Gemstone Colors for Your Christmas Tree!

 Is it Christmas yet?!!  A 5-minute video that whets your appetite for Christmastime.

Decorating hint: gem 💎 tones + sparkle ✨+ gold = awesome 🎄 tree!

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Christmas 2021: Just the Name We Need

IMMANUEL: God with us.  What does it mean? 

Sermons -- Warren Wiersbe

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Max Lucado & Fixer Upper

I was in the middle of binge-watching HGTV's Fixer Upper when Joanna Gaines mentioned to Chip that the lady client, Sarah Jones, happen to be Max Lucado's daughter.  Happy Birthday to author, Max Lucado (born January 11, 1955).

Mr Lucado performed Sarah's wedding to Jeff Jones in year 2014 and wanted the Gaines to include words in a prayer to God that he had written which were part of their wedding service.

A WEDDING PRAYER

Would you take these two,
of dust and bone,
Born of flesh, then you,
Would you make them one?

Would you speak again
The words you spoke
When Adam slept
And Eve awoke?

Would you let your wine
Replace our water.
And look with grace
On this son, this daughter?

Oh Lord of Eden
In your majesty
Create again
Your tapestry

One heart
Where there were two.
This is the prayer
We lift to you.

by Max Lucado

The Gaines came through with the request.  See how they did it in the episode called:  "A Young Couple Hopes for a House With Old World Charm" (Season 3, Episode 9).

a fave quote

Max Lucado

Written for the wedding of Jeff Jones and Sara Lucado

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Whoa! Persecution for their Christian Faith Results in This

An example of what has happened, may need to happen, and will happen as Christians the world over are hunted-down for their faith in Christ Jesus.

And the Lord,

he it is that doth go before thee;

 he will be with thee, 

he will not fail thee,

 neither forsake thee:

fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

FB: Release International

34.01.2020

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Your Best Life: Be Not Afraid

I have felt anxious recently. No meds required, only this reminder:  Jesus speaks ...

but there are also other voices trying to choke out and dismiss His voice; 

 voices of doubt, fear, hopelessness, despair, guilt;

voices that lie, discourage and kill; voices that say: it’s no use, no need to pray, hope or try anymore; it’s a dead end situation, it’s over, it’s worthless; it can’t change; it’s obviously impossible. 

But listen to His voice instead of the world’s voices. He speaks Truth. He brings the dead to life. He does what no one else can do.

So, listen to His Words: “DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE!”

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, 

Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master 

any further?

 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, 

he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, 

Be not afraid, only believe. 

( Mark 5:35,36)

-- via Mirela, fb

Dear Joy Behar

Women & Nature

******

Dealing with Hateful People in our Lives

Remembering Corrie ten Boom on her birthday!

The story:

Beverly Theater in Los Angeles, 1975: At the premiere of the motion picture, The Hiding Place, (the story of Corrie ten Boom and her family), a tear gas canister was thrown into the theater. The guests were evacuated. (The movie was premiered the following evening. Also, due to the terror attack and subsequent media attention, the movie had remarkable success.)

At a reception later that evening, ten Boom spoke in her distinctive Dutch accent: “People asked me tonight, ‘What did you feel about this [tear-gas] bomb that was falling?’ I was touched. I was sad. Do you know why? Not only because there was in some way disappointment for people who had hoped to see the film but because on that bomb was the Hakenkreuz, the [Nazi] swastika.

“What we have to do,” said Corrie ten Boom, “is love these people who hate us—love them, pray for them. These people are wounded people who have hate in their hearts. They need forgiveness. They need the Lord. That is the answer we must give.”

--> Link

Hanukkah and Christmas are celebrated on the same date in 2016

Hanukkah and Christmas are celebrated on the same date this year.

Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah

The Lord Jesus observed the celebration of Hanukkah in the Temple during the winter of AD 29 (?) (Jn 10:22–39). Just prior to this account in John 10, the Apostle John gives two “illustrations” (10:6) of Jesus as the Good Shepherd (10:1–5 and 10:7–10) and records Jesus’ interpretation of these parables (10:11–18).

The Jewish reader would immediately pick up the messianic connotation of this discourse. The Davidic Messiah would be a Shepherd (Ezek 34).

As Jesus walked thorough Solomon’s porch on the east side of the Temple enclosure, some Jews approached Him and asked Him point-blank, “Are you the Messiah?” (10:24). Jesus had to be careful how He answered that question. During the festival, throngs of Jews, caught up in the nationalistic fever, were visiting Jerusalem. The word “Messiah” might spark off riots because of its heavy nationalistic and political overtones.

Roman intelligence, headquartered in the Antonia’s Fortress to the northwest of the Temple, was aware of a popular song entitled “A Psalm of Solomon, with Song, to the King.” In this song, composed during the mid-first century BC by a Pharisee, the Messiah was acknowledged as King and a Davidic ruler that would reign forever. He describes how the latter Hasmonean rulers led the people away from Torah, and how the Romans under the leadership of Pompey punished the people in 63 BC. The Pharisee prays that the Lord will raise up a king, the Son of David, to rule over Israel. In so doing, this king would “destroy the unrighteous rulers,” “purge Jerusalem from Gentiles,” “drive out the sinners,” “smash the arrogance of sinners,” and “destroy the unlawful nations”! Their king, the Lord Messiah, would do all this! (Psalm of Solomon 17).

If Jesus had answered the question “yes,” the Roman authorities would have arrested Him on the spot for insurrection. Jesus does, however, answer the question in the affirmative, but not directly. When He answers, He is careful not to use the contemporary term and understanding. After pointing out the security that a believer in the Lord Jesus has because of faith in Him, He says, “I and My Father are one!” (10:30). That statement had heavy religious overtones for the festival which they were presently celebrating. Those gathered on the Temple Mount recalled the events nearly 200 years before on the very mount where Antiochus IV, a mere man, proclaimed himself to be god. Jesus, God manifest in human flesh, made the same claim—but His claim was true. The Jews picked up stones to stone Him for blasphemy because, in their thinking, He was a man who made Himself out to be God (10:31–33). Jesus declared that He was the fulfillment of Hanukkah by saying the Father “sanctified” the Son of God and sent Him into the world (10:34–36). The Father was in Him and He in the Father (10:38). If the Greek word “sanctified” were translated into Hebrew, it would be “dedication” or Hanukkah!

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken 46 years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body (2:19–21).

A wicked and corrupt priesthood had defiled Herod’s Temple. The sinless Lord Jesus was “sanctified” by His death, burial and resurrection and is the New Temple.

The Apostle John selected “signs” (miracles) and events when he penned his gospel, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to convey two purposes (20:30, 31). The first was to present the deity of the Lord Jesus. John skillfully selects the Hanukkah event because of the festival impact on the crowd. In contrast to the arrogant and blasphemous statement by Antiochus IV, Jesus truly is God manifest in human flesh. The second purpose was to challenge people to put their trust (believe) in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who died for their sins and rose again from the dead. When they trust Him, God gives them the gift of eternal life, forgiveness of sins and a home in Heaven. There seems to be a marked contrast between the response of the Jews on the Temple Mount (10:37–39) and those “beyond the Jordan” who believed on Him (10:40–42). What is your response? Have you trusted the One who is the fulfillment of Hanukkah?

Happy Hanukkah!

-- W.P. 

Bank Check Number #10000

We've written over 10,000 checks in our married life. IMO, such a large number is an indication, not of wealth, but of the steady depletion of our cash reserves. Having a large family tends to do that to you.  

Our new set of checks will have the verse below imprinted on it. It was Hubby's suggestion and choice. Had he noticed my despondency? Having had to write very many checks over the years to Payees named VISA, or Mortgage, or University, or Utilities, or Music Class, or Gift tends to have that effect. I'll see the Bible verse each time I write a check. Hopefully, it will focus my eyes off of our circumstances, and more on King Jesus. He does happen to own the cattle on a thousand hills (read: He's above Bill Gates on Forbes' list, the whole world is His, and He has the type of riches that money cannot buy).  Our wealth thru Christ is beyond measure. We will be okay. Being the daughter of a mighty King will tend to do that for you. Bring on the next 10,000 checks!

New Year 2010 Biblical Blessing from our Family to Yours!

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~ Numbers 6: 24-26

Happy New Year!

Valentino Mink satchel with Lizard for $ 12,600

He hit the world on the head

....from a man the Media has never been able to throw dirt on... amazing!!  He has certainly hit the "world" on the head!!

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!


'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good', but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. O Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free.  Amen!' 


Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story', and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God..'

(From a forwarded email...)

Merry Christmas !!

Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*As Targets was hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*

Wish everyone you meet during the holidays a  MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Mom & Cancer

My Mom's cancer has indeed metastasized, in spite of some glimmer of hope  last week that it had not. It has spread in her lungs, and to her brain (but not to her bones).  Our hope remains on the Lord God and His Word.  Yes, we pray for her physical healing; but we pray most of all that she would have the ultimate healing - the healing of her soul - available ONLY by faith on the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  It is a free gift available to anyone, anywhere, anytime (while in the land of the living).

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
~ Psalm 66

so beautiful! so smart!