When it seems as if God is far away, remind yourself that He is near. Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere.
From Psalm 8:1: “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.”
December’s barren ground
Autumn now long over
Snowflakes flying, earthbound
Winter’s white sweet clover
Village sleeping tonight
Children dreaming of snow
Crystal-clear sky’s moonlight
Changing to whitest glow
Beginning to drop in
Targeted flurries fall
Playful snowstorm begins
Winter finally calls
Snowy pace never wanes
Flakes now piling up high
Truckers reaching for chains
Driving where snowballs fly
Wishful, children wake up
Stirring with loudest cheers
Sleds ready for tune-up
White Christmas comes this year
Between life and death, there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever.
Regrets don’t leave. They weren’t mosquito bites. They itch forever.
Matt Haig (born 1975) is an English writer and journalist. Much of his writing focuses on novels with fictional themes for adults as well as children stories.
From 2 Corinthians 5:17-18: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
God’s living grace
Bends earthly lives
Word’s special place
Righteousness thrives
Forgiveness gifts
Mercy for all
Spirit uplifts
One man named Saul
Undeserved grace
Transforming hearts
Joy shall embrace
Life’s hope restarts
Redemption shared
Walking with Christ
Because God cared
Evil’s plan iced
Grace reconciled
Sins forgiven
Darkness exiled
Gospel-driven
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Experiencing the forgiveness God offers will transform every part of life.”
You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think.
From James 1:5-6: “ If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) lived in France where he served as a lay brother in a monastery in Paris. He is best remembered for his intimate relationship with God.
Guiding principle
Building lasting foundation—
Honesty always
Righteous citizens
Preserving lasting good name—
Sharing goodwill
Each generation
Integrity’s highest road
Inheriting trust
We can’t buy one minute of time with cash; if we could, rich people would live longer.
No friendship is an accident.
O. Henry, the pen name of William Henry Porter (1862-1910), was an American writer who mastered the art of crafting short stories.
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com
I woke up in the middle of the night last week. A muffled series of sounds were coming from the kitchen, and no doubt my beautiful wife was up to something.
She had been fasting all day after we both enjoyed a pleasant mid-morning brunch., and now her hunger harshly interrupted her need for sleep.
I rose out of bed and began to creep silently toward the kitchen.
In the meantime, my wife was in the process of raiding the fridge for a midnight smorgasbord. She had laid out a scrumptious feast on the kitchen counter with all kinds of tasty treasures.
She selected only three items, and was more than ready to sample a scrumptious, fried chicken leg and a cold piece of her favorite pepperoni pizza.
As I approached the kitchen, the only light was coming from the still-open refrigerator. As I slipped unannounced into the kitchen, my wife’s midnight buffet was serving up its final course . . . dessert of course!
She was enjoying her final choice . . . a slice of decadent triple chocolate cake.
She turned and was shocked to see me up at this midnight hour (since I am usually a very sound sleeper). She confidently told me, “I’m not night eating. It’s time for ‘nunch.’”
With her mouth full, she asked, “Do you want the final slice of this yummy cake?”
Photo by Abhinav Goswami on Pexels.com
Originally published November, 2019.
At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about what you’ve done with those accomplishments.
Ease is the greatest threat to progress.
Denzel Washington (born 1954) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received numerous awards for his acting performances, including two Academy Awards.
From Isaiah 35:10: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Facing constant waves
Overwhelming despair
Father seeking to save
Eternal grace cares
Bethlehem manger
Looking beyond today
Savior, joy’s game changer
Mercy’s light conveys
Hope breathes, Son of Man
King of Kings, Prince of Peace
God opens His divine plan
Joy’s new centerpiece
Angels’ choir deploys
Always singing above
Reflections full of joy
Peace filling with love
Scaling highest slopes
Locating lasting peace
Rebuilding life’s new hope
Joy shall never cease
Peace restored, anew
Joy’s steady, beating drum
Tomorrow’s hope accrues
Salvation to come
With lyrics composed by renowned English hymn writer, Issac Watts, “Joy to the World” has become the most published Christmas hymn in North America. These verses were penned in 1719, and they share an interpretation from Psalm 98. In this Advent season, the hymn holds a special place with its emphasis on the joy we have been patiently waiting for.
