-
A Fresh Start
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18,19 A new year is before me, A clean slate to write upon; Filled with hope for what's ahead In 2021. New beginnings, a fresh start- Much promise lays ahead. God has a plan this year for me, If I allow my heart to be led. I will take what I've learned from 2020 And how it made me grow; Then ask God to guide me In the direction I…
-
Love Came Down
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 Love came down at Christmas time From Heaven above; God came to Earth as flesh and blood To show us what is love. Love has many meanings, Each has a place in our heart; To spread God's Word through our actions, Each meaning we impart. Philautia is a love of self, Accepting who we are. You were uniquely created by God, So shine on like a star. Philia is a love between friends, A loyalty we feel towards them. Jesus is a…
-
JOY
May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! Proverbs 23:25 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. Psalm 28:7 There are many types of joy: The giggles from our girl or boy, The time well spent with a good friend, The joy of the Lord no one else can send. Our children give us joyful times From watching them play to…
-
Advent Series:Peace
Prepare Him Room Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 God wanted a connection, So the Word became Flesh; God came down to us so that Not one of us should perish. Emmanuel—God With Us, Came with no place to stay; Born humbly in a stable In a manger full of hay. A Savior no one had room for, Born in a troubled time; He came to give us peace- Hear the joyful bells chime! “Let every heart prepare Him room”, Did you hear the clue? Not just during Christmas time, But all the…
-
Advent Series: Hope
Hope Is An Anchor When God made his promise, He gave his word. He did this so we would have good reason not to give up. Instead, we have run to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope is set before us in God’s promise. So God made His promise and gave His word. These two things can’t change. He couldn’t lie about them. Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure. It goes all the way into the Most Holy Room behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:18,19 Hope is an anchor on which to depend, Firm…
-
Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the…
-
We Are
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew22:37 We are what we value, We value what we care about; When Jesus is our focus, Our faith is lived out. We are better together, We don't do well alone; We intentionally reach out to others With Jesus as our Cornerstone. We are pursuing To understand diversity; We choose courage over comfort To understand our society. We are continually learning To see the world through another's eyes; Being sincere, respectful, and willing, Keeps us humble, open, and wise. We are generous, When we give in a meaningful way; Using our…
-
Change Is Good!
John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” Nature shows us change is good, Nothing remains the same. Mountains fall, storm clouds clear, To the glory of His Name. Trees bear witness that change is good, Growing through each season. They don't fight the change that comes; The changes have a reason. In the fall leaves turn into Colorful oranges, yellows, reds; Dressed to the nines, you might say; The change worries not their heads. The change is good. Winter comes and all the leaves Fall off the…
-
God’s Precious Jewels
“And they shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 We are God’s treasures, Created by His hands, Uniquely precious jewels From many different lands. We stand before Him open, Unashamed of who we are; For we are heirs to the throne, No matter what our mar. He breathed His life into us, On the day that we were born; We’re worthy to sit at His table, No matter how chipped or…
-
A Zealous Faith
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 Each day is a gift, So ask God as you kneel To ignite your spirit, Never lacking in zeal. Keep your spiritual fervor As you exercise your gift, You never know whose day You are going to lift! Serve the Lord with all your heart, Don't allow your faith to slack; You're a child of the Kingdom So hold nothing back! Our church has helped a public school in a low income neighborhood for several years on various projects. One year the principal spoke to us about the school’s theme for his teachers: Patience-Positivity-Passion. I’ve…