jesus. —Amen.
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
(Re-Blogging) Simply Soul Searching by Karen
ADVENT HOPE: FROM MOURNING TO MORNING
HOPE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR GRIEFThursday, December 1st Mourning: the act of sorrowing Morning: dawn; the time from sunrise to noon; a period of…
ADVENT HOPE: FROM MOURNING TO MORNING
First Thursday • Advent 2022
December 1st, 2022
The Night I Landed
“I was silent and still; I held my peace to no avail;my distress grew worse, my heart became hot within me. While I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: “Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. Surely everyone goes about like a shadow. Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; they heap up, and do not know who will gather. “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions.”
—Psalm 39:2-8a
The title was taken from Jan Richardson’s book, “Night Visions – searching the shadows of advent and christmas.”
Her words that followed were about her own personal experiences and I will not attempt to make it into mine. It was personal and I encourage you to read more of her works as they are very inspiring. I decided to dig into the shadows for my own story.
As I contemplated her words and the theme of darkness along with her continued poem below, I found Psalm 39, beautifully written by David.
Today, I was reading/listening to a book written by C. S. Lewis called, “The Chronicles of Narnia – The Last Battle.” to my surprise there was a chapter that speaks directly to “shadows” and how everything in Narnia was only a shadow of what was to come. The true Narnia, a new Narnia, Aslan’s own country. In many ways, our earthly existence is a mere shadow of what is to come in our heavenly home without sin and it’s plague upon mankind. God has prepared a place for believers, going home to God’s own country if you will. With the season of advent upon us, we are in the shadows of every advent before us. We very well may know the story of Jesus’ birth and heard it multiple times at church services in the past. However, try as we may, it is never told the same way and received the same way twice. Open your hearts, your eyes, your very being to the gifts of advent this year. Step out of the shadows, whatever they may be. Step into the light, step towards the Light of the World and I promise you are loved by Jesus.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
—John 8:12 (ESV)—
🦁
“Things never happen the same way twice.”
C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)
Matthew Henry’s Commentary Psalm 39:2-6
David here recollects, and leaves upon record, the workings of his heart under his afflictions; and it is good for us to do so, that what was thought amiss may be amended, and what was well thought of may be improved the next time.
Psalm 39:7-8a
David having meditated on the shortness and uncertainty of life, and the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend all the comforts of life, here, in these verses, turns his eyes and heart heaven-ward. When there is no solid satisfaction to be had in the creature it is to be found in God, and in communion with him. My hope is in thee. Note, When creature-confidences fail, it is our comfort that we have a God to go to, a God to trust to, and we should thereby be quickened to take so much the faster hold of him by faith.
Darkness invades us sometimes without notice, it creeps into spaces we leave unguarded and sometimes in places where we feel safe. Darkness in the world seeks to destroy, alienate and to compromise our lives. Jesus is with all of us, all we must do is ask Him into our lives. Remember, He’s not a magician or a genie passing out wishes. Changing our perception of darkness and the things we feel we must keep in the shadows will be hard work, it may take time and patience and forgiveness, but so worth it! Know that God is always with you. Do not let shame or guilt keep you from healing and stepping into the light. You are so loved.
May you be filled with HOPE today and always. Thank you friends and family for prayers and your support, I am truly blessed by you.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
First Wednesday • Advent 2022
November 30th, 2022
SHADOW GODDESS
As I was reading Jan Richardson’s book today, she made a reference to a sculpture called, “Shadow Goddess.” To my dismay, I search for well over an hour looking for what this piece of art actually looked like but found no such piece. I found variations of the title but nothing that really caught my attention. Jan goes on to say that it was the name of the sculpture that interested her the most, her actual words were, “it enchants me.”
After spending entirely too much time tracking down the elusive art piece, I decided to go to a better source for material, the Bible. From the very beginning God’s creation had darkness. Darkness was never about fear and all the negative emotions that have invaded our consciousness. The darkness that is now upon the world is Lucifer and his fallen angels with him. This world is his domain, our home is in heaven with God. None of this means we should just throw our hands in the air in defeat, we are not defeated. Jesus defeated death and darkness that hides in the shadows trying to manipulate us into believing his lies. Hold onto the truths that God promised and Jesus delivered and His promise to return for us some day.
“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
—Genesis 1:1-5—
“And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.”
—Genesis 1:14-18
God’s Promise of a Messiah
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, the young woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”
Isaiah 7:14
“For a child has been born to us, a son given to us, and the authority is upon his shoulder, and the wondrous adviser, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, called his name, “the prince of peace.”
Isaiah 9:5
On of my favorite verses is, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” —1 Corinthians 13:12-13.
This verse has comforted me on many occasions and is perfect for this advent season, HOPE, FAITH, LOVE (joy I’m sure easily fits into this as well) they abide and the greatest is love. A love from the very beginning of creation, God’s love for His children, God’s promise of a Redeemer, the Birth of Jesus. This is the season of anticipation waiting for the arrival of Jesus. The story does not change from year to year, it is the story that changed us year after year. ~Peace to you during Advent~
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.1.1,Gen.1.2,Gen.1.3,Gen.1.4,Gen.1.5&version=NRSVCE
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor.13.12,1Cor.13.13&version=NRSVCE
First Tuesday • Advent 2022
November 29th, 2022
CHOOSING
“If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”
—Philippians 1:22-23
This verse is part of a larger group of verses where Paul the Apostle had sent a letter addressing the people of Philippi and greeting them. Paul goes on to tell of his prayers for them (verses 1-11), and starting with verse 12, he presents his circumstances “choosing” what to do. You may read it in its entirety here: https://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Phil%201.1-30
The choices we make every day leads us more times than not into unknown spaces. A favorite thing I like to (without navigation) is to take the unbeaten path when I’m driving with no immediate destination. I love choosing country roads that I’ve never noticed before. I have found some very cool things to photo over the years. I have also encountered road closures and detours. Once when I was taking pictures all alone on what seemed like an abandoned road, I was stopped and questioned by a police officer because my adventure had taken me very close to federalized land and they were searching for someone using a drone. After explaining who I was and what I was doing and offering to show my pictures I was let go without much fuss or delay. I have even managed to get pretty turned around while randomly choosing roads, that’s when I start reading road signs more carefully and align my directionality.
Some of our choices can be scary and cause us fear. Within that fear we can feel darkness coming upon us like a fog, all of a sudden our senses are chaotic and we are at least temporarily disoriented. I am pretty sure I’ve mentioned before that I am not fond of darkness. I have overcome most of my fears as they relate to physically dark spaces. I can pretty much pinpoint the event that culminated my fear of darkness. I was probably somewhere between 6-9, mom and dad had been out for the evening and a babysitter stayed with me and my brother. I begged to sleep in my parents bed so I could see them when they got home. Sometime later in the night I woke up in the dark, thinking I was in my parents bed I tried to get up and see if they were home yet. As I tried to get out of bed and reach for the door, I could not find either…I was terrified, started crying and searching for the door and all I felt was wall. When the light came on, my mom at the door I soon realized I was in my own room in my own bed, (the moving me from one bed to another had not woken me from my sleep). My mom calmed me down and waited for me to fall back asleep. This event found a way into my very being and has stayed with me through most of my adult life. There came a time when facing this fear was no longer a choice but an opportunity to conquer it. Life might have been different if I had made the choice earlier in life but that’s just wishful thinking. I believe that my time for conquering was only possible after I had lived through some important life experiences. I also know that God has been with me every step of my journey, especially when I was doubting that He was. We, God’s children often see things with one way vision, it is never God leaving us…my friends it is us who forget that God is with us. God is not a magic fairy going around granting wishes, God is in a very real sense our Father, and loves us always. This is true, no matter how many choices or lack of them we make, before we finally make up our minds and return to Him. And, He’s always there to welcome us back home, to Him.
How about you? Choosing, how does this word fit into your life.
This week as we look to HOPE, are you choosing it for yourself as well as sharing it with others?
HOPE
• to cherish a desire with anticipation
• to want something to happen or to be true
• to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment
• to expect with confidence
• desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment
• someone or something on which hopes are centered
• something desired
Together, you and I can keep HOPE alive. I believe in hope, I have hope and I want to share hope…please join me!
December 16, 2017
Wallace, IN
Words below were written by Jan Richardson.
There are other senses,
you tell us,
and when the darkness
obscures our choices,
we must turn
to the other ways of knowing
you have given us.
-Jan Richardson
Thank you for visiting my blog today, I hope you were blessed as you are a blessing to me.
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil.1.22,Phil.1.23&version=NRSVCE
(Re-Blog) Jan Beek
OOOPS!!
Ooooops! In yesterday’s post on “Waiting” I made a real boo-boo! Read my blog and see what it was…
OOOPS!!
DISCOVER 
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