Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)

Important announcement below.  Please read to the end of this post.

We will all face very difficult valley decisions at some point in our lives.  Perhaps you are at that place now.  When trials seem too hard to bear or we’re facing a tough decision, believers seek God’s will.  However, many of us are still left wondering…

What direction do I take?

What is the answer, Lord?

I don’t know the path to take.

There are so many things that could go wrong.  What if?

I’ve called Christian friends and sought Godly counsel.  Prayers have been lifted up and encouragement has been offered.

Which way Lord?

What will the outcome be?

Then I remember Solomon’s prayer after he became king in I Kings 3:6-9 and God’s answer in 10-15.  Solomon humbly prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom. He realized the awesome task he was undertaking. He had to fill the shoes of his father, King David, but he wasn’t sure how to carry out his new duties.  He didn’t know how to step into the big footsteps of his dad. Just prior to his death, David spoke to his son and told him what to do, but it wasn’t enough.  Solomon knew he needed God, and he humbled himself before the Lord and said:

“Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

He asked the Lord for a discerning heart!  He didn’t ask for money or power.  Instead, he asked for wisdom. Not only did God grant him wisdom, but he also gave him wealth and honor among the kings.

When Christians face valley decisions, we often stumble and can’t find our footing.  That is when we need a Solomon-like prayer and to follow a few simple Christian principles:

1.  Turn to the scriptures and seek the truth.

2.  Admit that you can’t do it on your own.

3.  Ask God to show you His will.

4.  Seek His wisdom.

5.  Claim God’s promises and more importantly….

  Trust Him!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV -2011)

We’ve done everything on the list that we know we are supposed to do, but have we really trusted God?  Most of us will probably say, YES!  But have we? 

God wants our best and a life fully surrendered to Him.  We may say,”Lord, I’m giving it to you” only to take it back.  It’s so easy to take it back, but if we develop a Godly pattern of trusting Him daily, then our valley decisions can be easier to overcome.  Will we lean on our own understanding or depend totally on God?  If we fully surrender our lives to the Lord, He is faithful to show us the path.

Our actions must match our words.  If there is one area that we’re not giving to God, we know and He knows, too. Maybe we have one or two bad attitudes, one person we cannot forgive, or perhaps it is one sinful habit that we’ve never given to God.  We need to surrender whatever is keeping us from having complete confidence in Him.

God wants to help us but we must trust Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways.

Did you ever play that game with your friends, where you fall backwards and they catch you?  Some easily fall backwards and let someone catch them, while others keep looking back with hesitation.  Some of us are better at trusting.

Will you join me today and ask the Lord to give you the wisdom to surrender any obstacle that may be keeping you from hearing His answer?  To do that, we need to believe His promises, submit to His will and trust Him completely!  Then, he will set our paths straight.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

If this post looks familiar, it’s because I wrote it last May. I thought it was the perfect post to let you, our subscribers, know that this will be our last post. I’ve prayed about it for some time, discussed it with the other authors, and it was a difficult decision to make. However, God has given me peace about it. It’s been a privilege getting to know a few of you through our posts and our giveaways. I want to thank all of our subscribers and those who have followed our page on Facebook.  Thanks to all who have taken the time to post comments. I want to give a shout out to Jackie, who we met in the beginning and who has been faithful to come in and comment and say hello. I will miss you. Roberta, thank you for your encouragement as well. Our posts and the site will remain open until the end of March.

I want to thank Linda for being co-administrator of LTBC, along with being a faithful friend, a great editor and author.  I couldn’t have done it without you, Linda. Janet, your support and friendship have meant so much, too. I can’t thank you enough for challenging me to think deeper on certain subjects and for sharing your heart. Each of these wonderful, kind ladies gave me so much encouragement along the way. Arlene, Sandra, Bob, Kathy and Charma, I appreciate all your contributions, too. God seemed to always time them perfectly. I thank God for this opportunity. It was a wonderful blessing.

Pastor Christopher B. Wolf has been so gracious in these last few months to share his posts from his Living Water blog. I encourage you to follow him. His posts inspire and he writes with a heart full of compassion. He cares! You can also follow him on his weekly radio program, Walk with Me, on the internet on 94.9, WYFN or at his website.

By His Grace,

Joan

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But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

I have always struggled with my weaknesses.  We all have them.  Mine are personal and I try to control them on a daily basis.  Usually, I find that my weaknesses are most prominent when something happens in my life that I am not expecting.  I am startled and I go straight for that inner weakness without passing ‘Go.’ 

In Genesis 32, Jacob is trying to figure out a way to approach his older brother after deceiving and manipulating his way into an inheritance that he didn’t deserve.  After he sent his wives and children and all that he had over a brook ahead of himself, he was left alone and a Man began to wrestle with him.  It was God.  The Lord wanted to show Jacob what real manipulation was.  So, He touched the socket in Jacob’s hip and put it out of joint.   He wanted Jacob to be in a weak position to meet his brother, Esau.  It was only in humility that Jacob would learn trust. 

In Matthew 26, Peter reacts to His Lord in a bold and proud way.  Jesus told his disciples at the last supper that all of them would stumble that night because of Him.  They would abandon their Lord on the night He would need them the most.

Peter was a man of action.  He was passionate.  He wouldn’t hear of any stumbling!  ‘I will never be made to stumble!’ he said boldly and proudly!

Jesus told him that he would deny Him three times before the night was over.  Peter was mortified and argued, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’

And, there you have it.  Peter’s weakness.  Pride.

So, later that night as Peter stood by a fire in a state of panic, a young servant girl made a statement of fact.  ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’  Peter could have said, ‘Yes, I was.’  But, he became very afraid and denied it not once but three times.  Another weakness.  Cowardice. 

The Lord uses many things to teach us lessons.  In I Corinthians 1:27–29 it says, ‘But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chose, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.’  We are all weak and when we try and be all powerful and all knowing, the Lord will bring what is necessary into your life to remind you that you are not.

When Paul asked that his weakness be removed, he was rebuked.  II Corinthians 12:9, ‘And He (God) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”’ 

We are strong if we live by His grace.

In Christ,

Janet

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“Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

 John 14:1 (NKJV)

An old quote popped into my head early this week and led me to ponder how important our attitudes are when faced with problems and challenges.  I had a roommate decades ago who used to recite, “Oh woe is me, what shall I do?  I cannot spin a thread into gold…..”

The source is unknown, but I think she learned it from some old comedy routine based loosely on “Once Upon a Time” by the Brothers Grimm.  The beautiful daughter in that old fairy tale was supposed to spin straw into gold and had no idea how to do it until a mannequin named Rumpelstiltskin arrived to take over the task.

Of course it’s a fairy tale, and it’s not likely we will ever be asked to do the impossible.  We may enjoy watching a live magic show, but we know the tricks are based on illusions and are performed simply for entertainment.

In our daily lives do we “hope” a solution will magically appear?  Or, do we say a prayer of thanks for our many blessings before we ask God for help with a problem.  It’s all about attitude — never forgetting the many good things in our lives nor that God’s love and guidance are always with us.  Is our problem due to a poor decision?  Or, is it something over which we have no control?  If it can be resolved with a change in behavior and God’s help, do we get on with it?  Or, is it easier to expect God to fix it for us without any effort on our part?  The “attitude” should be to ask for His help, listen and follow His guidance.

A “positive” approach will help put the problem into a better perspective.  Think of some of the things that weigh on our minds, often too frequently.  Do we look for ways to rid ourselves of the worry?

For example, I was troubled to learn my health insurance premium increased significantly this year.  After a little hand wringing (what a useless waste of energy!), I knew I’d manage for six or seven months until I’m eligible for Medicare.  I’m certain a supplemental policy will be far less costly.  Meanwhile, I will find other ways to make this work.  I will not let this take up any more time!  I am thankful to have health coverage and even more blessed to not need medical care.

When it’s cloudy and windy, my mood sometimes is not good.  I’ve never handled windy and dreary well.  But, where I live we have over 300 sunny days a year.  When the temperatures hit triple digits, I’m thankful for a cloudy day.  It’s not windy all the time, and often when it is, it’s because we’ve had some haze and smog accumulating in this valley.  So, God gives us a day or two of high winds, and like “magic” the air is clean and fresh.  There are no more reasons to be moody and certainly no more complaining!  It’s about my attitude!  Trusting in God and learning to patiently await His help will almost immediately improve the situation.

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content
in whatever circumstances I am.”

 Philippians 4:11 (NASB)

That verse at the top of this site pretty much covers it, don’t you think?  I read it often, just to be reminded that troubles are usually temporary, often not as bad as I first thought, that I will have a better attitude within hours and I am blessed beyond measure.  I have friends and family who love me and a Heavenly Father who is watching over me.  What’s not to like?  Today I’m going to work on my attitude about house cleaning!   And, I will focus on how blessed I am to have a home!

Blessings to all,

Linda

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And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Years ago I worked in an elementary school that employed a lot of people. There were those who everyone loved and there were others who many just tolerated. Tolerance often came up short and that is sad. 

I remember a teacher who many shied away from because of her sometimes confrontational, argumentative style. When I first came to the school, I heard whisperings about her. I was certain that walking on eggshells might be necessary. I didn’t mind. God knew my past and that I was no stranger to confrontation. I found myself drawn to her.

At first I observed some of the rough edges, but I didn’t see a roaring lion; I saw someone who had a thorn in her foot and just needed a friend, some empathy and encouragement. What looked like confidence and maybe even an air of superiority in some instances, soon stood out to me as a call and need for acceptance. I was thankful that God allowed me to see her more vulnerable side. I knew God wanted me to be her friend.

When she was upset over what seemed to be an injustice done to her, she had a tendency to bristle. I asked God to help me. All that was needed was a listening ear, the voice of encouragement and a prayerful heart.  Time spent discussing school politics, our families and sharing, brought us closer. I witnessed a softening in her tone. Perhaps she had not been  shown a lot of love previously. Or maybe like so many of us, her old hurts and old tapes needed to be replaced with something new. I don’t know.

Jesus was always tolerant of the unloved and he often went to those with the greatest need. He championed those who had no friends, the outcast and the shamed.  He saw the bigger picture and the heart inside. He led by example.  It’s called grace.  He encourages us to share it daily. He wants us to look beyond the rough exteriors and go out of our comfort zone.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

As I began to become better acquainted with this hard-working teacher, I found someone who just needed an extra ounce of patience, a pinch of praise and a spoonful of kindness.  Her warmth was always there.  She had a wonderful smile when she was able to relax. 

We became friendly co-workers, and after she retired we stayed in touch. She called one year to ask me to lunch and I was delighted.  She’s gone home now, but I’ll always remember there was so much more to her than people thought.  She just needed an extra helping of grace like many of  us do throughout our lives.  And God taught me a valuable lesson about impressions.

God wants His children to always show a greater measure of compassion whenever there is the tiniest opening.  We all need acceptance. Our paths may have led to brokenness and our covers may be worn and tattered; God can use this. I pray we will be will willing to look inside the cover of someone who may be hurting. If our desire is to be more like Jesus, I am confident that God knows of someone in your life right now who needs someone to help them find the hand of grace.

By His Grace,

Joan

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Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage.
Stop all fighting and lying.
Put away every form of hatred.

Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)

Last Wednesday, Pastor Christopher B. Wolf shared on facebook that he would be discussing the issue of forgiveness and letting go on his radio program, Walk with Me, that night. He asked for our input.

I shared I had been bitter for many years toward my stepfather because of the way he had treated me as a child and teenager.  He was emotionally abusive. I carried this dead weight with me for years.  It was like wearing a ten pound necklace.  It was around my neck in the prayer circles and in the sanctuary.  I had never surrendered it to God until about twenty years ago.

Once I did, I asked God to forgive me and help me let it go.  Not only did he forgive me but he showed me the truth of the circumstances.  I had wanted my stepfather to love me like a father and he could not.  God helped me to see that I was expecting my stepfather to be able to show me a father’s love, but that was foreign to him.  He had not received this kind of love as a child.

God also showed me that even though I had been mistreated, I had not responded in a manner becoming of a Christian.  In part, I responded like any child would,  but I didn’t ask God to help me in my struggle.  I was too hurt and angry.  All I could focus on were the wrongs done to me.  For years I clung to the hurt and poured salt in the wounds by dredging up the tumultuous years in conversations with friends and anyone who would listen.  It was not productive.  If I had been able to let God have it (let it go), the healing process would have begun much sooner.  

My stepfather and mother divorced when I was 19, but when I was in my early thirties, our paths crossed again. I had somewhat matured emotionally and so had he, but it would take a few more years for me to heal spiritually (let it go). However, we were able to show each other mutual respect that day.  Now I keep him in my prayers and only hope the best for him.

In sharing with Pastor Wolf, I also realized that the pattern of holding on to hurt that I developed as a teenager still has a slight pull on me.  In listening to his message, I was able to reflect on this hurt a little more and God revealed to me a few remnants still present in certain attitudes in my life today.  I am thankful that Pastor Wolf’s message highlighted the need to let go of the past to let in the new.

In order to be used by the Lord, we have to let Him cleanse us daily.  We have to be willing to let go of all hindrances.  2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit.  And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”

God has our new wardrobe all ready for us.  Colossians 3:12-15 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  It is the gift of walking in the Spirit.  Jesus wore it daily and led by example.

To make room for all the new, Christ-like patterns and the best that God wants to give us, we must be willing to clean out our spiritual closets.  The junk, the hurts and the bad attitudes must all go.  As we begin another new year, I pray we’ll all be ready to discard the old and let God clothe us with the new, His finest.

By His Grace,

Joan

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For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

Hope you’ll read Part One, posted on Wednesday, in which Christopher wrote about the importance of “whispers” and the doubts some believers may have about being worthy.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

“It’s so hard for me to trust and be open. I am afraid that if I trust God more and lean on Him more, I will only get more hurt and disappointed. Likewise with Christians too. In my life, I trust others and they just let me down – so I am done trying.”

My cherished one, I hear you that trusting hasn’t worked. I hear you that it is scary and scarring. It sounds like you have put your trust in God before and it didn’t work out the way you hoped. Maybe you felt abandoned by Him. Many people feel like that. As well, it sounds like people you trusted have betrayed you – leaving you wanting to turn away. Understandably, that could be a valid choice given your experience. It’s a choice between not getting hurt anymore – which will seem to require some degree of isolation and not risking anything – safety. I don’t want to take away from your experience – it’s real.  But just hear me because there is another choice.

It’s the choice of risking and trusting and being vulnerable. Because, yes, turning away and hiding will be safer and will probably keep you from getting hurt. But it will also close you off from a lot of other things too. Things like encountering the peace and grace of God that He so wants you to know and experience. Things like the joy and love of authentic, real relationships with others. Things like these require trust, risk and, yes, sometimes won’t work.

I know firsthand that trusting God can be terrifying – but I found on the other side that it is worth it – God actually knows what He is doing and it’s always for our best. I know firsthand that Christian community can be ugly and terrible. But I also have seen and experienced it at its best and I have listened to the testimony of many people who have said that their church friends have “saved their lives” and kept them going when there was no hope. I just want to encourage you by saying that risking and trusting and letting God and others in – and the strength and fellowship that will flow from it – will far outweigh the disappointment and hurt.

“If you and others really knew me, knew what I have done or been through, you wouldn’t love me or care for me anymore.”

Beloved, I understand that it is easy to think that and that may be what you have experienced before. But I would say this… my experience is the more I know people, the deeper I know people, the more I am moved to love and care for them – no matter what they have done or been through. When you look at people and the world through Christ’s eyes, you see things very differently. When I see brokenness – I see beauty. When I see hurting – I see ways to heal and restore. When I see people battling guilt or addictions or the past – I see strength and resolve – not a failure. And I know this – God’s grace and strength works through – not around – our brokenness.

Nothing in God’s economy is wasted – now He is holy and doesn’t look the other way or excuse stuff – we still have to ask for mercy and grace. But He will use everything to draw us closer to Him. How can I do any less by judging or thinking that I am better or above anyone? No way. Just like with God, the more I share with Him, the more I know His grace. Same thing with me. That’s what I am trying to do. One more thing – why I love you and care for you is not based on what you do or don’t do – it’s based on God leading me and my heart. You are loveable because God created you – Psalm 139:13-14. Like it says in the Bible, “perfect love casts out fear.” I want you to “give to the winds your fear.”

I hope these whispers are helpful. But I know they are just words. But more than words, look at my life, and see Christ working in and through me and trust in that above anything I can say or do.  See and hear Him through me – that is what I want for you…

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

Cross-posted at Living Water

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I tell you that in the same way there will be
more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:7 (NIV)

Once upon a time, I sat next to a girl in a class in which the desks were two-person desks.  Often the teacher would go around the room and randomly ask quiz-type questions of students.  And often when the girl I sat next to would hesitate or seem to be stuck, I would lean closer and discreetly whisper the answers.  I loved that.  I felt helpful and it seemed to work without the teacher noticing – so it felt like an accomplishment.

Years later I would whisper words of care and encouragement to a young mother who just lost her child.  I often whisper to my children as they are falling asleep, “God loves you and I love you.”  There are those times when church members have embraced me after a worship service and have whispered to me, “I love you brother – thank you.”  And then there are those whispers from God himself over the years – coming just at the right time and always what I needed to hear.

I never thought about it too much before but I love whispering.  It’s different than regular talking.  It suggests closeness and usually what is being said when whispering is more meaningful than conversational stuff.

I think of these Living Waters as a kind of whispering.  In some ways, in the present I am still trying to whisper answers to the girl from that class as well as other people. But today the answers are much more complex than that teacher’s questions posed.  There are a lot of questions that are unspoken.  Questions of faith, worth, grace, overcoming the past, and many others – are just not the things that come up in regular conversation.  Maybe it’s not so much about literal answers as it is about caring and trying to answer or encourage.  So, I hope that these “whispers” offer some answers for you or someone you know and care about….

“I am not good enough; I am not worthy and not worth the effort.”

Dear one, none of us are.  If you think I am “good” – I am not good enough either! That is where grace comes in.  It takes away the performance part or the “good enough” in relating to God.  Grace is the great equalizer.  There is nothing we (or anyone else) can do to add to or subtract from it.  It just is.  It’s not ours because of our family name, nor how many good things we have done, nor wealth or status – there is no amount of sins that can diminish it.  And, God decided that we all were worth the effort when He sent Jesus to the cross.  Imagine that.  He went to the cross for you and for me so that we could access the grace by believing in Him.

God’s choice to love us is not based on anything we have done or will do – it’s a choice based on His heart.  It’s not about how good we are.  It’s not about worthiness in society’s terms.  I am also reminded of the story of the lost sheep in Luke 15 – where Jesus talks about a shepherd that leaves the 99 sheep to find the lost one.  In this world, so often we are just numbers.  In God’s eyes we are treasures – worth risking for, worthy dying for.

“If I show up at church, you and people at the church are going to know that I am struggling with something or that I stand out and – probably judge me for stuff like my appearance.”

My dear friend, that’s true – some people may see and know.  But if it is an authentic, gracious group of believers – you will be able to see and hear that we are all struggling with something – fighting some kind of battle.  We are all struggling with sin and always will – it’s a battle.  And I agree that when churches are judgmental, it offends God and is the opposite of what they are supposed to be about.  But you are right, sometimes it’s more obvious – addictions, guilt, and other things can be more visible.

An authentic, gracious group of believers will not judge you and will be able to welcome and love you in Jesus’ name, and that can be so healing.  Also, you will probably find others who can walk alongside you and may be further down the same road and can help you.  I’m just saying that staying away or staying home may feel safer; but I ask you to consider that you may be losing out on the encouragement and community you need to survive and even overcome what you are wrestling with.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

Cross-posted at Living Water

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In Part Two Christopher writes about how difficult it is for people to fully trust God, perhaps because they’ve tried it before and it didn’t work out as they expected.  He also writes about some who may doubt God’s willingness to love them as they are or what they may have done.

Please stop by on Friday to see Part Two.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 (KJV)

Every year, I watch an enormous number of Christmas movies.  I love them.  I have a lot of favorites.  A predominant theme among them is reconciliation between husband and wife, father and daughter, friends and especially parents and children.  It seems that this time of year is the perfect vehicle for bringing warring parties together.

This theme was particularly evident in the winter of 1914.  It was the beginning of the First World War.  In that war, long trenches were dug and soldiers fought from these trenches for weeks and sometimes months.  It wasn’t uncommon for opposing armies to be within feet of each other.  They could hear the other soldiers talk.  They could hear them snore.  And they would shoot at each other whenever possible.  Sometimes, they would call a truce so the soldiers could carry their dead and wounded away.  Other times they would allow the soldiers on the opposing side to climb out and exercise.

They each knew the hardship of the trenches.  It was wet, dirty and depressing.  Living in a deep trench full of mud and foul odors with little food and little comfort or warmth was their duty.  Misery was their constant companion.  They were away from home and miserable.  They were young.  And, as in any war, worse things were coming.

So it was between the British and German armies.  The young men fighting in this newly announced world war had no idea of the coming atrocities that awaited them.  All they knew was that it was Christmas and they were far from home.  So, as Christmas approached, they did what came naturally to them.  They sang Christmas songs and decorated makeshift trees.  Each side did what they could to relive their childhood memories and celebrate this cherished holiday.

Then, something miraculous happened.  The young men in the opposing armies reached out to each other.  They began to exchange Christmas carols.  They called a truce so that they could exchange little gifts.  They stood around and showed off their family pictures.  They played football games.

It was wonderful!  It’s estimated that over 100,000 soldiers participated in these truces along the hundreds of miles of trenches that covered the countryside of Europe.  They laughed.  They played.  They shared food and cigarettes.  They sang.  Why?  Because it was Christmas.

This short truce was because of the birth of our Savior!  What a powerful event for Christians everywhere, and how beautiful it was that this Day, this Birth, gave those armies the best reason of all to stop, celebrate and share their joy with their enemy.  God’s love is powerful, and for that Christmas Day in 1914, His love prevailed.

Whether you believe that Jesus was born on December 25th or another date, the feeling and warmth of the season is inescapable.  There is joy and love everywhere.  Strangers give gifts to people in need.  Children are spoiled with toys and candy.  Loved ones share memories and time that is most precious.

And, we can set aside differences during this season because it’s Christmas.  I believe truces and reconciliations happen this time of year most often because of the nature of the holiday.  It’s a celebration of the birth of the son of God and in celebrating that birth, we give.  Mostly, we give love.

So, Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends and to those who visit LTBC.  Celebrate with joy and laughter.  Give to those who are in great need.  Remember to show kindness to those who are alone.  And, as Tiny Tim so eloquently whispered, ‘God bless us every one!’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCo3pH-6ZT0

In Christ,

Janet

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photo credit: colemama

Congratulations Pam K!

Competition for our Christmas giveaway ended midnight pacific time on Monday night, December 19, 2011.  Pam K. was chosen via random drawing to receive the six prizes described when the giveaway opened on December 9th.

Pam K. has been notified by email that she is the winner.

Thank you to all who entered and participated.  We appreciate the interest in the giveaway, and we’re also very grateful for all of you who are subscribers to the blog.  We hope you’ll continue to visit our site regularly.

Merry Christmas to All!

Joan and Linda

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And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Luke 2:26 (NASB)

Graphic courtesy of Heartlight, Inc.

Have you ever paid attention to the part of the Christmas story in Luke 2, where we read about a believer’s prayer being answered?

Simeon was a righteous man, a faithful prophet. He was an elderly man, who believed in the restoration of Israel through the coming Messiah. The Holy Spirit told him he would not die until he had seen the “Lord’s Christ.” He eagerly awaited the arrival of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. He wanted to die knowing the “salvation” of the world had come. He wanted to die in the comfort of that peace.

The Spirit led Simeon to the temple that day, when Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to be presented to the Lord following the custom of the Law. Wouldn’t you have liked to have seen the look on Simeon’s face? It had to be one of deep thankfulness and joy. His days of waiting were over! Not only did Simeon get to see the Lord’s Christ, but he was able to hold Him in his arms. Luke 2:28-31 (NASB) says, “then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant
to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Joseph and Mary were amazed at all they heard and Simeon blessed them.  They knew Jesus was the Savior of the world, but they had not expected a stranger to know. There was no more waiting… Christ was born!

“O Holy Night”
by
Celtic Woman / Chloe Agnew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-8jYpa1-o

What a wonderful, glorious night it was! The angel of the Lord brought the “good news of great joy to all the people.” (Luke 2:10) The Heavens and the glory of the Lord shone brightly, and the shepherds stood watching in awe and wonder. We can indeed rejoice because God’s wonderful “Gift” is here! There is no more waiting. God loved us so much that he gave us the gift of Jesus! Our Savior came to seek and to save, to heal, to give comfort and rest, to bring hope, to be our joy and to give peace. All we need to do is to receive and accept Him, love Him, know Him and trust Him.

He is the reason for the Christmas season.  He is the hope of the world.  Let us celebrate!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:13(NIV)

By His Grace,

Joan

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