I Believe!

     As the year comes to a close, I want to acknowledge God for who He is and for all He has done for me in 2017.  He has given me love, blessings, guidance, protection, and forgiveness.  I believe He is the Creator or all and Jesus is the Savior of the world. 

 

I Believe!

 

I believe! I believe!

For all it's worth,

I believe in Jesus;

in the holy baby's birth.

I believe! I believe!

By faith,

I believe in the written Word;

all it saith.

I believe! I believe!

Whereby, He became the sacrificial lamb,

I believe in everlasting life;

in the great "I Am."

I believe! O yes, I believe.

                             ---Mary Crisp Jameson



CALM

     I try to avoid anxiety as much as possible, but I can only do this through the peace of God.   Just knowing that He is in control settles my mind.  Yet, there are times, in my human weakness, that I allow my faith to fail me.   With this in mind, I need to give myself  a reminder of what Max Lucado wrote in his book, Anxious for Nothing.  He provides a new approach to the word, "calm."

C elebrate - God's goodness
A sk - for God's help
L eave- your concerns with Him
M editate - on good things

     I believe if I can apply this new approach when I am seeking CALM in my life, my worries and anxiety can be greatly diminished.  It is well worth the effort to just "give it to God." 

My Shining Knight

     David was a man "after God's own heart," yet he had flaws.  However, God loved him still, and continued to be with David, giving him victory throughout the battles and wars being fought.  David acknowledged God's mighty hand in his life when he wrote his song of praise to the Lord in 2 Samuel 22.  May we all acknowledge God's hand in our life.  The following is my praise for today.

      My Shining Knight!

The Lord is the rock of all,

My support, my solid wall.
He is my shield, the power who saves me
from troubles as deep as the spacious sea.
At the blast of His breathe and voice,
Let me rejoice, 
For He is my refuge;
My God, in whom I praise.

The heavens open at His command;

Power and force form from God's right hand. 
Dark clouds roll beneath his feet;
Only He can wash my body sweet. 
My Lord soars on the wings of the wind;
Blessings, sorrow -He evens the blend. 
His voice resounds; the Lord thunders!
View His wonders!

The Lord is my rescuer, my strength;

Only He knows my heart, to its depth and length.
He is my light in the night;
The spring of life, my shining Knight. 
He is the lamp unto my feet;
In Him, my heart rejoices with a hammering beat.

Who, but God, is my solid rock;
The Shepherd over all His flock?
Only He is worthy of praise;
Only He issues joy over my days. 

The Lord is like the light in morning's sunrise,

Working miracles within mine own eyes.
He is the glistening diamond of early morning dew;
                Praise Him!  Praise Him!
For He will recue, save, and the soul renew,
Like a kiss in the night; My shining Knight!
                             Mary Crisp Jameson

Christmas Story

     For those who do not believe Christ should be in Christmas, let me just say that the Christmas story and all the traditions we observe are truly built around Jesus and His birth.  In fact, Christmas has always been about manager scenes, caroling, gift giving, angels and bright stars atop trees adorning our homes.   Just where did these ideas originate?  I believe we find them in scripture.

Jesus Christ:  Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Manager scenes:  Luke 2:7  "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Christmas Carols: Luke 2: 13-14  "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Angels:  Luke 2:10  "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

Bright star:  Matthew 2: 1-2  "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."  

Gifts:  Matthew 2:11  "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

 

The Five Senses of Christmas

     As I start my countdown to Christmas, I am reminded of Christmas' past.  They affect my five senses.
     My sight takes in the sparkling, glittering lights as they adorn homes and streets.  What child could not be fascinated by the many different colors of Christmas?
     My ears continue to take in the sound of harmonious voices being lifted in carol, telling of the magic of a Savior being born and laying in a manager and the angels proclaiming,  "A Savior is born!" This Savior is truly the Christmas spirit and the best gift on earth.
     My sense of smell takes me back to my childhood when there was always the scent of cinnamon and the smell of mellowing apples and ripeing  oranges coming from some hidden, unknown cabinet.  Then there was always the scent of fresh-cut cedar waiting to dry out from weeks of filling the room with multi-colored lights which were shedding their delightful glow throughout the room.
     My sense of taste was always overwhelmed with sugar coatings from snow-white divinity, the brewing of hot cocoa, and , of course, those fruit filled cakes
     Then there is my sense of touch.  I still remember the prick of fresh cut cedar, loving hugs as family wished each other "Merry Christmas",  and most of all, the whisker scratches across my cheek as Santa woke me to the joy of Christmas morning with a "Ho-Ho-Ho."
     As we make even more memories every Christmas season, these early memories never leave us, but the one memory that stays forever in the forefront is when I realized that Jesus is the true reason for the season and, without Jesus, there would be no Christmas. 
     I often wonder what Jesus' first Christmas was like and what effected this new-born baby's  senses.  Within His sight, could He see the bright star directing the wise toward His location?  Could He hear the angels singing the song proclaiming, "A Savior is born?"  Could He smell the dusty scent of barnyard hay as it covered His manager bed?   Could He taste the dust laden hay that surrounded Him.  Could He already feel the nails that would eventually pierce His hands as He laid down His life for mankind? 
     Regardless of all this, Jesus really didn't care.  He came with a purpose, and He came to fulfill that purpose.  He died and He arose and I was saved because of it. 
    

                                                   Merry Christmas to All!

 

 

Anger

     The Holiday Season is a time for joy, yet I see so many people becoming angry and anxious with the shopping rush and the time it takes to get things done.  One thing I look for at checkout counters is whether the one waiting on me is smiling - a smile that radiates from the heart.  If I don't see it, instead of being just another impatient shopper, I pray that I stop my own busy pace in order to take a moment and say something nice or offer a friendly smile in an effort to make their day just a little brighter and more joyful. 

    So, what can be done about anger in order to weaken its power over thoughts and actions?

A sk!  Is my anger worth it?  Do I want to become its victim?
N ever let it control you.  Remember: "He who angers you controls you."
G ive it away.  Give it to God.  Pray about it. 
E experience it, but quickly let it go.
R ecognize it, but release it so it will weaken its power and neutralize it.