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LITTLE BABY KING

Copyright 2014

Little Baby King

It has been a year since my poem was published in the 2015 Christmas issue of the War Cry magazine with 1.7 million copies. I still thank God for this!

Tiniest Living God....Smallest Cosmic Power...
Microscopic Not-Of-This-Earth Majesty.    Wow!

Remember that line in the Aladdin movie?
         "Phenomenal cosmic power in an ity bity living space."
                   That was cool. But I trust you know things of God are way cooler!

Job was one of the people God explained His awesomeness to. He gave him (and ultimately us) a glimpse of His phenomenal power.

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions?

Surely you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set,

or who laid its cornerstone—

while the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy?

Job 38:4-7

God, the Creator created the universe when there was nothing and by His command. 
He spoke and it was. This is anti-evolution. This is in your face, meager little human with your own thoughts!

God is a powerful, omnipotent, sovereign Majesty. If we live believing this only to find out it was wrong, then oh well. But if we live not believing this only to find out it was right, our goose is cooked because God's Word is authoritative and cannot be undone by anyone, especially the meager little human who thought she was right.

This power who set the earth's foundation and marked off its dimensions chose to become a little, tender, needing human baby. He became His creation! I've heard a saying: "Babies are such nice ways to start people." We were babies at one time—little miracles. What a miracle that God became a tiny human cell, equipped with all the DNA to become a growing fetus inside Mary's womb and to be delivered as a baby boy!

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

Our amazing bodies, right down to the absolute smallest detail, are made in God's image. God knows what it's like to be human because it was His mind that drew up the plans for creating us and because he became human. The intricate workings of our bodies astound scientists and medical people and me. How God made Jesus is beyond me. Almighty God gave of Himself. It is true that some things are too mysterious to understand.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers

through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,

whom he appointed heir of all things,

and through whom he made the universe.

The Son is the radiance of God's glory

and the exact representation of his being,

sustaining all things by his powerful word.

After he had provided purification for sins,

he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 1: 1-3

Jesus is the heir of all things! What is also amazing is that the Bible tells us who believe that we are co-heirs with Christ. Double Wow! Jesus grew up and became a man, dying on the cross for our sins. Are you covered by the blood of the Lamb? Does anyone stand between you and your sins? Don't count on anyone from Hell to 'cause it ain't gonna happen. I suppose you can think you don't have sin, but you're only fooling yourself.

  "Behold, I am coming soon!

My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone

according to what he has done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the First and the Last,

the Beginning and the End."

Revelation 22:12-13

There are quotation marks in this reference because this is Jesus speaking, the Alpha and the Omega. He is alive right now, listening, watching, orchestrating and sustaining. Not a heart goes un-noticed. The Beginning and the End is in complete control. Wouldn't someone with those names be? God, the Son is of all extremes...the first, last, cosmic, little, reward, wrath. He is all-encompassing, full circle, no breach of command, all-consuming and all-knowing. With names like these, there is no one else higher in authority.

As you celebrate the Little Baby King this Christmas season, may God's amazing grace rest on you and your family as you turn to Him in prayer and may a baby remind you of God's love. 

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THE SAPLING'S STAR

Copyright 2014

Christmas is coming!

I look forward to the Christmas season as I put out the decorations and start preparing our home and business for celebrating the birth of Christ! 

The book of Micah was written around 700 years before the birth of Christ. Micah and those waiting for the Messiah waited a long time. It happened, but not in Micah’s day. We of today are blessed to know of prophecies written in the Bible and see their fulfillment. We get to see the whole span of things! I know I am called to patiently wait upon the Lord, like Micah, for Jesus' second coming. Those that do will renew their wings, regaining strength and restoration.

I can plod along each day, taking in moments with family, friends and customers after starting my day with prayer. When do you pray? Is it a habit? Is it part of your discipline? How can you know God is working specifically in your life if you don’t pray specifically? Do you know that you can know God is working specifically in your life as a result of praying specifically?

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7b

Bring what weighs heavy on your heart to the Lord. Cast your cares on Him because He cares for you. Keep casting and trusting and stay alert.

And while you are casting, remember to pray for Jerusalem. Pray that our country will keep good relations with Israel. Ask God to help our country’s leadership and that the White House represents Christians and upholds the Christian faith. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

May those who love you be secure.

Psalm 122:6

and

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry

and you be destroyed in your way,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2:10-12

We had a big snowstorm about a week ago with two feet of snow falling here in the woods. It was instant winter! But, since then, warmer weather has melted much of the white stuff, leaving barren tree limbs stretching out over our lawn. We anticipate and wait for more snow and colder temperatures.   

Like a little sapling in the woods which will one day become a mighty tree, much can happen from a person who has a little bit of faith…much more with people of great faith. I trust you pray in the only name given by which we must be born again…Jesus.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

May you be blessed this Christmas with abundant peace, joy and love.

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WOODLAND PRAISE

Copyright 2014

Woodland Praise

Thanksgiving is coming soon! It is a time for family and friends and remembering to be thankful. Indeed, we should be every day. I find the things I have committed to the Lord in prayer that have been answered need to be acknowledged and appreciated back to the Lord. I know it is his doing and so I must thank him for his provision and goodness to me. God loves with an everlasting love.

 The one who said thanks...

Remember the story of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy but only one of them came back to him and said thank you? 

One of them, when he saw he was healed,

came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him-

and he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:15-16

There are a lot of things to be thankful for: freedom, not being persecuted for your faith, the faithfulness to pray for those being persecuted for their faith, the opportunity to worship freely in this country, a warm house, good water, a job, family, friends, abilities, joys God gives on a beautiful silver platter, music, and the list goes on. What do you thank God for?

When Jesus was entering Jerusalem and people were yelling out 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!', the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke his disciples. And his reply was:

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet,

the stones will cry out."

Luke 19:40

    

Here in the woods, nature whispers to me its thankfulness. The barren trees here seem to know God is in control as they wait quietly for winter snows to come showering down on them. The sun shines through the trees, reminding me of God's faithfulness. God knows who is thankful and it doesn't go unnoticed. Present your requests to the Lord, with thanksgiving, and live by faith and love. 

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A FOREST NIGHT

Copyright 2014

DON'T GIVE UP PRAYING.

Don't give up! 

Sometimes I feel like giving up. I get hurt and hurt and want to quit. I wallow around in the mud pit of despair. No one knows the troubles I've seen. No one ever cared for me.

It just so happens that there are two wonderful pieces of music addressing what I just wrote: the African-Spiritual song and an old hymn. The first testifies that Jesus knows the troubles I've seen! And the second declares that Jesus has out-cared everyone else!

It's true!

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable

to show them that they should always pray

and not give up.

Luke 18:1

The parable was about the persistent widow. She kept going to a judge seeking justice. Finally, he said he would see to it that she got justice, her persistence winning out. Jesus assures us that God will bring about justice to those who repeatedly cry out to Him. When God says he will do something, you can count on that!

Cast your cares on Him. Continue expressing your heart-felt concerns and hurts. Don't give up. Keep explaining how you feel to God. Keep committing what weighs heavy on your heart.

My tears have been my food

day and night,

while men say to me all day long,

"Where is your God?"

Psalm 42:3

Remain hopeful. Put your hope in God. You can choose not to. But you can choose to! The Bible is full of promises and rewards held for those who remain faithful to the end. I remember my mother having this saying in her office...'No condition is permanent.' I understand it better now. In time, things change and can be better. I have also learned and relearned that God is aware of my tears and suffering. He sees yours too. So hang in there!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD

has granted me what I asked of him.

1 Samuel 1:27

Hannah had prayed in bitterness of soul. She spent some time crying from being distraught. But God did not turn a blind eye. He saw and heard Hannah. Her mourning turned to joy! 

"There is no one holy like the LORD;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God."      

1 Samuel 2:2

Happy November and All Saints Day! It has snowed here in my neck of the woods. But it is sunny today and the leaf-covered lawn is snow-free. I need to go out today and winterize. Many of our summer fixtures are still out and need to be put away til next summer. My special rhododendron needs to be wrapped up. Soon, we will set the clocks back. 

Keep trusting God with your cares and all you commit to Him in love. 

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THE ORANGE LEAF

Copyright 2014

PRAY PRAISING

Even when you don't feel like it. Not really easy to do. The last thing you feel like doing, when you're down and out, is being happy. Sometimes, the difficulties need to be finished off with misery and a downcast face. I might want to wallow around. And sulk.

But God sends the rain on the wicked and the believer.

He causes his sun to rise 

on the evil and the good,

and sends rain on the

righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:45b

The Bible tells us to endure hardship as discipline. Maintain your confidence in God. Hang in there. Keep praying. And then there's one step further, praising God even in dire conditions and extreme hurt.

About midnight

Paul and Silas were praying

and singing hymns to God,

and the other prisoners 

were listening to them.

Acts 16:25

This past week has been a difficult one for me, here in my neck of the woods. Rain falls here too. Pain is as prolific as the falling colorful leaves of the autumn season. Hurt falls on me like dead leaves to the ground. But, confidence gained is not thrown away. All I need do is see that perfect orange leaf—to trust Jesus and His faithfulness, and rely on His word.

Praise God in prayer for many things. What has He done for you lately? What did you notice He did? Did you catch that last miracle? Did you know He answered your prayer, even though you think He didn't because the result you want hasn't happened? Brainstorm things to praise Him for. It might start off slow, due to lack of practice and a very poor, grumpy disposition. But before long, I think you'll be sounding like Paul and Silas. At the very least, at least try.

Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;

to you our vows will be fulfilled.

O you who hear prayer,

to you all men will come.

Psalm 65:1-2

Pray praising, through good times and bad, through sun and rain, through peace and war.

Thanks be to God for His love.    

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THE FRUIT OF THE TREE

Copyright 2014

Fragrant Fruit

What fragrance do you love?
What smells are wonderful to you?

Happy October! The Fall season is underway around here in my neck of the woods. I can smell the decaying leaves and plant life. Fall has its distinct fragrances—apples, rain, cool mornings, candles burning inside and more frequent cups of coffee and tea. 

I love the fragrance of love and forgiveness. I think of the woman who anointed Jesus. She opened her alabaster jar and the whole house in Bethany was filled with a pleasing aroma. God, in the Old Testament, was pleased with the aroma of sacrifice. And He was very pleased in the New Testament! He sent His Son to die for our sins. Jesus willingly went to the cross for us. He made purification for our sins, His blood covering our sins.

What does the Holy Spirit produce? It produces fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. They're always correct.

Pray, then, for:

F   antastic love!
R   idiculous joy!
A   bundant peace!
G   reat patience!
R   eal kindness!
A   bove-all goodness
N   ever-without faithfulness!
C   ompassionate gentleness!
E   ven-keel self-control!

Pray the nine fruits of the Spirit for yourself and your family. Pray that you would have these fruits abundantly, indeed, over-flowing! 

You anoint my head with oil,

my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5b

Ask the nine fruits for your family and friends. Pray that God would give your distraught friend ridiculous joy—overwhelming joy! Ask God to give abundant peace to your friend who is heartsick over his lost family. Pray that God would soften the heart of your rough daughter with a sense of real kindness. Ask God to give your short-tempered spouse great patience. Pray that God would give your teenage son living in today's days steady self-control.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

Romans 8:26-27 

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit,

but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:17 

What fragrance do you leave behind? What lingers? 

May it be a fragrant, wonderful aroma pleasing to God!  (It will probably be pleasing to others, too.)

Keep following the way of love.

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HEAVEN

Copyright 2016

Thanking Jesus for Heaven in prayer.

"When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!"
Do you remember singing the old hymn? The first verse goes like this: 

"Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, 

sing His mercy and His grace;

In the mansions bright and blessed

He'll prepare for us a place."

When talking with God in prayer, keep His words in mind. Thank Him for His Word in your prayer. Recite back the scripture close to your heart. Keep His only begotten Son's promises in your heart and mind:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God; trust also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms;

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you."

John 14:1-2 

A place for us! Tis a gathering! Here in September, the birds begin to group and get ready for the migration south. They gather together and fly off to warmer shores. Look closely at nature. God's power, love and promise are evident all around us. In every month, in every season, we are reminded of God's faithfulness to us.

"Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Matthew 6:26

Keep trusting God. He wants us to live a life trusting Him. I want to live a life trusting Him. He provides what we need now and for the future. His words are true.

Birds are everywhere in the Bible. Type "birds" on Biblegateway, for example, and you will see every verse referring to birds. Pretty cool! And there is an eagle that speaks, much like the talking donkey of Balaam.

As I watched, I heard an eagle 

that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice:

"Woe! Woe!

Woe to the inhabitants of the earth,

because of the trumpet blasts

about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

Revelation 8:13

How cool is that? God can allow animals to talk! The end times are coming someday. We read about them in many sections of the Bible. And birds have a part to play when Heaven opens and the Rider of the White Horse comes to judge. His name is Faithful and True. It is Jesus! God has given Jesus all authority. His vivid description is written in Revelation 19:11-16. And then, the birds play a part:

And I saw an angel standing in the sun,

who cried in a loud voice 

to all the birds flying in midair,

"Come, gather together 

for the great supper of God,

so that you may eat the flesh of kings,

generals, and mighty men,

of horses and their riders,

and the flesh of all people,

free and slave, small and great."

Revelation 19:17-18

These are the people against Jesus. These are the kings and generals who tried to go against God with their plans. These are the small and great nations and individuals who did not choose Christ. These are the people who did not trust God nor believed in Jesus' words about going and preparing a place. They had their own ideas. When Heaven opens, all will be made right. We can trust this because God's words are trustworthy.

Heaven will be glorious I'm sure! I think there will be all kinds of animals. And many terrains and environments and variety. It will be awesome! I am trusting you will be there in the gathering.

Pray thanks and praise for Jesus' promise of Heaven to believers everywhere. He endured the cross for us and bore the iniquities of the world, dying for our sins and providing purification for them. (Hebrews 1:3) 

Pray prayers of thanks to Jesus for his incredible Love.