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REVIVAL TIME by Bonnie Wishum, from childlike faithAs our church is making plans for a revival, our music director has asked for those of us who would to sing solos
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Choosing Our Next President by Linda Collins, from childlike faithOur next president should be a christian and a man that falls under the authority of God.
- A few years back I saw a woman do a dramatization of the crucifixion to help women to really delve into what was going on at that time, to understand from a mother's point of view just what Jesus went through that all might be saved from their sins. After some time went by and much dwelling on the drama I just had to write my on version to share with others. Hope as you read it your hearts will be touched and blessed.
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As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, all around the world babies are being born. And parents in the process of giving birth are filled with a mixture of anticipation and joy and concern. Then when the birthing process is finished and that precious little bundle is placed in their loving, waiting arms, some sigh with relief as they gaze upon the face of their newborn child. Their hearts are filled with such love, a love they had never quite understood before. They look forward to seeing that first smile, the first tooth, the first time he or she rolls over, sits up, or takes the first steps. Mama hopes the first word will be mama while daddy hopes it will call his name first. Then there is the first day of school, first date, and all the other firsts that come with the growing years.
Some parents can look forward to these things with great anticipation, but some are faced with problems they never imagined would happen to them. They don't love their babies any less, but they look at their little one with such heartache and fear for what the future holds in store for them, and their tear filled eyes ask the question, Why did this have to happen to my baby? They listen as the doctors tell them what they can expect in the days, months and years ahead. You see their baby has been born blind, deaf, missing limbs, muscular or skeletal problems, mentally handicapped or one of many other medical conditions. Some don't dare let themselves hope for a future for their little one and they are filled with despair, while others hearts suddenly fill faith in God, believing that just as he has promised in his word, he will never leave them or forsake them, but will be with them all the way. They are filled with a determination that their little one will be all that God wants them to be for as long as God chooses to leave them in their care.
Well, just as parents are faced with problems today, so were Mary and Joseph faced with problems. Mary, a young virgin, not yet married but betrothed to be married to Joseph was told by an angel that she would be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and would conceive in her womb a baby. How troublesome this news must have been to a young girl who lived in a day when such a thing was a disgrace and punishable by death. The angel told Mary not to be afraid. This child would be the Son of God. Mary not quite understanding all she was told, at the mention of God's name, felt faith and courage rising up within her being and said to the angel, "Let it be as you have spoken." She had to face Joseph and tell him that she was pregnant and face the possibility of being rejected by him, but God stepped in and they were married and he stood by her through it all.
The news of Mary's pregnancy was most likely spread throughout the village by those who loved to spread gossip. Some who in times past had been her closest friends now turned away from her. Others probably had all sorts of hurtful things to say to Mary and Joseph. But I believe that Mary and Joseph held their heads high knowing that this was God's will for their lives and trusted in him to see them through.
Finally, while on a trip from their home, the time came for the baby to be born. And because all the inns in Bethlehem were filled, Mary gave birth to her son in a stable. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a trough filled with hay. And I'm sure Mary and Joseph looked on this baby with love in their hearts and looked forward to all the first things he would accomplish.
As the days passed, Mary held him close to her heart as she pondered over all that she had been told about this baby.What was it the angel had said? "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee:Blessed art thou among women.Fear not Mary for thou hast found favor with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called Son of God.
And then Mary remembered the words her cousin Elizabeth had spoken to her several months before. "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, and whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped within my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."
When they carried the eight day old infan to the temple to be circumsised as was the Jewish custom, Simeon took the baby in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A ligh to lighten the the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And to Mary he had said, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
So much for a young mother to take in, let alone understand. And yet here he was, Jesus the Son of God, sent down from on high, conceived in the womb of a young virgin girl by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, born in a lowly stable, placed in the hay where animals are fed, here in the town of Bethlehem fulfilling the prophecies of prophets in days gone by. Angels heralded his birth to shepherds on the hillside and wisemen followed a star and they all made their way to worship him, Jesus, the Son Of God, the ultimate gift of love sent to earth to be salvation's plan for all mankind. But I believe that when Mary and Joseph looked upon this baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, they saw their newborn son, whom they loved and they looked forward to all the first things he would accomplish.
Just as God loved us enough to send us the gift of his Son, let us love one another with a Christ like love. And during this holiday season, let's remember to pray for all parents around the world, those with babies who are born healthy and whole as well as those who have babies that are faced with special situations and disabillities. Also remember those who lost their babies in death that they might find the comfort only found in a loving relationship with God, trusting in him who said I will not leave you or forsake you, but will be with you to the end.
You know, there's a popular saying that says, Jesus is the reason for the season. But let's not let ourselves get caught up in making Jesus a seasonal thing. Instead, let's be faithful in carrying him and his love in our hearts all year long sharing it with others wherever we may go.
AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR!! - WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN ONE DAY i OVERHEARD A CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO FRIENDS ABOUT THE RAPTURE AND RESSURRECTION
- I feel it necessary today to write this letter to clear up any misconception on my writing, My Thoughts On Psalms 23. It seems as though there was at least one
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Tonight Lord my soul feels so tired and so weary
but your Word tells me I can come to you and find sweet rest.
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