Such a great old song. Love this. And here's a great commercial using this beautiful song:
Father, we can't speak of love without being aware that "God is love." You are the definition, the demonstration, the deliverer of Love. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I don't know if it's a factor of the arrival of the new year or if it's just that the compelling scenes to be written in my latest novel await to bring it to a conclusion . . . but I once again wonder about who I am as an author.
It took a long time to call myself an author even as I'd finished more than one book. It wasn't difficult to say I was a "writer" but somehow confessing to being an author implied some sort of recognition from a good number of book sales and reviews – all that stuff.
Fact is: I am an author (self-published) of eight novels with two more remaining finished but unpublished and one that will be published when I finish it.
I have some good reviews but not nearly enough for anyone to take special notice. I have far more readers who have commented to me personally with their love of one or more of my stories. Either way, for me, huge blessings that I appreciate immensely.
Maybe my first sentence above is not quite accurate. I know who I am as an author. I know why I write the way I do. I know there are elements of my novels I won't compromise. I know without the Lord giving me a storyline and characters, I've got nothing to write about. I know my books will always depict redemption and portray both spirituality and worldliness accurately.
It's January 3rd, 2022, and this is what I'm musing about this Monday . . .
Father, as always, I know apart from you, I can do nothing. So grateful for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
New Year's Eve is perhaps the biggest party night of the year. Or it used to be. What it is, what it's become, all a matter of opinion and practice, tradition and celebration, or . . . whatever. To each his own.
This year we are doing something rare for us. We've invited a small contingent of wonderful friends over for a potluck evening with no plan other than to enjoy each other's company and the food everyone decides to bring.
Usually, I'm in bed at my usual time. No big deal. Just another night on the calendar of life.
But this year, for whatever reason, it seems the Lord had other plans for December 31st, 2021, and I'm looking forward to whatever we discover about His plans for the evening. I'm a willing participant and anticipating a meaningful evening.
Of course I'll have to be geared up with extra doses of Spice Chai and Coca Cola to make it into a new year, but, hey, I can do that.
I don't make resolutions, but I am resolute about getting closer to Jesus, using the power of the Holy Spirit at His direction, and deeply experiencing whatever God wants of me. That's the crux of it all for me.
You?
Father, as you lead us into a new year, only you know what will happen, what you've designed, allowed, or will ordain to come to pass. We place our hearts' trust in you and ask that you increase our faith to do what you have for us to do. And to do it well. Thank you for it all – although that deeply meant thank you is never enough. Rescue us always and lead those hearts to you that have been opened to your Spirit's leading and conviction. May it be a grand year, a year of rescue and restoration. Ordained by you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Christmas commercials from all over the world illustrate the love underlying what some only see as a holiday. But Christmas is so much more than human love and longing. Christmas gave us a Savior, a way to redemption. His Name is Jesus.
As we end the season and slide into the new year, we face the same struggles, the same challenges, the same fears, the same sins.
As this new year begins, make yourself face the beauty of life, the strength of hope, the reality of the supernatural, and the Love that is God. Only He can make a way through the potential ugliness, the potential harm, the inevitable hurt, and cause you to come out victorious in spite of it all. Once again, remember Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He still makes that same offer. And the Holy Spirit still puts that hitch in your heart that draws you to Him.
Take a chance on salvation. Be saved from all the stuff that makes things ugly and embrace a life submerged in the beauty of the One who gave it all that you might have life and have it abundantly in Him. You won't regret it.
Father, help those who don't know you to see Jesus as He is, was, and will always be: the Savior of the World. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I don't know how or why I missed Her One and Only written several years ago by Becky Wade. No excuse for it. This is "Dru's" story, the only daughter amidst three older brothers in the Porter family (Bo, Ty, and Jake). I acquired it in Becky's Christmas book exchange, and my sincere thanks go to Gloria for sending me this novel. It's a great read – possibly my favorite from Becky's Porter Family Series.
Dru Porter, former Marine, now works for a private security firm. Pro-Bowl Tight End Grayson, aka Gray, Fowler, has been receiving threatening mail and has noticed a particular maroon pickup in enough places where he's been to mention it when it's decided he should have protection. The hatred and threats in the letters have escalated to the point where his organization wants to hire 24 hr. security for him when he's not traveling for games with the team.
Enter Dru into Gray's life. His first evaluation is of her as a woman, a gorgeous woman, but not a big-honkin' security guard. She notices he isn't short on looks himself, a sculpted hunk, with a rep for womanizing and short-term "relationships". His personal chef and homemaker is a sweet, pretty thing (Ashley) who he appreciates but has no romantic feelings for and is the polar opposite of his new mid-afternoon to evening shift bodyguard Dru Porter. They spar almost immediately, argue profusely, but over time they learn to appreciate each other with something that surpasses their physical appearances. Gray decides Dru should pose as his new girlfriend to throw off the perception of him having a bodyguard and makes up a preposterous story about who she is.
That only works until she, Gray, and Ashley go to a restaurant, and Dru is thrown into ultra-professional mode, erasing any fallacies about who she is. When they're all safe, some of what's going on is shared with the scared Ashley.
Dru and Gray do not trust easily or maybe at all. But, because Becky Wade totally gets romance and excels at writing it, these two characters begin to realize there is pain in their histories and neither of them feel capable of tackling real romance which will lead to relationship and ultimately to love. Although somewhere deep inside each of them, they might want that, they can't perceive of it for themselves. And yet . . . here it sits on the fringe of what develops between their moments of bantering and Dru's intense commitment to protecting her client.
Change is inevitable and when it happens, both Dru and Gray experience the upheavals of their emotions. When danger strikes unexpectedly, the nitty gritty of who they are and what they want hits them square in their hearts.
I loved this story, Dru and Gray are done especially well touching upon deep-seated pain, fears, longing to belong, and finally finding that place where trust is allowed. Along with love. This is where the One who is Love does His bet work. Becky does it right and well. Highly recommend this one.
Father, you continue to give stories to Becky and I ask for your continued blessing on each of them. Drench her in your Spirit and keep her grounded in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
It's said the Wise Men came when Jesus was about two years old to the place where Joseph and Mary were living in Bethlehem. The incredible actions and obedience of his earthly father Joseph and his mother Mary following the miraculous instructions delivered to Joseph by God's chosen methods led them to safety before Herod could have the baby Jesus killed. When Herod died, the family returned to Israel and settled in Nazareth.
It's a privilege to hear from God, His chosen servants, the Holy Spirit, the voice of Jesus. This is the wonder of knowing Jesus as your Savior and friend. Nothing compares to this miraculous transformation of our spirits. Being born again is real. Welcome Him into your life as this new year approaches. You won't regret it.
Father, thank you for each one who uses your giftings and talents to further your kingdom. Bless them all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
This is not a picture of our property, but it could be. We've got about 9 inches and counting at 26 degrees. Not our usual weather.
We didn't exactly have a white Christmas. Flurries began on Christmas night, but by morning there were 4 inches and it just kept adding to them.
So. It's very white around here and we don't exactly have the overall "conditioning" driving-wise of those states where this is considered the norm for this time of year. We shall see . . .
Father, please protect my guys as they must traverse the roads to work tomorrow [today]. Please guard them and give them safe passages for all their different destinations. Please, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce you own soul too."
Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 (NIV)
A Savior has been born to you. He came because of you and me. He gave His life for you and me. "To free us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray."
Prince of Peace. Redeemer. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. Savior of the world. Light of the world.
Merry Christmas.
