Advent’s Journey (Elfchen Series #131)

Prophetic

Trust

God’s promises

His actions awaken

Life’s wilderness shall blossom

Hope

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Witness

Hope

For Savior

God’s desires fulfilled

Bethlehem stable’s Holy ground

Peace

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Receive

Peace

Father’s gift

Lying in manger

Emmanuel, God with us

Joy

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Illuminating

Joy

Angels proclaim

Humble shepherds attest

Christ comes to save

Love

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Warren Wiersbe Quote

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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:  “Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!  You have set Your glory above the heavens.”

Whitest Glow

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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

 

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Matt Haig Quotes

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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.

Gospel-Driven

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.”

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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

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “Experiencing the forgiveness God offers will transform every part of life.”

Brother Lawrence Quote

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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.

Paying Actions Forward (Haiku Series #208)

Character Counts

Guiding principle

Building lasting foundation—

Honesty always

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Gift for Tomorrow

Righteous citizens

Preserving lasting good name—

Sharing goodwill

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Setting the Table

Each generation

Integrity’s highest road

Inheriting trust

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O. Henry Quotes

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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.

Monday Memories: Midnight Smorgasbord

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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?”

blueberries cake chocolate chocolate cake

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Originally published November, 2019.

Denzel Washington Quotes

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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.