The Moon is…

“They (we) know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them (us). For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they (we) have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT)

‬‬The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed a safe place in difficult times.
(Psalm 9:9 CEB)

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT)‬‬

  • Psalm 136:9: “The moon is a testament to God’s enduring love 
  • Psalm 121:6: The moon is a symbol of God’s protective care over His people 
  • Isaiah 30:26: The moon is depicted symbolically as reflecting the glory of God’s future kingdom”

Have you ever felt fear, doubt and unbelief? I have? There have been times I thought others to be “Light” only to find darkness. And, others have felt that way about me. Surely, we have seen times we thought we had it right and they in their blindness, like us, also thought they had it right. We close the door and lock ourselves, at least our minds, away until they agree with us. That probably will never happen.

Mind Movies running 24/7! Do we reallly want to, or know others that want to play the villain in their own movie?

We only have to open our door or even a window and look up to realize God with us! God in us! God loves us!

A few nights ago when the world news surely distorted my faith I walked my precious goldendoodle to the door and “The Moon” greeted me!

Do you have a moon story? A moon song? A moon poem? A moon…? one that has helped you to make you faith stronger?

Love-Patience

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;” (Galatians 5)

Let Love Grow

A few weeks before Christmas, 2024, I was gifted with this beautiful “Red Amaryllis”. I was surprised that it listed, no water required. That was exciting for me. I was extremely curious will it really bloom? I have been patiently watching day by day for a bud. I have a bud just as I’m preparing for Valentine’s Day!

We, @theLily, have been sharing from Galatians 5 focusing on folllowing the guidance of the Holy Spirit and enjoying the benefits of sharing with one another.

Today, let’s think on patience? What type of things or situations have taught you patience? Some days I wondered if my amaryllis was really going to bloom since it was only sitting in my window sill growing slowly and requiring only that I “love” it enough to give it a prime sunny spot in my home.

Do I feel “joy” watching it day by day grow but slowly? Am I having “peace” in knowing I was being “loved” by the grower and then the giver. Then our scripture list, “patience”?

I thought on my joy from spotting this red bud (in photo) this morning and jumped into motion how to share with others with my little setting. I didn’t think of “kindness” at the time I created my setting for dinner! And, can hardly wait to share my battery candle lights (for safety) with my soon to be five year old granddaughter and others. Also, you by thinking of each of you that study with me and offering a prayer of gratitude!

Our next word, kindness? Am I showing kindness by sharing a bud-photo-prayer that I have patiently waited for?💛

Fruit Art

My family and I were gifted with a apple painting from my sister-in-law, Yvonne, for Christmas 2024. She gave us a pear painting this year for my BD.  They together make a very lovely setting. 

Relaxing in the visual of snow outside my window and hot coffee I thought to pause and enjoy Yvonne’s art and share with you.

I feel so grateful for the beauty of fruit and artist that share their gifts and talents of art. 

I’ve found fruit has a way to bring my mind quickly to its spiritual benefits. My first remembrance of an apple was found in a garden with a snake, of all things, inviting others to take a bite from the apple to become great in the world! Did the mind take a couple on an Ego trip? This story in found in Genesis 3.

Interesting story with many variations of how it’s told and believed. Yet, the Apostle Paul gives us a clear view of fruit from its natural to spiritual results. Paul writes;

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
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“But The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5: 16-23

I don’t want to incorporate the fruit of the spirit in my life I want to get well acquainted with the fruit of the Spirit!

Jesus taught in Matthew 7 that we will be known by our fruit.

How BRAVE are you?

Matthew 18:15 by Carolyn Larsen, The Illustrated Words of Jesus for Women

A) Have you ever followed this advice? Did you have success?

B) Has other pointed out to you your faults? If so, how did you respond?

C) Have you been a part of a church where the next level occurred? what happened?

“But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.18.16-17.NKJV

We often read and hear about the great value to others as we tell our stories. Let’s be great story tellers in 2025!

Christ, in heaven and on earth. —Ephesians 1:10 

“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
‭‭God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.1.1-23.NLT

As we celebrate the Birth of Christ Jesus do we know Him as the One that daily walks with us and we walk with Him? Are we walking with Him in the “unforced rhythms of Grace. “

May you find peace, love and joy as you celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas! Jesus loves you! He is a gift to you. You are in the letter written by Paul above.

Jesus is given to you as a gift from God.  John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son….Jesus!

The Rock;

The LORD is my rock Ps 18:2 (photo by Chris Mar)

Have you ever stood watching water just roll over a Rock and thought about the meaning of your Rock? The characteristics of the nature of your Rock?

“Oh, I must find rest in God only, because my hope comes from him! Only God is my rock and my salvation— my stronghold!—I will not be shaken. My deliverance and glory depend on God. God is my strong rock. My refuge is in God. All you people: Trust in him at all times! Pour out your hearts before him! God is our refuge! Selah” (Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭CEB‬‬)

The whole earth seems to be reeling from its axis with wars and rumors of wars. Seemly people are busier than ever and stress and anxiety are the password for the days greetings. Why one might ask? Are we trying to make “happiness” from a false sense of peace like trying to make snow flakes from rain?

Read Psalm 62:5-8 again. Rest in God. Trust in Him at ALL times! Pour out your heart before Him. Selah!

A deer longs for flowing streams

Northern Virginia

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God?”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

We may find ourselves at times in tough spots and wonder when can I appear before God? Or, we may be asked to pray for others that wonder where are you God. The psalmist gives us a thought to ponder a visual that reminds us God is as close as a flowing stream and as assesible as a deer that longs for water.

Habakkuk 3:19 “God is my Strength and Shield– When we feel as though our burdens are too heavy to bear, God is our strength.”

Let us sing this worshipful song together as we pray for ourselves, one another, our families and friends.

1- As the deer pants for the water 

So my soul longs after you 

You alone are my heart’s desire 

And I long to worship you 

R- You alone are my strength, my shield 

To you alone will my spirit yield 

You alone are my hearts desire 

And I long to worship you 

2- I want you more than gold or silver 

Only you can satisfy 

You alone are the real joy giver 

And the apple of my eye 

3- You’re my friend and you are my Father 

Even though you are my King 

I love you more than any other 

So much more than anything”

Would you please add Tammy’s friend, Pam for healing to our song and prayers.

My friend, Jesus

As I was focused one day recently on what I believe to be beyond the norm on political election news and worrisome world events the thought occurred to me, what do I know about Jesus the Christ? How much time do I spend with Him? What do I know about Him without googling or other references to see who He is?

I started writing in my journal what I knew about Him and then inviting Him into my day. My attitude of anxiety became peace, hope and Love! How refreshing!

Do you know Jesus?

“Jesus of Nazareth was a baby rocked in a cradle!

Jesus of Bethlehem was a young boy trained and labored as a carpenter.

Jesus Christ of Israel was taught in temple tenants of faith.

Jesus Christ knew the living of having his feet planted in ‘earth soil’ much like you and me.

Jesus Christ knew the struggles of dealing with politicians and the law.

Jesus Christ knew humanity and flaws that are birthed into its DNA!

Jerusalem knew the agony of a suffering man, named Jesus, hanging from a cross.

Jesus knew the divinity of divine purity within a grave, resurrection and ascension all from within the walls of Jerusalem!

The Messiah, Jesus The Christ, reigns over kingdom building both in men and women that have joined His Kingdom. The now and the eternal reign.

Jesus Christ oversees Temple Building that has a foundation laid in Jerusalem and a cornerstone that bears His Name.

Kingdom children of all ages and ages to come will be named and their names carved in stone”

“Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
—Psalm 33:22 (NRSVUE)

John 13 verses 34, Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment. Love each other just as much as I have loved you. vs 35 extends the knowledge;

“If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭35‬ ‭CEV‬‬