Peace - No Matter What!

 PEACE - NO MATTER WHAT!

When the world turns upside down, where can we find peace?

      So many people are brimming over with anxiety and fear these days.  Certainly, we are living in perilous times. It’s not the only time in history where times have been perilous, but as far as our generations experience, it’s the first time we’ve felt like our world is truly turning upside down. 

     Famous words from a Charles Dickens novel come to mind: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”  I see parallels in this statement with the times in which we are living.  When we think of all the modern conveniences and knowledge that is available to us today, we could say these are the best of times, but when we consider how our values, liberties and beloved way of life are crumbling around us, then we might think it is the worst of times.

     I’m here to encourage you to consider this the best of times.  No matter whether the world is turning upside down or the sky is falling in, if we keep in mind that God is in control of every bit of everything, then we can rest in the assurance that He loves us – no matter what!  These are times when our faith is being tested.  Will we trust God or will we curl into a ball of fear?  It takes the worst of times to test our faith and bring out the best in our journey of faith.

      Let me share today’s reading in Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling (written in 2008).  Jesus is saying to us: “I am your Refuge and Strength, an ever-present Help in trouble. Therefore, you don’t need to be afraid of anything – not even cataclysmic circumstances. The media are increasingly devoted to fear-inducing subject matter: terrorism, serial killers, environmental catastrophes. If you focus on such dangers and forget that I am your Refuge in all circumstances, you will become increasingly fearful. Every day I manifest My grace in countless places and situations, but the media take no notice. I shower not only blessings but also outright miracles on your planet.

      “As you grow closer to Me, I open your eyes to see more and more of My Presence all around you. Things that most people hardly notice, like shifting shades of sunlight, fill you with heart-bursting Joy. You have eyes that see and ears that hear, so proclaim My abiding Presence in the world.”

       I love the opening words of the old hymn: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace” (written by Helen Lemmel in 1922).

     When we keep our eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ and trust His heart of love, we can rest in that wonderful “peace that passes understanding,” which is available to all God’s children every moment of every day.

     “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you…because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,” Psalm 91:7 & 9.

  

Photo:  I took this picture at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  The building in the picture is upside down - it's Ripley's Believe it Or Not.

Book:  Charles Dickens wrote “A Tale of Two Cities,” published in 1859.

    

Christmas

CHRISTMAS 

    Christmas means many things to people.  Certainly, beautifully decorated trees, shimmering with lights is a favorite sight during the Christmas season.  This impressive tree in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is especially pretty.

    Food is certainly up there with favorite things at Christmas.  There are some foods that only seem to show up in December - like this Maple Buche de Noel, which in plain English is maple mousse and cranberry rolled in gingerbread chiffon cake, iced with rich chocolate.  And - it tasted as good as it looks!

The most beautiful flower of Christmas - the poinsettia -- comes in such lush colors, it's hard to choose which is the prettiest!  These special flowers have been a part of Christmas for over a hundred years.

Stars are special, especially the one that led the Wise Men to Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago.  I love this plaque my friend Peggy made many years ago.  The message is timeless and its truth undeniable.  The word "star" is "estrella" in Spanish - such a pretty sound it makes on the tongue (:

Ah, the songs of Christmas are so special!  "Joy to the World the Lord has come" - you can't help but smile singing that one.  Then, there is Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and O, Little Town of Bethlehem, just to name a few.  What would Christmas be without music?  What is your favorite Christmas carol?  

But, the most wonderful and amazing aspect of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ who was born on that day.  Or, we might say, Christmas was born on that day when baby Jesus made His entrance into this world.  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace," Isaiah 9:6.  This most wonderful Gift - Jesus - is the reason for the season.

From our house to yours, 

we wish you a blessed Christmas 

and a healthy, happy new year of 2022.

 

Glory to God

 

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'"

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" Luke 2:8-14.

What an amazing sight that must have been for those simple shepherds!  Then, when they walked to the nearby stable and saw the little baby lying in a manger, their hearts must have burned within them as they recognized this very special birth.  Had not a host of angels flying in the sky above their heads told them that this baby was the very Lord Himself - the long-awaited Messiah?  When you are visited by hundreds of shining angels, you don't take their message lightly.

Out of all the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks that night, God chose these few men to be the recipients of this wonderful message, delivered in such a stunning manner.  Wow!  What an amazing honor!  Scripture ends our glimpse of these shepherds with these words, "Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them," Luke 2:20.

I imagine this experience changed their lives and these shepherds were never the same again.  No doubt, they repeated the story over and over again to anyone who would listen and always, there would be awe and wonder in their voices as they remembered that supernatural experience in the dark field of Bethlehem and the special baby in the stable.

As we celebrate the awesome birth of our Savior, let's embrace the wonder of it all and rejoice in the amazing grace God has showered upon us by sending to us this incomparable Gift.