Old Testament Carol

thought

 

It’s Advent.

Christmas is coming–

 

  • Lights
  • Presents
  • Carols!

Ah yes, the music of Christmas. Let’s start with O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

This carol dates back more than a thousand years, written by some unknown monk, someone who understood both the Old and New Testaments. It explains how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies of the Messiah.

Emmanuel means God with us. God-in-the-Tabernacle with the Israelites, God-in-the-manger at Christmas, God-on-the-cross at Easter, God-in-our-hearts today.

“O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.”

Cheered by Advent. So be it, amen.bless-cheerful

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Color Me Thankful

discipline

 

 

I’m thankful for color:

 

  • the brown of roast turkey and my grandsons’ eyes
  • the red of cherry dessert and weathered barns
  • the green of pickles and pine trees
  • the white of marshmallows and highway lines
  • the orange of sweet potatoes and the new kitten
  • the black of ground pepper and the night sky

It’s a bright and beautiful world!bless grateful

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God Bless Us All

Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Architect

 

 

Thank you, Lord, for

 

 

the people I love,
the people I like,
the people I don’t like, and
the people who don’t like me.

amen

Bless them, each and every one.

\

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Instead of Complaining, Give Thanks

 

Rock solid

 

Blaise Pascal lived just 39 years, from 1623 to 1662–a brilliant young mathematician, inventor and Christian author. He was wise beyond his years and his era.

 

“Instead of complaining that God had hidden himself,
you will give Him thanks for having revealed so much of Himself.”

For God’s goodness revealed at our Thanksgiving tables . . . let us give thanks.bless grateful

 

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Have It All

blueprint

 

We want the good life. We want to have it all.

 

 

James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

God wants us to have it all. Including trials.bless soul pic

 

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God Said, “Everything”

thought

 

 

What tops your gratitude list?

 

  • My family
  • My home
  • My salvation
  • My troubles

Troubles? Ha! You’d have to be crazy to be thankful for all the bad stuff that comes your way. Except . . .

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
In everything give thanks.

God could have said, “In every good thing, give thanks.” But he didn’t. He is quite clear, “everything.”

So what trials go on your gratitude list—money troubles? Family problems?

Even politics?

Everything.bless grateful

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My Stone

Architect

 

I am a stone for those around me. I can and should be an Ebenezer, a stepping stone. Or I can be a stumbling block.

 

I noticed a co-worker today just because of her frown. For her, a frown is a rare event. She’s always good for a word of encouragement, a joke or a happy story.  Unlike the doom-and-gloom fellow with his steady stream of complaints. I once told him, “there’s never a sunny day where you can’t find a dark cloud.” He offered a nod of solemn agreement. 

Oh Lord, make me a stepping stone! Amen.
smile 1

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I Choose Stepping Stone

romans-14_20

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Ebenezer Stones

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These faithful foundation stones are our congregation’s Ebenezers.

 

 

1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

foundation-1

Here today only through the Lord’s help.bless soul pic

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Fascinating Foundation

discipline

 

Guess what stood out to me the first time I saw our church building?

 

 

The foundation, with its fascinating variety of unique stones.

foundation-1

This building is over 100 years old. The congregation is 260 years old.

Christ is our cornerstone, absolutely. But long parade of unique people support the many ministries of today’s congregation. Yep, we have a fascinating foundation.bless-their_souls

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