Tag Archives: Christmas

Paint on the Wall

I saw two pictures today.  Splotches of paint on a wall. From picture one I thought that’s a huge paint sample to throw on a wall; there will be some wall painting going on right quick.

And then I saw picture two.

Picture two changed my mind about picture one. A lot.

Perspective.

So important!

The first swatch of paint looked like a brush stroke made by a woman taller than me, or perhaps, an adventurous preschooler with a chair; but when compared to the light switch plate in picture two – well that swatch of paint was not nearly so large.

Here’s my thought.

When life throws paint on our walls it can seem overwhelming. It’s just too much!  A touch up will never do. But …

A little perspective will bring abundant relief.

A little comparing of the circumstance; a little pulling back of that camera eye to get a glimpse of our ABBA’s resources and strength and that wall is not going to take near the work we thought at first blush.

13 Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”

via 1 Chronicles 19:12-14 NASB – He said, “If the Arameans are too – Bible Gateway.

Amen.

2013 is on its way!

Blessings of Joy and Peace,

Close Enough!

I do not know who is the Author of this piece but I cannot imagine myself not sharing it with you. I cried and at the end clapped my hands in praise saying Yes, You are! Yes, You are!!

twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
Perhaps the scene last Friday morning in Heaven did not go exactly as depicted here but this description is close enough for me to give me great, great comfort!! Close enough for me to see my Holy Savior and give Him praise, worship and adoration!!!
 

Oh, ABBA, thank You, thank You in JESUS HOLY AND ETERNAL NAME! To HIM be glory forever and ever!!

Blessings of Joy and Peace,

Train

I have been eager since earlier this morning to share my YOU VERSION devotion with you today. Contained in the devotion is information that I do not recall having previously received. It is good!

CREATING A TASTE FOR GOD

Perhaps the key passage in Scripture to understanding the parent’s proper attitude toward children is Proverbs 22:6. However, we often misunderstand that verse because we do not really know what the verb ‘train’ means.

To the modern mind, the verb ‘train’ smacks of discipline. We can almost see the hard-boiled sergeant dressing down the new recruit, a strict teacher telling his student what to do, or a demanding father insisting a son do something right. However, in the original Hebrew that is not at all what ‘train’ meant. In that ancient tongue, “train” denoted the action of the midwife when she would dip her finger in the oil and rub the tiny palate of the newborn baby, causing that baby to have a desire to suck. Thus, what that verse really means is, “Create a taste for God in the heart of your child, and when he is old nothing else in life will satisfy his hunger.”

What a difference a correct understanding of this simple verse makes. As godly parents, we are not always to “straighten out our children.” Rather, we are to love them deeply and provide a climate of love and security that is a result of our relationship with God. The child raised in such an atmosphere is a lot closer to Calvary than one raised in a hostile or cold setting.

via Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with God | YouVersion.com.

Did you see it?

What a revealing definition of train. It makes so much sense to me! Train up a child so they have a hunger for GOD and that child will not have departed from the LORD even when he is old. It’s a bit late for me as my childbearing years are over :) but perhaps I can still be TRAINED and some young ones will yet benefit. :) I hope you will pass this along to some young mothers. How glorious it would be to have a generation of children so trained.

Proverbs 22:6 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

6 Train a child in the way he [should] go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it.

via Proverbs 22:6 CJB – Train a child in the way he [should] – Bible Gateway.

Blessings of Joy and Peace,  Kathie

A Blessing

7 Blessed is the man who trusts in Adonai;

Adonai will be his security.

8 He will be like a tree planted near water;

it spreads out its roots by the river;

it does not notice when heat comes;

and its foliage is luxuriant;

it is not anxious in a year of drought

but keeps on yielding fruit.

via Jeremiah 17 CJB – “Y’hudah’s sin is written with an – Bible Gateway.

To flourish even in a drought; that is Adonai’s will for you and me. I pray it to be so.

Father, I pray to be such a tree with deep roots that find love, trust, faith, peace, and strength in times of the fiercest drought.  This morning I have many to bring for blessing. with various needs and situations, for wisdom, guidance, peace, and wholeness.  Father, You know the anxieties and the deep cries of our hearts.  Close friends with tender needs. Family with plans and dreams. And this day for all who come here to read and pray for today be a HOLY SPIRIT heeded day and a day to exalt JESUS in every place and to make HIM known in our individual spheres. And as this day closes that we will know we have done well, Father and You are pleased with Your children for JESUS’ namesake. 

Blessings of Joy and Peace,