When He Whispers

2012-01-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

"To love at all is to be vulnerable.

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

To love is to be vulnerable"

C.S. Lewis

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins....We love, because He first loved us."

I John 4:10-19

2011-12-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

2011-12-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam

In 1866 Alfred Nobel invented an explosive made of nitroglycerin absorbed in a porous material. It was by far the most powerful explosive that had so far been invented. When Nobel and his friends saw what his invention could do, and had to decide on a name, they sought for the strongest possible word for power -- in any language. The word they finally chose was the Greek word dunamis, from which our word dynamite is derived.

This word, in Greek also the strongest word for power, is used again and again in the New Testament and is generally translated simply "power".

When our Lord wrought miracles, for example, St. Luke testifies that "the POWER [dunamis] of the Lord was present to heal" (Luke 5:17). In promising His apostles that they too would work miracles, He said: "Ye [shall] be endued with POWER [dunamis] from on high" (Luke 24:49).

When the Sadducees questioned the resurrection, Jesus answered: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the POWER [dunamis] of God" (Matt.22:29), and St. Paul declares that Christ was "declared to be the Son of God with POWER [dunamis]...by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom.1:4).

Using this same word, Paul, by inspiration, declares that "the gospel of Christ...is THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION, to every one that believeth..." (Rom. 1:16). This is because, according to this gospel, or good news, "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS", and "THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS", he says, is to believers "THE POWER OF GOD" (ICor.1:18).

But not only are believers saved by the power of God; they are "KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD" (IPet. 1:5). Indeed, the adjective of this same word "dunamis" is used in Hebrews 7:25, where we read that the Lord Jesus Christ is "ABLE...TO SAVE...TO THE UTTERMOST [THOSE] THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM". Thus the Bible uses the very strongest word for power to show how secure is the salvation of those who trust in Christ.

2011-11-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

Plunged into complete darkness.

Thick with black.

Hopeless.

One flame.

Mystery revealed.

Hope.

The List

2011-11-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked what a person needed to do to go to heaven. I first asked them what they thought they needed to do. Included in this list are a couple answers given to me. I added a few more things I’ve heard over the years.

What do you think? What must a person do in order to go to heaven?

Ask Jesus in your heart.

Get baptized.

Attend church.

Repent of all sin.

Follow Christ.

Surrender to Jesus.

Follow 10 Commandments.

Make Jesus Lord and Savior.

Obey the Bible.

Read the Bible.

Pray.

You may have answered yes to one or more on this list. Maybe you added something different, but if you answered yes to anything on the list chances are you do not understand the Gospel and will not be in heaven. See, there is nothing we can “do” to go to heaven. It’s all been “done”.

The Gospel of Paul is this:

I Corinthians 15:1-4

¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

God gives us the grace (unmerited, undeserved favor) in faith (taking God at His Word) to believe. Period, nothing else. After believing the Gospel, then yes, our desire will be to pray, study the Bible, and follow Christ, but these things are in vain if followed alone.

Eucharisteo

2011-11-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Eucharisteo) let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

Eucharisteo (yoo-khar-is-teh'-o) is the Greek word meaning thankful, give thanks, or to thank. It's a beautiful word don't you think?

I've had these verses memorized since I was very young and yet I never realized the word thanksgiving before. I seemed to instead focus my time on the asking and trying not to be anxious. The key I believe to these verses is in being thankful and the answer is the Peace of God.

What a great way to start the morning!

Faith to Believe

2011-11-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

I came across these quotes today and found them very thought provoking. I love the one that says "God wrote Christ's test score on our paper". Actually, after reading these I felt so loved by God and such a desire to know Him!

Faith is simply taking your stand where God takes his stand.

Faith doesn’t come in gallonage or tonnage. Faith is simply taking God at his word.

Thankful that the sin question was answered at Calvary. God is not holding the world accountable for their sin! II Corinthians 5:19

Paul’s Gospel is not the fact of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is what those transactions actually accomplished for us.

Rejoicing that I’ve been made righteous, the very righteousness of God, in the person of His Son. II Corinthians 5:21.

Thankful that my fellowship with Christ is not based on my performance. It was all based on His at Calvary!

Justification is nothing more than God gifting you with His own righteousness.

God wrote Christ’s test score on our paper.

The religious world focuses on the word “do”. Through Christ’s all-sufficient cross work, God is focused on the word “done”.

Your Old Man is dead, crucified with Christ. You, however, are identified with Christ’s resurrection Life!! Romans 6:1-6

God will never meet man on Law ground. He will only meet him on Grace ground.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t move in to clean us up. He moves in to renovate.

Doctrine is the fuel. Emotion is the exhaust. Never the other way around.

Doctrine should never take a back-seat position to tradition.

We should separate ourselves to truth, not unite in error.

God gave us a method to study his word, and it is by “rightly dividing” it. II Timothy 2:15

Matthew 20:28 and I Timothy 2:6. Why would Jesus say “many” but Paul say “all”? And, why would Paul say “to be testified in due time”?

Prayer changes us, not our circumstances. God has already appointed us unto affliction in this life. I Thessalonians 3:3

Paul says our infirmities allows God to show himself strong. Don’t pray away that opportunity! II Corinthians 12:7-10

Don’t let your spiritual wallet get fat – gladly spend and be spent

They Didn't Have a Clue

2011-11-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Luke 18:31-34

³¹ Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. ³² For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. ³³ They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” ³⁴ But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

The 12 apostles, the men that were with Him night and day for three years did not understand that Jesus was the Lamb of God.

It seems hard to believe. And yet, how many today, 2000 years later have no clue who Jesus is, why He came, and what He did for all men? Could one of the major problems be that the Bible has been mis-read? Only in the recent year have I come to realize what "Rightly diving God's Word" means. Men have put the Bible in a blender so to speak. They pull out a verse here and there to prepare sermons, write songs, and declare doctrine without ever staying in context of the whole book. I'm learning to read the Bible, each book, each chapter and verse in light of "who" is doing the writing and "who" is the recipient. Okay, now this is life changing!!!

For example: I believe with everything in me that Jesus died on the cross and rose again forgiving me of ALL my sin. All means All. This makes me a Believer, His Child, never to be snatched from His hand.

I Corinthians 15:1-4 ~ The Gospel

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18a)

And then I read in Matthew where if I do not forgive my brother God will not forgive me....hmmm?

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14,15)

So, what's the answer? Either I believe the Gospel + Nothing

I believe the Gospel + I must forgive men.

The clue: Who is Matthew writing to? The Jews! They had not yet been given the Gospel according to Paul. They were still under Law, still being told to repent and be baptized in order for the Messiah (Jesus) to set up the Kingdom and rule.

On the other hand, I Corinthians was written by Paul to Believers. He is telling Gentiles that the only requirement to have eternal life is believing that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again with power. That's it! Faith = Taking God at His Word. If anything is added to Paul's Gospel (Faith + Nothing) it is a false gospel. Get this...Paul states in Galatians what will happen to anyone distorting the truth of the Gospel.

Galatians 1:6-9

⁶ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷ which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Accursed...he says it twice.

We need to pay attention to the details, it’s not difficult and it takes all the puzzle pieces found in God’s Word putting them together with perfect fit and comprehension.

Oh, the Love He has bestowed upon us!

Fig Leaves

2011-09-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Adam and Eve … fig leaves … sin … hiding.

Have you ever wondered why they covered themselves with fig leaves?

You might say because they sinned and they were hiding from God.

I used to think that also.

Genesis 3:7-8

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Where did they hide from God?

Amongst the trees of the garden, not behind those leaves.

Condemnation. Guilt.

Makes me want to hide from myself too.

Causes me to stop looking at Jesus and look for leaves.

Today there is no need for self-righteousness, no need for fig leaves. Jesus became our righteousness.

Romans 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

Happy Birthday

2011-08-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Son,

11,315 sunrises ago my life changed forever!!!

I had always thought there would be more time. I had thought when they wrapped you tight in that soft blue cotton blanket in the heat of August that it would take a whole lifetime to unwrap you into the man you've become.

Who knew a lifetime was a blink and you'd be so tall? I traced your smile and your dimples…the ones you still have today. I know them like yesterday. Permanent the touch on my heart you will forever be.

I love you son. I'm so proud to know you, to know you were once my little boy and now raise little ones of your own. You mean so much to me and have blessed my life abundantly!

I pray your birthday is blessed...blessed by God!

Love,

Momma

Robe of Righteousness

2011-08-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

I Peter 2:9 KJV

The streets were dirty and noise filled every corner as she was pushed through the crowds of onlookers. The smell was putrid. Hideous, armed, and unkempt were the men that poked and prodded. The merciless spit and mocked at the discards soon to be fed to the ravenous spectators in the arena.

Nearby were the shouts of ruthless men yelling out bids and bargaining on those still having some life worth using. Women screamed in terror as their babies were ripped from their arms and taken away. Children cried at being stripped and checked for strength to work the fields. They would soon be used up and headed down the same road she walked.

The cart carried many like her. Human garbage. No worth or purpose left. Bodies covered in lice, hair mangled and thinning, skin was all that covered the wasting souls. Naked. Nothing left but shame.

She welcomed death.

The declaration was soft and gentle, yet penetrated the air with authority demanding immediate attention. Was that her name being called?

He held out His hands to show the price He paid for her release. Immediately He was pushed away and told she was not for sale. The Prince of Darkness had a stronghold. The Prince of Light held the key.

There was something soft and kind yet powerful in His eyes ~ tenderness that could reach in and heal internal wounds. She had not felt this stirring before. When was the last time she felt anything? Shame intensified as He looked right inside her soul.

Was this a brutal hoax in an attempt to arouse her for the ring of lions? He came closer taking no notice of those hired to keep Him away. He said not a word, but held out His hand in an effort to take hers into His own. Unworthy. She had nothing, nothing at all to offer Him.

He wanted her for His own. His choice was made. She was worth the cost. He gently unlocked the chains that were so tightly coiled and cutting into her skin. He picked up her broken body and carried her down to the river where He washed and cared for her wounds.

He clothed her in a Robe of Righteousness as He softly crooned her name.

Unmerited. Undeserved. Grace.

Author Notes

The Roman arenas were a commonplace for many Christians. The Romans used not only thieves and criminals for their pleasure, but also Christians. They would throw them to the wild animals as the crowds cheered at the sport.

Death ~ The only way to pay for sin. God loved me so much that He sent Jesus to take my place.

Right-Being

2011-08-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

II Peter 1:2-3

Grace ~ Beautiful Grace.

People pray for it. Beg for it. Demand it. They even try to "do good" in order to be blessed with it. They go to church, read their Bibles, and give to the poor, all in an attempt to earn the favor of God.

What is grace? It is the unmerited, unearned and undeserved favor of God shown to us. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s Grace. Unrestricted favor, because He loves us!

Grace is Jesus Christ. Grace is the perfect work on the cross.

This verse from the Bible found in II Peter says Grace and peace will be multiplied as knowledge of God and Jesus is obtained.

Knowledge leads to Believing.

Believing leads to right-living, right-being.

2011-06-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

“Something of God…flows into us from the blue of the sky,

the taste of honey,

the delicious embrace of water….”

~ C.S. Lewis

Everything under heaven belongs to me.

~ God. Job 41:11

Amazing Love

2011-06-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

This is love...

Not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

I John 4:10

Amazing Love ~ Agape Love!

Beauty Unveiled

2011-05-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

Patience reveals beauty ~ every time

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
Isaiah 45:3

His Mercies ~ New Every Morning

2011-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Son Rise

2011-04-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Light overcomes the darkness. The world once again stirs to another sunrise. Saturday is no more.

Sunday Son-rise in the garden.

Celebrating Life Today

The Cross

2011-04-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday is coming.

The shadows of Friday are past. Friday full of hate, scandal, fear.
He laid down His life ~ No one took it from Him.
The greatest love ever shown.
Sunday is coming.
Saturday waiting in anticipation for all the tomorrows.
Sadness without belief. Anger without knowledge.

Sunday is coming.

Worship

2011-03-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sharing with the Father ~
The beauty of His Son.

The First Time

2011-01-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

They met in highschool. Their love for each other grew through the seasons of classes, summers, and long winter breaks. Tall and handsome with bright blue eyes and blonde hair. His wink always caused a skip in the beat of her heart.

"In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Blessed with "For Better" three times.
Good times and bad, joy and sorrow ~ all part of daily life.
Support, honor, respect ~ learned behaviors to be practiced always.
As the years developed, love took on the role of unconditional. Health changed to sickness.
The core of vulnerability ~ Laughter and tears.

At the peak of good times and bad, the request was made to renew their pledge, vows made before God and man, promises declared to keep forever.

His response ~ I meant it the first time!

The Vine

2011-01-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

At first glance it was just an old log in the swampy, muddy waters. Drawing closer revealed the harsh scales and mysterious dark eyes. Faraway from this scene was heard the faint melody of a songbird.

Those eyes! Eerie, cunning, and determined in their search. The parasites he carried attracted then lured his quarry. His tail could knock out his prey with one swipe. His jaws were like iron, used to grip the victim of choice. Hidden were teeth, sharp, precise, used to sink into the innocent bringing foul satisfaction to the pain he caused.

Her heartbeat most certainly could be heard as the intensity grew in insurmountable decibels. Rustling leaves above caused a stirring deep within her soul. The harmonious tune coming from the peaks were calling her to join the delightful never-ending chorus.

The music stopped. She watched the small prey attempt to help this wicked force by cleaning the parasites off his grimy scales. An uncanny stench filled the air.

The smirk of pleasure.

She turned her eyes upward once again. It was there ~ in the Vine she could sing again.

Author Notes:

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

I was vacationing in Florida and stopped alongside the highway to look at what I thought was a bird sitting on an alligators back. I was right. As I stood there, I was intrigued by the eyes. They reminded me of eyes I had seen as a child. It is a difficult task ~ not looking back. I learned to sing again once my eyes fixed on Jesus. Oh, I look back from time-to-time, but it seems to be less the closer I draw to the Creator of new songs.

Cedars by the River

2011-01-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

They are long-time friends these two. So many things in common, yet so very different. Both so tall and strong. Statures of great. One is seen from miles away for his beauty. Power is his name. The other is known by many. He carries the name of Integrity.

One reaches high to the heavens with limbs that never lose their luster, and the other sits protected from the summer heat by the wide fanning branches so full of never-ending aroma .

Both growing older. Equally lived through many storms of life. Their paths full of obstacles that they learned to overcome. When the winds blow hard they only become stronger. Roots reaching far down into the deep moist soil where the nutrients sustain and encourage growth.

Dependent on the Son's radiating warmth, a delight in which he meditates day and night. The Righteous consider him to be a prosperous man. Not so the ungodly. He is rich in faith. Prayer is his Endurance. Courage is the result of Love and Commitment. Hard work keeps him flourishing and thriving to be like his friend whose footstool is the rivers of Living Water.

Author Notes:
There are a handful of large cedar trees growing near the creek. This is a favorite place for my husband to enjoy God and His creation. He was sitting under these trees one day after a stressful time. Psalm 1 came to my mind immediately.

Psalm 1

¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
²But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
⁴The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
⁵Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
⁶For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

He is Willing

2011-01-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

Pushing his way through the multitudes. Concealed in dirty robes. He desired more, so much more. Illness. Disease. Confinement had stirred bitterness and anger deep in his soul. Isolation had kept him from his wife, children, and friends.
He was untouchable.
~

The mountain, unreachable for the lame. Up there, that's where he longed to be. Down here is where his soul resides. Hidden, isolated, too far away to be touched. It was then he looked up and saw Jesus coming down the mountain. Jesus the man known to heal the lame and give sight to the blind. If Jesus would only touch him.
Was he untouchable to the Son of God?

He hurried his crippled feet and dying body through the crowds, pushed people out of his way showing no courtesy. This would be his only chance. His only opportunity to speak directly to Jesus before being chastised and thrown to the side.

Hated and despised.

Condemned to die, alone.

Jehovah-Rapha, Lord, he raised his voice and called. Shuffling quicker, and repeating the Name above all Names he found himself prostrate at the feet of the One who heals.

Lord, if thou wilt, though canst make me clean.

The door of the little house burst open wide. I am clean he proclaimed. Arms open wide, reaching for those he loved. They resisted in fear. I am clean! I am clean! Jehovah-Rapha is His name. He stretched forth his hand, and touched me, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway my leprosy was cleansed.

He was willing!

Author Notes

Matthew 8

1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

2 And behold, there came to him a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3 And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway his leprosy was cleansed.

Jesus was coming down from the mountain top ~ famously known as the Sermon on the Mount. Crowds gathered for days to hear what he had to say, to be healed, to learn of God. The man with leprosy was so diseased that no one was allowed to touch him. If a person did come near he was to yell out "UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN" to give the passerby a chance to get away from him. Many men in those days had illnesses such as leprosy, a disease with no cure. Much like today, men are heartbroken, lost, diseased with spiritual leprosy, searching for answers near the bottom of the mountain. They see hope when they look up, yet have no strength to make the climb. Jesus, Lord of Lords, Lion of Judah, Jehovah-Rapha (One who heals) he looks down at men, at you and me and sees our needs. He comes down, down to us, down to heal because yes, He is willing. You may know Jesus or you may not, but if you are broken and want His Touch ~ He is willing! Ignore the crowds, the world and all it offers. Come before Him today, fall at His feet while He is near.

Son Light of God

2011-01-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

The room was dark and cool upon waking. Pulling the covers up to ward off what the day offered was only temporary. Bare feet on the rough wood floors were a reminder once again of all that needed to be done to this little home so long left unattended.

Pulling the shades to let in some light and heat from the Son only exposed the veiled past. Comfort came from closing them and returning to the darkness. Slipping into those old tattered slippers and shuffling to the kitchen for a hot cup of morning tea would certainly warm up the tired soul. If nothing else, it would keep the unvarying schedule that offered control from the abandoned heart.

Tripping around the frayed, worn furniture that should have been replaced years ago was the only way to the teapot. Lighting the small stove in the corner of the kitchen and pulling down a favorite tea cup brought excitement for the next routine of the day.

Stepping out on the porch was the only time life was felt and yet, something was missing. Surrounding flowers and trees stretched their limbs high as if reaching for the very Son that fed them. Birds filled the skies with beautiful harmony. Chipmunks scampering this way and that as they prepared for long winter nights. The morning was full of beauty. The air so clear, nothing hidden, life and freedom right here for the taking. Why was it this outside beauty could not be on the inside also? The tea cup now drained and the retreat over, it was time to go back.

Once in, and the door closed tightly, the brightness from the Son made the darkness that much darker. If only there could be a little bit of both. The Son refused. He would have nothing, nothing to do with the darkness!

In stumbling around to find a place to sit and adjust to the shadows, an old chest was knocked over and it's contents so long confined were released. Glancing through the Book was a reminder of what once was. At one time there was nothing to hide from the Son. His presence was welcome in every room. He was right there to help with repairs big or small. There was nothing broken that could not be fixed or replaced. And the dirt and grime...Washed Away!

The Words in the Book brought remembrance. The shades had to be open for the Son to fill this place.

One by one shades were opened. The light exposed the darkness. The darkness could no longer prevail. Power and Strength surged from the Illumination coming from above! The insides of this home now had the life and freedom that for so many winters had only been seen from the porch.

Author Notes

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I John 1:5-7

Everything

2011-01-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

He is so weak and frail. Bright blue eyes sparkle when he talks with words hardly audible. Thin wrinkled hands and sagging shoulders now take the place of the strong frame that once was. He is wasting away physically. And his soul? It seems to be doing the same. What does the soul of a dying man have to do with Christmas?

Everything

Monday morning routine began a few years ago. Father and son. Not the experience either one of them would have asked for. It started out awkwardly at first. With time it was just love ~ love in the way he washed his hair ~ love in dressing him ~ love in putting the old tattered wallet back in his front pocket as requested. What does the act of a son caring for his father have to do with Christmas?

Everything

A soft glow cast light on the dirty, cold, and dark birthing room where He took His first breath on earth. Our King, Our Lord, Our Savior. Glory abounded from His very essence. Just a baby. Born in a cave. What does the birth of Jesus Christ have to do with Christmas?

Everything

Author Notes

Without the Gift of Grace a son would not care for a man that did not deserve his time. Because of the Love of Christ, this son shows his dying father who God is in the tenderness and love that is displayed through his hands. Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace is what Christmas is to me this year. Merry Christmas my dear husband, you show the Love of Christ in so many ways. i love you!

Be Still

2011-01-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

The bitter cold enveloped me.

So wrapped up in the silence, breathing was a chore.

Dark hues displayed warmth. Intensity grew in the stillness.

Snow capped trees and mountains suffocated my thoughts.

~Be Still~

Birds hushed their song for the night.

Snow ceased its downward drift.

Motionless was the wind. Silence was deafening.

His whisper permeated my soul.

~Be Still~

Looking up at the expanse brought more questions than answers.

Mysterious. Who was this One?

His breath thundered to the depths of my being.

I understood Him perfectly, yet not at all.

~Be Still~

Author Notes

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 KJV