Rescinding harsh tongue
Letting kindness step forward—
Spoken thoughts matter
Always one by one
Each day shares discoveries—
Lifetime of blessings
Overcoming noise
Words beautiful and caring—
Inner peace colors
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During winter’s grayness, I wait for spring’s eventual return when the colors and songbirds begin to herald its arrival.
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 or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 5)
Happiness lives inside of the smallest moments.
Keep searching for the colors when everything turns gray.
Christy Ann Martine (born 1972) is a Canadian writer who shares poetry and short stories.
This poem is inspired with Creation’s visions from Psalm 104 (the poem’s first 12 verses), and with a response from the hymn “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (the poem’s final six verses).
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Clothed with Holy majesty and honor
Heavens stretching out to infinity
Our Lord’s masterpiece endures forever
Clouds witness this sacred affinity
Earth’s foundation, never to be shaken
Lofty mountaintops look upon it all
Safe refuge waiting in fertile valleys
Creation’s spirit fulfilling each call
From flowing springs, animals quenching thirst
Every season following moon’s phases
Birds singing praise from highest tree branches
Rising and setting sun painting praises
God’s creation flowing as endless songs
Nothing shall ever shake its inner calm
Echoing across earth’s fruitful valleys
Scaling each mountaintop as joyful Psalms
Creation’s fountain forever springing
Beauty of the Lord’s harmony singing
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From Colossians 1:16: “For in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Here is the melody and lyrics to “My Life Flows On in Endless Song”:
Originally published June, 2020.
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Many devotionals use 1-2 verses of Scripture in their quest to fulfill a reader’s desire to study God’s Word. Try making it a point to read more of the surrounding verses, which will enrich one with greater Biblical understanding and perspective.
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 or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 4)
We aren’t free to interpret the Bible any way we want. The goal is to discover what God meant rather than to find a meaning we like.
From 2 Timothy 2:14-15: “Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by Him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.”
From Isaiah 7:14: “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.”
Leading from Zion
Mercy taking flight
God shall be with us
Hope’s ember of light
Sprouting from his roots
Jesse’s stump alive
Faithful branches breathe
Hope’s spirit survives
Waiting in prayer
Prophesied birthplace
Prince shall bring His peace
Hope’s beacon of grace
Sheltering man’s faith
Bethlehem sleeping
Flock’s promised Shepherd
Hope’s heart now leaping
Believing in God
Life’s harshness turns bright
Virgin bears His Son
Hope’s fulfilling night
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
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May the light of Christ fill today’s faith with tomorrow’s hope.
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 or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 3)
The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize Him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.
From Isaiah 9:6: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
What bird do you associate with lifting weight?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Hailing from the state of New Hampshire, America’s 14th President, Franklin Pierce, served his nation from 1853-1857.
Here are some interesting facts about Franklin Pierce:
Pierce’s nickname was “Young Hickory of Granite Hills.” This recognized that he was a devoted supporter of President Andrew Jackson (nicknamed “Old Hickory”).
He served the federal government in a number of ways. During his military service in the Mexican War (1846-1848), he rose to the rank of General. He also served his state as a member of Congress in the House of Representatives and Senate.
At age 48, Pierce was elected to his nation’s highest office, and he was the youngest ever elected up to that time in American history. The youngest person ever elected to the Presidency was John F. Kennedy who was 43.
His Presidency was dominated by issues related to the issue of slavery in the United States. There were extreme sectional tensions over its expansion into new territories and states as America continued to expand westward.
Pierce supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This bill allowed popular sovereignty (not Congress) to decide the fate of slavery as new territories were recognized by Congress. The upheaval and civil unrest turned Kansas into “Bloody Kansas.”
Due to his support for this divisive legislation, Pierce’s desire to serve another term as President was squashed when James Buchanan was nominated as the Democratic candidate in the election of 1856.
A crane
Big Sky Buckeye 