Celebrating Fathers

 Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures in the house! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Being a mother is more than just a title

More than the act of bearing a child 

It’s a privilege and an honor, a journey worth the while

Like a gardener digging up the earth below

A mother’s seeds are bound to grow 

Mom thank you for being a woman I can look up to

I learned to work hard by watching you work 

Thank you for being my teacher, imparting wisdom from above 

Thank you for everything you do to show us you care.

Your sacrifice and generosity speak of love like nothing else can!

My mother, ever so observant—

Reading rooms, sensing moods, seeing through the façades 

You are not afraid to correct, rebuke, or exhort

You give, give, and give again.

My prayer for you is that you’ll reap what you sow 

When you laugh, it’s lively and contagious,

Changing the atmosphere, bringing the cheer

Mom, you are beautiful inside and out 

And I love you more than these words can say

Happy Mother’s day to the woman with a heart of gold  

You are a rare gem the world is yet to behold

I am just grateful to have you in my life

To have your hand to hold, when the night is cold

God bless you Mom, now and forevermore.

 "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" 

~  Proverbs 31:28–29:

Love Lifted Me

 

 

I was sinking deep in despair 

It was love that stooped and lifted me.

I was exposed, naked and ashamed 

But love covered me!

This is what love really means:

Love is patient with me when I am slow

Love is kind to me when kindness matters the most

When I am left all alone, only Love remains

More than a mother to her baby, Love clings to me!

Constantly I hear Him whisper 

 “I will never leave you or forsake you”

 “I will be with you to the very end”

Haven been so loved, what must I do then?

Forgiven, restored, accepted in the beloved, I must go love another. 

For love gives love, so says the Holy Book! 

 

 

                   

There remaineth these three; faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love   (1 Corinthians 13:13).

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Who is Traveling with You This Year?

Congratulations on making it into the new year! We thank God for the gift of life and His grace that keeps keeping us. We rest assured that God spared us because He has good plans for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). Based on this word, expect good things this year, expect prosperity in your undertakings, keep hope alive, do not despair. Another version says: “He will bring you to your expected end.” Believe Him; believe God’s Word spoken to you.

For success in our journey this year, it is important that we engage the promises of God in our lives. His name is Emmanuel – God with us. Moses invoked that name unknowingly when he prayed for the Lord’s presence to accompany them as they traveled to the Promised Land; “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 - 15). God’s promise did not end with Moses. God said to Joshua as He says to you today; “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life." As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).

God loves you very much and desires to have an intimate relationship with you. In this new year, God does not only want to show you the right path, He wants to personally accompany you on your journey! He wants to be in your thoughts through His Word as you make important decisions that will affect your life and destiny. You do not know what lies ahead but the Lord knows. God wants to help you choose right and avoid unnecessary pitfalls. He wants to order your steps and whisper behind your ears “This is the way, walk ye in it.” He wants to be there to encircle you and protect you from the roaring lion. He wants to ward off every fiery dart the enemy may shoot in your direction. We have confidence that with God on our side, no weapon fashioned against us shall prosper! The icing on the cake is that He promised to give you rest (peace) regardless of the path He leads you through.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." ~ Isaiah 43:2

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

My Christmas Gift

Jesus is the gift of the Father to mankind

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He did not come empty handed - The angel announced Jesus and the gifts He brought with Him

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:8 -16).

Jesus is the Anointed Savior born to redeem mankind from sin and its consequences and restore our relationship with the father of all creation. He gives us peace, joy, and love in this earthly sojourn. He fills us with the hope of spending eternity with God in heaven.

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29: 13). 

The shepherds thought it a good idea to search out this thing they had heard. They came looking for Jesus, they found Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. Why not search for Jesus like the shepherds did? Don’t be a half-hearted seeker, seek the Lord with all your heart! When you seek Him diligently you will find Him.

Receive Jesus and the gifts He brings.

Not everyone is a good receiver. Some people are uncomfortable with receiving from others because they worry about being indebted rather than enjoying the heart of the giver. 

Why not receive Jesus, and the Joy, Peace, and Love that He offers you today?

Watch out for distractions this season! 

Beware! The devil wants to steal what you have been given. Do not allow the distractions of the season steal your joy or peace. Enjoy Christmas with your loved ones. Do not stir up or breed strife in your heart and home in an attempt to celebrate Christmas with man-made superfluity. Revel in the gift of the Savior and the many blessings that are ours to enjoy. 

Just as it is today, the world was in turmoil when Jesus was born. Jesus came with good news and a message of hope in the midst of chaos.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). 

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

 

 

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Hurray! Another Thanksgiving holiday is here! I am grateful to God for the privilege of salvation, to be able to call Him my Father is priceless to me. To have His Holy Spirit living in me, accompanying me on my journey is the icing on the cake!

I thank God for life! Much more than ever, I appreciate the value of being numbered among the living. I thank God for family and friends kept by the mighty hand of God. God has preserved us through these tough months of the pandemic. He healed our bodies when we were sick. He gave us peace that calmed our fears. He strengthened our hearts and gave us grace to deal with any losses we may have experienced. He put food on our tables and some more in our pantries. He kept a  roof over our heads! 

                 

As you celebrate thanksgiving with your family, let your heart align with your words. Ruminate on the goodness of God. Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord. The psalmist said:

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever (Psalm 30:12).