Come

Our celebration of the coming of our Savior in history,

is opening us up to experience his coming to us this year,

and preparing us to await his coming in Glory.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Come and visit your people.

We await your coming.

Come, O Lord.

from: Third Sunday of Advent

He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says,
Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily).
Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20 Amplified

joining Deidra and others in the hush of a sunday morning

 

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

I visited the medical clinic recently for a far too long postponed physical check-up.  I walked out with a long list of tests that needed to be done, mostly because of my "age".  Though far from elderly, the years are adding up, and when Billy Graham's Nearing Home was released I thought it a good idea to dive in.

The publisher's page promises:

In what may be his most powerful message of the last decade, Billy Graham speaks to all on this side of Heaven as he covers the importance of four key areas:

Building strong foundations and understanding the gift of years; Facing life’s transitions, including the passing of years, retirement, and when loved ones die; Making wise decisions; Understanding our glorious hope

As one would expect from such a hero of the faith, this book is laced with wisdom from God's Word. The same truths that have sustained him, Billy Graham passes on to us.  I found that I needed not question his advice because it came from God Himself.

Covering issues that many of us would rather not think about, Billy is not without a humorous side:

A headline on an Internet site read, "Death, the nation's #1 killer."  The point was obvious - death is inevitable!

No one can outrun death.  It will catch up to all of us eventually.  When I was interviews by Newsweek in 2006 and asked to give a statement about death, I commented that I had been taught all of my life how to die, but no one had ever taught me how to grow old.

With this book in my hands, I can not make that same statement, for I am being taught by Billy Graham how to live, how to grow old and how to finish the race well, things well worth the learning.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.

The opinions I have shared are my own.


 

Rejoicing in the season

It is a time of baking, candy making, gift wrapping and ribbon tying.
Thinking of the One Who came.
Tree lights sparkle, reflect in glass angels, small nativity scenes, patridges, owls and doves.
Rejoicing in the One Who Is here.
I place my gift for Him beneath the tree, an emptiness for Him to fill.
Waiting for the One Who will come again.


 

Yearn for the waiting

It is a time of noise, static, rush
while hearts yearn
wanting without knowing
the season of waiting

My spirit, jealous for silence
turns to the Lord
asking for words
from His heart alone

Image via Wikipedia

Centre.  Focus.  Come to a place of stillness.  The rush of the world leaves no room to breathe, to be.

I, even I, had to go away to a quiet place, to be restored, to talk with My Father, to drink in life.

The world can twist and crush you with its needs and demands and yes, temptations. Come away to find Me. 

When you step inside, the expanse is vast, the air is rich.  It is here you will find all you truly need.

Praying you find that sweet spot, beneath the shadow of His wings, where you can rest your head upon His chest, inhale His fragrance and find the true meaning of the Advent season.


Unwrapping Jesus with Bonnie

Also sharing with Emily and the imperfect.


 

His hand rules all

Rick met me in the living room, in the breaking light of day, as is our habit, to read to me from the Our Daily Bread devotional.  I had enjoyed my quiet time of communion with the Lord, listening for His voice and noting what He shared in my journal.

Rick always reads to me before I share my journaling with him.  God-bumps covered my flesh as he read:

“At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
So that everyone he has made may know his work,
he stops all people from their labor.
The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds.
The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
Job 37:1-11 NIV

My eyes were filled with tears, I mumbled something like "just wait till I read you what He said this morning."

Rick put down his Bible and picked up the Our Daily Bread booklet with a strange look on his face.  He couldn't seem to reconcile the devotional with the scripture passage he had just finished reading. 

"Now I see why" he said.  "I was supposed to read from Psalm 37 not Job 37!"

I could hardly wait until he finished reading the devotional so that I could share my morning "word":

It is I Who forms the snow and rains, no ice freezes without My touch. No, not mother nature or any other god. Weather bows down at My command.

Sometimes what you see as punishment is simply that I have allowed you to suffer through consequences of your own design, faulty stewardship of the land you have been given.

Remember, when the storms rage, that I Am your shelter, I Am your place of calm, safety and peace.

Let the world around you grumble and complain if they must, but remember to meet each new day with thanksgiving, as a gift from My hand, no matter what the day holds.

"Do you still think that you made a mistake?" I asked, or was God just trying to put an exclamation point on His words?

What do you think?




Join us at Jennifer's and share your God-Bumps

 

Unwrapped peace

Silence, stillness,
the fluttering wings of birds at feeders
seeking their winter provision.
Peace that comes
with the knowledge that I am back
exactly where God has rooted me
in this season of waiting
for what we know we have already received
for He Is here
Immanuel
God with us.

What gifts have you unwrapped today?  Come share at Emily's.

 

Home, yes home

Home
scent of familiarity
a place to let go
it seems my body
recognizes the safety
of this place
and after struggling
to hold together
I break down
into the arms
of those I trust
my husband
and my God

Both will love me
through the picking up
of tattered pieces
the regaining of strength
the coming back
to myself

Home
I am here