Love Unfolds (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

From Psalm 80:3:  “Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From highest heavens

Father’s love descends

Destiny of hope

Bringing light, darkness bends

 

Witnessed from above

Father’s love restores

Salvation’s light waits

Rising tides come ashore

 

Aligned with David

Father’s love defines

Gospel breathes through One

Restoring light divine

 

Filled with angel’s joy

Father’s love unfolds

Prophecy fulfilled

Embracing light so bold

 

Virgin carries child

Father’s love reframes

Emmanuel’s light

Bearing peace in His name

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Isaiah 7:13-14:  “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David!  Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also?  Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.'”

One of the most stirring of hymns during Advent is “What Child is This.”  The lyrics were composed by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865.  The melody follows the familiar tune of “Greensleeves.”  Here is American singer, Vikki Carr, sharing her interpretation of this beloved song.

From My Journal (12/21)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Our Savior’s light will always burn brightest when our faith faces its ultimate tests of darkness.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated December 21)

Brian Keepers Quote

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Resilience is not about achieving big, extraordinary things for God; it’s about living an ordinary life in a beautiful way, loving others as Christ has loved us.

From Ephesians 5:19-21:  “As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Brian Keepers is an American pastor who has served in the ministry for over 20 years.

Trivia’s Facts and More (12/20)

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This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

How many people is “two pairs of twins twice”?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Arkansas becomes the 25th state in the American Union on June 15, 1936.  The name “Arkansas” is a name used by French explorers, and it refers to the Quapaw native people.

Here are a few interesting facts about Arkansas:

  • Capital City:  Little Rock
  • State Bird:  Mockingbird
  • State Flower:  Apple Blossom
  • State Motto:  Regnat Populus (The People Rule)
  • Major Rivers:  Arkansas and Red

Arkansas uses two different nicknames:  Land of Opportunity and The Natural State.  The Natural State recognizes the state’s diverse landscape of mountains, lakes, hot springs, and forests.  Numerous natural hot springs can be found, and they welcome people who visit with hopes of finding relief from certain illnesses.

In 1803, the United States greatly expands its land size when the Louisiana Purchase is bought with France.  As part of these new lands, Arkansas becomes a territory in 1819.  The state features many key battlefield sites from the American Civil War.

In 1932, Hattie Caraway becomes the first American woman elected to the United States Senate.  The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, is born in Hope (1946).

The state’s economy has transformed from its reliance on agriculture to a more diversified one.  Corporations founded in Arkansas have led the way, such as Walmart and Tyson Foods.

In 1957, landmark school integration is enforced by the federal government.  With a U.S. Army escort, nine courageous African-American students attend a now integrated high school in Little Rock, and become known as the “Little Rock Nine.”

During World War II, two major Japanese internment settlements are established at Rohwer and Jerome.

top left and MOVING clockwise:  little rock nine, hot springs national park, Ozark mountains, apple blossom, mockingbird, state capitol in little rock, Ouachita mountains, japanese internment settlement in rohwer, u.s. senator hattie caraway.   (Courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Eight (2 x 2 x 2)

From My Journal (12/20)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

There will be days when we look into life’s mirror and see past reflections.  We realize that today needs to write a new chapter.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated December 20)

Arkansas Voices

City of Little Rock

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973, born in Cotton Plant)  Singer and songwriter

I’ve learned to rock my troubles away.

Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964, born in Little Rock)  U.S. Army general

Men since the beginning of time have sought peace.

Johnny Cash (1932-2003, born in Kingsland)  Singer and songwriter

A person knows when it just seems to feel right to them. Listen to your heart.

 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, General Douglas MacArthur, Johnny Cash (all images courtesy of pinterest)

One Journey (Elfchen Series #280)

Hope Reframed

Sharing

Gospel’s truth

Simple fishing boat

Serving as Christ’s pulpit

Witnessing

Grace Welcomed

Witnessing

Spirit’s presence

Life’s next appointment

Jesus will be there

Teaching

Peace Fulfilled

Teaching

Light embraced

Proclaimed in Scripture

Father loves His Son

Sharing

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

From My Journal (12/19)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Embracing and walking in Christ’s light, we witness the enemy’s shadow of darkness less and less until he’s gone.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated December 19)

D. L. Moody Quote

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A holy life will produce the deepest impression.  Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.

From Titus 2:7:  “In all things, offering yourself as a model of good works and in your teaching offering integrity.”

D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher.  He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.

Kitchen Table’s Witness

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Farm’s eternal footprint

Memories held tight

From each generation

Nurturing what’s right

 

Kitchen table’s witness

Writes each diary page

Chronicles history

Filling life’s rain gauge

 

Precious hope’s future link

Tough times overcome

History comes alive

Leaving each bread crumb

 

Confidence builds each spring

Another crop sown

Expected fall harvest

Paying back bank loan

 

Farmer’s faithful outlook

Every season’s birth

Tomorrow remains bright

Blessing Mother Earth

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.