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Reflections
Beautiful music – sights and sounds… People may smile more at this time. As I sit by a fire, I give thanks. Not every year has been like this, And this one has had its own challenges. Still, in the midst of the music, I pause and reflect on many blessings. The power and desire to hurt exists – The power to rejoice and love is higher. This Christmas there is nothing missing. There is provision, love, humor and hope. None of these are purchased. They are gifted by the Great I AM. Our Yahweh. Our Father. Our Savior. Our Redeemer. Our Champion. He is Christmas! He is the breath…
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Listen to Christmas
When I was little, Christmas was always an exciting time. Would it snow? We watched the sky expectantly. The family would go to Midnight Mass. One year, when I was ten, it snowed – big, popcorn flakes floating down. There was no wind, just the pristine hush in the midnight. The stained-glass windows glowed in the church beyond. It was magical. This Christmas, that little girl lives on. The mystery, wonder and miracles that wrap themselves within Christmas are alive and well. God is near. The angelic heralds are within earshot if you will but pause. The joy that was poured into Earth is still tangible. Each moment is a…
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Behind the Blur
The blur is there – Masking the image that had once seemed clear. Now, it is as though A wash of color has obliterated the view… And, that is ok, Because I trust. I trust the One Who watches over Israel and Slumbers not, not sleeps – Watches over me. In spite of my messes, His love is greater. My prayer is that my heart is HIs, Not just in word and deed, Also, in the hidden alcoves. I lift my song – In a language only we two share, And sing as if my life depends on Him, Because it does. – RG
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Cast Away
They were old fashioned wooden crates, rough and bulky with plenty of splinters. One had to be careful handling them. Each one had the contents within stenciled on the outside in glossy black paint. Shouting, all in capital letters, there was WORK, DOG, COUNTRY, FINANCES, FRIEND’S HEALTH, and the catch-all of EVERYTHING ELSE. As the days passed, the pile of crates grew, rather than diminish. Eventually, it was painfully obvious that toting around this much required a monumental effort. Something must be done. Staring at the ceiling during another sleepless night, the answer came in a gentle, loving whisper from the hidden places in her heart. “…Casting all your anxieties…
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Trusting
Ok, ok – I admit it, I like to have understanding of what is happening when. How will things play out? What is next? Are things in order? Sometimes I want things to be known immediately. Alright, almost always I want to know things immediately. A friend of mine says I’m a “ready, fire, aim” person in some things. I suppose he is right. Today, however, as I sit in the cool of my living room (thank heaven for air conditioning!), I realize that this whole trusting business with God is important. I was reading a post by Chris Tiegreen today, and this caught my eye. The topic is about…
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The Stillness of Holy Saturday
I wonder what they were doing that Saturday? Were some huddled in a room somewhere terrified they would be next? Were they exhausted? Did they jump at every and any unexpected sound? From Biblical accounts, it seems this may have been the case. Were they hopeless? We tend to look at these heroes of the New Testament – the Disciples, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary who had been set free from her past and others as larger than life. We view them from the resurrection side of history. We know how this one ends – they didn’t. Saul (who would become Paul) was likely celebrating Passover in the strict…
