These are the silly reindeer that are in my yard right now. I know they have nothing to do with Christmas, but I still like them. My JOY sign is behind them, and that is what we want people to see, with the manger scene in it.

Have you ever considered why God would send His son to save us? He could have spoken salvation into existence, or used someone other than His son, or who know what to bring us to Himself, but He chose to send His one and only son. His Son was part of Him, of who He was, He was a treasure, especially since He couldn't be replaced.

Why not use another option, since He is God. He could do anything that He wanted to, but this was the only option in His estimation. What would cause a Holy Righteous God, to let go of heaven's jewel? Do you want to know the answer? It may shock you, but it was you. That's right, God looked to  eternity future, and desired that you would be His own. You are worth it, according to God. These are not my words, they are His.

"We love because he first loved us." {1John 4:9 }      " I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. "  {Jeremiah 1:5}      "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."  {Ephesians 1:4 }



 

This is what it looks like in my front yard right now. Snoopy is a favorite because when I was a child, he was the comic that I would always read. Dogs were considered special in my family, and this dog was silly, cute and endearing.

What is on your heart during this season? Do you enjoy the holidays or are they just something you hope to get through without any damages? I'm thinking financial, or relational damage that can occur when we are in close proximity to those we love. Differing of opinions, how we raise our families, and live our lives can become explosive discussions within minutes since some of them come with hurt feelings from past holiday "discussions".

I lived through this with my Mom's mother and my Father. They were not "friends" to put it lightly. Most holidays they were civil, but both had short fuses and harsh tongues.The last time my Dad saw my Grandmother they had a big fight over how much my father would contribute to my college education. I had already finished two years, but my father felt that I should get a job and contribute to my tuition. My Grandmother was used to getting her way, and felt that I should have my education paid for by herself, my Mom and Dad. Dad left there fuming, and the ride from Connecticut to Long Island was much longer than usual. My Mom and Grandmother paid for the last two years. I am very grateful for that.

I don't mean to be airing dirty laundry, my point is that we can make or break bad situations by how we look at people ahead of time. Seeing those who we have difficulty with through Jesus' eyes can help us to hold our tongues. Before you know it, time will pass and those who we are angry with will be gone, and there will be no words said that will change this. A little compassion and concern for others can go a long way.

Jesus speaking to His Father said, "And the glory which you gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You loved Me. { John 17:22-23}
Let God lead you as you talk and share this Christmas. I am praying for you, and myself that He may be glorified. AMEN.

Blessings to you my dear friends! This house is down the street from me. I love the way they have decorated for Jesus' Birthday. They may not realize that He is the one it's all about, but I can enjoy it as that. I have been looking for houses that are nicely decorated, but haven't found a lot. My trek continues.

We all may realize that the people of Israel were looking for a political Messiah, but the more I think about it, the more the gospels make sense. If I were a political person, I may look at President elect Trump as a type of savior. We know that he may make some good moves, but without the christians incorporating, and impressing the truth to the lost, he hasn't got a chance.

I am not looking for a political savior. The people who lived during Jesus's day were. They memorized long portions of the old testament, that describes Jesus as such. Fewer scriptures were written in places like Isaiah that spoke of the spiritual Messiah. Israel was in a bad place, with Rome ruling over them. They wanted to be set free of the harsh treatment and tyranny of the Roman Empire. God always knows what we need and when we need it. Sending the Spiritual Savior was the most important thing that He could do.

What unnecessary trouble came upon the Jews because they didn't have eyes to see or ears to hear. Especially the religious leaders of the day. It can be so easy to over look Jesus when you are looking for someone else. He will come in all of His glory and power, displaying His honor and majesty, when it is the right time. In the mean time, we will proclaim His glory and declare His majesty with all we have, because this is His will for now. Have a wonderful weekend!

This is my front door. The trees light up at night but it doesn't come out in a photo. Today is our first very cold day and the wind is blowing,  and a little dusting of snow. It is even colder in Chicago where my daughter is; Stay warm Rachel! She will be coming home next Wednesday. I can't wait! Nothing happens until she is here.

I hope you are well today and warm. Next week it will be back in the 40's and we will not be bundled up so much. God is on the move regardless of the weather, or anything else. It amazes me that none of what we go through is a consideration for Him. He is far above it, but He still is aware of, and understands how we feel. Can you think of what it is like in Florida at 85 degrees today?

 Can you imagine what it is like in heaven without any stressor, always perfect temperature, and no sin or darkness? Beauty abounds everywhere you look and go. You are perfectly fulfilled and worshipping the Lover of your soul, Our Lord Jesus Christ! He is at the center of all things, and His eye is on you alone.

Such an atmosphere of love, and acceptance is exactly why Jesus died for us. His heart was towards us in such a way that nothing would keep Him for fulfilling His life's purpose. And He did this so that we could feel heaven now. Get alone with God, maybe bring your Bible, and a pen so you can write what He speaks to your heart. Allow His word to wash over you, putting every other thought aside. Call on Him, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hear Him call you child, my daughter, come to me! You will never be the same!

" though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." {Hebrews 5:8-9}

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go! Without Jesus where would we be? I don't even try to figure that out, because it wouldn't be a good thing. We can look forward with faith and trust because He has proven Himself faithful over and over again.

Let us consider this one thing with humility: Without the Holy Spirit on this earth there would be anarchy.Where does His Spirit live? Inside of you and I. We can think on this, without getting self absorbed because it has nothing to do with us, except that we have said, YES.

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.{ Romans 8:11}

The quickening of God's Spirit causes us to rejoice when others are in in sorrow. He gives us strength when no one else has any. He fills us with power to do what no one else can do, because there is no way to do it in the natural.  He satisfies the soul as only He can. Nothing else comes close. In fact, everything else will leave us empty again, with a deeper need than we started with.

"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near." {Isaiah 55: 6} This is our time, to seek Him, read the word, and pray. He wants to revolutionize our lives so that His light shines more brightly.

Greetings on this 13th day of December. My son Matthew was born on this day, 22 years ago! He was the last baby born at Smithtown General Hospital. Just a bit of trivia for you.

Listen to these verses, " Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David. "{ Luke 1:68-69} These are the words of Zacharias, the Father of John the Baptist, as he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied concerning his son. I wonder if Zacharias had any idea that people in 2016 would remember what he had to say before Jesus was even born? I'm pretty sure he had no idea that he was making history. His son, was to be the forerunner of the Savior who was to come.

One never knows what a day will bring! Zacharias and Elizabeth had no hope of conceiving at their stage in life. They were of the older generation, with no children to boast of. Perhaps they spent their days with nieces and nephews helping them raise their young. To have a child at this stage, Wow, now that is a change of direction! A miracle, a destiny, a plan of God!

Elizabeth must have wondered why God has waited so long, that it became a miracle, not an everyday occurrence, but John the Baptist was no ordinary child. His life was truly set apart. His life's purpose was to" proclaim the way of the Lord." I believe that he knew His destiny, and was faithful to fulfill it. As parents in this world today, we often don't see the plan ahead for our children.

God sometimes reveals a piece here or there, but God sees the whole complete picture for all lives. We want to "proclaim the way of the Lord" as John did, and be faithful to complete what He gives us. Trusting Him, is the big piece of the picture, and the fruit of it we may not know until heaven. Trust Him, because He alone is able to complete it! Hallelujah, Amen.

This is the front of my church as they presented our Christmas celebration last week. It looked like real houses. Apparently they had carpenters and craftsmen working on the set. I hope some of you got to see it.

The set is not what made it so special, as the people who acted and sang gave the best gift of the season; themselves. I was in the mall earlier today, and I was glad that it wasn't crowded, and I was able to get my shopping done without too much trouble. What I loved most of all was driving home and seeing the decorations and light that people have displayed. I love to dress up my yard for the celebration of a lifetime. Not many cars come down our street, but I know that it is decorated out of love for my Savior. If you didn't see my reindeer you can go back a few days.

Whether others are celebrating I am, and I look at all these things as a celebration of Him.
" Then as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'"

We know that after the praise came the ridicule, and abandonment, and the rejection. How He loves us, to see past all of this and die in our place anyway. I find it hard to look past one of those, but not Jesus. His eyes were set on His Father, which is my goal.  Can you place your eyes today on the lover of your soul? I know you can. It will make such a difference.