Thursday, December 25, 2014

Mery Christmas












May you have a joyous Christmas and enjoy your families during this very special holiday.

I will be taking a break until January 2, in order to prepare for 2015.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Our Confessor


“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome god, who keeps his covenant with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.’”
Daniel 9:5-6 (NIV)

    Do you remember when you were young and you did something that caused heartache—both bad or dangerous behavior-- and our parents found out? We had to tell what we had done.

     Even as Christians, we sometimes do something that is wrong in God’s eyes or place ourselves in a perilous circumstance. We realize that we have to confess our sins to God, through Jesus. He is our confessor; we can trust Jesus to guide us through the pitfalls we encounter because we are human.

     He is our only judge; we go before Him, tell him of our deeds, and wait for God to discipline us. He listens with patience as we lay our sins at His feet.

       If we allow Him, God hears our confessions and guides us through the times of hardship. My Sunday school teacher has said many times that “The only thing that can stop the will of God is the will of man.”

               As we go beyond the Advent season, let us continue to focus on Jesus and the plan God has for us, His children. 

Monday, December 22, 2014

Christ the King




               Lately, I have been ‘heart singing’* the carol, “What Child Is This?” Yesterday, I awoke with the words and tune playing in my mind.

               I especially like the response to the title question. The writer sums up in a few words that the child is Christ the Lord.  He continues on to tell his listeners that the child is so special the angels sing of Him. The author then tells those who listen to bring Him praise.

               One of the special videos of this season shows a shopping mall filled with people who break out singing Christmas carols. The vast array of people sings three carols, ending with “O, Holy Night” while Mary and Joseph with the Christ child enter into the midst of the throng. As the people come to the end of the carol, they kneel down before the babe in worship.

               At church yesterday, one of the Christmas carols we sang was-that’s right- “What Child is This?” I believe God has a message for me in this turn of events.

               God’s plan for His children is for us to assist in building His kingdom by living the faith He gave us and to tell others of His marvelous love for all His children.

               I know I plan to hear this special carol one more time before Christmas Day. I will also have the refrain playing in my heart and mind for some time to come.

               Do you have a Christmas carol that has special meaning for you this Advent season? How do you give praise to the Lord Jesus?

NOTE:

*Heart-singing is a word I made up. One heart-sings when a hymn plays continuously in our minds and hearts throughout each day God has given.

What Child is This?

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...