Tag Archives: faith

Beacon of Peace (Second Sunday of Advent)

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From Romans 15:12-13:  “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.’  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Longing for inner peace

Patience fills every heart

Shepherds wonder this night

Spirit’s goodness imparts

 

Viewing Bethlehem’s peace

Mercy nestled with love

Deliverance of light

Precious to God above

 

Raising harmony’s peace

Root of Jesse shall bring

Spring of living waters

Hope abounds, joy will sing

 

Hearing God’s voice of peace

Salvation’s breath of light

Messiah’s truth to come

Angels now taking flight

 

Shining beacon of peace

Heaven’s intent descends

Hope wakens in stable

Love invites joy, God sends

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Psalm 72:12-13:  “For He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.  He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.”

J. I. Packer Quote

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Photo by Ivan S on Pexels.com

Our high and privileged calling is to do the will of God in the power of God for the glory of God.

From Romans 15:13:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

J. I. Packer (1926-2020) was a English-born Christian theologian and writer.  His given name was James Innell, and he spent most of his later years in Canada.

Peace at Last (Elfchen Series #278)

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Trusting

Famine

Hungering faith

Savior raises hope

Living Bread feeds all

Nourished

The Last Supper Jesus breaks the bread.

Conquering

Darkness

Uphill journey

Messiah infuses light

Courage travels mercy’s road

Illuminated

Redeeming

Battles

With flesh

Calvary rises up

Salvation breathes from Cross

Transformed

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.

John R. Rice Quote

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Courtesy of Pinterest.

Those who go to Heaven ride on a pass and enter into blessings that they never earned, but all who go to hell pay their own way.

From Ephesians 2:8-9:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”

John R. Rice (1895-1980) was an American pastor and Christian evangelist.

Following Jesus

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From Psalm 34:4-5:  “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Look to him, and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed.”

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Reading Father’s Word

Answers come to thee

Praising from heart’s depths

Darkness at last flees

 

Filling hope’s goodness

Father shares His grace

Nourishing with love

Wisdom to embrace

 

Walking with Father

His righteousness speaks

Directing each step

Enemy now meek

 

Praying for guidance

Father bends earth’s light

Sending Christ to lead

Mercy taking flight

 

Following Jesus

Faith’s journey brightens

Choosing Him each day

His peace enlightens

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From John 5:20-21:  “The Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.  Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever He wishes.”

John Henry Newman Quote

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Prayer is to the spiritual life what the beating of the pulse and the drawing of the breath are to the life of the body.

From James 5:16:  “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was an English theologian, philosopher, and writer.

Gloria Gaither Quote

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The things that matter the most in this world, they can never be held in our hand.

From Matthew 6:29-31:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Gloria Gaither (born 1942) is a Christian singer, songwriter, and speaker.  She performed with the Bill Gaither Trio from 1965 to 1991.

Max Lucado Quote

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Water is a picture of the Spirit of Jesus working in us.  He’s not working to save us, mind you; that work is done.  He’s working to change us.

From John 7:37-38:  “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.  As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'”

Max Lucado (born 1955) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Guest Advent Poem: A Special Gift

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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.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

A special gift arrived for us!

It came so quietly . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

There was no fancy wrapping,

not even a pretty bow,

no ornate frills or glitter,

no festive party mood . . .

. . . Just a tiny, baby boy

born in a stable crude.

He was our Savior King.

He came to earth to bring

God’s gift of love!

 

God’s greatest gift was giv’n to us.

It was His only Son . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

He left a throne in heaven

to come to our world below.

His birth was without grandeur;

a star His only crown;

. . . Just a precious little babe;

our God, to earth came down.

He is our Savior King

To Him all Praises sing

God’s gift, great love!

 

So, turn your eyes from the glitter,

of Santa’s presents bright . . .

. . . perhaps you need to know.

Just turn from what the world sees,

and gaze on that glorious night.

Look there upon the baby

in God’s own holy light.

. . . Now, look past the party crowds

past shopping to be done.

Look past all worldly things.

Look at the baby king,

God’s Gift has come!

Courtesy of Pinterest.

These scenes are captured by my wife, Colleen.  The poem is featured in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, her Christian and family themed book.  The book features stories, devotions, and poetry for adults and teens.  Hands-on activities and delightful songs are included for families with young children.  God’s love is the guiding light throughout the book’s pages.

Jan L. Richardson Quote

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Courtesy of Pinterest.

The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before.  What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you.  And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance.  So stay.  Sit.  Linger.  Tarry.  Ponder.  Wait. Behold.  Wonder.  There will be time enough for running.  For rushing.  For worrying.  For pushing.  For now, stay.  Wait.  Something is on the horizon.

From Isaiah 9:6-7:  “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Great will be His authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.  He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Jan L. Richardson (born 1967) is an American writer, artist, and ordained minister.  Her reflections come from her Night Visions:  Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas.