AMAZING GRACE ~ Mazes, Messes, Miracles

CHOSEN

2010-01-05T00:05:00.005-07:00

"I am CHOSEN"

I plan to share in 2010 a feature series weekly on

MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST JESUS!

Peggy Is Chosen.

John 15:16 Peggy has been chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.

Peggy didn't choose Me, but I chose Peggy, and appointed her, that she should go and bear fruit, and that her fruit should remain; that whatever Peggy will ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to her.

II Cor. 1:21-22 Peggy has been established, anointed, and sealed in Christ.

Now He who establishes Peggy in Christ, and anointed Peggy, is God; who also sealed Peggy, and gave her the down payment of the Spirit in her heart.

II Cor. 5:18-19 Peggy has been reconciled to God and she is a minister of reconciliation.

But all things are of God, who reconciled Peggy to Himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to Peggy the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling Peggy to Himself, not reckoning to Peggy her trespasses, and having committed to Peggy the word of reconciliation.

Eph. 1:4 Peggy has been chosen by God to be holy.

Even as He chose Peggy in Him before the foundation of the world, that Peggy would be holy and without blemish before Him in love.

II Tim. 1:9 Peggy has been given a holy calling.

God saved Peggy, and called her with a holy calling, not according to Peggy's works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to Peggy in Christ Jesus before times eternal.

Titus 3:5 Peggy is washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Not by works of righteousness, which Peggy did herself, but according to His mercy, He saved Peggy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

I Peter 2:9 Peggy is a member of a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession.

Peggy is a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that Peggy may show forth the excellencies of Him who called her out of darkness into His marvelous light.

I John 2:28 Peggy has boldness and is not ashamed.

Now, Peggy should remain in Him, that when He appears, Peggy may have boldness, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

12 DRUMMER BELIEFS

2010-01-05T00:00:00.003-07:00

On the 12th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me…

12 DRUMMERS drumming

12 points of beliefs of the Apostle's Creed

1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, the maker of heaven and earth.
2) I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave].
5) On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8) the holy catholic Church,
9) the communion of saints,
10) the forgiveness of sins,
11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

[photo credit]

HOW MANY GIFTS WERE HANDED OUT in the Twelve Days of Christmas? *(answer below)

On the 1st day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, A partridge in a pear tree
On the 2nd day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree
On the 3rd day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, Three French hen, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree
On the 4th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, Four calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 5th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, Five golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 6th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, Six geese a laying… 5 golden rings,
4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 7th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, 7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying…5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 8th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, 8 maids a milking, 7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying…5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 9th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a milking, 7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 10th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, 10 lords a leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a milking, 7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 11th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a milking,7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 golden rings,
4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 12th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me, 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a milking,7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

*The answer is not 78 but 364: almost one for each day…but JESUS is for ALL 365 days

ON the 12th day of CHRISTmas, my TRUE LOVE gave to me…all 12 beliefs of the Apostle's Creed, the 11 faithful disciples, the 10 commandments, 9 fruits of the spirit, the 8 Be-attitudes, the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, 6 days of creation… the 5 first books of the Bible, the 4 Gospel writers, 3 basics of faith, hope & love, the 2 Testaments…the Old & New and OUR TRUE LOVE: Jesus Christ, who lives through you & me!

This sums it all up but if you'd like each day of the 12 Days of CHRISTmas, just scroll from December 25th to this current one.

MAY my posts on the 12 Days of Christmas not be a point of debate over this song but just another reminder of the transforming power of God's grace in our lives and in our world!

May we begin to BE BETTER at the TRUE LOVE of CHRISTmas everyday in our lives reflecting MORE of Jesus & LESS of ourselves in using our GIFTS & being a GIFT to others in sharing the BEST GIFT EVER…JESUS CHRIST…we can no longer wait to BE that LIGHT…to share HIS LIGHT …and the power of HIS LIGHT!

...GET into PRAYER: communicating with God, spend time each day.
…GET into a BIBLE READING PLAN on a daily basis!
…GET into a BIBLE STUDY with others & get into a Bible believing fellowship that does, be part & serve!
…GET into a plan of memorization of HIS WORD!
…GET out of your comfort zone and share Jesus!
…GET real about being the Body of Christ to a world that is perishing! We all can do something & must ...
MAY 2010 BE WHEN...
You decide to finally make a difference and make this year a PURPOSE driven life together with our life message & mission! To BE JESUS to one another and put HIM first each day!
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, I believe in the holy catholic church (universal), the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."
~ HENRY DAVID THOREAU, Walden
MAY WE HEAR the DRUM of JESUS CHRIST and KEEP PACE and IN STEP with HIM daily! May His rhythm flow through us to each person we encounter... we are not here to conform but BE TRANSFORMED by RENEWING our minds in Christ Jesus and His Word. May His thoughts be our thoughts, His Words our words, His actions our actions... His GIFT our gift

I LOVE THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY more & more!

I pray that THIS DRUMMER BOY spoke to your heart.

Each year at CHRISTmas time,

I try to remember

the real GIFT came

to SAVE us,

and all He asks of us in return

is to ACCEPT,

BELIEVE &

CONFESS

that

Jesus Christ is LORD!

He takes you as His precious Gift and

treasures you each day!

11 FOLLOWING the "PIPER"

2010-01-04T00:05:00.001-07:00

On the 11th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me…

[photo credit]

11 PIPERS PIPING

representing

The eleven Faithful Apostles:

1) Simon Peter,
2) Andrew,
3) James son of Zebedee,
4) John,
5) Philip,
6) Bartholomew,
7) Matthew,
8) Thomas,
9) James son of Alphaeus,
10) Simon the Zealot,
11) Thaddaeus

Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 6:14-16

Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus Christ is not included in the list above.
A list of the twelve disciples would usually include him.

ARE YOU CONSIDERED ONE OF HIS FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS? What does it take to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ? To say we are Christians is not enough. To be an American is not enough. If our allegiance is to Jesus Christ as King & Lord of our lives, we must surrender & obey Our Commander in Chief. We must know His Ways & His strategies to live our lives. Are you studying & learning them?

Are you putting on your Armor...every day? Are you defending Christ & living a life before others that they notice a difference?

I just recently heard this song and thought I should add "FAITHFUL" here... by

BROOKE FRASER

In 2010, I WILL FOLLOW the LORD each day, in tune to His voice each way that HE leads, guides and speaks to me. Let us FOLLOW Him FAITHFULLY!

I Left Everything to Follow You by Michael Card

Though sometimes I grow weary when the road’s getting long
At each point of my weakness You make me strong
And when doubts take over I remember it’s true
I left everything to follow You

To stay safe or to follow You asked me to choose
But how could fail when I’ve got nothing left to lose?
Without Your Call I couldn’t make it
It’d be impossible to do
To leave everything and follow you.

What is my petty offering
Compared to your sacrifice?
I gave up my home
You left paradise
What you called me to offer
Has really set me free
Cause You left everything to be with me

So with joy I embrace a faith that calls me from home
And I will cling to your promise that I am never alone
And with each passing moment I’ll keep hoping it’s true

I left everything to follow you

HELP US LORD TO BE FAITHFUL!

Thank You for being so faithful to us!

LORD, IT'S NOW

2010-01-04T00:00:00.004-07:00

CASTING CROWN

"If We've Ever Needed YOU..."

I'm not sure when this new album was released, but sometime in November, 2009 is my best guess and it's so good... to LEARN MORE & preview, please visit Casting Crown HERE. I just had to share...

SIMEON'S SONG

2010-01-03T00:05:00.018-07:00

The CHRISTmas story does not end at the stable, in a manger, it is just the beginning... and there is a very special man in this passage that has a song as well (and Anna should also)!

Luke 2: 21- 40

Jesus Presented in the Temple

²¹On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

²²When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord", ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

²⁵Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

³³The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

³⁶There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

The best song, to accompany this passage is not available, embedding was disabled but you can

go to YOU TUBE (just click & be linked there) and hear it or just read the words:

NOW THAT I'VE HELD HIM IN MY ARMS by Michael Card

HAVE YOU HELD HIM?

John 1:29

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD... Andrew Peterson

COME ~ LET US BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

Before CHRISTmas (during Advent) and now today, I have been sharing on the SONGS of CHRISTmas, but not the traditional songs we sing or carols, but special ones found in God's Word. If you missed any or just would like to listen or see, here they are (just click & enJOY):

I also shared the "TWELVE DAYS of CHRISTmas" and their spiritual symbolism for the actual 12 days are between CHRISTmas and Day of the Kings, which is Epiphany. In Mexico, we celebrate it like CHRISTmas with gifts and the 3 Kings, as they brought gifts to Jesus!

These are the posts for the 12 days (ones in blue had no visitors)(thanks to a special someone this has been covered almost completely) :)

Added Confession, clearing the air or voicing my opinion:

Forgive me! I have some posts on the 12 days that have not one visitor, but to me, it's important that I share this tradition on my blog. I guess it's times with no visitors that God makes me recall what it's all about, and how Mary & Joseph searched for room in the INN then humbly accepted a stable, then that Jesus Himself, found NOT enough to stand for Him before they crucified Him. God had a purpose for me when I shared these 12 days and His purpose will not be void. I pray before and after I write for God to use this.

So once more, I need to ask God to search me and examine my motive for blogging. It isn't for popularity, nor pride or validation, so I will let go...and let God settle this in me. It certainly is not because I think I am sharing something SO profound (but I pray one day it will be).

To me, if you write and no one comments, perhaps there was nothing valuable yet I know that the songs that I share usually and the Word of God are, so then it's a question of if I wrote them for myself, as an introspective work. Very much like a public journal of sharing thoughts. (Thinking aloud!) I know some bloggers who have stopped blogging for this.

Anyone else have a problem with this? or is it just me? How did you let go or get over this? dis enable comments? I've tried even that.

May I blog from a pure heart, listening to God. Sorry, I just had to confess this and get it off my chest to start this new year fresh. It's the same with The Lighthouse of Prayer, when I know there are many in need of prayer, and many that care, but not so many go there and leave a prayer.

I THANK the 3 or so, that have ventured to READ and comment faithfully and the others that visit every so often for features. Thank you so much! Your words bless me and I so appreciate YOU!

...maybe this old "ugly" is rearing its head. After sharing this, I went to Google Reader to check on what others were sharing and I caught this GREAT INSIGHT & WISDOM from our precious sister LISA from SHARING LIFE with LISA, please READ God's answer in part HERE... God is so GOOD!

10 LORDS LEAPING

2010-01-03T00:00:00.009-07:00

On the 10th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me…

10 LORDS a LEAPING

representing the

10 COMMANDMENTS

1) You shall have no other gods before me
2) Do not make an idol
3) Do not take God's name in vain
4) Remember the Sabbath Day
5) Honor your father and mother
6) Do not murder
7) Do not commit adultery
8) Do not steal
9) Do not bear false witness
10) Do not covet
from

Exodus 20:3 - 17

3"You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.

11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

These 10 principles are the first guiding laws that God gave us! They are not suggestions, they are COMMANDments!

Jesus sums them up in 2:

Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul and your whole mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

For a song & devotional on this day you can go here.

These LORDS a LEAPING kinda remind me of our legislature: we better remember to pray for them and that they make decisions with God's wisdom and influence. God's law not man made to suit our individual preferences or selfishness, may the representatives seek the LORD & His will with their whole heart, soul and mind. We really need to PRAY for government leaders!

To read the other Days of CHRISTmas & what they symbolize

9 LADIES DANCING

2010-01-02T15:00:00.006-07:00

On the 9th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me…

9 LADIES DANCING

representing

THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1) love,

2) joy,
3) peace,
4) patience,
5) kindness,
6) generosity,
7) faithfulness,
8) gentleness,
9) self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23(KJV) (Spanish Reina Valera)

Ga 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Mas el fruto del Espíritu es: caridad, gozo, paz, tolerancia, benignidad, bondad, fe,

Ga 5:23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Mansedumbre, templanza: contra tales cosas no hay ley.

May the fruits of the spirit increase in our lives each day!

This is interesting to me that "ladies dancing" is associated with the "fruit of the spirit" Since dance is a discipline ... I can definitely see the FRUIT in this!... so LADIES... Let's dance and praise the LORD!

To read the previous days of CHRISTmas & their hidden spiritual meaning

8 MAIDS

The GENTLE HEALER

2010-01-02T00:00:00.002-07:00

[artist credit Greg Olsen]
Jehovah Rapha"God who Heals"Jehovah Rophi"The LORD Our Healer"
"Who would have ever believed that someone like him would come to a sleepy little town like Bethsaida. Don't misunderstand me, I love my town and the hills and the Sea of Tiberias. It has always been my home. And always will be I hope. My father gave his name to me, Joshub, though that is not what I am called by most in town. "Slow one", they call out across the street, or "Stupid!". I don't really mind. The Creator, blessed be He, must have wanted me this way. And I think I must still be a happier man than most." ~ Michael Card
TO READ MORE of this please click HERE where Michael Card shares "THE GENTLE HEALER" story...

The Gentle Healer came into our town today
He touched blind eyes and the darkness left to stay
More than the blindness, He took their sins away
The Gentle Healer came into our town today
The Gentle Healer came into our town today
He spoke one word that was all He had to say

The One who had died just rose up straight away
The Gentle Healer came into our town today
Oh, He seems like just an ordinary man
With dirty feet and rough but gentle hands
The words He says are hard to understand
And, Yet, He seems like just an ordinary man
The Gentle Healer, He left our town today
I just looked around and found He'd gone away
Some folks from town had followed Him, They say
That the Gentle Healer is the Truth the Life the Way

For more inspirational videos, visit Amy at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

There is Healing

in the Name of Jesus

Jehovah Rapha, the Great Physician heals physical, spiritual & emotional ills. Although physical healing is important, man's greater need is for healing of relationships & our spiritual disease called sin. All around us we see the ravages of sin & the need for healing. The need today is not much different from Isaiah's time as described in (Is 1:5, 6) where Isaiah describes Israel as a physical body sick from head to heart to toe. How wonderful in that same chapter (Isa1:16, 17, 18, 19, 20) Isaiah gives preview of a clear prophecy that by Messiah's "scourging we are healed" (Isa 53:5). Yes, by His stripes, _____ we are healed!

OUR FRIEND, Denise (aka Shortybear) from Shortybear's Place and her husband Eddie need our help: PRAYERS & much more...please GO HERE and read the current update... or here with our loving, caring friend Marsha or Here with Donetta. Please DO whatever you are able. We ALL can pray or leave an encouraging word...Denise posted herself today and she's home with Lovebug but with much ahead of them.

PRAYER OF HEALING through WORSHIP

A BLESSED & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH OF YOU!

2010-01-01T00:05:00.001-07:00

... 7 VERSES and a PRAYER for the NEW YEAR
Just click on it & it should play my New Year blessing(I had to remove the card, it kept playing each time I open)You can see the original by going HERE

Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Psalm 20:4
May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him."

Psalm 51:10-11
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Philippians 3:13-14
... I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

Dear God, It is a new year on this earth. I want to begin the year with praise and thankfulness to You. I want to recommit myself to You; to do Your good will; to follow Your word and the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. I want to draw closer to You in word, thought, and deed. I want to have an attitude of gratitude, a smile on my face and in my voice, and energy to do whatever task or ministry You want me to do. Please continue to provide my every need, as only You can do. Please bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Please give me wisdom, knowledge, desire, and power to go forth and live for You to make a difference in the lives of those around me and to glorify You. Please bless my coming and my going and open my mouth to speak words of truth and love. Thank You, God. In Jesus' name

Peace and Love,
Peggy

American Bible Society's Reading Plan is entitled "EMBODYING HOPE". January starts in Colossians and the theme is "Embodying Hope and Celebrating Our Unity in Christ Jesus".
I definitely need to embody HOPE in Christ for 2010.

8 MAIDS

2010-01-01T00:00:00.005-07:00

On the 8th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me…

8 MAIDS a milking

Which stand for the 8 BEATITUDES

BLESSED ARE…

1. the poor in spirit,
2. those who mourn,

3. the meek,
4.those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
5. the merciful,
6. the pure in heart,
7. the peacemakers,
8.those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

Matthew 5:3-10 (KJV) and (Spanish Reina Valera)

Mt 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Bienaventurados los pobres en espíritu: porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos.

Mt 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Bienaventurados los que lloran: porque ellos recibirán consolación.

Mt 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Bienaventurados los mansos: porque ellos recibirán la tierra por heredad.

Mt 5:6
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Bienaventurados los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia: porque ellos serán hartos.

Mt 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Bienaventurados los misericordiosos: porque ellos alcanzarán misericordia.

Mt 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Bienaventurados los de limpio corazón: porque ellos verán á Dios.

Mt 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
Bienaventurados los pacificadores:
porque ellos serán llamados hijos de Dios.

Mt 5:10
Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Bienaventurados los que padecen persecución por causa de la justicia:

porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos.

Mt 5:11
Blessed are ye[you] when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Bienaventurados sois cuando os vituperaren y os persiguieren, y dijeren de vosotros todo mal por mi causa, mintiendo.

I LOVE the BEATITUDES & feel blessed that one of them is the scripture verse given for my given name (which isn't "Peggy") (it's much more Catholic & needed to be a saint's name for my parents). Can you guess which Beatitude is for me?

MAY the LORD JESUS CHRIST bless you & your life as you seek

to attain these teachings for your life.

I'm somewhat perplexed about this one on why "maids a milking" was chosen. I understand the BEATITUDES being for the 8th day... but just can't get the connection. I thought perhaps it may be that a MAIDEN and milk are representative of "PURE"... need to think a bit more. I know that as a child playing cards, you never wanted to be the "old maid"... but PURE that is a much more desired quality. YES LORD, that I would be PURE in heart, PURE in thought and PURE in my actions... that I would PURELY follow after YOU and these BEATITUDES!

[To read the other Days of CHRISTmas & what they symbolize - scroll day by day since December 25th to today's date.]

WHO I AM

2010-01-01T09:00:00.005-07:00

INTRO

[FICM credit]

I have not yet decided whether I will feature these on Fridays or Tuesdays. But God has directed me to walk once more through steps of freedom by acknowledging WHO I AM in Christ Jesus.

So each week in 2010, I will be doing a series on my IDENTITY in CHRIST based on scripture and Truths I learned in Neil T. Anderson's books back in the 90's.

I will be calling the series either:

Tuesday's TRUE IDENTITY in CHRIST (if I do them on Tuesdays) or

FREEDOM on FRIDAY (if I post them on Friday) Fulfilling Your Identity in Christ ...

who knows maybe I'll end up doing on both days or either as I am able. We'll see how it goes and how much interest there is but no matter what, it is what I need to do throughout 2010!!!

Understanding your identity in Christ is essential for living a Christian life and walking victoriously. The first thing I think, we as women, and especially as Christian women, often see or think about ourselves differently every day. Sometimes, we look in the "mirror" and we like who we see and sometimes we don't like the woman we see. Our self esteem fluctuates almost as much as our monthly cycles. And of course, satan likes to keep us bond up and believing lies from our childhood or our past, putting ourselves down and falling into his trap or entrapments. We must be free!

My attempt at sharing our "Identity in Christ" is to encourage us to begin, or remind ourselves, how Christ sees us. We need to focus on what it truly means to be Christian and WHO WE ARE in Christ to define ourselves. We need to mediate and focus every day on God's Truth of our identity in Christ to become different women, better women and not believe the darts that try to deceive us and discourage us. We need to love the person we see in the mirror, no matter what the physical appearance or size may be this week: WE ARE HIS and HE IS OURS, WE BELONG.

We are created by God to live a purposeful life victoriously, pressing forward to our goals. (oh that's another topic)...setting goals that many of us do, sometimes called New Year resolutions.

I RESOLVE TO BE ALL I CAN BE IN CHRIST JESUS.

In this series, we will be looking at what the Bible says about OUR IDENTITY in CHRIST! I will break this into the 3 following concepts of Neil T. Anderson's:

I am accepted...I am secure...I am significant...

(or maybe these six sections - not necessarily in this order, which I use to define myself when I'm down or need to renew my identity):

Replace my name with your own name.

Peggy 's Identity In Christ

Peggy Is Valuable.

Peggy Is Loved.

Peggy Is Victorious.

Peggy Is Complete.

Peggy Is Chosen.

Peggy Is Forgiven.

Since I am without my books by Neil T. Anderson, here in Mexico, I am leaning on God's direction and HIS WORD.

Let's use this song as our theme song to REFRESH US today or any day to RECALL and BE BLESSED as HIS BELOVED and REMEMBER HOW CHRIST JESUS sees us:

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours.
I am Yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours.
I am Yours.
I am Yours.

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I am Yours..
I am Yours..

************

Will you try to JOIN me in this series as WE are ESTABLISHED & ROOTED in Christ Jesus to

OUR TRUE IDENTITY IN HIM

so we can encourage one another

TO BE ALL WE CAN BE

AND BELIEVE!!!

It's time to BE FREE in Christ Jesus!

6 GEESE

2009-12-30T00:05:00.007-07:00

On the 6th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me...

6 GEESE a laying

[photo credit]

... which stands for the six days of creation ...
and on the seventh day God rested

[photo credit]

Genesis 1
The Beginning

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."

7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.

8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.

10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,

15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.

16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,

18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."

21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."

23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.

25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Genesis 2

¹ Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
³ And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
To read a devotional on the 6th Day of Christmas, you can click & read here.

PRAISE GOD as CREATOR and SUSTAINER of the WORLD!
[I divert from the 12 Days of Christmas song today for THIS, but you can go listen
to any or all of the 5 previous days of Christmas to hear]

YOU ARE LORD of HEAVEN & EARTH!

TIME TO REST!

[I guess that's what the geese a LAYING means]

(no, I know it means nesting & laying eggs

but I ain't got no eggs to lay so just RESTING)

(the joy of being 55)

More of the "12 days of Christmas"

5 GOLDEN RINGS
4 CALLING BIRDS
3 FRENCH HENS
2 TURTLE DOVES
PARTRIDGE in a PEAR TREE

BLOGGER BLESSINGS

2008-08-28T20:00:00.007-06:00

I THANK MY LORD JESUS CHRIST & EACH BLOGGER FRIEND FOR THE FOLLOWING HONORS!

It is so much better to give than receive but both bring BLESSINGS! I am humbled and honored to receive and joyfully give to others as it is encouraging and edifies the body of Christ! "I WANT TO PASS IT ON"

It only takes a spark to get a fire going.

And soon all those around,

can warm up in glowing.

That's how it is with God's love,

Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;

You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring,

when all the trees are budding;

The birds begin to sing,

the flowers start their blooming.

That's how it is with God's love;

Once you've experienced it,

you want to sing "It's fresh like spring";

you want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found.

You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.

I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD I want the world to know;

the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.

©1969 Bud John Songs, Inc Words and Music by Kurt Kaiser

Thank you Nancie for being MORE THAN A CONQUEROR and encouraging us to share.

Just put a link back to Nancie's post to show where this Award originated : http://lifewithbipolardisorder.blogspot.com/2009/12/more-than-conquerors-award-to-share.html

shared on December 31st, 2009

http://lifewithbipolardisorder.blogspot.com/2009/12/more-than-conquerors-award-to-share.html




THANKS WILNETTE! @ Broken Vessel

GOD CHASER presented me with both
of the following AWARDS of FRIENDSHIP at the
same time she gave them to Willow, who then
also passed on the 2nd one again to me.

BLESS YOU WILLOW @Apron Strings and Angst
& WILNETTE @ Broken Vessel

posted on Wednesday & Thursday,
October 22nd & 23rd, 20008

THANKS JILL!from Forever n Ever n Always

shared October 16th, 2008

TRUE FRIEND AWARD & FAITHFUL SERVANT AWARD

THANK YOU SO MUCH JILL!

@ Forever n Ever n Always
sowed in my heart on
October 2nd, 2008

Faithful Servant Award Sowing Seeds of Love created by Jill
True Friend Award created by Lexi, her daughter
posted on Wednesday & Thursday, October 22nd & 23rd, 2008

SPIRIT AWARD

Thanks LS & HAPPY!
@ Serendipity Park

YOU LIFT MY SPIRIT

posted on September 28th, 2008

INSPIRATION AWARD!

Thanks to Debra, LS & Happy!

Debra @ Clothed with Scarlet

LS & Happy @ Serendipity Park
awarded on September 23, 2008

only Debra's posted on September 20, 2008

AWESOME BLOGGER FRIEND AWARD!

Thanks to Debra @ Clothed with Scarlet

Posted on September 16th, 2008

AUTUMN FRIENDS AWARD

Thanks to Laurie Ann @ A Magnolia's Heart Beats

Posted on September 17th & 18th, 2008

PROXIMITY AWARD!

Thanks to Laurie Ann also!

@ A Magnolia's Heart Beats

DOG LOVER BLOG AWARD!

Thanks to Paula @ Dogs On Thursday & Basset Knitter

Posted on September 18, 2008

FRIENDSHIP AWARD & KIND BLOGGER AWARD!

Thanks to Nancie @ More Than Conquerors

Posted on August 16, 2008

BRILLANTE WEBLOG PREMIO-2008

Thanks to Carol @ Sheep to the Right

Posted on August 16, 2008

SHARING THE LOVE

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles & Wonders
July 24, 2008

Thanks so much Debra @ Clothed with Scarlet
September 28, 2008

Posted on August 1, 2008 & August 16th

Created by www.memoirsofamommyblog.com

ARTE Y PICO AWARD!

Thanks to Tracy, Cheryl, Paulette & Melanie!

Tracy @ My Cup Runneth Over
Cheryl @ Hope for Each Day
Paulette @ Summer Blessings
posted on July 21, 2008

Melanie @ The Fruits of the Spirit
posted on August 16, 2008

7 SWANS

2009-12-31T00:00:00.004-07:00

INSTRUMENTAL

On the 7th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me...

[photo credit]

7 SWANS a swimming

representing

the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:

(also the seven sacraments for the Catholic Church)

Prophecy

Serving

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leading

Compassion

Romans 12:6-8

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully

1 Corinthians 12:8-11

8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

May you be determining what gift God has given you to develop and use for His Glory in this Kingdom! If you do not yet know your gift...may you seek the GIFT this year & GLORIFY God! (I definitely should be expanding on this topic in future posts and also more SPIRITUAL GIFTS!)

I'm wondering if you are noticing the same thing as I am. Each of these 12 Days of Christmas, so far, have involved "BIRDS" to symbolize the spiritual meaning (except 5 golden rings, but I think there's a bird with golden rings around the neck). I thought of this because often we represent the Holy Spirit as a dove, though we realize that is not who HE is!

Now the 8th day of CHRISTmas changes to people! But it's "People who need to change."

If you need to discover or rediscover your gifts, here are 7 helpful sites for "SPIRITUAL GIFT INVENTORY":

http://buildingchurch.net/g2s-i.htm

http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1

http://mintools.com/spiritual-gifts-test.htm

http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/

http://www.d-m-m.org/support-files/giftstest.pdf

http://www2.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/assessments/spiritgifts.html

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1355371/k.9501/Spiritual_Gifts.htm

Please take time to read the previous days of CHRISTmas & what they mean!!!

6 GEESE

5 GOLDEN RINGS
4 CALLING BIRDS
3 FRENCH HENS
2 TURTLE DOVES
PARTRIDGE in a PEAR TREE

5 GOLDEN RINGS

2009-12-29T00:00:00.003-07:00

On the 5th day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me...

5 GOLDEN RINGS

[photo credit]

... recalling the Torah or the Pentateuch

the first 5 books of the Old Testament

GENESIS

EXODUS

LEVITICUS

NUMBERS

DEUTERONOMY

These books give the history of humanity's failure (sinful nature) to obey God

and God´s response of GRACE

God requires us to be a new people...

a light to the world living in darkness

because without Jesus Christ,

their destiny is eternal separation from God...death...darkness.

Are you ready to share the LIGHT of Christ to a world that is perishing?

Another VERSION...

To read the other days of CHRISTmas & what they represent

just click on the title below

4 CALLING BIRDS
3 FRENCH HENS
2 TURTLE DOVES
PARTRIDGE in a PEAR TREE

WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS & BLESSED NEW YEAR!

2009-12-25T00:00:00.006-07:00

COMPLETION

2009-12-30T00:00:00.005-07:00

[both graphics above are by Ben Steed at Heartlight.org]

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

********************************

I had ten verses left from my Weekly Memory Verses, I've completed 4 of them this month and have chosen these TWO together

to COMPLETE this year for they seem to be the BEST

COMPLETION

of God's Work

in us

for

2009

and

what HE will do

immeasurably

MORE,

according

to HIS POWER,

BE the GLORY

2010!

Almighty and Awesome God, do in our day what you did in past days. Give us faith to believe and then amaze us at how shortsighted our faith really was.

Give us vision to see your plan and believe you long to do greater things.

We ask this, not for ourselves or our reputation, but for your glory and the salvation of our world. You are glorious, generous, and gracious. You have blessed me physically and spiritually with so many wonderful touches of Your grace. I praise You for Your faithfulness. I thank You for Your grace. I exalt Your name above every other name and hold it as a personal treasure. Please be glorified in me -- my speech, my actions, my influence, my life.

Loving Father, please help me better know and live Your will. Awaken my heart to Your will and open my eyes to Your plans by the power of your Holy Spirit. I want to be Your vessel of ministry, healing, blessing, and hope to those around me at work and play. Please use me to Your glory today, and always. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.(combination of prayers from Phil Ware, Today's Verse, also with Heartlight.org)

For more WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY visit Amydeanne @ the160acrewoods.com

HOME OF WFW

MY New Year's Blessing for YOU!

May you always enjoy the love of family and friends,

may YOU be blessed with health and happiness,

may you continue to enjoy new experiences with God,

and may your walk with the Lord be closer than ever.

Thanking God for YOU

and asking Him to bless YOU abundantly

in the coming year!

(Deut. 23:5)

[from a Dayspring ecard I received (thanks DK!)]

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics

OUR DAD

2009-12-29T00:05:00.003-07:00

This is the last FATHER'S LOVE LETTER post that I will be sharing, though last week actually had the last two lines of the Father's letter to us yet today's final part is just as IMPORTANT. It is how Our Father, closes His letter & signs it as:

OUR DAD, ALMIGHTY GOD!

AWESOME GOD! ABBA! How beautiful is this!

Each week I have been taking a verse from the Father's Love Letter to share and allow us to soak in His LOVE from HIS Letter to Me & YOU: the Bible.

(*FLL will represent Father's Love Letter). To see the letter in full you can scroll down and read or listen & watch a video of it. Or just go to the original site by clicking on FLL above in red.

There are 52 verses in the FLL!

So far I have covered these lines & the verses from FLL:

01. My Child...
02. You may not know me, but I know everything about you
03. I know when you sit down and when you rise up
04. For I am familiar with all your ways
05. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered
06. For you were made in my image
07. In me you live and move and have your being, for you are my offspring
08. I knew you even before you were conceived
09. I chose you when I planned creation
10. You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book
11. I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live
12. You are fearfully and wonderfully made
13. I knit you together in your mother's womb
14. And brought you forth on the day you were born
15. I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me
16. I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love
17. And it is my desire to lavish my love on you
18. I offer you more than your earthly father ever could
19. For I am the perfect father
20. Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand
21. For I am your provider and I meet all your needs
22. My plan for your future has always been filled with hope
23. Because I love you with an everlasting love
24. My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sand on the seashore
25. And I rejoice over you with singing
26. I will never stop doing good to you
27. For you are my treasured possession
28. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul
29. And I want to show you great and marvelous things
30. If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me
31. Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart
32. For it is I who gave you those desires
33. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine
34. For I am your greatest encourager
35. I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles
36. When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you
37. As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart
38. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes
39. I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus
40. For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed
41. He is the exact representation of my being
42. He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you
43. And to tell you that I am not counting your sins
44. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled
45. His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you
46. I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love

47. If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me
48. And nothing will ever separate you from my love again
49. Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen
50. I have always been Father, and will always be Father
51. My question is...Will you be My child?

52. I am waiting for you

TODAY'S

53. Love, Your Dad...Almighty God

"There are so many ways that one could end a letter:

Sincerely …Yours truly … Regards... etc.

But there is only one way to end a love letter from our Father in heaven!

Love, Your Dad…Almighty God

This signature expressed both the majesty of a Holy God and the tenderness of a loving Father. Over the centuries, many theologians have struggled to reconcile a concept of God who is both holy and loving, powerful yet intimate. Our natural tendency is to gravitate towards one concept of God or the other. But the truth is that we are infinitely loved by One who is righteous and omnipotent, yet tender and abounding in love.

The Almighty God is also our Heavenly Dad! The One who created the heavens and the earth with the power of His Word, took the time to knit each one of us in our mother's womb. The One who made heaven His throne and the earth His footstool, welcomes each of His little ones to visit with Him in His glorious presence any time, day or night. The One who makes nations tremble and holds the hearts of kings in His hand, wants His children to come close to Him to hear the beating of His heart. What an awesome privilege we have to be called children of God!

But let us never forget that the right for us to become the children of God came at an incredible cost. Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who knew no sin, took upon Himself the full weight of our sin when He died upon a cross two thousand years ago. The shedding of His innocent blood was the only way that we could ever be reconciled to His Father. Jesus' death, burial and resurrection will stand for all eternity as the defining moment that would make it possible for all of us to enjoy the eternal benefits of being sons and daughters in our Father's kingdom." FLL

PRAYER

Father, You are the Almighty God and yet You are the Father that I have been looking for all my life! I thank You that the Bible is Your love letter to me. I receive Your gift of love expressed through the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pray that I will never leave this place of intimacy being rooted and grounded in Your love. Thank You for making me a co-heir with Your Son, Jesus in Your glorious inheritance. It is in Jesus, through Jesus, and by Jesus, that I come into Your throne room with the assurance that I am loved & accepted as Your child. Amen.

SO what is the image that you have of our Heavenly Father? Who is HE to YOU?

I must confess, I usually saw my Heavenly Father as an authoritarian that disciplined with a hard hand and heavy on the judgement. I would tend to pray or go to Jesus, as my friend and like a brother, because I felt He could relate better to me and understood me. I would seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, direction, fruit... until I realized that this Trinity thing, really is three in one, not three different ones...just like my dad was my dad, but he was also a brother and even an uncle. He was not three different people...just had different roles.

I love my Father in heaven. I have learned to seek Him and climb up comfortably in His lap and call Him, Papa...Abba...my Dad. I believe it is easier for women to relate to God because He is a male figure but I have seen that the ministry of the Father's Love Letter has given males a chance to feel free to get close to Him and allow their relationship to be intimate as well. It breaks down all walls for them. It also has helped many women or people (in general) that had bad earthly father's to relate and look for the characteristics of a great Dad! He wants to be that for each one of us. He wants to fill that void in our lives so we always go to Him with our problems or with our triumphs. HE IS WAITING FOR YOU each day!

(like last week's post shared)...run to Him today and tell Him all you need to share and listen to Him, soak in His WORD and allow His love to pour over you!

Father's Love Letter resources are produced by Father Heart Communications.
For more information on Father Heart Communications, click here.

The Story Behind the Father's Love Letter

The Vineyard has many CDs in a series called the Father's Heart:

Touching the Father's Heart

Many of these songs truly do touch my heart and when I listen & sing, I touch the Father's heart for sure. Let this be your words to Our Father...

Father, I want You to hold me

I want to rest in Your arms today

Father, I want You to show me

How much You care for me evryway

I bring you all my cares

And I lay them at Your feet

You are always there

And You love me as I am

Yes You love me as I am

Father, I know You will hold me

I know I am Your child, Your own

Father, I know You will show me

I feel Your arms holding me, I'm not alone

I bring you all my fears

And I lay them at Your feet

You are always here

And You love me as I am

Yes You love me as I am

Don't forget to CHECK OUT my "12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS" from CHRISTmas to EPIPHANY (Day of the Kings)! We are on DAY 5!!!

3 FRENCH HENS

2009-12-27T00:05:00.006-07:00

FRANÇAIS POULES (French translation made available through Google on my sidebar. I don't know French but should, I had a grandpa that only spoke French & 2 nieces who studied it, however I think the order on these two words should be "Poules Francais" even without knowing it)

On the 3rd day of CHRISTmas, my TRUE LOVE gave to me...

le troisième jour de Noël, mon amour vrai m'a donné

3 French Hens

3 poules françaises

[photo credit]

...representing the three virtues

représentant les trois vertus
FOI
ESPOIR
AMOUR

FAITH

HOPE

LOVE

Please visit Naznet´s Advent & Christmas Celebration for more on this!

[I'm trying not to reinvent the wheel since they have done so well but still want to share]

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Et maintenant, ces trois choses demeurent: la foi, d'espérance et d'amour. Mais la plus grande d'entre elles est l'amour.

Mai l'amour et l'espoir renaître dans votre cœur remuer votre foi en action!

May the love and hope rekindled in your heart stir your faith into action!

NOTE: Be sure to scroll down and see the 1st & 2nd days of CHRISTMAS if you have not read them!

QUIZ TIME:

If you have, and remember, I have two questions:

...what does the Partridge in a Pear Tree represent?

...what are the Two Turtle Doves?

Bernice @ My Journey is also sharing the 12 Days of Christmas... and she reminded me of the new CD of Faith + Hope + Love from HILLSONG. If you haven't heard the great songs, you should go check them out...Bernice shares one ... and I'm embedding this PLAYLIST from YouTube

I think my favorite is the 13th one...

Here's one place among many that you can purchase Hillsong Live's CD

4 CALLING BIRDS

2009-12-28T00:00:00.003-07:00

On the 4th day of CHRISTmas, my TRUE LOVE gave to me...

4 calling birds (Colley Birds)

stand for the four GOSPELS of

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

For a devotional on this please click here

Each of these writers give a different view or perspective proclaiming the Good News of God

and the life of Jesus Christ.

[Trying to share a different version each day & this one truly is different?!]

May this new year proclaim to you the Good News of God´s reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

CALL SOMEONE TODAY and share the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Why not CALL Him and THANK Him for His precious WORD?

Which is your favorite GOSPEL or passage from the gospel?

I love JOHN...and there are so many passages that come to mind. I'll go with:

JOHN 14:6

of course there's

JOHN 3:16

John 15:5

JOHN 1:12

...and on & on but that's 4 for 4 calling birds...

2 TURTLE DOVES

2009-12-26T00:00:00.002-07:00

On the 2nd day of CHRISTmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me...

2 Turtle Doves

Representing

the Old and New Testaments...

I discovered such a wonderful site last year that covers the 12 Days of Christmas so well, that I am encouraging you to click here and see for yourself. In discovering this beautiful, informative site, I do not want to duplicate what's already been done, so I will just share in brief because I really like the

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

CLEARLY GOD´s MOST PRECIOUS GIFT was the 1st day of CHRISTmas (you may go back & read the previous post to see)...to all who would believe, He gives us Jesus Christ, & the gift of life & eternal life...but God also gave us His Word, in the Bible through the books, chapters and words of the Old and New Testaments communicated & inspired by the Holy Spirit through the patriarchs then prophets and then through His apostles.

For some reason, when I think of TURTLE DOVES, especially a pair, first I think of PEACE and then I recall their cooing, calling to one another. I think that is what Our LORD does as HE speaks to us through His Word, He is wooing us ... calling to us ... allowing us to hear His voice beckoning us, sharing His heart than wanting to fill us & give us an inner peace that comes through His promises & knowing Him intimately as He knows us: from beginning to end...Genesis to Revelation, Alpha & Omega.

Psalm 119:105 OLD TESTAMENT

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Matthew 4:4 NEW TESTAMENT

But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Make a commitment this new year to read from His Word, His gift to you, His love letter each day and perhaps you will begin to memorize & hide His Word in your own heart as the treasure it is meant to be to encourage you to become better & know God more intimately day by day!

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY SMORGASBORD

2009-12-26T15:00:00.016-07:00

Today for SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS since many of the wonderful participants don't know me, because I have not been a part for a very long time, I thought I would share a smorgasbord of this past week's posts to get to know me and you can choose whichever ONE you'd like:

The first two are from my current series from CHRISTmas DAY until Day of the 3 Kings(Epiphany):

******************************

CHRISTMAS with JESUS (for those not with us)

A special poem and sharing for those facing a difficult time this CHRISTmas like me...& song by Sandi Patti

**********************

MY GIFT TO YOU! HIS GIFT TO US!

...the CHRISTmas story & Messiah w/Chris Tomlin

O HOLY NIGHT DIVINE
... personal tidbits of my CHRISTmas Eve past & 'twas the night before Jesus & song w/Charice
(second favorite)

MY REFLECTIONS from my series on LAS POSADAS
...the most challenging of SEEKING room in the INN

FINAL POSADA: You are Welcome Here! ... the entire Mexican Posada... the ending after seven posadas...WHEW!!!

MY QUESTION IS.... ending of my series from The Father's Love Letter, my favorite

SO TAKE YOUR PICK and I'LL SEE YOU on whichever one you choose. I also shared JOSEPH's SONG (Michael Card & Mercy Me) for Then Sings My Soul Saturday, if you are not from that meme...maybe you will enjoy this one, but I'm sure I have songs in almost every one of these!

It may take me a while to get reacquainted with all the many participants.
It's so wonderful that Charlotte and Ginger have grown this into a great meme!

For more SPIRITUAL SUNDAY with Charlotte and Ginger, please join them HERE

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege to carry, everything to Him in prayer." I can still hear my grandmother sing that old hymn to me. What a precious, loving saint. And what a precious, loving Savior! What a friend, that would lay down His life for me! So often we get wrapped up in the day, that we don't remain in that attitude of prayer. I know that Jesus is there, ready to intercede for me at any moment. I know that Your Holy Spirit helps when I don't even have the words to say. I know that You know my heart and want to hear from my lips.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You, as a child to a parent. Thank You for calming me, giving me hugs in your own sweet ways, and listening. Thank You for Your understanding ways...and even Your correction. I pray that I will become more and more like the person You want me to be as the days go on. I love you and want to please You.
I come to You in the name of Jesus, amen.

~ from Ephesians Four Ministry, Prime Time with God

ASL CHRISTMAS CAROLS ~ WE ARE THE REASON

2009-12-27T00:00:00.008-07:00

CHOICE of THREE!

http://asl-christmas-carols.com/

MY DANCE FOR THIS SEASON:

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

*We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day a man hung crying in the rain
All because of love
All because of love

*Chorus

I finally found the reason for living

It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him (every part to Him)

And all that I do every word that I say (you know I’ll be saying)

I’ll be giving my all just for Him, for Him (every thing for Him)

We are the reason that He gave His life

We are the reason that He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave all He could give (all that he could give all)

To show us the reason to live

He is the reason to live

(don’t you know, do you know the reason

that He came, oh He came to save us

when He gave his life for us) He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave everything (everything that He had He gave)

To show us the reason to live

IN ANY LANGUAGE, I LOVE THIS SONG & THIS REASON FOR OUR CHRISTMAS SEASON!

FOR

HE IS THE REASON

WE LIVE

MY GIFT TO YOU! HIS GIFT TO US!

2009-12-25T09:00:00.001-07:00

Did you sneak down the stairs (to your laptop) to see if you had any GIFTS? Well, this is IT!!!

I know I went a little overboard with videos but once I find ones I like, I just want to share or save for me. Hopefully, you will choose one or all and enJOY the BEST CHRISTmas GIFT ever!

OUR MESSIAH

Jesus Christ

Savior

Prince of Peace

(and all the above and all yet to come)

"And unto us a child is born..."

TO READ the TRUE

Story of

CHRISTMAS

(GO HERE)

to HEAR

“The Christmas Story” Audio Bible Presentation

HERE

"Pray that the Christmas Story would reach many with the Good News of God incarnate this Christmas."

Faith Comes By Hearing

Please listen to Luke Chapter 2 (touch arrow & click, opens selections, choose)

NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

JESUS

MESSIAH

Redeemer

Anointed One

Prince of Peace

Holy One of Israel

EVERLASTING LIFE

The Risen One

LORD of ALL

SAVIOR

SON

GOD

MAY JESUS ...

(fill in your heart's desire)

COMPLETE YOU!

GIVE US JESUS!

CELEBRATING JESUS

with YOU all!

PEACE LOVEJOY!

Peggy

I will be doing THE TWELVE DAYS of CHRISTMAS from today until DAY of the KINGS, "Dia de los 3 Reyes", which actually is celebrated more like the time of gift giving here in Mexico. Do you know why?

JOSEPH'S SONG

2009-12-26T00:05:00.006-07:00

JOSEPH

Many times, I have wondered about Joseph because not much is shared about him. After they found Jesus in the temple, nothing is written about him. He must have been a BUSY carpenter.

I think that he must have taught Jesus many things and displayed great character. The following two songs are to give tribute to the man chosen to be Jesus' earthly father, Joseph. I can imagine him with Jesus through the words of these songs. Though the BIBLE does not have a JOSEPH SONG, like I've posted for Mary, Zechariah and the Angels... I think either of these would work:

Joseph's Song by Michael Card
How could it be This baby in my arms sleeping now, so peacefully
"The Son of God," the angel said
How could it be?
Lord I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God?
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be
I can just hear JOSEPH sing these words as he contemplates the awesomeness & role he is about to take with this child placed in his arms to raise.
Joseph fulfilled the role of earthly father to the best of his ability with all the love any man can have for his son. Joseph was given and fulfilled the role of protector, provider and teacher, raising the young boy without any further reservation. God provided Joseph with assurance, strength, and the abilities of leadership to raise the child who was brought to be Savior.

Joseph can be found in the Bible here:
Matthew 1:16-2:23; Luke 1:22-2:52
FOR more about Joseph - Profile of Joseph the Earthly Father of Jesus Christyou can visitHERE
FOR MORE SONGSof
THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAY
visit
AMY @ Signs, Miracles and Wonders

Both prominent Josephs in the Bible, from the Old Testament and then the New Testament, are men of great integrity that were tested and tried by events in life. Here is what All About God shares:

"By reading the stories of both men, we find that they were men of great integrity. Both men were tried and tested by events in life that could have left them bitter or angry. Instead, they had close relationships with God in which they remained steadfast, regardless of the undeserved adversities and trials they were forced to endure. Both Josephs were men of great faith and open to hearing in their spirits what God intended for them and their lives to come. God proved through them that social position is of little importance to God, bringing them each from a meager standing to roles of great importance and example.

God honors integrity, obedience, and faithfulness. Our obedience to Him will bring increased guidance and blessings from Him. With God’s help, any situation or appearance of things gone wrong can be used for a good outcome when we remain steadfast and have a personal relationship with God. If you seek Him and listen for His direction, He will answer you with provisions of a blessed outcome for you as well."

I HOPE THAT HEARING THIS ABOUT JOSEPH, ENCOURAGES YOU IN YOUR WALK through the trials, testings and situations that life throws your way.

I have been doing special SONGS during ADVENT on SUNDAYs

that we usually do not think of as Christmas songs or carols!

I decided to post this SPECIAL one on TSMSS.

I have done Mary's Song, Zechariah's Song, the Angel's Song so why not

JOSEPH'S SONG