Darkness and Light

 

Art Project
by our talented grandgirl

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5)

For school, our talented Anya had to draw an art piece contrasting darkness and light. The portrait above is her interpretation of the assignment.

Light is a theme throughout the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The life in the Savior Messiah is the good Light for the people that shines into and overcomes the darkness of sin and evil.

Beloved, one flicker of light dispels the deepest darkness. May the Light of Jesus Christ shine through you across this Christmas season. 

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Beaver Sports Cake

 

birthday grandboy

"Just ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does now know that the hand of the LORD has done this?" (Job 12:7-9)

Today, I'm baking a beaver-sports cake for our beaver-loving grandboy's sixth birthday. Football: beavers vs badgers. Soccer: beavers vs bears. Basketball: beavers vs foxes.

Beavers are one of God's most clever creations. Did you know that beavers have special valves in their ears and nose that close when beavers dives under the water and reopen when they surface?

Did you know that God gave beavers goggle eyes —transparent eyelids that close underwater allowing them to still see very well?

Did you that God specially designed beavers' self-sharpening front teeth strong enough to "chop" down trees! And even more amazing, God gave them the ability to  chew sticks underwater with no water entering their mouths because they have fur mouth flaps between their front incisors and rear molars?

Plus, a beaver's large paddle-shaped tail is an effective rudder and webbed hind feet make it an excellent swimmer.

Thank You for beavers, Lord God.

And thank you for a boy who loves them.

Happy 6th birthday, hot rod!

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Selfish Ambition

 

grandgirl Anya (left)
at our book signing 2017
(Anya is an award-winning, young artist and has illustrated six of my books)

"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." (James 3:16-17)

Confession: I contemplated imploring my blog readers to hop over to Amazon.com today and order one of my children's books for Christmas, but then repented and turned in a different direction.

When it comes to the books, I constantly have to ask the Lord to weed my heart of selfish ambition (book sales) and cultivate the desire for God's purposes to be accomplished (feeding His sheep the Word of God through stories).

Beloved, how's the garden of your heart today? Overgrown with selfish ambition or fruitfully (is that a word?) producing God's good purposes?

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Gift of Peace

grandgirl
2012

Jesus said, "Believe in God, believe also in Me . . . Peace I leave to you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful." (John 14:1, 27)

The gift of God's peace is received by trusting Him with all your heart. 

Selah.

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Courageous Warriors

 

My kids:
 Dan, Rebecca, and Ben
April 3, 2004

"We glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance." (Romans 5:3)

Both our boys, now men leading their own households, are facing challenges right now. I'm asking God not only to work out the difficult circumstances but also to work in them, making them even more like Jesus.

In a hard place, beloved? Ask God to work for you and in you to accomplish every good thing He has planned.

"Troubles are the soil from which God grows His courageous warriors." ~ Mrs. Alice quote from Fish Fry ~ Coming spring 2022.

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The Chief Shepherd

 

our Rebecca and "Comet"

"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4)

When the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ appears, I hope He finds me feeding His sheep and little lambs the Word of God through Bible studies, children's books, and a blog.

Beloved, when the Chief Shepherd appears, what will He find you doing?

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A Manger, the Cross, and an Empty Tomb

 

Christmas at the cabin

"And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped [Jesus] in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)

"Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn . . . they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus . . . suddenly two men in  dazzling clothes stood beside them . . . 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? [Jesus] is not here; He has risen!'" (Luke 24:1-7)

Beloved, this day after Thanksgiving-to-God Day before the Christmas season rush, will you pause with me and thank God for the manger, the cross, and an empty tomb?

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel . . . By this gospel you are saved . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Jesus is the reason for the season!!!

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Door Dash Thanksgiving

 

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5)

M & M cookies are baked.

The turkeys are on the grill. 

Dressing and sweet potato casserole are in the oven.

Gravy's on the stovetop.

Corn is in the microwave.

Stuffed deviled eggs are in the refrigerator.

Cranberry sauce is in the bowl.

Christmas music is playing softly in the background.

But no guests are coming today for Thanksgiving dinner.

Our daughter is with her husband's family in Huntsville, AL. The grands are sick at both our sons' households, and our brother-in-law is in the hospital.

So . . . 

Three boxes sit on my kitchen counter for Door Dash Thanksgiving deliveries.

Lord, even when unexpected disappointments come, You are good.

Your love endures forever.

And we are grateful!

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Thankful Day #3

My oldest grands

"So thank God for His marvelous love, for His miracle mercy to the children He loves; offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what He's done—sing it out!" (Psalm 107:22)

Today, I thank You, Lord, for our seven grandchildren. What wondrous gifts from Your hands!

Beloved, who are you thanking God for today?

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Thankful Day #2

 

my family
Christmas 2008

"Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us—You've been so good to us! We're walking on air! All we are and have we owe to GOD, Holy God of Israel, our King!" (Psalm 89:18-19 The Message)

Thank You, Lord God, for my six children—the three I birthed and the three they married.

Beloved, what will you thank God for today?

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Thankful Day #1

my superman and grandboy

"My beloved is mine and I am his." 

(Song of Solomon 2:16)

On this Thanksgiving-to-God week, I thank You, Lord, for my husband, Phillip. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Beloved, what are you thankful to God for today?

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I Have Decided

 

my girl, Rebecca, and her boy

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." (Daniel 1:8)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Babylon under the cruel rule of King Nebachadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem, capturing handsome, smart young Jewish men and forcing them into the pagan king's service. One captive named Daniel stood firm in his faith to the Most High God and decided not to defile himself regardless of his circumstances.

Because God promised that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, staying the right course begins with a decision.

I have decided to follow Jesus.

I have decided to respond in kindness no matter what.

I have decided to choose joy.

I have decided to love my enemies.

I have decide to put God first.

I have decided to put other before myself and treat them the way I want to be treated.

I have decided . . . 

Beloved, what have you decided today?

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Shadows

"Isaac"
 from Fish Fry
illustration by talented artist
Anya Elizabeth Figert

 

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty...He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him." (Psalm 91:1-2)

Illustrations are completed, book cover is designed, and I'm in the final edits of the manuscript before handing Fish Fry over to Deep Sea Publishing. In this story of a young boy's quest for courage, Isaac says, "Fear is like a dark shadow. It follows you around everywhere you go."

Beloved, which shadow are you under today? Stressing in the dark shadow of fear or resting in the shadow of the Most High God?

Run to the Lord, dear one. He will cover you with His feathers and shelter you with His wings. His faithful promised will be your protective shield. When you call to Him, He will answer; He will be with you in trouble and rescue you. (Psalm 91:4,15)

"Even when I walk through the shadow of the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me." (Psalm 23:4)

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Summer Pearls

 

"Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Last summer, my ladies and I did a twenty-two week Bible study of Revelation called: Summer Pearls. Yesterday, my beautiful sister-friends gave me a gorgeous 22-pearl necklace. I felt overwhelmed with love.

In a second letter to believers in Corinth, Paul thanked God for His indescribable gift: Jesus Christ. Beloved, have you thanked Father God for your Savior Jesus today?

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