Overflowing with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

From Philippians 4:4-5:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.”

Photo by Dhivakaran S on Pexels.com

Waiting hope, in darkness

World absent of peace

When will joy truly arrive?

Faith’s brokenness must cease

 

Trusting God without fear

His comfort coming

Joy draws salvation’s water

Messiah forthcoming

 

Leading to Bethlehem

Hope shall be restored

Peace overflowing with joy

Heaven’s angels onboard

 

Praising with humble hearts

God’s gentleness seeks

Joy’s rejoicing voices sing

Shepherd’s emotions speak

 

Proclaiming hope’s presence

Repentance brings peace

Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy

Love opens heaven’s lease

 

Courtesy of Pinterest

From Isaiah 12:5-6:  “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”  This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.  

Promise Fulfilled (Elfchen Series #230)

Devotion

Witnessed

Discipleship’s faith

Always take courage

Christ offers His peace

Love

Vision

Trusted

Father above

Rising above darkness

Christ’s light delivers peace

Hope

Gratitude

Seasoned

Spirit descends

Righteousness fills journey

Guided by Christ’s peace

Joy

 

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

Charles Swindoll Quote

Photo by Chethan Prabhu on Pexels.com

God doesn’t build skyscrapers; men build skyscrapers.  And they all have the touch of genius, human genius.  But you cannot find a man who can make a star.  And when God steps in, His working is like the difference between a skyscraper and a star.

From Job 28:24:  “For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Directing Our Best

From Psalm 118:1:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Giving thanks, praising Father

His enduring, steadfast love

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Embracing grace from above

 

Kneeling in daily prayer

Father listens with patience

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Transforming our impatience

 

Taking refuge with Father

His righteousness leads forthwith

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Overcoming evil’s myth

 

Surrounding witness of light

Father blazes road ahead

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Nourishing with daily bread

 

Grasping wisdom of Father

Skies no longer full of gray

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Directing our best, His way

 

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

From Psalm 118:24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Joyce Meyer Quote

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Patience is not simply the ability to wait–it’s “how” we behave while we’re waiting.

From Romans 12:12:  “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. “

Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.  

Monday Memories: Accepting His Way

From Romans 6:1-2:  “What then are we to say?  Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

All have been baptized into Christ

God’s offer of Grace shall abound

Christ suffering death on the Cross

Accepting His way, God’s Word found

 

Living with God through our Savior

United with Jesus by His death

Walking in goodness of new life

Accepting His way, lasting breath

 

Escaping life of sin and death

Obedient to God’s commands

Following our righteous Father

Accepting His way, where we stand

 

Knowing God through His Holy Word

Rescued, no longer slaves to sin

Total devotion to Jesus

Accepting His way, love within

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From Romans 6:12-14:  “Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

Originally published August, 2020.

Joni Eareckson Tada Quote

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Life becomes inspiring, not in spite of the problems and the hard hits, but because of them.

From Galatians 6:9:  “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”

Joni Eareckson Tada (born 1949) is an American Christian author and radio host.  Much of her work has focused on ministry in the disability community.  Her life journey is a living testament to this quote.

Peace Upon Earth (Second Sunday of Advent)

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Isaiah 9:6:  “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.”

World’s hopeful emotions

Searching for inner peace

In midst of life’s struggles

When will this darkness cease?

 

Peace waits for Messiah

Unlocking hopeful light

Goodwill comes upon man

Bethlehem’s star beams bright

 

Hope fills faithful journey

Waiting for Father’s Son

Shall be called Prince of Peace

Darkness cannot outrun

 

Through precious, promised child

Blessing all with His peace

Emmanuel comes near

Hope renewed through faith’s lease

 

Father’s steadfast vision

Sending peace upon earth

Man called to trust His plan

Wilderness finds hope’s berth

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

This poem’s hymn selection comes from “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”  Finding inspiration from Luke 2:14, American pastor, Edmund H. Sears, wrote these beloved lyrics in 1849.

Frederick Buechner Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning–not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.

From Luke 2:13-14:  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!'”

Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author.  His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.

Lionel Hampton Quotes

Lionel Hampton showing off his skills.  (courtesy of Pinterest)

Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

Seemed to me that drumming was the best way to get close to God.

Lionel Hampton (1908-2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and bandleader.  As a composer and arranger, he wrote more than 200 works.