Category: December2024

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Clear Vision for the Future

I was remembering this morning what it was like being an eleven-year-old who couldn’t clearly see the blackboard from my desk in the classroom. It seemed like my vision had deteriorated in just a matter of weeks.

I went from getting A’s to C’s almost overnight. It was an observant teacher who told my mom she thought I needed my eyes checked. A trip to the optometrist revealed I was acutely nearsighted.

It’s hard to recall what was more troublesome, not being able to see clearly or being an pre-teen girl who now had to wear glasses, thick glasses. Choosing to see clearly won out over embarrassment.

Sitting here this morning an old hymn began filling my heart. This hymn was taken from a Irish poem in the 6th century and translated to English in the early 1900’s. It has to be read slowly to absorb the meaning because the old English can be hard to understand.

 “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought to me, save that thou art—
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father; thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”

If we are truly seeking clarity for soul and spirit, we need to be focused on Christ. Day or night, waking or sleeping our minds can be filled with His word.

“God has raised you with Christ to a new life. So you should want more and more the things that belong to heaven. That is where Christ is now. He sits there at God’s right side. 2 So think about the good things that are there in heaven above. Do not think only about things that are on the earth. 3 Remember that your old nature has died. God is keeping your new life safe with Christ.” Colossians 3:1-3 EASY

“Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 ERV

Some think of the Bible as being restrictive, filled with impossible demands and negative teachings. Not so!

Those people are vision impaired. The Bible is a love letter from a Father to His dearly loved children giving them instruction for success, joy, wisdom and courage.

“The Lord, your God, is with you. He is strong. He will save you. He will be very happy about you! He will quietly love you. He will sing, because he is so happy about you!” Zephaniah 3:17 EASY

As we go into the new year, may I suggest that we have our spiritual vision tested. Let the word of God bring life into focus so we can see the future clearly.

Be thou my vision Lord of my heart!

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Looking Forward

This year my January blog focused on God’s love for us. I hope you remember some of those blogs and that refer back to them from time to time, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated.

God’s love never fails.

I feel a good way to end the year is the way we started. Love and gratitude are the best way to start each day.

I like recording my thoughts and prayers in a journal. Physically writing down my first thoughts of the day. 99% of the time those writings start with “Thank You Father for loving me. I love you.”

As we look forward to 2025, I almost typed 2026, let’s not rush it. As we look forward to 2025 I’m sure we are beginning to make plans and set goals. A special vacation destination, something new for the home, start a new business or hobby, a visit with those we love, a new job, or maybe even losing a few pounds will all make it to the list.

I hope the resolve that tops the list is to be more loving.

“My friends, we should all love each other. It is God who makes us able to love other people. Everyone who loves other people has become a child of God. That person knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love other people does not know God. We know this because God’s own nature is love. 9 This is how God showed that he loves us: He sent his only Son to come and live in the world. He did that so that we could have true life with God because of his Son. 10 This shows what love is: It is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us. He loved us so much that he sent his Son to save us from sin. He sent Jesus to die as a sacrifice, to take the punishment for our sins.

11 My friends, this shows how much God has loved us. So we should also love one another.” I John 4:7-11 EASY

None of us deserved the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. It was a complete act of His love. He provided forgiveness for all and with that forgiveness we can receive a right relationship with the Father.

“Jesus died as a sacrifice to take the punishment for our sin. Then God could forgive us. Jesus did that not only for us. He did it for all people in the world, so that God could forgive them for their sins.” I John 2:2 EASY

Our love for others should be an outward display of our love for God.

There is not one person born who God has not loved and offered forgiveness too. If God has deemed them worthy of love, then “we should also love one another”.

Looking forward my prayer will be “Father, I desire to show more of Your love to those I meet. I want to be like Jesus and follow His command to love one another.”

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Friendship

This morning, I started reading in I John again. John was one of Jesus closest friends. John had been with Him from the beginning, and it was John that was standing with Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the foot of His cross. He loved Jesus.

In the first few verses of this letter John reveals his purpose for writing it.

“We are telling you what we have seen and heard, so that you may share in this life with us. And we share in it with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing to tell you these things, because this makes us truly happy.” I John 1:3-4 CEV

That’s how I feel each morning when I share my thoughts with you. I write this so that you will be truly happy. The joy found in friendship/relationship with Jesus is indescribable, complete and will sustain us even in the toughest times.

Jesus is the one who invested in us; He’s the one who developed the friendship.

” I no longer call you servants, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. But now I call you friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me.” John 15:15 ERV

Maybe it’s been a while since you just sat and shared your morning coffee with Him or talked through things that are on your heart but He’s there waiting. Take Him with you on your camping trip, your next ride or hike; let Him go with you wherever that may be.

“ Be brave and strong! Don’t be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The Lord your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 CEV

Jesus wants to be involved in our everyday life. He met people in their routine and made life better.

“Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son. 11 And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us.” Romans 5:9-10 CEV

Friendship with the Lord is definitely worth cultivating.

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Keep Going

The year is almost over and maybe you are feeling disappointed or discouraged that you didn’t get more done.

You had goals and hopes that have not yet been accomplished, keep going!

Just because the calendar date is about to change it doesn’t mean that you have failed. As long as you are making progress you are succeeding. There are baby steps and giant leaps, both are forward progress.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10

God has a plan for each of us, something that is designed for our personality and is for our benefit. Don’t give up.

If you are weary stop and rest but don’t quit.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ERV

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need. 2 He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water. 3 He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.” Psalm 23:1-3 ERV

Let the Lord restore you. His strength is sufficient in every situation. He knew how to rest in the midst of a storm.

A number of years ago we were hosts at a campground in the mountains. One day I saw an eagle across the valley, it was circling in the sky. There was a stiff wind. As the eagle circled it was soaring, without effort, on the air’s current. I must have watched for almost 30 minutes. The eagle continued to soar higher and higher until it was covered by the clouds.

“Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:30-31 CEV

Someone needs to be reminded to keep going. I just got reminded by the Holy Spirit and these verses.

It’s time to soar!

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Reflection

Sitting here this morning reflecting on all the activities of the last few days. The wonderful sound of laughter, phone calls filled with loving words, cards and letters from friends far and near, the presents, the food, the love…

God’s amazing love!

Man’s love may fail or wane, but God’s love is unconditional, it endures forever. With that in mind I’d like to share one of my favorite passages with you again. Time and again I find myself reflecting on this chapter.

King David had experienced so much; he never took God’s love and mercy for granted. I pray that my heart always stays soft and open to the mercy and grace of God.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name!

2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been.

3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4 and protects us from death.

His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.

5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle. 6 For all who are mistreated, the Lord brings justice. 7 He taught his Law to Moses and showed all Israel what he could do.

8 The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails.

9 The Lord won’t always be angry and point out our sins; 10 he doesn’t punish us as our sins deserve.

11 How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!

12 How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!

13 Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship him, 14 because he knows we are made of dust. 15 We humans are like grass or wild flowers

that quickly bloom. 16 But a scorching wind blows, and they quickly wither to be forever forgotten.

17 The Lord is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants 18 who faithfully obey him.

19 God has set up his kingdom in heaven, and he rules the whole creation. 20 All of you mighty angels, who obey God’s commands, come and praise your Lord! 21 All of you thousands who serve and obey God, come and praise your Lord! 22 All of God’s creation and all that he rules, come and praise your Lord! With all my heart I praise the Lord!” Psalm 103 CEV

No better way to start the New Year than reflecting on God’s goodness with a heart full of praise!

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Open Invitation

I hope your Christmas Day was filled with the love of family and friends. Acknowledging the birth of our Savior is just the beginning of what our heavenly Father has in store for us.

The shepherds went to a manger but we are invited to the throne room.

In my reading this morning, I came across two references to the throne and those verses brought one more to mind. Let me share them with you.

Esther was queen to the King of Susa. Because of the influence of one of his evil advisors the king had allowed an edict which authorized the murder of all Jews in Susa. Esther was a Jew; her relative Mordecai told her of the edict and that she must do something to save her people. This was Esther’s response to Mordecai:

“Then Esther told Hathach to say this to Mordecai: 11 “Mordecai, all the king’s leaders and all the people of the king’s provinces know this: The king has one law for any man or woman who goes to the king without being called. That person must be put to death unless the king holds out his gold scepter to them. If the king does this, that person’s life will be saved. And I have not been called to go see the king for 30 days…After we fast, I will go to the king. I know it is against the law to go to the king if he didn’t call me, but I will do it anyway. If I die, I die.” Esther 4:10,11, 16 ERV

Esther did go before the king, he held out is scepter and she was able to save her people. It’s a great short story. (You should read the book of Esther.)

The next reference comes from my reading in Psalm 123.

“Lord, I look up and pray to you. You sit as King in heaven. 2 A slave looks to his master to provide what he needs, and a servant girl depends on the woman she serves. So we depend on the Lord our God, waiting for him to have mercy on us.” Psalm 123:1-2 ERV

The Israelites recognized God as their ultimate King. They came to Him in their time of need, waiting on Him to provide.

These two references tie in with one of my favorite passages in Hebrews. Jesus provides us with an open invitation to come boldly into God’s throne room. We don’t have to be timid or apprehensive about coming to God. We don’t have to be afraid that He won’t “hold out his scepter”.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Our relationship with Jesus brings us directly into the presence of God. We are welcome there. We can come freely, without hesitation, and find grace, mercy and kindness to help.

Because of Jesus we have an open invitation!

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The Birth – The Life – The Eternal God

Merry Christmas to you all!

Twas the morning of Christmas and all through the house, the only creatures stirring are Dave & I.

The coffee is brewed, and my cup is full but not nearly as full as my heart which is overflowing with love and appreciation for each of my family and friends who are reading this non-rhyming message.

A world changing event transpired over 2000 years ago when the sky was filled with an angelic chorus. A baby born affected the whole human race by introducing unconditional love in human flesh to reconcile us to a perfect and merciful God the Father.

Our prayer for you and your families this morning is that you know Him personally and that you have allowed Him to change your life. This is the life He modeled and the life He gives to us.

“Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:10-15

I woke up this morning thanking the Lord for coming as a baby, living a perfect sinless life as an example for us, dying in my place for sin and then rising to life again so that I could have new life in Him.

Christ is all that matters, and He lives in us!

“This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love each other as he commanded. 24 All who obey God’s commands live in God. And God lives in them. How do we know that God lives in us? We know because of the Spirit he gave us.” I John 3:23-24 ERV

May we all live a life reflecting Him and His great love!

Be merry for Christ is born!

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Filled with Wonder

This past summer it seems that the whole world was sharing a marvelous experience. For nights the sky was filled with the beauty of the aurora borealis.

The pictures of the northern lights saturated social media, local and national news reports and other media outlets. The lights in the summer night sky were gorgeous, awe-inspiring.

Now imagine if when you saw those lights they were accompanied by an angelic choir. Can you place yourself with the shepherds outside of Bethlehem? Sheep resting peacefully on the grassy plain, a warm fire burning and the quiet. Aahhh, the quiet.

“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9  All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”

13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:

14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

15 After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15 CEV

A Savior was born for you!

This story…this miraculous birth is one I have heard and told for many years. Does its familiarity and tradition dull our senses? Do we lose the wonder of that connection between God and man? Have our souls been calloused to the fact that Jesus, Immanuel (God with us) changed the course for all the world?

I hope not.

May our hearts always be stirred, may hope always rise, may faith always increase and may we always be filled with wonder!

Merry Christmas to all.

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Regifting

My oh my this has been a busy week. Four full days of baking and candy making, three days of our son visiting, two Christmas parties and one family night. Every day was a delight!

I’m normally one of the first to get my annual Christmas letter and cards in the mail but not this year. I just finished the Christmas letter yesterday so it will arrive late. I told Dave yesterday that I just needed to sit by the fire last night and relax. Friends dropped over and although our conversation was short, it filled my heart with love and gratitude.

Then the evening ended with us enjoying my favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas, for the 51st time as a married couple. It’s what we do!!

With every activity, every cinnamon roll and banana bread made, I have been grateful for the Father’s wonderful love and our many, many blessings. I’m thankful that He has given us breath for this life and provided us with eternal life to follow.

This morning I am recycling and regifting a writing from years ago. I hope its meaning touches your heart.

I saw a segment on the news about re-gifting and it got me to thinking. Have I ever re-gifted? There have been more times than I would like to admit over the last 50 years that I have certainly been tempted too but to actually do it – yes, I have!

But then I realized that every day I live should be an act of re-gifting. My life is a precious gift from the Father. But even my life is a “re-gift”. Jesus came to give us the gift of life – He gave His life for us.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 KJV

I want my life to be a re-gifting of what Christ has given me – forgiveness, love, joy, peace. Then I want others to re-gift those same things as many times as they would like.

“And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 AMP

Let’s all take the gifts that we have received from the Father and re-gift them to others.

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Seeking the King

Here we are almost to Christmas day. How are you doing with maintaining the peace and the joy of the season?

Frankly, the last several days have been hectic, too much to do and not enough hours in the day. I noticed a weariness creeping in. In fact, two days ago I asked the Lord if it was ok to sleep in. I knew He wouldn’t mind. So, I’ve slept until 4:30 and 5:00 respectively. It was good rest.

I wonder if the wise men who came from the East were weary from their travels.

They had no GPS or Rand-McNally Atlas to guide them. They were led by a star. They didn’t come to the stable and find a baby. Their entourage had traveled a great distance, and some believe it could have taken a year or two to arrive.

“ Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. 2 They asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 ERV

These men were on a mission. They came to worship the King.

“After the wise men heard the king, they left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east, and they followed it. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10 They were very happy and excited to see the star.

11 The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country a different way.” Matthew 2:9-12 ERV

Can you imagine how that must have occurred? Mary was home, going about her daily duties. Taking care of the small child, Jesus, possibly preparing a meal for Joseph who would soon be arriving home from work. She hears a commotion out in the street and then a knock at the door. There before her is a caravan and regally dressed men asking about her child.

They entered her home and bowed before her Son, worshipping Him and presenting Him with gifts. It certainly would have caused no small stir in the neighborhood.

Are we as persistent in our search of Jesus as these men from the East? Each day they had one purpose – follow the star. Find the Messiah.

A song was recorded by Sandi Patty in the early 1970’s. The lyrics of the chorus are:

“Come let us worship the King
Jesus the Savior is born
For the Lord will reign over all the earth
Come let us worship the King
Jesus the Savior is born
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised
Through all the earth
Let us worship the King”

We have this promise from the prophet Jeremiah:

“You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. ” Jeremiah 29:13 ERV

The best way I know to combat weariness, discouragement and frustration is to search for and worship the King.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ERV

A true sign of a wise man or woman is to search for the King!

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