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A few thoughts for 2023

Sharing from my journal hopes for 2023… from my beliefs.

To me a garden is where nature dwells and wisdom blooms among thistles and weeds.

It seems confusion wants to control our thoughts and actions from so many mixed stories and actions of others. I have a strong set of beliefs on certain things. And, confusion being high on the list, is not to be accepted as part of my prayers and living.

In my faith belief…Confusion does not come from light. I see and pray for truth, clarity, peace, unity, love, hope, good, joy, compassion and mercy among other life building tools/words such as forgiveness put into action.

When darkness, secrecy, ugliness shroud unity and peace I need to pull away from the table and find a tree, a garden, a flower among other natural beautiful things like a flying leaf or even sit by the stillness of a wind blown lonely pine cone.

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!”

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless. I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?” You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power— the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭9‬ ‭CEV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/392/psa.8.9.CEV

“I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans?”

As The Deer;

The Christmas Story

This story never grows old! 🎼“Tell me the story of Jesus write on my heart every word
Tell me the story most precious sweetest that ever was heard
Tell how the angels in chorus sang as they welcomed his birth
Glory to Thy in the highest peace and the tidings to earth
Tell me the story of Jesus”🎼

My pin for the Christmas Season by Tammy Holton

I want to be a light during this Christmas Season. I have this little pin to wear to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ with hopes others will see as I carry out my duties as a nurse and hopefully my little heart pin will touch hearts. Merry Christmas to all! ❤️Tammy Holton

The Darker the Night the Brighter the Light

In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus states: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”

Merry Christmas to the whole of the Earth as we let our Light shine!

Bill Gaither , an icon, for many years has given the whole of the earth Light through his music, words and deeds and it’s always the perfect light and timing. When I heard his new song, (play below) “The Darker the night the Brighter the Light,” for our season 2022 Christmas arose from the depth of my soul to declare this is the season of Our Dear Savior’s Birth.

Retail stores, malls and courthouse lawns in our communities may be silent or total darkness on the reason for the Christmas season.

What about us, the Star of the dark nights, fluorescent by day and candle by twilight? Or, are we hiding out beneath the “sharing bench” often call familiarity? Or Santa sharing from the very places in the retail stores we are calling dark until the opportunity passes by to be the light that changed the sight of the blind and opened an ear to the melody of truth.

I hope you listen to Gaithers new song and BATHE IN THE TRUTH of just who you are and the power within you to change the dark of the night with your light!🌠

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYHMnHZOz5U

The Lord is my Shepherd

Black Sheep have ye any wool-a golf course in UK

The palmist sings a sweet melody into the world in Psalms 23 that springs hope in our hearts as we sing and meditate on the green pastures in our lives.

As we in the USA celebrate a day of Thanksgiving this week while counting our blessings from individual to national blessings we might sight check a harp, a shepherd boy and his dreams and aspirations that arose from his soul as his eyes watched the sheep and stars alike! WOW a metaphor on how a sheep grazing in the Shepherd’s pasture has potential to shine light like a star!

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.1-6.NLT

A Bloom

Nicole, a friend from Creswell, NC, a music teacher and writer/ composer loves to add photography to her music. She often finds photos to illustrate a a biblical scripture also. This week as change of temperature and November blooms were coming to an end until next season she spotted a win.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

I’m thankful to Nichole for her light and her generosity in sharing her work with me and allowing me to share,

My Sheep know My Voice

Numbers 25:37 “The Lord said to Moses: 38) Speak to the Israelites, and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to put a blue cord on the fringe at each corner. 39) You have the fringe so that, when you see it, you will remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and not follow the lust of your own heart and your own eyes. 40) So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and you shall be holy to your God. 41) I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.” (NRSV)

It seems from the beginning of this encounter with God He had spoken in various ways to his people, the Israelites, in their confusion to remind them of their behavior. God lectured them, disciplined them, and encouraged them. And, seems to no avail! Then He speaks to Moses to give them an assignment! Really, a Cord? A Fringe? A Reminder to never forget! Today, he might speak to us through our iPhones or better yet my Apple Watch does a perfect job of reminding.

Do you have a story of how God has spoken to you and maybe your group of friends, or family and you just ignored Him until you were branded for ID by a fringe? A Cord? We believe Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help remind us! John 14:26 “…And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”