Our Little Town of Bethlehem

Most of us know at least in part the Christmas story if for no other reason we see Mary, Joseph, and the Baby in a traditional place in many homes this time of the year. Usually, not far from the manger scene is the wise men or magi, as some may call them. Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and his mother was Mary. Since she was in the inn's stable, with animals all around, Mary placed her newborn in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Right? Well, let me tell you another story I witnessed many years ago. The manger was placed in the center of the stage in our sanctuary, made with crudely cut slats of wood and filled with fresh hay. The bewildered mother, Mary, fidgeted and patted, but she could not calm sweet baby Jesus. But in her wisdom, she got up and handed him to the Wiseman standing nearby. Knowing what to do, this Wiseman jiggled and consoled him for the next thirty minutes while the rest of the program went on at our church. You see, this beautiful baby Jesus was none other than Nicholas Drew, and that Wiseman was Larry, my sweet husband. This baby Jesus recognized the gentle touch and familiar rocking of one who loved him so much and knew what he needed. So in Wiseman garb, the man for the job in love comforted the wiggly infant. Sometimes, especially in these uncertain times, we are anxious and worried about what might happen next, whether it be with our job, our health, or our world as we have always known it. As you know, the roles in my little story are reversed. It is not Jesus who needs consoled or brought up to date. He is not confused or bewildered by the current circumstances we find ourselves in today. He is not racking his brain to develop plan B, nor does he need a Wiseman to consult with him. It is we, His children, who long for His touch. We find ourselves thirsty in a dry land, longing for relief that can only come from God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Our Nicholas is a grown man now and no longer needs to be consoled by us, but like all of us, he needs comfort when times are hard, and we find ourselves waiting, as they say, for the other shoe to drop in this uncertain world. I smile today with hope in my heart, thinking of this beautiful change that came to our “Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Gifts of a Bus Kid

Gifts of a Bus Kid Christmas is the season of “gift-giving”! We buy robes, PJs, and electronics galore and wrap them in colorful paper. Gift certificates in tiny envelopes are hung on the tree or put in stockings for those hard-to-buy-for people in our lives. I have read in the bible about the “gifts” or talents God gives to each of us. Some say they have no gifts, but the bible would disagree. Gifts are not all the same, just as the broad array under your tree is not the same. Some people can sing; some can preach; still, others teach. I knew a precious saint who had the talent to put a beautiful flower arrangement together to set on the piano for Sunday morning service. I loved the faithful one who cooked for big church gatherings as if cooking for two and the volunteer who welded together the very stage that held those who would minister in teaching, preaching, and bring us a song. Sometimes people don’t recognize these things as gifts, but they are just the same. Some days I doubt my worth in the Kingdom. I mull over my supposed “gifts” and wonder if they are from God. When I was younger, I fed babies in the nursery, taught 4th graders about Jesus, and was a clown named Cleofa at Bible School. All things I could see and touch. But now I write! Old fingers fly over the keys to type words on a page that flitters out of my heart and mind. Sometimes I feel very vulnerable putting my thoughts out there, not knowing if anyone will read them or like them. For the last several months, I have been planning to self-publish a book of devotions. I have over five hundred writings of the previous ten years and new ones that I try to write weekly. The enemy taunts me that I’m just a nobody and could never write a book that anyone would read. Even at my age, my mind can still go back to the days I climbed aboard any church bus that would take me to church. I knew nearly nothing of the God that I met in those tiny Sunday School rooms with brightly painted kid-sized chairs. I remember the first time I learned that I could pray to God; even as a child, it changed my life. I scribbled “oTeach Us To Pray” onto red construction paper, made crooked lips, and pasted them on my masterpiece. At times, I compare what others know of the bible and writing and wonder if I still belong in the tiny room with brightly colored chairs. But as my “big girl” self, I know the scripture in 2 Corinthians is true. Only God can qualify us and enable us to be ministers of his New Covenant. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 It’s not that we think we are qualified to do ANYTHING (capitals mine) on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his New Covenant. As long as these fingers can plunk out a word to glorify my Lord, I will trust Him to give me the courage to do that in His name and for His sake.

Lord, I'm Coming Home

Lord, I’m Coming Home So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 When I was growing up, “coming home” didn’t mean too much to me. It usually meant a quick run from a neighbor’s house to mine or maybe coming home from my grandma’s house thirty miles away. My Aunts and Uncles and grandparents lived locally and never had to “come home.” Until my kids moved to other states all over the country, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” meant no more than a whimsical tune that I liked to sing during the holidays. That same song now sometimes comes with great anticipation as I look forward to my kids coming home. Jesus told the best “coming home” story ever in a parable. It was about a young man who wanted to strike out and see the world past his father’s fence line. Things were old fashion, dull, with the excitement around there non-existent. However, there was a catch. He wanted his inheritance before his father had even died so he could enjoy it in his youth. Amazingly the father agreed, and off the prodigal son went looking for what he thought he couldn’t find at home. The wayward boy soon squandered the inheritance on wild living and was reduced to feeding pigs. It was then that the prodigal decided to go home to his Father, who ran to him with open arms. In my search, I found a slow and steady song with a rather solemn tone, “Lord, I’m Coming Home” by William J. Kirkpatrick, published in 1892. Kirkpatrick wrote these lyrics with a young soloist in mind. This boy sang his solo at the church where William was music director and then quickly left before the sermon. Upon finishing the song, he asked the young man to sing his new song. This evening he decided to stay for the sermon and found the Lord at an alter of prayer. Coming home can mean many things, but it seems that it always generates joy. Whether coming home to a childhood home at Christmas, returning to God as a sinner forgiven or the ultimate coming to our heavenly dwelling, the Father’s arms will be open wide to greet us. Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I’m coming home. Lord, I'm Coming Home Hymn Lyrics I’ve wandered far away from God, Now I’m coming home; The paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord, I’m coming home. Refrain Coming home, coming home, Nevermore to roam, Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I’m coming home. I’ve wasted many precious years, Now I’m coming home; I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I’m coming home. Refrain I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord, Now I’m coming home; I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy Word, Lord, I’m coming home. Refrain My soul is sick, my heart is sore, Now I’m coming home; My strength renew, my hope restore, Lord, I’m coming home. Refrain My only hope, my only plea, Now I’m coming home; That Jesus died, and died for me. Lord, I’m coming home. Refrain I need His cleansing blood, I know, Now I’m coming home; O wash me whiter than the snow, Lord, I’m coming home.

Is It Over Yet

Is It Over Yet? Like many, when I think of this year, I shake my head. But thankfulness comes to mind even if Christmas ornaments wear colorful masks and jokes dominate Facebook about the chaos we call 2020! Our new vocabulary includes “social distancing,” and big Xs point the way to our destination in grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospital procedures. Yes, 2020 deserves all the bad press that comes its way, but my mind goes back to last year at this time. I was still basking in the blessings of our 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration. I renewed vows to love my best friend for as long as I live in front of our whole family. That has not changed! We proclaimed that our God Jehovah was indeed our guiding light and Savior, and that certainly remains true to this very day. Have we had bumps along the way, yes but God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Early in the year, we learned that Missy’s cancer had returned, and she was in for the fight of her life. I had to return again and again to the final song we sang at our anniversary celebration. “Because He Lives,” the voices of my family rang out as they joined us in singing this beautiful promise. “Because He Lives I can face tomorrow.” Missy never turned her back on this God who accompanied her along this journey called cancer. She could not “social distance” herself from this long and hard road she found herself on. Still, her trust was in His sovereignty and love. I have seen many prayers answered this year, as well as His protection in automobile accidents, surgeries, and significant falls that could have been deadly turn out a few bumps and bruises. I have seen big moves happen, Oregon to Illinois with the safety of the Father’s hand, big decisions made, and Oliver turn 1, a signal that life goes on even in a crazy year! God did not turn away from us on January 1st, 2020; in fact, the bible says that He bends down to listen to us, and He requires no mask or social distancing. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Philippians 4:6

Yes, Kelly, It Is Christmas Here!

Yes, Kelly, It Is Christmas Here? This Christmas has been different for us! We packed our clothes, locked our house, and left our Christmas adorned home to come to San Diego, CA, for our grandson’s graduation and spend Christmas here with my daughter and her family! What a change! Palm trees instead of pine trees, temperatures in the 70s instead of the crisp 9 degrees we left a few days ago. I drank my coffee on their deck as the bright sun threatened to give me a bit of a suntan. Oh, how I enjoyed myself as we took a long walk. Seeing a beautiful view of the ocean brought feelings of the power and presence of its creator. It made me praise God for his beautiful creation and remember His power afresh. But my daughter asked me a question that I have been pondering. She wondered if it seemed like Christmas since I was California rather than Illinois. A beautiful Christmas tree stands in their living room, lovely garland drapes their mantle, and Christmas dinner is ready to prepare in their frig. Just like at home, sometimes Christmas seemed far off. But then again, it does every year until I settled down and got the real meaning of Christmas into this harried heart. As I turn to Luke 2 to again soak up the Christmas story, I find that I see no pine trees or snow or even palm trees draped in lights in this reading. I see no Christmas trees with gleaming ornaments or brightly wrapped gifts under the branches. Even though I love these things, I see only a babe wrapped in cloth lying in a feed trough. I rejoice with the shepherds as the glory of the Lord shone around them. Even as they were scared to death, the angel said, don’t be afraid because I bring you good news. My mind cannot imagine this. The angels were singing and praising God, saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those whom his favor rest! Shortly we will go home to frigid Illinois, take down our Christmas decorations, and put them in boxes until next year, but I will keep Luke 2 always in my heart! Silent night Holy night Christ, the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior is born! Yes, Kelly, it is Christmas here! Sent from Mail for Windows 10

One Vote

One Vote How much is one vote worth? One vote! My vote! In my years of voting, I have felt this my only source of action to voice my opinion. My one chance to change what I might see as wrong or, at the least, not in the best interest of our precious democracy. We are told to change things at the ballot box. My Dad fought for that right for me. During World War 2, he spent twenty-six months in a POW camp, where this strong man of large frame was reduced to 135 pounds. He didn’t talk of his experiences, but neither did he complain or regret giving his all for his country. While being a captive, his mother and father both died, and the family farm was lost. Two of his brothers were committed to mental hospitals for what they called then “Shell Shock.” My brother would serve in Viet Nam, along with many in my family. My dear husband would board a plane headed for Viet Nam with a line of MPs in place to keep any from fleeing, but this man would not even think of such a thing because he was willing to die for the freedom he believed in and for my ONE VOTE! I prayed today for God’s favor again on this country and offered a much-used prayer, GOD BLESS AMERICA! Honor our Veterans this day!

It’s Christmas At My House

It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas at my house anyway! It started in October because of an upcoming surgery that would render me non-weight bearing for six weeks. This would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to put up my vast collection of Christmas decorations. During these weeks of decorating, I have been reading Christmas devotions, I blare my Christmas carols from my Bose speaker, and indeed I adore the One who brings this celebration. As I turned on my trees in the early morning, I thought of something that lifted my soul’s heaviness in this disturbing time. Though the election brings debate, it’s Christmas at my house. I can still proclaim Joy To The World, and the one I celebrate fills me while the darkness still lingers outside. When a pandemic threatens to bring our country to a halt again, the lights on my trees remind me of the Light of the World that bids me, “O Come All Ye Faithful”! It’s Christmas at my house. Bethlehem’s manger sits in its traditional abode upon our desk, clear lights illuminating each character of that blessed group. Mary sits beside the baby Jesus gazing at his beautiful face and ponders all these things while shepherds recall the words of the angel of the LORD “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.” It’s Christmas at my house! Away In The Manger sums up my prayers in tumultuous days, “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay.” It’s Christmas at my house! Come Let Us Adore Him! ““Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Don't Spill The Beans

Don’t Spill The Beans! When my granddaughters, Jenna and Evie, were just preschoolers, they liked to play a game called, “Don’t Spill The Beans.” This little game has been around a long time; in fact, the game’s 1960s version used real kidney beans. It has been a favorite for many years. There is a tipping bowl that players place beans into until the bowl tips over and spills out the beans. The unlucky one who puts that last bean in receives all the beans into his pile. The object of the game is to get rid of all your beans. I thought of this game when I read a verse in The Book of Revelation that I had not read before. This verse says that our prayers are collected in a Gold Bowl. Can you even fathom that? Our prayers are so important that they are collected and wait in a Gold Bowl as incense or a fragrant smell to the Father. And Elders fell before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. Revelation 5:8 NLT Our prayers are as fragrant to the Father as incense. I think of the prayers offered at this confusing time in history. Prayers for healing both physically and culturally. Prayers for our leaders, with all the issues that surround them. Prayers for our economy and people hurting financially. We pray for our churches that they may be awakened from sleep and go forth with the Gospel. Why would these desperate prayers of a fallen world fill a special Golden Bowl? Because of God’s everlasting love for His people, the bowl when full tips and the answers fall to earth in immeasurable blessings. Unlike the whimsical game when the bowl is tipped, we are not the losers but winners, the victors, and conquerors that stand as warriors for our Lord.

Eyes To See My Own Heart

This year I have done one of those "check off the list" things. As an older person, there are just things that come along typically with age and need to be taken care of. I found my eyesight failing, especially at night, which was a sign that I needed cataract surgery. My doctor agreed. Many, including my husband, told me that color would appear brighter, and I would see much better after the cloudy lens was removed. They were right about the color popping and better vision far off, but I had an unintended result that has changed since the surgery. Before the surgery, I only rarely needed readers to help me see the print on a page, but I can’t see without them post-surgery. Therefore I have to have glasses with me everywhere I go. Can you relate? I can see a car in the distance quite well, but it is impossible to read a label in the store without glasses. I find this to be a truth in life and with my relationships with people. I seem to see the faults in others looking at them from afar but fail to see my own faults, which are upfront and personal. My far-sighted view puts me in danger of judging others. To put it biblically, I might try to remove a speck from my friend’s eye while all along, I have a log in my own eye, as written in Matthew and spoken by Jesus. I need God’s readers to see correctly. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:3‭-‬5 NLT So, my prayer today is to have eyes to see what is in my own heart before I attempt to see what is troubling my brother or sister. Help me, Lord, to rid my heart of anything that would hinder my testimony. Holy Spirit, grant me perfect vision as I look at my own life, and may I stop squinting to critique others. No readers needed!

Jesus Knows Me This I Love

One of my fondest memories is the tradition of taking our newborn babies to the church’s front to have them dedicated to the Lord. The creator of the universe had given us the privilege of raising this little one so fresh from heaven, and this was an opportunity to promise the Lord as well as our fellow Christian that we would bring them up to know our Lord, Jesus. Many times after the ceremony, the congregation would be led in a familiar children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me.” As we returned to our seat, baby in tow, the familiar words rang out as we passed the smiling faces wishing us well, Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so. Such simple but true words. Loving this song and the beautiful words made it easy to love a little phrase, a play on the words if you will, that tells of yet another part of Jesus’ wondrous character. “Jesus knows me this I love” was the words that added depth to my already great love for Him. Just think about it. When others might seem to “not get you,” as they say now, our Lord does. The bible tells us that He knows us whatever we are doing or wherever we are. The Psalmist even asked the Lord to “search” his heart. O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. Psalms 139:1 NLT There have been times when even those who love me most did not know what was in my heart. In some situations, that is not bad because the heart can be deceitful, and my thoughts not so pretty. Then there are those times when my thoughts are pure even though some do not perceive that purity of my heart and so, judge me wrongly. But the Lord sees all and knows me. Those who are not dog lovers can’t see why I would feel comforted as my furry friend sleeps next to me this morning as I write and study. Ordinary people can’t see why I put Christmas trees up in October, but the One who came on Christmas Day does. Some might not understand my determination to awaken when the sky is still black to be with my Lord. Only my fellow journalers understand the closeness I feel to my creator when I record my thoughts in my journal. Others do not know the urgency that propels me to pass this love on through my writing, but the One who counts the hairs on my head knows my thoughts. While I was being formed in my mother’s womb, the one who saw me knows my motives and hears my prayers. What glorious ponderings the Lord has given this girl who could never deserve such love. Jesus loves me this I know!..... Jesus knows me this I love!

The Recipe

If you are like me, you might have gotten drawn in by words like, “How to get God to answer your prayers EVERY time”, “How do you get prayers answered in 24 hours?” or “How to get prayers answered 100% of the time”. I have read articles, books, and bible studies on the subject. There have been plans, formulas, and recipes to gain success in our prayer life. And who wouldn’t want some of these things people claim to have? I thought of this the other day when praying for something very important to me and again I considered that maybe I needed to think about another way to pray, perhaps I could do better. Then the proverbial God light bulb went off in my head and I thought, “Since prayer is so important in our lives and is so intimate and personal, why would God keep it a secret until that “one” person wrote a book about it to clue the rest of us in?” Why would my best friend hide something so vital to our relationship from me? Oh, don’t get me wrong. There is always a place for learning and growing in our spiritual life and even in our prayer life but as I sat there in fervent prayer I wasn’t following some formula or recipe. I was a child talking to her Father with my warts and all. We both knew the score! I was totally unworthy to talk to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings but my bible told me that my Father bends down to hear what I have to say to Him. The God I call my friend desires that I lay all my burdens on Him. My Holy Father who lives in heaven wants to meet my daily needs and forgive my sins. He desires to lead me and protect me from the evil one. When Jesus was at the grave of Lazarus, He prayed a simple prayer. He looked up and said, “Thank you for hearing me as you always do”. In this story of Lazarus the shortest verse in the bible is found, John 11:35 says “Jesus wept”! Many times my prayers are just one word! Help! And I picture my Jesus weeping over the sadness of my situation. Does He answer immediately every time? Not always as far as I can see with my finite mind anyway! Does He give me what I want 100% of the time or in 24 hours? No, sometimes it is decades or could be in the blink of an eye! Is there a magic formula or secret recipe? No! He just loves us and hears our dreams and hopes as well as our most profound utterings, prayers that the Holy Spirit can only turn into groans. He loves to hear our voice He sings over us with absolute unfailing love. Extra! Extra! Read all about it! God is faithful! God is trustworthy! So JUST PRAY! Jesus wept. John 11:35 NIV So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41 NIV “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’Matthew 6:9‭-‬13 NIV

Grand Entrance

It was a beautiful day for a wedding, I thought to myself as I got ready that morning. I had a new dress and new shoes that I was anxious to wear, I had applied my makeup just so and had prepared my head by placing bobby pins in strategic places for what I was about to put on it. I had recently bought a new wig which was popular back in the 70s. The wig wasn’t unlike my own hair, short, brown but with an ever so slight curl along the hairline. I plopped it on and was ready to go meet my day. The wedding was held in a tiny country church with just a few friends and family in attendance. The ceremony was very short and we were instructed to meet in the church basement for the reception. As everyone else, I headed for the steep stairs that led to a rather musty smelling basement. Taking it slow because of the high heels I wore to match my new dress I made the journey down to the scantily decorated basement with a small cake and a bowl of punch. As I descended I was soon to embark on one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. Even now I blush at the thought. As I ducked slightly to get through the door, there was an unfortunate nail planted at the top of the door jam and you guessed it, I walked right out from under my perfectly coiffed wig! As the cool musty air of that church basement assaulted my bobby pin-clad, wigless head, I looked and saw brown curls hanging from that obnoxious nail. The blood drained, it seemed, from my face and humiliated wouldn’t describe how I felt. Mortified might be closer. There was my “grand entrance” alright. Alas, my new dress, my perfectly applied makeup, or my new shoes did not matter. All eyes were focused on the dangling mop of artificial hair. One “jokester” even commented that someone had been scalped. Since that day I have not made any more grand entrances. No standing at the top of the staircase as onlookers observe my beauty, I have had no Cinderella reveals as I danced with the prince. Dressed in a clown suit for Vacation Bible School came as close to a grand entrance as I have ever known. But did you know that it is written that we will have our grand entrance into heaven the eternal Kingdom? I just read that in the bible today for the first time. In 2 Peter 1:11 we are told that God will give us the grandest of all grand entrance when we arrive. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11 NLT So after our race is run and our journey is finished not only do we have a home that He has prepared but He is also planning for our Grand Entrance. Will there be a marching band of angels or a full orchestra of celestial beings to welcome us? I do know that it will be minus pesky nails since it will be a perfect place.

A Mary Heart

Contemplative! According to the dictionary, it is allowing deep thought, usually devotion to religious thought and prayer. A little lofty I’d say but after taking a little quiz as to what kind of worshiper I am it was decided I am a contemplative worshiper. According to the breakdown of this conclusion, I love God best through adoration. I love to sit and be in His presence while others may feel compelled to serve. I love the scripture that says, “Be still and know that I am God”. So far all true! I like David desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. They give a biblical example of a contemplative in Mary of Bethany who sat at Jesus’ feet while her sister Martha with great irritation, prepared the meal alone. Poor Martha! Oh, how we need Marthas in our world but where do we “Marys” fit in? If Martha were to take the test where would she fall, I wonder. In our house, I am of course Mary, and my poor husband is definitely a male version of Martha all the way to his ever-ready bunny energy. As I raised all my kids I was a hard worker and pretty good housekeeper, but in my older years not so much. I hope you don’t think of me as slothful, I get done what needs to be done but my opinion about what that is these days has changed. In my younger Martha years, I could very proudly pass the white glove test even with a house full of youngins but today as we dismantled our bathroom for redecorating the white glove would be very unwelcomed. I found dirt on top of the medicine cabinet that dates back twenty years, I’m sure. It wasn’t until I retired did my “Mary” come out. I found a place in the back that I went to study, pray, and worship. And worship I did. I prayed, sang and raised my hands in adoration. I called this old wooden chair I sat in, my prayer chair and from this, I started to write a blog with that name. I began to write about my precious Lord and His blessings to me in my “Prayer Chair” blog. As I contemplated all that He has done for me words that I felt came from Him, began to make their way down through my fingers into a story. So where does a “Mary” fit in this Martha world? I wonder sometimes. As I write in my contemplative way I hope to help someone along the way. If only one Mary can feel validated or one Martha feels appreciated I have given to this world from God’s own heart. My prayer as these fingers fly across the keyboard of my computer is I can bring glory to my Lord first and foremost and maybe spread a little joy from my “Mary” heart! Oh, it would be nice if all the dust in my “Mary” house would disappear! The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord ’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. Psalms 27:4 NLT

Unworthy but His

Because of the closeness, I feel toward my God, I sometimes forget who He really is. When I address Him as Father or friend, I can sometimes forget His majesty, His power, and the fact that he spoke the earth into existence. I sometimes unconsciously assign to Him the smallness of mankind. I must not forget that the one I speak to about my most intimate feelings and fears made the stars and named them one by one. He who I pray to, according to the book of Job, told the sea where its boundaries were when He declared, “You may come this far, but no further; here your proud waves must stop”. He asked Job, “Have you entered the storehouse of snow or observed the storehouse of hail or know which direction the lightning is dispersed?” According to chapter 38 in the book of Job, God questions Job, “Who has begotten the drops of dew?” In this beautiful chapter, God lays out for Job who He is and what miracles He has done and inquires as to why should we, mere humans, question the creator. Why should we the “clay” inquire of the Potter about what’s going on? The other day my husband asked me to consider a question he had asked himself. “If you had the privilege of asking Jesus just one question as He stood before you, what would that one question be?” I pondered for a few minutes as many things came to mind like why cancer exists, why wars rage, or why poverty is so brutal? But remembering I could ask only one question, I asked, “Why, Lord, did you choose me?” Me, so unworthy of your majesty? Me, so ordinary? Me, so flawed? It so happened that Larry asked the same thing. Together we ask, “Why us, why was our family so blessed to be and live as a Christian family?” We had to conclude that no one can even measure His greatness or understand His motives. After reading the beautiful words in Job, I turned to Psalm 145:3-7 a psalm of praise of David. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor, and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. Psalms 145:3‭-‬7 NLT So I am still led to wonder why this great Lord, as the Bible tells us, knows how many hairs are on my head, collects my tears in a bottle, and engraves me on the palms of His precious hands chose me. Even in His greatness, He did choose me. Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up? Job 38:26‭-‬27 NLT First written in my blog: prayerchairsharetime.blogspot.com

Chosen

Chosen Because of the closeness, I feel toward my God, I sometimes forget who He really is. When I address Him as Father or friend, I can sometimes forget His majesty, His power, and the fact that he spoke the earth into existence. I sometimes unconsciously assign to Him the smallness of mankind. I must not forget that the one I speak to about my most intimate feelings and fears made the stars and named them one by one. He who I pray to, according to the book of Job, told the sea where its boundaries were when He declared, “You may come this far, but no further; here your proud waves must stop”. He asked Job, “Have you entered the storehouse of snow or observed the storehouse of hail or know which direction the lightning is dispersed?” According to chapter 38 in the book of Job, God questions Job, “Who has begotten the drops of dew?” In this beautiful chapter, God lays out for Job who He is and what miracles He has done and inquires as to why should we, mere humans, question the creator. Why should we the “clay” inquire of the Potter about what’s going on? The other day my husband asked me to consider a question he had asked himself. “If you had the privilege of asking Jesus just one question as He stood before you, what would that one question be?” I pondered for a few minutes as many things came to mind like why cancer exists, why wars rage, or why poverty is so brutal? But remembering I could ask only one question, I asked, “Why, Lord, did you choose me?” Me, so unworthy of your majesty? Me, so ordinary? Me, so flawed? It so happened that Larry asked the same thing. Together we ask, “Why us, why was our family so blessed to be and live as a Christian family?” We had to conclude that no one can even measure His greatness or understand His motives. After reading the beautiful words in Job, I turned to Psalm 145:3-7 a psalm of praise of David. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor, and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. Psalms 145:3‭-‬7 NLT So I am still led to wonder why this great Lord, as the Bible tells us, knows how many hairs are on my head, collects my tears in a bottle, and engraves me on the palms of His precious hands chose me. Even in His greatness, He did choose me. Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up? Job 38:26‭-‬27 NLT First written in my blog: prayerchairsharetime.blogspot.com

Chosen Because of the closeness, I feel toward my God, I sometimes forget who He really is. When I address Him as Father or friend, I can sometimes forget His majesty, His power, and the fact that he spoke the earth into existence. I sometimes unconsciously assign to Him the smallness of mankind. I must not forget that the one I speak to about my most intimate feelings and fears made the stars and named them one by one. He who I pray to, according to the book of Job, told the sea where its boundaries were when He declared, “You may come this far, but no further; here your proud waves must stop”. He asked Job, “Have you entered the storehouse of snow or observed the storehouse of hail or know which direction the lightning is dispersed?” According to chapter 38 in the book of Job, God questions Job, “Who has begotten the drops of dew?” In this beautiful chapter, God lays out for Job who He is and what miracles He has done and inquires as to why should we, mere humans, question the creator. Why should we the “clay” inquire of the Potter about what’s going on? The other day my husband asked me to consider a question he had asked himself. “If you had the privilege of asking Jesus just one question as He stood before you, what would that one question be?” I pondered for a few minutes as many things came to mind like why cancer exists, why wars rage, or why poverty is so brutal? But remembering I could ask only one question, I asked, “Why, Lord, did you choose me?” Me, so unworthy of your majesty? Me, so ordinary? Me, so flawed? It so happened that Larry asked the same thing. Together we ask, “Why us, why was our family so blessed to be and live as a Christian family?” We had to conclude that no one can even measure His greatness or understand His motives. After reading the beautiful words in Job, I turned to Psalm 145:3-7 a psalm of praise of David. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor, and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. Psalms 145:3‭-‬7 NLT So I am still led to wonder why this great Lord, as the Bible tells us, knows how many hairs are on my head, collects my tears in a bottle, and engraves me on the palms of His precious hands chose me. Even in His greatness, He did choose me. Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up? Job 38:26‭-‬27 NLT First written in my blog:

The Journey

 She writes; Today is my first day as an inpatient for a stem cell transplant!! I’m choosing faith over fear! I’m choosing hope! God is so so good to me! His provision is so humbling. Although I am not able to have my same support team surrounding me during this part of treatment, rest assured that my Savior grabbed me by my hand and walked me into this place...He came before me and walks beside me!!

 She writes with victorious assurance;

 “Fear tells us that we are alone, that we have to face our trials and struggles on our own. It reminds us of our weaknesses. It points us to our own failures. But, FAITH points us to God. It reassures us that we are never alone — God is ALWAYS on our side! And faith shows us our weakness is just an opportunity to showcase God’s strength. Praying God’s truth over my fears.

 Missy’s Testimony of Strength and Joy 

Got my transplant today!!! Now we just wait for the baby cells to grow❤️❤️ It has been a hard process to walk through but, all of the hard moments become bearable and then with Christ, all of those bearable moments can even be joy-filled! My heart is grateful and full of hope! I’m trusting in My Fathers promises❤️ Together again!!! Yesterday I got to break out of the hospital and finally hug my people! My heart is so grateful to be done with that part of treatment and back together with my loves❤️❤️ All the glory to God!! Although I was separate from my fam, My Lord was ever-present. I called His name more times in the last month than I can ever count and HE NEVER LET ME DOWN...He stood with me and made me strong ❤️ Thankful to you all for the constant prayer and constant encouragement!!! I felt completely covered and I KNOW I was!!

 I need not say much since Missy said it all in her beautiful words of praise to the Lord. But I rejoiced at the words she messaged me on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Got my results from the scan. I am cancer free!

 It has been a long journey for my sweet girl, but she has relied on the Lord through it all. Continue to pray for Missy as she goes through the next phase of treatment. There will be more scans, more tests, and more miles to travel on this journey called cancer but today we celebrate just one more giant step toward her wholeness and health. As Missy, we don’t have to go alone. Our God holds our hand and walks beside us.

FRAUD FAKE PHONY?

 FRAUD, FAKE, PHONY?

One of the trees that grace our yard is a FRAUD. FAKE, and PHONY!  It sprawls beautifully across the side yard, gracefully decorating the landscape where it stands so stately and proud.  When it blossoms it is breathtaking with soft white flowers that bring the promise of fruit as lovely as its fragrance.  When we first moved here almost twenty years ago, not knowing even what kind of tree it was, I was sure we would have a bumper crop of some kind of fruit judging by the abundance of beautiful white blooms.  As I waited, little round objects grew from its blossoms but they did not grow any bigger than a good-sized pea.  It was then that I found out it was an ornamental pear tree.  In the dictionary, ornament means something pretty but not useful or practical.  So for a time, this tree is useful only in the temporary beauty that it displays in the spring.  Its fruit is inedible.  As I think about that tree, I think of myself and the fruit I produce.  Do I strive to look like a Christian and speak like a Christian, only to produce no fruit?  I hope not but I must always strive to have fellowship with the Lord and seek to please Him with my life in order to keep myself authentic. I like a humorous but true quote that gives a glimpse into such a life.

God save us all from wives who are angels in the street, saints in the church, and devils at home!  Charles Spurgeon

 For us to be able to be authentic, we must be filled with God’s Spirit.  The Bible says that if we have God’s Spirit living in us we should produce good fruit that is useful and beneficial to ourselves as well as others. Galatians 5 tells us that the Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control which are the Fruits of the Spirit. As we live our lives these fruits or qualities should be exemplified in us.  I like the example I have shared many times.  If an orange is squeezed, what should come out of it?  Orange juice, right?  In life, we are squeezed regularly, like when a co-worker talks behind your back, when the boss is unfair, or when someone pulls out in front of you almost causing an accident.  Is it love, patience, or kindness that comes out?  Do you think gentle, kind, and good thoughts and react accordingly or does something else emerge?  Producing good fruit is not just a one-time event in our lives but can only be accomplished with an ongoing relationship with our Lord.  It is praying without ceasing, it is reading His precious God-breathed, Word, and a coming together with like believers to be strengthened and loved.  Is your life about loving God with all of your heart and your neighbor as yourself?  Lord, help me not to be  A FRAUD, A FAKE, or A PHONY, but genuine, bearing much good fruit.

Wipe Out

 

Wipe Out!

Wipe Out!  This was a song popular in ancient times, the 60’s!  The single hit the charts in 1963 and was by the Surfaris.  It was an instrumental with an occasional shrill voice saying “Wipe Out”!  

I think we are all subject to spiritual wipe out.  Some might call it spiritual burn out but it requires a spiritual restoration.  In the bible, one of the best stories of restoration is Elijah under the broom tree.  

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

1 Kings 19:3‭-‬7 NLT

How many of you are burdened by cares that are weighing you down?  How many have fought the good fight for a long time, but now you are in need of restoration?  Elijah was no different.  He had been God’s man in a battle against sin and had brought glory to God.  He had been brave and courageous fighting evil with God’s help but afterward found himself frightened and fleeing for his life at the threat from Jezabel the queen.  Our passage picks up as he runs alone into the wilderness as a beaten and exhausted man.  In 1 Kings we are told that he even prayed to die.  “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.  I can almost feel the prophet’s weariness, can’t you?  Today in this upside-down world I have found myself saying, “That’s it I have heard enough, seen enough and like Elijah, I’m searching for that broom tree to fall under.  Precious “caretakers” have you exhausted your physical, emotional, and spiritual energy?  Does the broom tree look appealing to you?  Has financial upheaval taken your last ounce of strength?  Are you empty, tired, and spent?  Have you had enough?  Are you wiped out from the burdens you carry?  Like Elijah of old, let the Lord nourish your body and soul.  Taste of his goodness in his word, drink from the cup of his grace.  I love what the angel of the Lord said to him after he had slept, “Get up and eat some more or the journey ahead will be too much for you”.  Can you feel the shade from the broom tree as you rest in his loving arms?  Lay back and be restored or the journey ahead will be too much for you.   From “Wipe Out” to Restoration as we rest under God’s broom tree.

Harper’s Face

Written 2016

We have a new granddaughter, her name is Harper Kensleigh and she is beautiful.  She lives in New York so I have yet to hold her but I seen her face a short time after she was born thanks to a wonderful feature on my iphone, called Facetime.  We were actually able to see her Daddy holding her. As tears came to his eyes  he introduced us to this little miracle of God.   All we could see was her little face peeking out of her cocoon of blankets.  Oh, how I longed to kiss that tiny face, and will in a few days.

Face!  Have you ever thought about how many ways we use the word face?  How will we face tomorrow, she put a happy face on the situation or he needs to face up. The bible is also full of references to "face".   The face of God or the presence of God is used, multiple times, like Numbers 6:25-26.

The LORD make His face shine on you.  And be gracious to you; 

The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace

.

And Psalm 31:16 says;

Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving kindness.

  Everyone knows someone who has a perpetual sour face.  The kind of face that looks like they just sucked on a lemon.  On the other end of the spectrum we know people who exhibit nonstop joy on their face.  I prefer the joyful face myself.

After being in the presence of God on Mount Sinai, Moses'  face was radiant, the bible tells us in Exodus.  It shined so bright that Aaron, his brother, and all the Israelites were afraid of him until he spoke to them. The bible says that each time Moses was with the LORD his face again would be radiant.   I could do without the glowing face but I hope that my face and my life reflect the peace that comes from talking with God the Father and Jesus Christ each morning.  Unfortunately my "glow" sometimes leaves me as I face the crazy world we live in and the problems of just living.  Again, as Moses, I must go to God to receive His light.

O LORD God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved. 

Psalm 80:19

As I kiss the face of my sweet Harper Kensleigh, my prayer is that someday she will seek the face of God and that the God of her parents and grandparents will "Make His face shine upon her and save her with His loving kindness.

Bronze Shoes In The Desert

 

When our kids first began to walk, as was common in that day, we went to a shoe store and bought them high top baby shoes in brilliant white. There were no NIKE shoes back then, but any good shoe store carried these special baby shoes. The shoe salesman carefully fitted them just right using a tiny foot measuring tool to uniquely fit that child so that those first steps would be supported properly by the white leather shoes. I remember vividly those little fat feet plopped onto the numbered instrument.  These precious feet that were to carry these who we loved so much for a lifetime. As those first steps became many, the shoes were scuffed and had to be polished with liquid polish, for us that was a Sunday morning ritual.  Many of that day got those first baby shoes, bronzed which was bronze paint sprayed on so they could be kept as a keepsake.  Occasionally at an antique store, I find a small well-worn pair of high top baby shoes with a bronze paint that seemed to emphasize the wrinkles and wear on them.  That time in some child’s life was reflected in those dusty bronze shoes.   A few weeks ago a friend and I talked about a scripture found in Deuteronomy that neither of us had thought about very much though we had read it before.  Isn’t it funny how we do that sometimes?  We read it once not taking note of it especially, but as that very verse is needed God brings it to you at the right time in your life.  

For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.

Deuteronomy 29:5 NLT

In this verse, Moses was reminding Israelites of God’s great power and mercy.  God not only takes care of big things like parting the sea, but he also takes care of our smaller needs.  We as His children, I think, are in the desert of difficulties and sometimes despair right now.  Some have lost hope as sickness, financial decline and even oppression encircles their days while dread and fear troubles their nights.  But fortunately, we do not have to depend on politicians or wayward leaders, we have a God who causes not even our shoes to not wear out as He leads us through this desert of fear and dismay.    

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalms 56:3‭-‬4 NLT

The Eyes Say It All

Do you ever feel that you have entered another dimension when you go to the store, the doctor’s office, or even church?  Settled right below the eyes of fellow human beings you’ll find a blue, yellow, or various whimsical characters hiding half of the face.  If anything is covered, I am glad it is the mouth and not the eyes but we are not viewed as unique beings with our own unique characteristics that are found in one’s face.  I think that the “powers to be” whether intentional or unintentional want us to lose our uniqueness that our creator gave us as people and Americans.  The eyes have been called the “windows of the soul” or in Matthew 6, the eyes are called the light of the whole body.  I am disheartened by the eyes that dart away rather than making eye contact, the eyes that never laugh, or the eyes that hide hurt and weariness.  Covid 19 or not we are a hurting world and country that needs God.  We have pushed him out of our country as the Israelites did centuries ago and they lived to regret it when God, as they wished, took his almighty hand off of that sinful nation.  They were left defenseless against disease and famine and nation after nation invaded and defeated them.  Who or what has invaded America? A virus that disrupts everything we stand for as a country, the violence that keeps us locked in our homes, or the lawlessness that has caused destruction and loss of life just to name a few?  Yes, the eyes say it all.  By Jeanie Nihiser

Wah-Wahtusi, Shoo-bop Shoo-bop! kids devotional

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 NLT

I have never been a good dancer, even in the 60s when I was a teenager my two left feet were the problem, but I still loved it.  The Twist made popular by Chubby Checker, the Mashed Potato, Wah-Watusi, The Monster Mash, and the Stroll were popular at the Sock Hops that were the rage back then.    Most of us would learn our dance moves from American Bandstand a daily program on TV that featured many bands singing new tunes.  There in front of the black and white television, we would practice as we watched our favorite couples dance.


Do you know they danced back in the Bible times?  The scriptures speak of this several times when describing a joyous time of celebration.

In Zephaniah, we find that the Lord God delights in us with gladness and rejoices over us.  In the time of Zephaniah, when people rejoiced, dancing was always a part of it.  So, the Lord actually dances as he thinks of you and me even now.  Shouldn't we all feel joyful that our Mighty Savior loves us so much?.

For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

In Psalms, we are told to praise his name with dancing.

Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
Psalms 149:3 NLT

Do you show joy, one of the Fruits of the Spirit, when you think about God?  Do you feel good when you sing and praise God?  Do you ever feel like dancing?

Show joy as you live your life knowing that God sings and dances over you.

I think I might have sprained my back just writing about the Wah-Wahtusi, Shoo-bop, Shoo-bop!

Hankies and Hollerin’

I know that I am aging myself, but I am glad I was around when worship services were laced with hankies and hollerin’.  Saints of old felt free to speak out as the Spirit lead them.  Not that I am suggesting that for nowadays, but for me that was a rich time in our church’s history.  Now some may even be wondering what in the world “hankies and hollerin’” has to do with worship, maybe you haven’t been in a service where the ladies waved their hankies and the blessed hollered praises to God sometimes interrupting the service. More often than not the Holy Spirit took over in those services where there was no need for preaching.  I’ll have to admit there were times when I hoped the hollerers would be quiet when I had an unsuspecting visitor with me, knowing that some might be taken back.  I have seen many jump out of their skin with the wind up of sisters and brothers praising the Lord.  I remember the first time that Larry my new groom attended such a service.  I was afraid he might have been put off by the preacher raising his voice to make a point but he found it to be more meaningful with the show of emotion as well as the freedom in worship. The older I got the more I appreciated these saints that expressed their worship in these lovely outbursts.  I’m sure in churches today such freedom would not be tolerated and maybe rightfully so in some cases but my life is richer for having experienced the beautiful display of hankies and hollerin’!  I’m a definite throwback from this era minus the hankies and hollerin’.  I still like to raise my hand when I am blessed by the Lord and on occasion stand and share a testimony of what the Lord has done for me.  Holy Spirit come to us as we worship however pleases you.  

The Dwelling Place

Dwell! Despair!  These two words have been stirring in me for weeks. Through my studies, I had decided to choose the word “dwell” for my focus word in the days to come and have researched the word I would hold up as a guide for my life in the coming year.  I love to dig for “hidden treasures” in the bible and I found plenty.  Not only did I find verses with the word dwell in them I found a boundless number of verses that indicated a dwelling place in His love, His care, and His presence. 

Dwell, according to the dictionary means to live in or at a specified place.  I loved the synonyms for it which included abide, lodge, stay, hangout, or hang one’s hat on. 

The definition gave me food for thought as I meandered over these meanings to my “focus word”.  The first word I looked at was “abide” which was many times interchangeable with dwell in scripture.  Reside, live and lodge fit the bill also when it came to dwelling in Christ Jesus for my well being and hope.  I was particularly amused by hanging out and hanging my hat on the things of God. 

While praying, I now often use the word dwell, as in, “Help me to dwell in your wisdom today, Lord”.  “Take away the fear, I sometimes feel, help me to dwell in the shelter of the Most High.”

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
Psalm 90:1

My heart was gloriously gladdened by the many verses that included “My Word”!

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Psalms 84:1 NLT

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Psalms 90:1 NIV

But then came another word into my mind and heart that caught me off guard.  The word is “despair” or hopelessness.  As I find myself looking at the world around me, I am amazed at the evil that besets us.  Where once there was respect there is none, where there was beauty it is being destroyed and where there were signs of God, those signs have been torn down by the face of Satan.  As I lamented and pined over the deterioration of my country the feeling of despair invaded my heart and very soul.  I found myself no longer “hanging my hat” on His love, My dwelling place was in despair.  How could this be?  How could the enemy transform my thinking so drastically? As I ponder this dilemma, the Lord reminds me of who I am, not who the enemy says I am.  The Creator says I am the daughter of the King!  As I cry out to Him He reminds me that He is my dwelling place and I am to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in the temple.  Psalm 27:4, Psalm 84:1-2 reminds me that my dwelling place is lovely.  My soul yearns even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.


You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalms 63:1 NIV

I still seek earnestly the Living Water even in this parched land.  I will dwell in the refuge of His faithfulness! 

DWELL is still a great word for this season of my life, I must be careful where my heart dwells in these trying times.

Life Is Worth The Living

It’s comical what people say when you have a big family.  Inevitably when I was pregnant someone would say, “You do know what causes that, don’t you” or “is this your last one?’ or the one that sticks out the most, is a person who told us it was wrong to bring kids into this crazy world.  Unfortunately at that time, God was being taken out of schools, drug abuse was rampant and racial tensions were escalating.  In those years, a gospel song came out written by Bill and Gloria Gaither entitled, “Because He Lives”.  Gloria Gaither, having just given birth to her third child, testified that her heart was troubled for her newborn and the world that he came into. According to her recounting this period in her life, she said peace came into her heart one evening as she pondered the times, and replaced the fear as the God-given phrase came to her mind “because I live you can face tomorrow”.  From this encounter with God, came the song.  Peace replaces turmoil and fear as this song penetrates the hearts of believers all over the world.  Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

After getting a full dose of the daily depravity of this world on social media, seemingly even worse than in the past, I came across this song once again.  The words rang true in my soul, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow because He lives all fear is gone.  Just as the promise of God’s love and care found in this hymn of the church encouraged us back then raising our family, now in our “golden years” His truths are still giving us hope as we watch these unsure days unfold.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Psalms 27:1 NLT

Sat, Jul 18, 2020 9:18 am

Larry Nihiser (jnihiserj@aol.com)To:you Details

It’s comical what people say when you have a big family.  Inevitably when I was pregnant someone would say, “You do know what causes that, don’t you” or “is this your last one?’ or the one that sticks out the most, is a person who told us it was wrong to bring kids into this crazy world.  Unfortunately at that time, God was being taken out of schools, drug abuse was rampant and racial tensions were escalating.  In those years, a gospel song came out written by Bill and Gloria Gaither entitled, “Because He Lives”.  Gloria Gaither, having just given birth to her third child, testified that her heart was troubled for her newborn and the world that he came into. According to her recounting this period in her life, she said peace came into her heart one evening as she pondered the times, and replaced the fear as the God-given phrase came to her mind “because I live you can face tomorrow”.  From this encounter with God, came the song.  Peace replaces turmoil and fear as this song penetrates the hearts of believers all over the world.  Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

After getting a full dose of the daily depravity of this world on social media, seemingly even worse than in the past, I came across this song once again.  The words rang true in my soul, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow because He lives all fear is gone.  Just as the promise of God’s love and care found in this hymn of the church encouraged us back then raising our family, now in our “golden years” His truths are still giving us hope as we watch these unsure days unfold.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Psalms 27:1 NLT

Life Is Worth The Living

It’s comical what people say when you have a big family.  Inevitably when I was pregnant someone would say, “You do know what causes that, don’t you” or “is this your last one?’ or the one that sticks out the most, is a person who told us it was wrong to bring kids into this crazy world.  Unfortunately at that time, God was being taken out of schools, drug abuse was rampant and racial tensions were escalating.  In those years, a gospel song came out written by Bill and Gloria Gaither entitled, “Because He Lives”.  Gloria Gaither, having just given birth to her third child, testified that her heart was troubled for her newborn and the world that he came into. According to her recounting this period in her life. She said peace came into her heart one evening as she pondered the times, and replaced the fear as the God-given phrase came to her mind “because I live you can face tomorrow”.  From this encounter with God, came the song.  Peace replaces turmoil and fear as this song penetrates the hearts of believers all over the world.  Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

After getting a full dose of the daily depravity of this world on social media, seemingly even worse than in the past, I came across this song once again.  The words rang true in my soul, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow because He lives all fear is gone.  Just as the promise of God’s love and care found in this hymn of the church encouraged us back then raising our family, now in our “golden years” His truths are still giving us hope as we watch these unsure days unfold.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Psalms 27:1 NLT

Life Is Worth The Living

It’s comical what people say when you have a big family.  Inevitably when I was pregnant someone would say, “You do know what causes that, don’t you” or “is this your last one?’ or the one that sticks out the most, is a person who told us it was wrong to bring kids into this crazy world.  Unfortunately at that time, God was being taken out of schools, drug abuse was rampant and racial tensions were escalating.  In those years, a gospel song came out written by Bill and Gloria Gaither entitled, “Because He Lives”.  Gloria Gaither, having just given birth to her third child, testified that her heart was troubled for her newborn and the world that he came into. According to her recounting this period in her life. She said peace came into her heart one evening as she pondered the times, and replaced the fear as the God-given phrase came to her mind “because I live you can face tomorrow”.  From this encounter with God, came the song.  Peace replaces turmoil and fear as this song penetrates the hearts of believers all over the world.  Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

After getting a full dose of the daily depravity of this world on social media, seemingly even worse than in the past, I came across this song once again.  The words rang true in my soul, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow because He lives all fear is gone.  Just as the promise of God’s love and care found in this hymn of the church encouraged us back then raising our family, now in our “golden years” His truths are still giving us hope as we watch these unsure days unfold.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Psalms 27:1 NLT

It’s comical what people say when you have a big family.  Inevitably when I was pregnant someone would say, “You do know what causes that, don’t you” or “is this your last one?’ or the one that sticks out the most, is a person who told us it was wrong to bring kids into this crazy world.  Unfortunately at that time, God was being taken out of schools, drug abuse was rampant and racial tensions were escalating.  In those years, a gospel song came out written by Bill and Gloria Gaither entitled, “Because He Lives”.  Gloria Gaither, having just given birth to her third child, testified that her heart was troubled for her newborn and the world that he came into. According to her recounting this period in her life, she said peace came into her heart one evening as she pondered the times, and replaced the fear as the God-given phrase came to her mind “because I live you can face tomorrow”.  From this encounter with God, came the song.  Peace replaces turmoil and fear as this song penetrates the hearts of believers all over the world.  Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

After getting a full dose of the daily depravity of this world on social media, seemingly even worse than in the past, I came across this song once again.  The words rang true in my soul, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow because He lives all fear is gone.  Just as the promise of God’s love and care found in this hymn of the church encouraged us back then raising our family, now in our “golden years” His truths are still giving us hope as we watch these unsure days unfold.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Psalms 27:1 NLT