Thank you to all my readers who follow and are kind enough to read my thoughts and share my writings. Never underestimate how much all my WordPress people mean to me, God Bless! Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!
This is my twist on “Twas the Night Before Christmas!”
1. Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the crystal coast, 2 Not a creature was stirring, not even a ghost.
3 The stockings were hung by the television with care,
6 While visions of Elves Lego & Peppa Rose Princess danced in their heads, 7 And Mama and I in our Grinch PJ’s with Santa caps, 8 Had just settled our brains, with Irish Coffee for a long evening nap- 9 When out on the sand there arose such a clatter, 10 I sprang from the bed, grabbing my JT Splatmaster , to see what the matter. 11 Away to the window I flew, like a Flash Gorden fool, 12 Tore opened the window and threw up the sash slipping on a tool.
13 The moon glared on the top of a dune of the new-fallen snow, 14 Land sakes, it had snowed on the coast, a sight to behold to all that lay below. 15 When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, 16 But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, 17 With a little old driver, so lively and quick, 18 I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. 19 More rapidly than Concord his coursers came, 20 And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: 21 “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, 22 “On! Comet on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixen. 23 “To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! 24 “Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” 27 So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, 28 With the sleigh full of Toys – and St. Nicholas too: 29 And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof 30 The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. 31 As I drew in my head from the cold, and was turning around, 32 Down our chimney, St. Nicholas came with a bound:
33 He was dressed all in red and white fur, from his head to his foot, 34 And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. 35 A bundle of toys was flung on his back, I could see; Peppa Rose, Elves Lego, Barbie Plane, Artist galore, Baby toys, Billy Ellish Album
36 And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack: 37 Oh how his eyes twinkled! his smiling dimples were just merry, 38 His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. 39 His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, 40 And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. 41 The stump of a pipe he held tight to his snow-white teeth, 42 And the smoke encircled his head like a Christmas wreath. 43 He had a broad face, and a little round belly 44 That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of fruity jelly: 45 He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 46 And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. 47 A wink of his eye and a twist of his head 48 Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 49 He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, 50 And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, Merry Christmas, this here is for you Dad,
51 And laying his finger aside of his nose 52 And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. 53 He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, 54 And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: 55 But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight- 56 Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
I looked down and opened my present, inside was a card that said ” Goodnight, sleep in peace, I took away all your worries and gave you Peace, from Jesus above, so that you know you are Loved. Twas the night before Christmas and Jesus is in the House!
Momma loved chickens, and her grandfolks had plenty in Parmalee NC.
Mom shared her childhood adventures while I was caregiving for her after my dads unexpected passing.
Momma said, “Growing up poor, you make do with what you got, saying only reason her family didn’t starve is because they worked hard, grew gardens, canned their food, kept chickens and raised pigs.”
Momma loved all her families farm chickens. Her favorite pastime was playing with the little baby chicks , giving all of the fluffy yellow birds unique names according to their personalities. There was Lola, Gertrude, Dorothy, Sunny, Olive, Betty and Henrietta. She called the rooster, Claw Daddy. He was a little mean. 😳
She said sometimes the chickens chased her or she chased them. The baby chicks would learn to follow her as she dropped food. The chickens were entertaining, and she saw them as friends.
My mom refused to eat chicken meat all her life. If the food had chicken or chicken was served, momma wasn’t about to have it for a meal.
After getting married, mommas style became eclectic, and over the years, she collected all kinds of chicken nicknacks.
Knowing her love for chickens, it became our hobby to find chickens in thrift stores. I loved buying them for her. The chickens reminded her of a simpler time, life on the farm, and her little chick friends.
My dad could build anything as a gifted wood craftsman. One day, momma asked him to build her a cabinet for her to store her chicken nicknack collection. She received the cabinet below as a gift on their anniversary. Dad had even built a hidden secret drawer inside, coming with an antique key, to lock the door, as her grandbabies loved playing with chickens too. LoL.
My mommas Chicken Cabinet
What do chickens and grief have in common? The answer is my momma. She has been gone ten months now, and I completely lost my emotions when I saw photos of her chicken collection today. All those memories and adventures stored up in my mind. Momma was my best friend, and Im lost without her. I miss hearing her voice, smelling her perfume during a tight hug. Her beautiful smile. I miss our mother daughter relationship.
As a child, mom tucked me into bed every night, and when she needed me as her caregiver, I returned the love and tucked her into bed every night. I”d hug and kiss her, get her snug as a bug. Say, “Mom, you are my Sunshine, I love you! Mom would giggle like a child and say, “Debbie, that’s great , but I love you more.” Then she would hand me her little chicken nickknack hidden in her hand, saying take care of my chicken, he is my friend. I would kiss her goodnight, slowly walk back to the cabinet, and set her friend inside.
I am a Christian who became an expert camouflager covering up my scars caused by surgery, anxiety, and depression. Scars can be spiritual, physical, mental, or emotional . Christians aren’t supposed to worry, have fear, or get sad. At least, that’s what I was taught. I see things differently now. It has taken many seasons of working on myself and going through the healing process.
Why do we try to cover the scars up, or hide the scars, even disguise the scars? Why is it shameful to have scars? Most people, including myself, have used make-up, unique hairstyles, or clothing in pursuit of camouflaging those ole scars or what we see as flaws. Why does shame flow from scars?
Scars dont fit society’s standard image of beauty and strength.
Shame flows from the scars because we are taught early in life scars are ugly. Scars make you less worthy and hidden out of fear of rejection. Disguising scars takes time and practice.
Do you have scars?
It might surprise you to know the stories of your scars are important to God! Scars can be spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental. What most people fail to realize is that scars are a sign of wounds being healed. There is beauty in the healing!
Scripture shows in John 20:20 – 29 Jesus appears to the disciples after His death, Thomas wants to see proof of the wounds “the nail marks” in Jesus hands, feet and side. Therefore in John 20:25, Jesus tells Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side.” John 20:27
The wounds of suffering were now scars. The scars are proof of Jesus suffering on the cross. Jesus chose to keep the scars to send a message. Praise God he returned with the scars. The message of Jesus scars is absolute proof he suffered and died for us, so that we may live. The suffering brought compassion for mankind. Jesus understands our human nature. The beauty in the story of the scars is that a healing took place, Jesus conquered the wounds, overcame suffering, and the scars are proof of the victory of our risen Christ!
Credit Unknown – Free Pic on Web
You have a choice, you can go through life in fear, covering your scars and wishing they would disappear forever. Or you can embrace your scars!Scars come from our deepest anguish, wounds are visible or invisible. Scars not only show we suffered; scars show our victories. Stop covering up your scars and being ashamed. There are many who have hidden scars not seen by the naked eye, the invisible scars. Abuse, War, Racism, Bullying, Fearmongering, Divorce, Shunning, Church Hurt, Betrayal, Violence, Disaster, Grief, Hardships and more……Please Share your Stories about your scars. Your story could encourage another in the wound stage and help them to the other side of healing.
Through my journey, I have acquired many scars….spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental. Today, in my story, I will share I have three large visible scars I see every day in the mirror, two running horizontal from under my arms to the middle of my chest. Scars of my mastectomy. The other scar is my emergency c-section. The things spoken to me about my scars broke me as a woman. Those scars became open wounds that utterly hurt. What I lost doesn’t define me as a human or a woman! I had a choice to make I could allow my scars to be a sign of defeat, anguish, and loss of what was, or I could choose to see the beauty in the scars. My choice was to see the beauty in my scars as they show my strength, courage, suffering, pain, and loss. My scars are a sign to others that early Detection Saves Lives! My c-section scar shows the miracle of birth and a beautiful baby. Yet even more beautifully, my scars show the healing power of Jesus!
The scars on Jesus are proof of the resurrection, overcoming of suffering. Healing of all wounds. Thomas sign of God’s Glorious Victory!
Quote: “There is a big difference between a wound and a scar. A scar says, ‘I’ve been healed, and this is my story.” – Sharon Jaynes
Remember your scars are beautiful! Whether they be emotional, spiritual, physical or mental. Your scars have stories and are beautiful! May you be inspired to tell your stories.
Prayer: Lord, I Thank You for Resurrected Power! The message of your scars from the cross, that instill a song of victory. Scars are a sign of healing. Today we thank you for our scars and the work your doing in each of us. Scars show we survived, we have a beautiful purpose going forward, we are strong, resilient, courageous, and warriors. Let us release our roars of our victories, giving all glory to Christ Jesus who heals all wounds by whose stripes we are healed and made whole! In Jesus’ name! Amen!
Re-blog of a past Christmas story I wrote few years back, may the story encourage, bring forth hope! Our answers are just a prayer away!
Christmas
The Lord God Almighty stood before his angels, looking intently at the human race. God’s voice roared announcing to his Warrior Angels he had a very important mission for them, that they were to descend upon the earth and find all the prayers of his faithful servants, who praised and worshipped him in the Christmas Season, his earthly birthday.
The angels that will live forever passed the powers as they parted allowing them to go down to earth in a spiraling mass of anticipation, seeking beloved saints, who had stayed the course and remained faithful. When the last and littlest angel passed the powers they turned and closed up the realm of heaven.
“Yonah” which means, “Dove” was the littlest angel of the masses who quickly flew to catch up with his fellow warrior angles, His heart-shaped face, was in deep concentration encased with reddish hair, and deep soulful blue eyes. Yonah was breathtakingly beyond beautiful, a creature blessed by God, for what he lacked in size he had in strength and heart. He paused in his descent, and hovered with the light fluttering of his wings, he looked in all directions and noticed how still and quiet it was, something was not right. With that thought he folded his wings inward and dove, he had to find her, maybe she was still praying, for he knew he could detect the weakest of prayers. Down he went.
Cindy was winding down and watching the six o clock news, her coffee had grown cold, oh, why in the world did she turn that dang TV on, there was never any good news unless you counted the weather report, and all it showed was a forecast of possible snow and ice. Her thoughts drifted to the last few years, she could not remember the last time she had felt joy, she remembered her episodes of sobbing and feeling of hopelessness, after her husband walked out and abandoned her, the rug being pulled out from under her when housing market started to falter and her boss laid her off, then the economy crashed and the bottom fell out, her savings went to help her daughter finish school and to help her with attorney fees in a heated custody battle over her granddaughter, now she was in her second extension of lay off, she had lost her home, had to give away all her belongings, her car engine blew, and she only had five weeks of unemployment left. During all this time she had been sick with a thyroid issue, she gained over fifty pounds, three fourths of her hair fell out, she had a cyst in her breast, severe acid re flux, she went from the person she recognized to looking like a stranger, then came the allergic reactions, inability to breath, then her doctor let her go as a patient, saying she was too difficult to treat, she could no longer focus, or keep her thoughts straight, she kept writing notes to herself so she would not forget what she needed to do or what she had said to someone in conversation, her family relationships became strained, her friends walked away without even looking back. Job-hunting was hopeless; she did not even have a college degree. There were no jobs to compete for, in one year she had, one interview. Sadly she had fallen away from her church family, not by her choice, it just happened slowly like her thyroid disease, at first she felt nothing unusual, then she was hit with a powerful punch, that near bought knocked her off her feet. It wasn’t just one thing but an accumulation of many things, hurtful things, things she did not know how to talk about, how to express, like a vine twisting up her body sucking the life out of her little by little, her family’s lack of understanding and indifference, having to go to the hospital alone, time after time, scarred out of her wits, barely able to breath, excruciating chest pains, inability to sleep, and the pain in her muscles that hurt her to her core daily. She felt betrayed, and buried so far into the pit of despair she did not know how to climb out. No one from her church had ever called her, instead, they just talked about her, called her backslidden, made fun of her weight, and snickered about her, and who she was before she found Christ. Jesus had wiped her sins clean, but her fellow man continued to judge her, and as hard as she tried to be a part of the church family, she was rejected and persecuted time after time. They were so worried about her outward appearance they never stopped to look at her inward appearance and the change God was doing in her life. That was when she began to visit other churches, looking for a family to accept her and love her. She let go of her family church, yet she remained faithful in prayer and her love for God.
The Spirit of Torment keep circling Cindy, giggling in evil ragged laughs, it was working, he just about had her where he wanted her if only he could break her will to pray, then she was his. No Matter how he tormented her, he could not touch her family as she prayed daily the word of God to cover them, it was just a matter of time, she would break, and in arid anticipation he rubbed his long bony fingers together, when all of a sudden he noticed, a gleam of light approaching, and he swiftly hid and was angered to see “Yonah” approaching, one of God’s Warrior Angels. The Spirit of Torment snorted in disgust, warrior indeed, besides Gabriel, he looked like a child, even though he was fully formed. Yonah was actually encouraging good thoughts to Cindy, what was he doing, he was ruining all his hard work, noooooooo, Cindy was getting on the floor, he and Yonah both heard her knees crackle and crunch, as her weight bore down, she bent over and put both hands out to lower herself to the ground, and promptly fell, pushed more like it, flat on her face.
Cindy laid on the floor, sobbing, in disparity, all she can mutter is one word. “Jesus”! Yonah continues to encourage her, and The Spirit of Torment becomes enraged.
Her sobbing turns to wailing and in the midst of her wailing “The Holy Spirit of God” moves in to intercede, and her tongue starts to flow in the heavenly language, she pours out her soul, slamming her fist from time to time “God, please do not forsake us, forgive us, Lord!” As the prayer pours forth from her mouth, Yonah snatches up the words and races toward heaven with her prayer in his hands, with The Spirit of Torment, hot on his trail. The Spirit of Torment pulls out his bow and aims and let’s go with his arrow racing through the air, piercing Yonah, who cries out and begins to fall, and The Spirit of Torment races past him, to help in the battle ahead.
Yonah examines his wound as he hides in the clouds, and decides to head home, the Master is waiting, and he does not want to disappoint the Lord. With grit and determination he heads to the heavenly realm and what he sees, is beyond his wildest perception, there are no Powers guarding the realm of heaven, and fearfully he approaches and looks up over the edge, and before him as far as his eyes can see is a great battle. Blue realms turning gray to black, between the Lords angels and the Angels who deserted God and now sided with the Destroyer. The battle is fierce, sword clashes against sword, shields are drawn, and held high to protect, and in the middle is a dragon called Legion, who is churning out battle orders harshly and has eight voices talking at once. Yonah begins to doubt himself, he is a warrior angel who is scared to go in battle, and in order to reach the Lord he must go through the battlefield, oh, where and how can he get his strength and a plan. Then he remembers Cindy, she is the answer, so he heads back to earth, and the demon is gone, thinking he has won, Cindy is laying on the ground spent exhausted and worn out, she says, God, you promised to never leave us, you promised in your word you would fight for us, and have mercy upon us, Lord, I have faith in your, Lord please defend us, and she continues to sob, God, I am here use me Lord, what can I do , I am nothing , one person, and Yonah smiles and slowly allows
Cindy to feel his pain, torment, and the heat of the battle, with an unexpected fierceness of rage, Cindy slams her fist into the ground and screams “NO MORE”, and the Holy Spirit of God begins to intercede, and Cindy rages into speaking in tongues, battling for what she knows not…….. Cindy prays as if her life depended on it. She pressed forward, and unseen to Cindy, Yonah, began to glow with a bright stars brilliance, and his wings surged with strength, and power filled his limbs and a sword dropped into his hand, and Yonah raced back to the realm of heaven and in the first blow the littlest warrior angel destroyed half of Satan’s army, as Yonah fluttered above the battle field, he dove to strike his next blow and the defected angels and demons fled, and Yonah was face to face, with Legion, and all eight of his voices ragged blasphemies at him , and with one swift blow, with the word of God, his sword, Yonah took off his head and the voices spoke no more, and the powers returned to the realm. Yonah swiftly gathered all the prayers that were dropped during battle and along with Cindy’s prayer ascended to heaven to the Throne and bowed at the Lord’s feet and presented all the prayers of the saints on Christmas Eve. The Lord God Almighty smiled and hugged the littlest angel saying “Job well done”! God then turned as the angels rejoiced and opened up the heavens and poured forth his blessings unto his children. Peace returned to the earth, at the same time it flooded Cindy where she laid, and she began to sing and rejoice in the Lord! Cindy stood and dusted herself off; her sobbing had been replaced with joy and she began to dance before the Lord!
In the year to come God ordered restoration to his faithful saints, with blessings beyond measure! As a child of God Cindy hardly understood all that had transpired, what gained the victory was allowing herself to be used, pressing forward and having faith and trusting the Lord even when she didn’t understand, what was important was she remembered to leave herself open to God’s calling.
The End!
🌟PRAYER🌟
Dear God,
At times I am amazed at the love you have for us, thank you for sending your son, so that we might be saved. Thank you for your priceless gift of love. Lord, we ask you to move through our great nation, a nation which was built “In God we trust”, on a solid rock foundation. Lord, our rock has been shaken as we as a nation moved away from thy precepts, forgive us, Lord. Lord, we bow to you in humility, and humbleness, we call on your holy name we pray and ask for your forgiveness and ask that this would be a new era that would heal our land and once more make us into a proud Godly nation united under you, our Lord and Savior. We ask and seek your presence in our government, our homes, our schools, our workplaces, our judicial system, our healthcare, and for the one true God to be present in our churches. Wake us up and stir us up Lord to do your calling and your will, give us insight, wisdom, to be spiritual leaders, and guidance to succeed. As in Joel 2:12- we are coming to you Lord with all our heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with morning, until every hindrance is removed and fellowship is restored. In 2 Chronicles 7:14- If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.
My father, let those who are tired come to you, the lost, the brokenhearted, the despondent, and the hopeless. I have heard it said that you love these people and you walk among them and save those who are crushed in spirit. I pray God for our protection, our family and our friends and our church, and these individuals that I lift up to you. I pray Psalms 91 and I plead your blood over them. I pray that you heal them and bind up their wounds. They cannot hear, they cannot see, they cannot speak, and they are blind, deaf and ignorant of your truth. I stand humbly before you God and ask you to open their ears, their minds, and their eyes. Some call them the scum of society, worthless, scavengers, unclean, and not savable. I see them as future saints adorned in crowns of beauty, gladness, and garments of praise. Lord, I know your truth is for every man, woman, and child. I pray for warrior angels commanded by you Lord, to set a hedge of protection around them, to guard them, so that when your vessels of saints come in contact with them and speak your truth and salvation the light in your vessels will not be your saints they see, it will be you, their Redeemer, their Savior, whose words will turn the lost to being found and the despondent to having hope, and the hopeless to be full of joy, all to be planted in faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with assurance of salvation. Save them, God, our doors are open, and we welcome them into your house.
Break out the hot chocolate, cozy up on the couch with a warm blanket, grab a few snacks, and then tune into some great Christmas movies! I have a new favorite this year. Top of the list. Merry Christmas!
A Boy Called Christmas
A Christmas Carol
Chasing the StarChristmas in CanaChasing The Star
Christmas Come Home
It’ a Wonderful Life
Jingle Jangle
Miracle on 34th Street
The Christmas Candle
The Nativity Story
The Polar Express
Please add your favorite Christmas movies in the comment section. Hoping and praying you will enjoy your holidays.
Edmund’s thoughts were swirling in his head in a state of panic as he sat in his favorite, blue leather, writing chair, staring into nothing. How could he author an article of joy with all the suffering of the world? Panic overcame him as he feared missing his deadline. This world was in such a state of upheavel with Ukraine and Israel wars, fearmongering, fighting, political debates on the 2024 election year, housing crisis, lack of affordable housing, constant state of division, food insecurity and shortages caused by price gouging, and forced mandates. There were extreme bouts of weather, a winter storm fast approaching. How do you find Joy in such horrific suffering? How could he write about Joy with so much grieving? Unprecedented events the likes of which humanity hasn’t seen, there were epidemics in the past, yet this coronavirus and all its variants seem aligned with evil. Now there were reports of Christmas being canceled. Why even celebrate Christmas? Where was God?
Edmund bowed his head to pray, inhaling deeply suddenly catching the horrible odor of bile making him wretch in a dry heave vomit, reminding him of rancid vomit in the morning hours of a closed bar cleanup, permeating sulfur acidic burning ammonia, oh goodness, he couldn’t hold back, Edmund, jumped up, ran for toilet, slid down grabbing the bowel emptying his stomach, trying to get on his knees.
There was a presence in the room that Edmund was unaware of, one of the enemy’s trained assassins. The demon cackled, about there, all the whirlwinds of trials had hit their target, Edmund, with a mighty punch. Soon, he would be numb, no longer praying. A zombie staring into space. The plan was working. As the demon went to leave, Edmund made it to his knees, and at his weakest, he called out the only name he knew, that he could gasp out JESUS! Edmund fell over to the bathroom floor crying uncontrollably, releasing the battle to God. And the demon raged cowering back to his camp, that name, Edmund had uttered the name, the battle cry.
clipground.com
The name of Jesus rose upward, for Jesus is the word and the word does not return void. The word is life. Life cascading on millions of similar shouts unified calling on the precious name of Jesus had reached heaven.
Unknown to Edmund, angels were gearing for another battle, the cries, each, and everyone was heard, and angels fought fiercely for the human race. Warrior Angels of Peace, Healing, Deliverance, and Joy were being dispatched to earth once again. The angels began to descend to earth, midway a great battle was fought with the fallen angels, there were casualties in heaven and on earth. The remaining angels pressed onward, for it is a known fact the devil hates Christmas! The Birth of Christ must be celebrated to bring Hope.
The angels entered the earth’s atmosphere which was covered in a spirit of fear; a yellow sickening haze. The first angel blew the trumpet of Peace, then angels divided into twelve angelic forces.
The angels released the aroma of Christ spreading it throughout the earth, equipping believers to rise and continue spreading the gospel and love of Christ for his people and the lost. Believers carrying the aroma of Christ’s fragrance bringing the joy of triumph. But for the enemy of war, the fragrance brings defeat.
Angels were instructed to keep charge over God’s people protecting them spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Healing was released to the nations as living water cascaded downward from Heaven’s throne, cascading over the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet.
Angels continue their assignments to deliver humanity from the enemy’s wicked hand. God is our deliver who will not forsake us.
Edmund arose up off the bathroom floor walking into his bedroom, he knelt on his knees at his bed, sobs wrenching from his body, waterfalls of tears wetting his coverlet, suddenly he could hear a song reaching his ears, it was a chorus of “Hallelujah” then “Mary did you know.” Angels were singing over the earth.
Slowly, Hope flowed through his body!
Suddenly he heard a chorus of angel voices proclaiming, “He’s Alive” and they began to sing as a Season of Joy was released upon the earth.
“He Is Alive”
Angels are watching over us With the saints that have gone on before us And they join in a heavenly chorus Singing “He is alive, He is alive”
He is alive Death is defeated Sin has retreated From the power of the Son And He is alive The enemy is faded The battle still rages But the war has been won
The stars in the heavens rejoice With the sun and the moon And with all of the earth Let all of creation now lift up their voice Singing “He is alive, He is alive”
Jesus is alive Jesus is alive
He is alive Death is defeated Sin has retreated From the power of the Son
” Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but of power and Love. God is Love! God is with you, he hears the cries of your heart. Praise be to the Lord!
An amazing sight was to behold as the angels sang, the yellow haze of fear that covered the earth began to fade as mankind’s voice sang and rejoiced along with the Angels.
Edmunds’s and many others’ hopes were restored that day of battle releasing hope which ushered in a new Season of Hope.
Through good times and challenging times, we must remember “Jesus is Alive” and to pray and love one another. That is how we conquer fear.
May we enter this “Season of Joy” humbly covering our brothers and sisters (humanity) through prayer in unconditional love in Jesus’ name, having “Hope” God is fighting for us, for he so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten son, Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate in remembrance at Christmas this year!
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. . . . On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lord.
Jesus Is…..
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, tonight we come to you, Lord, and give thanks for everything!
God, we believe and have faith standing on the biblical promises; Lord, that you are with us and will never forsake us!
Lord, we know you fight for us spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally as it is written!
Lord, may you continually guide our steps and give us safe passage in our comings and goings! Thank you in advance for being our forward and rear guard!
God may your hand show favor upon our nation and world for 1000 generations, giving favor in each our lives!
May this great nation rise up from the ashes, unified and solid as the rock, casting our past at Jesus feet, forgiving all and stepping into a future land built upon God and by God ! That our latter would be better than our past, proclaiming blood of Jesus upon us, that truth will prevail. We, as a nation, claim it is so!
Autumn barely came and is leaving with a blink, sometimes flaunting her fiery leaves and other times shyly waving goodbye in one big wind storm. Christmas is now only twenty-five days away. Winter slowly approaches, on the cusp of the 1st, cold front, blowing from the North, blanketing the ground with white snow in many areas.
Let’s hope and prepare, get the candles, firewood, and lots of treats, all collected in a box in case we have no heat.
Small children dream of “Christmas Night,” thoughts swirling in their heads of Rudolph, Frosty, and Great Saint Nick. Older folks sit around the table as they just laugh and declare “Christmas” is about Baby Jesus and he made Ole Saint Nick!
Bible stories from ages past, still declare the same truth, Jesus came as a babe in a manger, as the barn animals gazed, it was the three wise men who fell in a daze before them was a holy sight never seen,a child so holy they fell upon their knees. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ, Son of God, a King!
The Ultimate Gift of Love, God wrapped in the flesh, born to a virgin, who came to give us life. God has never forsaken us! Every year our tree is a remembrance of that unconditional LOVE!
Leviticus 23:40 says – And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. Some believe this verse means the tree isa celebratory symbol based on the worship of God!
May your Christmas Season be Blessed, just remember to thank Jesus, for he is the REAL GIFT!
When families gather, Oh what a feast, turkey, ham, bread, pie, cakes and all kinds of delights, nothing in comparison to our “Future Kings Feast” that is yet to come!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A JOYOUS HOLIDAY IN LOVE OF OUR KING, SWEET JESUS!
This is my first Thanksgiving without our mom, who passed in February. Our family, her children are divided over three states, and celebrated Thankgiving seperately.
I’m missing my mom’s gathering of tradition and all that emcompassed her, missing her laughter, taste of her food, sitting at her table, saying grace. her sneaky samples of food to make sure it’s perfect. Mom said a good cook, always samples all the food to make sure it’s worthy of your guests. Im missing mom’s gleam of joy in her eyes being surrounded by family.
Im missing mom’s homemade banana pudding with coffee after dinner sitting at the table, listening to her stories.
I miss mom’s smell, the sound of her voice, our telephone calls, mostly I miss our heartfelt conversations, I could go to mom, and tell her anything, after thinking, mom would give wisdom in her answers of help, never judging, always loving unconditionally.
I miss how, at the end of a visit, mom would always hug you goodbye on the porch and insisted on walking you to your car.
She is forever gone, yet never forgotten, truly missed. As I stand here, I am clutching an empty plate that will go at her placemat in honor of our mom.
I’m frustrated with communication. Lack of communication. Poor communication. Misunderstood communication. Fearful communication. Angry communication.
I’m frustrated with lack of response to communication.
Don’t you understand that in your busy life, if someone is reaching out to you, to talk, check on you that is a blessing.
It’s called Love.
I wonder if that is how Jesus feels when he tries to communicate with us.
Are we listening? How many attempts were made? Was our response poor? Did we understand the message? Did the message make us afraid? Or did the message make us angry? Did we misunderstand?
In the flesh, I wonder if maybe we wouldn’t be frustrated if someone responded timely to the call.
Pick up the phone.
Then I stopped and thought, how many times did Jesus call and I didn’t respond. Did he get frustrated with me? To my knowledge, no, Jesus was just persistent until I finally answered.
Thank God he kept calling. And I picked up the phone.
And thank God for those who keep calling you, out of love, that you have yet to respond to……
Answer the calls. Jesus and love ones are waiting.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
KJV
Psalms 91:4 is teaching the analogy that God is like a mother bird, who spreads her wings over her young nurturing and protecting them. For young chicks, there is no safer place than under a mother’s wings. When we dwell in God, through prayer and time in his word, God’s faithfulness is a protective shield to the believer.
The Lord covers us with his wings. His faith is a shield. God is our defender and faithful protector.
God will fight for us. We are not alone.
For the Christian, there is no safer place to be than in God’s refuge.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I praise You, you are worthy, Glory to God, Thank you for a father’s heart toward me. May you wrap me in your fierce and protective love, with your mighty wings drawn tight around me, as the enemy rages against me. Than you God that you fight for me, your faithful promises wipe my fear far away and calm my anxious heart. God you are my shield and my strength. Thank you, God, for providing all I need in times of trouble. I humbly submit myself. In Jesus name.
For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
God not only intervenes to protect us from traps as well as diseases.
“Surely He shall deliver thee.” This reminds us that deliverance from danger is never accidental; it is always the result of a divine act ordered by God.
This verse gives believers confidence that God will protect his people from the schemes (traps) of the fowler (satan). We can trust God in most dire troubling circumstances.
Do not give up. Focus your eyes on God’s word. God hasn’t forgotten you. God is our safety in a harsh world.
Simply put, Psalms 91:3 insurs us believers that we are safe in God’s hands no matter the circumstances, situation, or struggles. This verse ensures deliverance spiritually and physically from all harm.
That is a Great Amazing Promise of God. Let’s claim this promise today.
Promise
Prayer
Lord, your word says — those who dwell in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Lord, I thank you that you are powerful enough to do mighty things. There is nothing you can’t do. When I am weak, you are strong. My hope is in you, Lord. Thank you for rescuing me and my family from every trap and protecting us from every deadly disease. I stand on Your promises today – and pray this over myself and my family –spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally-believing Your Word is true and faithful, which does not come back void – because you are faithful. I put all my trust in you, my Lord, and Savior today, and every day for the victory is in Jesus’ mighty name. Thank you for rescuing me and my family. Amen!
HomeTaylor Creek Atlantic Beach, NCMy Sanctuary Spot – Taylor CreekMy favorite – Beaufort NCNew Bern NCTaylor CreekBeaufort NC
I am missing home after moving to Florida 10 months ago to be near my only child and grandchildren. Yet I am torn. If I move back, my immediate family stays in Florida. Will NC feel like home if I move back? Is it memories of all of us in NC pulling me? Torn.
Have you ever made a major move and regretted it?
What is your dream destination of home? Where would you live?
Life can be a lot like this tree. Things start off great in our growth, and then an unexpected turn can leave us twisted. An example would be fear of rejection. Yet eventually, through the pressure of lessons, we figure out the twist, and our paths become straight again. If you don’t learn the lesson the first time, the lesson keeps repeating over and over. When you find yourself on the same lesson for the third time. Please stop, breathe, and take notes to figure out the mystery of the lesson. Stop the repetition.
While at Lake Morton today, I was reflecting on life and the fear of rejection, which I have struggled with for years ( tree lesson/ repeated lessons), and this duck caught my attention. The duck and I share similarities. It’s obvious the duck didn’t fit in with the White Ibises birds. The old me would have wanted to fit in with the group, not seeing we are different. The group of birds were shunning the duck, yet the duck was oblivious to the shunning being content in her solitary spot on grass, alone and happy. I realized I’m a lot like the duck I found at Lake Morton today. After having gone through twisted growth for several seasons, as the tree above, I am on a straightened path again. I learned the lesson. It’s OK to be alone for a season or seasons. Rejection doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. Solitary seasons are about discovery of yourself, to learn, thrive, and grow yourself a solid foundation that can’t be rocked by life’s storms. Rejection can be good ( I can’t believe I’m saying that, lol). I just recently discovered that white Ibises birds aren’t to be fed or associated with as they transmit samonella. That rejection was about protection of you, and that’s the mystery of the lesson of twisted tree knots.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Biblegateway
Isn’t it beautiful, that no matter what we go through big or small in life, we can declare (Speak) : “He (God) is my refuge and my fortress” to me this is a place of protection like a castle with imprenetratable walls, what I am incapable of in human form, God provides supernaturally in spiritual realm. “My God, in whom I trust.” I trust God, I place my trust in God, he died for me a sinner, in that I could live and when I repented of my sins, I became his child. As a child I trust my father when I’m scared, in that he will protect me and my family.
Today, a small challenge, cast your burdens ( problems) upon God. Declare:
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Let your burdens go, let God fight for you on your behalf. Trust in God, he is able to handle the big and small.
Humbly we come before you, giving you praise and honor. Thank you, Lord, for this day and for providing all our needs.
God, we give you glory. Thank you that you fight for us, your creation.
We suit up to stand in faith, putting on the whole Armor of God. We faithfully apply Armor of God to those individuals yet to enter your kingdom standing in the gap. Thank you, Lord, for the Helmet of Salvation, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of Truth, Shield of Faith, Sword of the Spirit, and the Shoes the Gospel of Peace.
We declare Gods word over us, declaring the powerful protection of Psalms 91.
Thank you, Lord, for going before us and being our forward and rear guard.
Thank you, God, as your agape love arises all around us.
Thank you, God, for your warrior angels firmly planted around us and our loved ones, protecting them spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We are not defeated. God is for us. STRAIGHTEN your Crown!
Rise up, Breathe and Exhale, God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Embrace this day as a new beginning. God is for you.
For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God!
If you’re not saved, simply repent (regret) of your sins, asking God for his forgiveness, God knows your heart and sincerity, at that moment God enters your heart and you declare Jesus is Lord.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus!
Remember, you are not alone. You are loved unconditionally by God!
God knows your heart, and he is working it all out. Have faith, sing songs of praise. Jesus deserves all the glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray . Amen.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
God knows our hearts. There is no tricking God , he knows whether we believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again. Once a human heart decides to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, immediately that person is born from above by power of Holy Spirit and then can freely express out of thier mouth “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
“Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and the Spirit of God abides in him.”
I mention the red Bible I found in the motel drawer. Here is the story behind “Monday Scripture” in the post below.
Time has passed, and I am not so young. My old love went away, breaking my heart each day, isn’t that enough? Then you take our little girl, treating me like I was dirt. Must you destroy her too? There I stood in that motel room, believing all was lost. In that old drawer were words that leaped up, a gift of a bible. It was as if an eternity had passed, and your words just grabbed me up. You walked every step of my life as it fell apart all those years ago. Pushing me up, swirling colors of emotion playing a love song made just for me! You reached down and brought me up from the depths of despair and encircled me with your love. The melody of the song drawing me ever near to love so profound and dear! I thought I would surely die until you showed me how to fight. Not with weapons, hate, or violence, only with love, could wrong be undone. I knelt before you, and that candlelight glowed! I prayed for the one who tried to destroy my soul! Mercy and Protection Words of forgiveness flowed The light dissolved my pain, turning my scars into beauty, dignity, and respect. Embraced by my heavenly father’s love, the Holy Spirit in motion. Heard my cries down on my knees crying out; father, please! In the wink of an eye, he placed my child back in my loving arms. All things are possible for those who believe, just like when God serenaded a wretch like me? With his love song, long ago.
Heavenly Father, I glorify and lift you, because you are worthy, worthy of praise, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, Healer, Advocate, Almighty, Author, and Perfecter of Our Faith, Deliver, Faithful and True! The Great I Am, the King of Kings, the Light of the World. Humbly, I offer gratitude and thanks for all you have done in my life and all that you will do still. I praise you for you are Holy and I love you, I adore you, the lifter of my soul. Lord, I pray just as you poured your loves song into me that you would pour it out to all who are in need tonight who are going through the storms of life. May you serenade them with the word, which is truth, and encircle them with your overflowing, unconditional love, in Jesus’s name. Amen!
I love reading all of Psalms 91. I pray it over my family continuously. The first time I read this powerful prayer was in a desperate situation, in a motel room, over 30 years ago, where I found a red Gideon bible in the nightstand drawer. I can only tell you I was led to that passage supernaturally. I prayed Psalms 91 over my small daughter and myself.
I called on God in prayer, and I had no one else. I was trusting God to help me. I poured out my situation.I began to experience a peace I can’t explain. In my weakened state, I felt Gods strength. My child and I went under God’s protective care.God became our refuge.
I still have that red Gideon bible as it carried me and my child through a dark time. I am grateful to God for his mercy and grace.
My challenge to readers today is to open your Bible, including myself, start reading Psalms 91, research , verse by verse, and learn the meaning of this beautiful, powerful Psalms. Next week on Monday Scriptue, we will go over verse 2.
Please share your thoughts in the comment section. I look forward to reading.
Blessings, have a great week!
Spend time with God. Talk to him. Read Psalms 91 over you and your family. God hears you.
Imagine whether male or female. You are in need of healing in your body. Let go like the dancer as you listen to Micheal Smiths’ “Healing Rain.” Just maybe, the breakthrough is in the “Dance of Worship”to our God whose stripes we are healed by….as living water flows from heaven, and we just need to act on faith. Love and Blessings. 🌻🐝💛☀️🙌🙏
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Ephesians 5:29 no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,Speak well over your life. Your body is listening. This is my body, my only body, gifted by God. I will cherish and care for my body. A day with no gadgets. Only stillness, peace, and being one with God’s creation. Meditating on God’s creation and his wonders, praising and worshiping God.Iron sharpens Iron. A nature walk with a close friend. Sunshine and Salt Air, healing combinations. Gratitude Sunsets, giving God all the glory.
We all lack the power to change anyone. Change is a personal choice that must come from within yourself. There is only one who can change me, and that is Jesus or myself. Working daily to improve myself doesn’t always mean I am successful. Failure only comes from not trying.
Trigger points are a work in progress that land me in trouble on occasion. Triggers go off like bombs with no warning. This season is hard as I work daily to unfuse those trigger bombs learned in survival mode. Most people never examine or address the triggers most of us have developed. A trigger can simply be caused by not replacing the toilet roll, causing anger and outbursts to others. Yet if we examine the root cause of anger with the trigger, we can retrain our brain on how to respond better. Instead, acknowledge your anger at not having no toliet paper. Ask how can I change this with new solutions. Put several rolls in the basket nearby. Reach inside the cabinrt to get a new roll. Calm yourself down reminding the family that we all need to do our part. Triggers come from different stages of our lives. We can do all things through Christ, even changing trigger responses. The great news is that when Jesus called us, he took us as we were and knew all our weaknesses.
God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). His grace is not only amazing, it is ‘sufficient’. I am so grateful, aren’t you?
Holy Spirit motivates us to do more and live better. Let’s retrain our triggers with Jesus, we will triumph.
Won’t be much longer. She is crumbling under the onslaught. The enemy thought he had her… She lay in bed, numb, unable to get up, and lacked motivation. Her whole body ached. Her mind was racing anxious as she opened her eyes, worry set in, list after list of all she needed to do today. She gasped for air, and her air hunger is worse, along with palpitations and a list of ailments. Please let me get through the day without IBS, migraines, or injury. Her fall last week, taking out trash, resulted in her wrist being fractured, and the cast was heavy, and it was her dominant hand. No writing or art until healed. The whole house was chaotic, everyone arguing. There had been an atmospheric change in her homes energy. Peace was vacant. With the past years’ struggles and division within her family, the signs slipped past her as she grappled to just hang on. The pain became numb, and she dissociated. Haullinations are weird when you’re numb because fear is removed. Did she really just see that out the corner of her eye, she barley blinked, and she saw it again. She ignored it. Thyroid must be flaring, time to get labs. Thyroid is on the rise, new dosage, anxiety is back with its best friend panic attack. Phone rings, come home, moms not good. Race to pack, too late, two hours later, she passed. Didn’t make it home in time. Mom, my Sunshine is home with God. What will I do without my best friend. I can’t cope. Nightmares begins, won’t they stop. Waking in the middle of the night, feeling like she’s covered in cobwebs, what poked her in her back. Phone rings, your baby brothers found dead, and screams are trapped in my head. How can this be? The cloud of oppression over my head doesn’t allow me to pray. I can’t even remember the words of yesteryear . Why didn’t God answer all those prayers on addiction and save your brother the enemy taunts. Unexplained events in my home, activity that’s not explainable. I’m starting to think ….am I crazy?
Photo by u0410u043du0430u0441u0442u0430u0441u0438u044f u0411u0435u043au043au0435u0440 on Pexels.com
The above descriptions are a personal example of spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is more common than Christians believe. A person can be discouraged lacking spiritual desire, begin doubting God, experience sickness, intrusive negative thoughts, then old wounds and triggers resurface, bringing guilt, shame, and condemnation. As if that isn’t enough, you question what you believe, am I really saved, what about my family? Prayer life suffers as you struggle to find words. All you can do is moan and cry. Suddenly, you look around. You are all alone. You are rejected on all sides as relationships fall apart, of those loved ones dear and near to your heart. God where are you?
Do you relate to this example of spiritual warfare? Does it seem familiar? Do not be afraid for God will not forsake you. God will fight for you.
The good news is Jesus has already won the battle and is victorious.
The bible states in Ephesians 6:12, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ”
As a believer, pray on the armor of God over yourself and stand in the gap for your family as they learn to pray themselves. Cover all your family.
Heavenly Father, I am you child, I believe and trust in you to protect all who are my loved ones, I repent of any sin , known and unknown. Humbly I stand before you as I prepare for battle. The enemy has attacked, coming in like a flood , I believe the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against the enemy. God, you are our refuge and our help in times of trouble. Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation, girdle of truth, shoes of peace, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, and the sword of the spirit. Today and every day, I claim victory in Jesus’ name.
Lord , I humbly pray for you to cover myself and all my family as I plead your precious blood ,Jesus, over our lives, hearts, minds, and souls. Surround us with your pure white light spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. We thank you in advance for your divine protection, a hedge of unprentratable protection in spiritual realm and the world. All attacks of the enemy are hereby canceled, nullified, voided and dicentergrated as all enemy schemes, plans strategies and fiery darts are placed at foot of cross destroyed by Jesus sacrifice on the cross and the wonderful working redemptive power of the blood of Jesus we as believers are victorious everyday going forward in Jesus precious name. We take back all the enemy stole, restoration surrounds us, as we walk into our victorious future and all the plans and blessings God calls forth for his children. All Glory to God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Spiritual warfare happens to all Christians and believers. Stand your ground. God hears your moans and cries. God will not leave you defenseless. Stay armored up in prayer, stand in gap for those new in kingdom and the lost. Build a strong foundation, stay in the word, pray, and trust God.
How many of you love to read?Where do you like to read? My favorite reading spot was at a private library called Webbs. The building has a great atmosphere. Through the years, I brought each of my grandchildren to our local library, starting at age two. Our happy reading nook exudes charm and character, pulling you into the room with its coziness and personality. It was a wonderful place to be on a rainy day. There were puzzles to master, art to be created, and magic of books to be found. The gift of reading waiting to be mastered, to unlock little minds in great make-believe adventures.
My favorite book is the bible. As a child, I read Laura Ingalls , Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Where Wild Things Grow, and later Barbara Cartland, who taught me history and romance . My love of reading helped place me 1st in the local summer reading contest. Later, I fell in love with novels written by Doreatha Benton Frank. Frank Peretti, Piercing the Darkness is another favorite. Then my love of reading turned me to writing……just my Friday thoughts.
For you must survive, even though you feel like you are dying
Written By: Debra Hearn Jones
Have you ever gone through an ultimate betrayal, caused by someone you love unconditionally, that when you discover their betrayal, the shock catches you totally off guard, and your body’s response feels as though it reacted separately from your soul? Is it possible that you felt like you were split in two? Your body begins to convulse, wracked with uncontrollable sobs, and the pain, so piercing, that it burrows out from deep within your soul, putting you in survivor mode? Did you ever wonder, why does my body go into survivor mode? I will tell you why…….. “For you must survive, even though you feel like you are dying.”
Survive you say…? Why would I want to survive? My world has fallen apart; my pain is so deep I cannot even function. I feel like I am losing my mind, and I cannot even feel normal. I feel rejected, unloved and unworthy. How could someone I love, hurt me so deeply, and knowingly do it? Maybe it is time you heard the story of a young girl, named Rahab who not only survived, she overcame, and had a “Beautiful” life. This is her story.
The Book of Joshua tells the story of a young beautiful woman, named Rahab, who lived in the city of Jericho. Rahab loved her daddy very much. Her daddy was the one man she loved and trusted the most. Unknown to Rahab, the family was going through very harsh times, while she daydreamed, wondering who her father would give her hand in marriage too, she looked forward to the days of being a mother and raising her own family. On the day, she thought she was going to find out who her future husband would be, her daddy instead told her, he had no choice, but to sell her, into the oldest profession known to man; prostitution. In her father’s eyes, Rahab was the key link to the family’s survival.
I have often wondered, how Rahab, barely a teenager, could have even been prepared for what was ahead in this oldest of professions. How this child must have suffered from heartache, rejection, and feeling of being lost and alone. I can only imagine the strain it put on her relationships with her family. It is clear she did not like her circumstances, yet it was the hand she had been dealt. So Rahab, instead of falling apart, quickly began to do things her way. Rahab makes the best of her situation, by using her sharp mind to use her profession to advance herself and buy into a successful thriving inn. Because she lived near the wall of Jericho, there were many times she would hear the stories of the Hebrews “God” by the travelers who were passing through Jericho. Rahab had long ago denounced her peoples false God, she was intrigued with the Hebrew “God”, who had parted the sea for his people to escape from the Pharaoh. The Hebrews reputation preceded them, with rumors of war, and countless victories, cities fell at their feet. Their God was a mighty God. Then Rahab learned that he was a God who had great concern for his people. The Hebrews “God” was compassionate to his people, having forgiven them countless times, and then coming to rescue them, and bring them out of captivity. Something stirred in Rahab, in her soul, what would it feel like to have someone concerned about her that might care for her or even come to her rescue from the plight she had been dealt in life. Rahab also learned that the Hebrews did not tolerate, harlots, that they actually stoned them to death. Even knowing this Rahab choose to love God and began to pray for him.
Would God love her, would he be concerned for her, despite the horrible life she had a lead, could he find compassion enough to forgive her, and come rescue her from a life of pure hell. When Rahab began to pray to God, she knew there was a good chance of rejection once more in her life, Rahab was not Hebrew, she had committed horrible sins, yet she prayed on faith and walked on faith that God would hear her cries. The one thing I noticed about Rahab is that she is persistent in all matters. She does not take “NO” for an answer. Very soon an opportunity presented itself to Rahab that was her chance, to be heard by God through the Hebrews. When Joshua, sent two spies to Jericho, to search out the city, the King discovered they were there and began to search for them, to put them to death. Rahab on learning this then changed her own life, if discovered, and provided the two spies with a hiding place on the rooftop of her inn. Rahab made the spies vow, and swear unto her by the Lord, that because she showed them kindness, that in return kindness would be shown back to her fathers’ house, giving her a true token. The spies promised, our lives for yours, and then Rahab helped them to escape and return to Joshua with a full report. Later when the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab and her whole family were saved, because Rahab looked past her circumstances, and believed God would deliver her and her family. The story does not stop here. Rahab did not just survive; her life and all her family’s lives were spared death and destruction, and Rahab overcame and received deliverance.
After Jericho fell, Rahab, resettled into Israel, and then later married Salmon, an aristocrat at the time. Rahab then bore Boaz, a faithful man of God. If you go to Matthew Chapter 1:5, and you follow the genealogy, you will discover that Rahab by walking on faith had spiritual and physical deliverance and when she married into the Judah tribe, she became an ancestor in the lineage of Jesus. What a profound story this is, a woman sold into prostitution, rejected by her family, faced death to hide two spies, who she knew was in Joshua army, who lead by the most high God, the God of heaven and earth, and Rahab’s life and all her families lives were spared, turning her life over to God and through his mercy, she was restored, married into the Lord’s family, and raised a Godly son, Boaz who later married Ruth.
So no matter what your past, there is a merciful and loving God who does indeed love you, who is concerned for you, who has compassion, and will come and rescue you.
If you are looking back on your past and wanting a new future, a restored life, follow the command of Act 2:38:
“38Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
What a wonderful and merciful God we serve. A God of Second Chances, who will take a harlot, with a darkened past, transform her, into a great saint of faith, and put her in the direct lineage of Jesus.
God puts people on our path for a reason. Usually, I’m wondering, will the encounter be about me or them or both of us learning a new lesson ? Time will tell. Neither one of us is perfect, and we both can learn from one another. How can we improve one anothers lives? How will new relationships be cultivated?
Let me ask you a question “Do you remember what it feels like to be the new guest at church?” “ Do you remember, how you felt as the new guest? Did you have insecurities? Were you afraid? Did you fear rejection? Who helped you overcome these obstacles?
When I came to church as a “Lost” person I was looking for two things; one a Godly connection and two a human connection. The world had burnt out my emotions, feelings, and responses to other humans. Then the enemy was constantly in my mind, telling me all kinds of negative things about the church and its people. Examples – they do not love you, they do not want you, and they will never accept you. All the negative thoughts were a lie.
God’s invitation and love draw the lost guest to the church. God draws the newcomer to his house by invitation. The battle to get a lost soul across the churches’ doorstep is a great spiritual battle. God uses the body of the church and his saints to work in service to share the gospel in that they, the lost, may hear the truth of our Lord and Savior being saved.
When you are in church and a new guest arrives, how will you treat them and interact with them? Will you say hello? Will you try to get to know them over a period of time or are you content to just shake hands and smile, then nod and welcome them quickly going back to your seat? How can the newcomer relationship be cultivated?
Personally, I try to be welcoming to all the new guests, as I go around during meet and greet, shaking hands. Most newcomers are shy or withdrawn. I try to put them at ease in greeting. Some are receptive, and others are not. How do I cultivate a relationship with unreceptive individuals.
I do my best to be Christ like in my behavior, encouraging and uplifting. Sometimes, I feel like I’m failing the newcomer. Then I withdraw. Then God brings that exact same person right back into my path. Just maybe, it is I who has something to learn from this individual. My failure led me to pray. Opening my bible, I’m drawn to Romans 14, and there, clear as a bell was my answer. God’s word on cultivating new relationships.
We are to welcome new believers with open arms who do not see things the way we do.
We are not to jump on them when we disagree, for they are weak in the faith.
We are to be disciplined in our actions.
We are to treat them gently.
We are not to cross people off the guest list or to interfere with God’s Welcome.
If a person needs corrections or manners, pray about it, and let God handle it.
Remember we answer to Jesus, not each other.
Remember Christ died for these souls, our souls; we are to love pray and protect them.Please be very sensitive and courteous to all new comers, as not to stop the free exchange of God’s love.
Going forward, newcomers are to be welcomed. Avoid disagreements, lest you wreck Gods work among you! The main objective is to share the truth and love of Jesus!
So, in closing, let me ask you, “What relationship have you cultivated lately?” Will you cultivate new relationships? Go the extra step…I have faith , your endeavor will be successful as God went before you in the invitation.
My evening walk led me by this tree giving me joy, as the tree appears to be praising God.
Discarded Art at Apartment Trash Bin
Shortly thereafter, I noticed several items at the trash bin. As an art lover, I wanted a closer look. Can you see the two swans? Discarded items don’t stay long at trash bin, most items left by tensnts moving out. Other tenants quickly grab up treasures.
Moonlight
The night came quickly, check out that pretty moon.
Goodnight Readers.
I appreciate all of you very much. I spent most of the day working out issues with my blog.
Tonight and tomorrow, I have no planned posts.
Prayer
May God’s right hand cover us all spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally . Giving each of us rest in his holy wings, which shields and protects all of us and our families. We praise you almighty God, as you fight for us, having confidence you will not forsake us. Thank you, God, for providing all our needs. Thank you, God, as we lay down to sleep, we are all covered in the armor of God, and our minds are protected as we drift into beautiful dreams inspired by our creator. Thank you God for warrior angels on standby protecting our families, friends, homes, business, schools, vehicles, travel where ever we stand, surrounding us all in a holy hedge of protection, pleading precious blood over all our families and love ones in Jesus name. AMEN.
Just wanted to let readers and follow bloggers know that when I comment, I almost always end my comments with 2 emoji 🌻🐝.
The Sunflower represents my mom, who my blog is dedicated too, as she always inspired me. My mom is my ☀️. The bee represents me as writer/blogger/ commenter.
A real friend loves you enough to speak the truth to you, whether you like it or not, even when you chose that dress that’s too small, make bad decisions, or harasses you to stop your bad habits and let’s you know red flags in your relationships.
A real friend will get down in the mud with you, cry and rage just hold you, then pulls you back up, when you are grieving or heartbroken.
A real friend speaks truth in Love and that is Mercy!
A real friend doesn’t judge.
A real friend sees you worth and that the best is yet to come.
My real friend is Jesus he has done all the above and more!
I believe the artist is Kevin Carden.
Get to know Jesus. He welcomes everyone and wants a relationship with you! A more trusting friend you will never find!
The enemy pushes the strategy of Lack of HOPE all around, trying to stomp out faith. When I feel caught up in negativity, I must go back to the basics:
1. Stop
2. Breathe
3. Be Still
4. Pray More
5. Recite Grateful Affirmations.
Focusing on God’s promises that Hope isn’t absent, we must build up our faith, which leads to hope.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
Now the last thing I suggest is for you to put on your best stomping boots and stomp that ole enemy under your feet, as you go from victory to victory.
The expectations you have of others will always break your heart.
Example: A person was brought up to believe “Family is Everything.” This person was always available to help and support family crisis or needs. Assuming the rest of the family followed this belief. Then this person ended up in hospital. No visits, no support, no ride home, no cooked casseroles……left feeling abandoned, then heartbroken by expectations not being met by family.
Jesus said, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return…” (Luke 6:35).
Jesus warns us above in Luke 6:35, we are to love, do good, lend, with I believe a carefree heart, yet expect nothing in return.
Expectation broke this person’s heart, not the family.
So when you do Sunday Family Dinners, do so with a carefree heart. Stay in peace, expect nothing in return. Enjoy your family with no expectations.
Carefree Family Dinner
Just my thoughts….and yes, this was a hard lesson to learn personally.
My new Keriug I got for my birthday is in retirement until the rising costs of kpods drops, too expensive for a big coffee drinker like me.
I’m up early, brewing coffee in an old Mr.Coffee relic slowly trying to wake up as I am anticpating hot coffee with creamer and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
My thoughts drifted to last night as I watched a beautiful sunset. I was thinking about love ones who have passed. My parents, two brothers, and my aunt.
Grief is hard. Disassociation protects, and I can’t feel anything. 😪 The ache inside is unbearable. I want to cry, yet I can’t. I’m not ready to talk to anyone but God. Only problem is I can’t open up quite yet. However, a hug would go a long way. My Mom and Aunt Helen gave best hugs, tight and full of love. I miss them dearly. 😢
I am grateful for memories, all my loved ones, and this cup of coffee, today. Moving forward one step at a time.
God, you are worthy. I GIVE YOU PRAISE!! Thank you for giving me strength for every hill I had to climb, for every GOLIATH I had to slay, and for every mountain, I had to move.
Thank you for forgiving me for every wrong decision and for wiping all my tears.
Thank you for rejection, as it was good to move people away for my protection.
Thank you for every time I did not fit in, for every night I cried out your name because I felt so all alone, making me depend and trust on you more, becoming the WOMAN I am today!
All these events taught me I was never alone; God,you were always with me. God, you never left me nor forsaked me. Why?
Agape Love. Because of how you (God) LOVES me.
Now I‘ll let you in on a big truth the enemy doesn’t want you to know.
Jesus LOVES you just the same! Wrap that Agape pLove in your heart tonight. SLEEP WELL.
Lord, cover all who are affected by divorce. Lord, without judgment, we place parents and children of divorce anew in your hands and acknowledge you as Master and Lord over their lives. Grant the gift of forgiving hearts and cleanse them of any anger, hostility, bitternes, or revenge. Heal their hurts and wounds and surround them in agape love, teach them to rely on your love. Grant them wisdom of heart and strengthen them by your grace to move on in faith, in trust, and in love. Thank you, Lord, for your love in all lives. Help all of us to be sensitive to emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of children and parents who are in spiritual warfare going through divorce or those who are divorced.
Enable us to reach out in love. May our churches be compassionately aware of the pain endured by separated and divorced members. May they always welcome them. Grant the parents the ability to respect each other through a trying and difficult time. Especially we pray, O God, teach how to reach out to all our separated and divorced families with love, compassion, and understanding. Amen.
I wrote this post because I bear witness to those hurt countless times by rejection of believers of those in faith while going through unforeseen separation or divorce. Do not shun God’s children. Do not reject them due to their circumstances. Do not exclude children based on parents’ marital status. Lest you interfere with Gods invitation on their lives.
We all fall short of the Glory of God.. There are none without sin. We are commanded to love one another. Embrace and cover with agape love. Pray over them. Your prayers may be the only thing holding them in church when their world is falling apart and the devil is trying to snatch them. Divorce is spiritual warfare as it rips entire levels of generations apart. Pray protection, love and peace, speaking Psalms 91 over these precious children of God.
Lord God ,please forgive us this day for our sins.I ask you to go before us and be our forward , side and rear guard. Place a guard over our mouths. Let our words be like sweet like honey. Lord, thank you for covering our loved ones and friends spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally under thy wings. Lord, let your pure white light shine over each of us as a holy shield. I plead the blood of Jesus giving thanks for your divine hedge of protection on our families, friends , church and most important0, the lost.
Through the power and authority of Jesus Christ, let the Lord rebuke evil and rebuke the enemy and rebuke demonic and spiritual attacks. Let the Lord rebuke unbelief, diseases, sickness, virus, cancer and autoimmune diseases, ISIS, enemies and war.
I unleash from heaven, God’s chosen army to defend us, minister and help in our day of need in the very hour and presence we cry out. I unleash abundant Unconditional Love,Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, & Self-Control, Unity, Healings.
I unleash victory through Jesus Christ our redeemer! Lord let your face shine upon us, as you lead and guide us. In Jesus name . Amen!
For more prayers of protection, please read the following link:
Hello Beautiful World! May I introduce myself, my birth name is Debra, meaning the Bee, and I created “Beetreegathering blog.”
I am neither young nor old, sharing my scars, for they are my story, and I see them as stars.
I love all people the human race, and I come to share with you, my voice, an instrument used by one greater than me, for when he called my name, I gladly said Yes, and now I am forever his, a princess, for my father is a king, who I adore and Love with all my heart.
Come one, come all, will you accept the invitation to the grandest “Beetree Gathering” tea party?
The chairs adorned with teal silk rosettes, a lavish angel spread laidupon the friendship table, covered with crystal water glasses catching the last rays of the days sunshine. I have placed out my best china teacups waiting to hold tea or coffee of your choice, with sapphire blue vases holding pink carnations, their scent permeating the air. Please, have a seat, your special seating awaits you, this chair is for you!
Why? Don’t you know? Haven’t you guessed?
I extend to each of you my hand and offer it in friendship, I hope you will accept my invitation and attend my tea party, here at “bee tree- Gathering!”
I am giving my readers a party, to show my gratitude. There is no charge, the gathering is FREE!
First and foremost, thank you for reading my blog. I appreciate all your likes and comments, thankful for the precious time you gave reading my thoughts.
Allow me the honor to know you by giving me a little rhyme or introduction, for my father has many children and many mansions. I am excited to meet you in my “Messages” below!
I enjoy watching squirrels off my patio, as they forge going from tree to tree.
However, since moving into my apartment, there has been one squirrel I’m at war with as he loves to come on my patio and tear up my plants, spraying dirt out of the planters.
Today, my friend enemy squirrel began haressing me early. Bob, the squirrel, has stolen ornaments from my planter in the past. I look out the door, and he is in the middle of my Bird of Paradise planter, caught red-handed stealing another treasure.
I open the door and shoo him off. Then Bob squirrel taunts me……
bee-tree Gathering 