Almost a new year.
The Omega will become the Alpha in a matter of hours.
The end will soon become the beginning. The cycle continues.
Psalm 31:1 “In You O Lord, I have taken refuge
v.14 “But I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”
v. 15. “My times are in Your hands”
…for the end as well as the beginning
You are my refuge
You are my trust
You are my God
You O LORD, are my life.
Blessed be the LORD God, as you close out this year of 2011 and we delve into 2012, knowing that our times are in Your hands, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and the FININSHER of our faith!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Gathered Gleanings
THE ROAD AHEAD
I think that human life is much like road life. You stand on a hill,look down and across the valley, and another prodigious hill lifts itself upon the other side.
The day is hot, your horse is weary, and you are tired. It seems you cannot climb that long hill. But you had better trot down the hill you are on, and not trouble yourself about the other one.
You find the valley pleasant and inspiring. When you get across it, you meet only a slight ascent, and begin to wonder where the steep hill disappeared.
You trot along briskly, and when you reach the highest point, you find that there has not been an inch of the hill over which you have not trotted.
You see the impossible height to be illusory. The slight ascent looked almost perpendicular, but when you come to pass over it, step by step, you find it to be a good traveling road.
I think that human life is much like road life. You stand on a hill,look down and across the valley, and another prodigious hill lifts itself upon the other side.
The day is hot, your horse is weary, and you are tired. It seems you cannot climb that long hill. But you had better trot down the hill you are on, and not trouble yourself about the other one.
You find the valley pleasant and inspiring. When you get across it, you meet only a slight ascent, and begin to wonder where the steep hill disappeared.
You trot along briskly, and when you reach the highest point, you find that there has not been an inch of the hill over which you have not trotted.
You see the impossible height to be illusory. The slight ascent looked almost perpendicular, but when you come to pass over it, step by step, you find it to be a good traveling road.
Friday, December 23, 2011
A Personal Christmas Card
O LORD, I want to thank You for Bethlehem, even now war-torn.
Thank You for Jesus, The Bread of Life, Who was born.
Thank You for Mary, surrendered utterly;
(“As is pleasing to Thee, be it even to me.”)
for a donkey, beast of burden carrying them both, quietly.
Father, thanks for Joseph, both leading and following,
obedient to You though not allowing
his doubt to prevent fathering.
Sovereign LORD, how grateful am I
that Shepherds took note of a star in the sky.
For kings, curious, not knowing the reason,
drawn to a manger bringing gifts for pleasing.
Thank You for Angels, that sang out on high,
Glory! Alleluia! Both on earth and in the sky.
LORD last but not least
for a Baby who reigns as Prophet and Priest:
King Jesus! Eternal, Creator, Emmanuel,
a Babe from heaven to save us from sin and hell.
Praises be to the Great I AM
House of Bread, O, Bethlehem!
What can I bring Him?
Who owns and rules all.
Myself…as Mary, at His feet I fall.
Babe in a Manger, True Bread of Life
Asking on others you shine your great Light.
LORD, Most Holy, trembling I kneel at your feet
You, Lord Jesus, is all that I seek.
Bowing in Bethlehem, blest House of Bread,
Satisfied not with the world, only You, instead.
…Helen Lynn
Thank You for Jesus, The Bread of Life, Who was born.
Thank You for Mary, surrendered utterly;
(“As is pleasing to Thee, be it even to me.”)
for a donkey, beast of burden carrying them both, quietly.
Father, thanks for Joseph, both leading and following,
obedient to You though not allowing
his doubt to prevent fathering.
Sovereign LORD, how grateful am I
that Shepherds took note of a star in the sky.
For kings, curious, not knowing the reason,
drawn to a manger bringing gifts for pleasing.
Thank You for Angels, that sang out on high,
Glory! Alleluia! Both on earth and in the sky.
LORD last but not least
for a Baby who reigns as Prophet and Priest:
King Jesus! Eternal, Creator, Emmanuel,
a Babe from heaven to save us from sin and hell.
Praises be to the Great I AM
House of Bread, O, Bethlehem!
What can I bring Him?
Who owns and rules all.
Myself…as Mary, at His feet I fall.
Babe in a Manger, True Bread of Life
Asking on others you shine your great Light.
LORD, Most Holy, trembling I kneel at your feet
You, Lord Jesus, is all that I seek.
Bowing in Bethlehem, blest House of Bread,
Satisfied not with the world, only You, instead.
…Helen Lynn
Thursday, December 15, 2011
GLORY, MAKE IT SHINE
HEART THOUGHTS…from Helen
“We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14b)
Back in the early ‘60’s, Bill Jarvis directed the choir at Pendleton Street Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. As student nurses at Greenville General Hospital, just a few blocks away, a group us girls were coerced into singing one Christmas and discovered what this choir was all about…GLORY! Forever, Bill Jarvis wanted the choir to sing for God’s Glory.
Yes, I actually participated in singing The Halleluiah Chorus with that choir. I do not read music nor am I gifted with voice, just making a ‘joyful noise’ seemed sufficient, as my Daddy used to say.
But that year, Bill hammered ‘Glory’ into my brain. I was so afraid of messing the music up; I followed directions as closely as I possibly could.
Each time he said, “Glory”, he added, “Make it Shine!”
So, this Christmas, as you sing of His Glory---Make it shine! To the Glory of God.
Jesus prayed in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see My Glory, the Glory you have given me because You loved me before the creation of the world.”
Addendum: The only other time I’ve seen that Glory by singing (though coerced) took place at McCormick First Baptist Church under the fervent leadership of Dave Becker.
Glory! Make it Shine!
“We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14b)
Back in the early ‘60’s, Bill Jarvis directed the choir at Pendleton Street Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. As student nurses at Greenville General Hospital, just a few blocks away, a group us girls were coerced into singing one Christmas and discovered what this choir was all about…GLORY! Forever, Bill Jarvis wanted the choir to sing for God’s Glory.
Yes, I actually participated in singing The Halleluiah Chorus with that choir. I do not read music nor am I gifted with voice, just making a ‘joyful noise’ seemed sufficient, as my Daddy used to say.
But that year, Bill hammered ‘Glory’ into my brain. I was so afraid of messing the music up; I followed directions as closely as I possibly could.
Each time he said, “Glory”, he added, “Make it Shine!”
So, this Christmas, as you sing of His Glory---Make it shine! To the Glory of God.
Jesus prayed in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see My Glory, the Glory you have given me because You loved me before the creation of the world.”
Addendum: The only other time I’ve seen that Glory by singing (though coerced) took place at McCormick First Baptist Church under the fervent leadership of Dave Becker.
Glory! Make it Shine!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Angels and Alleluias (from KNEELING IN BETHLEHEM, Ann Weems)
ANGEL-FILLED ADVENT
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
if Advent came filled with angels and alleluias?
Wouldn’t it be perfect
if we were greeted on these December mornings
with a hovering of heavenly hosts
tuning their harps and brushing up on their fa-la-las?
Wouldn’t it be incredible
if their music filled our waking hours
with the promise of peace on earth
and if each Advent night we dreamed of nothing but goodwill?
Wouldn’t we be ecstatic
if we could take those angels shopping,
or trim the tree or have them hold our hands
and dance through our houses decorating?
And, oh, how glorious it would be
to sit in church next to an angel
and sing our hark-the-heralds!
What an Advent that would be!
What Christmas spirit we could have!
An angel-filled Advent has so many possibilities!
But in lieu of that,
perhaps we can give thanks
for the good earthly joys we have been given
and for the earthly “angels” that we know
who do such a good job of filling
Our Advent with alleluias!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
if Advent came filled with angels and alleluias?
Wouldn’t it be perfect
if we were greeted on these December mornings
with a hovering of heavenly hosts
tuning their harps and brushing up on their fa-la-las?
Wouldn’t it be incredible
if their music filled our waking hours
with the promise of peace on earth
and if each Advent night we dreamed of nothing but goodwill?
Wouldn’t we be ecstatic
if we could take those angels shopping,
or trim the tree or have them hold our hands
and dance through our houses decorating?
And, oh, how glorious it would be
to sit in church next to an angel
and sing our hark-the-heralds!
What an Advent that would be!
What Christmas spirit we could have!
An angel-filled Advent has so many possibilities!
But in lieu of that,
perhaps we can give thanks
for the good earthly joys we have been given
and for the earthly “angels” that we know
who do such a good job of filling
Our Advent with alleluias!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
KNEELING IN BETHLEHEM
KNEELING IN BETHLEHEM
WITH YESTERDAY’S PAIN
Some of us walk into Advent
Tethered to our unresolved yesterdays
The pain still stabbing
The hurt still throbbing.
It’s not that we don’t know better;
It’s just that we can’t stand up anymore by ourselves.
On the way to Bethlehem,
Will you give us a hand?
…Ann Weems
WITH YESTERDAY’S PAIN
Some of us walk into Advent
Tethered to our unresolved yesterdays
The pain still stabbing
The hurt still throbbing.
It’s not that we don’t know better;
It’s just that we can’t stand up anymore by ourselves.
On the way to Bethlehem,
Will you give us a hand?
…Ann Weems
Friday, December 2, 2011
“Do not be like the horse or the mule…”Psalm 32:9 NIV
My Granddaddy Goodson’s horse, Dan, demonstrated to me what that verse must mean. His leathery mouth was so tough; it took a special bridle with two bits to control him. Even though Dan remains to this day the horse I loved the most, he challenged me at every turn.
I’m sure that I must be somewhat like Dan to my heavenly Father, even though He specifically instructs me not to be. My stubborn, headstrong will needs extra attention. In the verse prior to verse 9 we read: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
Thank you, Father, for Divine Counsel, Divine Guidance, Divine Teaching and being my Divine Teacher. Even as the ‘Horse Whisperer and trainer whispers in the velvety ear of his steed which way to go as he uses the bridle to turn the animal, stop the animal, urge the horse forward with his heels, You guide me, teach me and counsel me.
Addendum: The time finally came when I could ride Dan without bridle or bit for short distances. He could surprise me at any moment, however, and did quite often. I suppose the mighty animal wanted me to know that just because he allowed me to control him, his strength was not to be toyed with. “Don’t be like the horse or the mule.”
Perhaps that’s why the Lord chose a donkey to transport the Holy Family and a donkey to transport a KING into Jerusalem.
My Granddaddy Goodson’s horse, Dan, demonstrated to me what that verse must mean. His leathery mouth was so tough; it took a special bridle with two bits to control him. Even though Dan remains to this day the horse I loved the most, he challenged me at every turn.
I’m sure that I must be somewhat like Dan to my heavenly Father, even though He specifically instructs me not to be. My stubborn, headstrong will needs extra attention. In the verse prior to verse 9 we read: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
Thank you, Father, for Divine Counsel, Divine Guidance, Divine Teaching and being my Divine Teacher. Even as the ‘Horse Whisperer and trainer whispers in the velvety ear of his steed which way to go as he uses the bridle to turn the animal, stop the animal, urge the horse forward with his heels, You guide me, teach me and counsel me.
Addendum: The time finally came when I could ride Dan without bridle or bit for short distances. He could surprise me at any moment, however, and did quite often. I suppose the mighty animal wanted me to know that just because he allowed me to control him, his strength was not to be toyed with. “Don’t be like the horse or the mule.”
Perhaps that’s why the Lord chose a donkey to transport the Holy Family and a donkey to transport a KING into Jerusalem.
“Do not be like the horse or the mule…”Psalm 32:9 NIV
My granddaddy Goodson’s horse, Dan, demonstrated to me what that verse must mean. His leathery mouth was so tough; it took a special bridle with two bits to control him. Even though Dan remains to this day the horse I loved the most, he challenged me at every turn.
I’m sure that I must be somewhat like Dan to my heave...nly Father, even though He specifically instructs me not to be. My stubborn, headstrong will needs extra attention. In the verse prior to verse 9 we read: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
Thank you, Father, for Divine Counsel, Divine Guidance, Divine Teaching and being my Divine Teacher. Even as the ‘Horse Whisperer and trainer whispers in the velvety ear of his steed which way to go as he uses the bridle to turn the animal, stop the animal, urge the horse forward with his heels, You guide me, teach me and counsel me.
Addendum: The time finally came when I could ride Dan without bridle or bit for short distances. He could surprise me at any moment, however, and did quite often. I suppose the mighty animal wanted me to know that just because he allowed me to control him, his strength was not to be toyed with. “Don’t be like the horse or the mule.”
Perhaps that’s why the Lord chose a donkey to transport the Holy Family and a donkey to transport a KING into Jerusalem.
My granddaddy Goodson’s horse, Dan, demonstrated to me what that verse must mean. His leathery mouth was so tough; it took a special bridle with two bits to control him. Even though Dan remains to this day the horse I loved the most, he challenged me at every turn.
I’m sure that I must be somewhat like Dan to my heave...nly Father, even though He specifically instructs me not to be. My stubborn, headstrong will needs extra attention. In the verse prior to verse 9 we read: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
Thank you, Father, for Divine Counsel, Divine Guidance, Divine Teaching and being my Divine Teacher. Even as the ‘Horse Whisperer and trainer whispers in the velvety ear of his steed which way to go as he uses the bridle to turn the animal, stop the animal, urge the horse forward with his heels, You guide me, teach me and counsel me.
Addendum: The time finally came when I could ride Dan without bridle or bit for short distances. He could surprise me at any moment, however, and did quite often. I suppose the mighty animal wanted me to know that just because he allowed me to control him, his strength was not to be toyed with. “Don’t be like the horse or the mule.”
Perhaps that’s why the Lord chose a donkey to transport the Holy Family and a donkey to transport a KING into Jerusalem.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)