How is it that you, a no one feels they can write or speak for God? I knew you when. I remember things you’ve done. I used to work with you. I still work with you. I know your kids. I know your temper. I know your bad habits and faults. You are my spouse. You are my employee. You are just an ordinary person. EXACTLY!!!

God uses us, his everyday people, to share him through our eyes, our experiences, our story. We all have them. The Bible is full of misfits because people are people and have been the same from the beginning of time.

Take the gospels, for example, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four men could not have been any more different. That probably was the plan all along, as we are all different. The same Jesus, different approaches, but all four accounts harmonize with each other.

Matthew; was a tax collector for Rome and was a noted crooked one. He has been described as a small man of size and was introduced to us sitting in a tree one afternoon hoping to get a glimpse of Jesus. In and amongst a crowd of people surrounding him, Jesus stops, looks up in the tree, and tells Matthew to climb down, stop cheating the people, and follow him. Matthew did just that; the story of his walk with Jesus is the first gospel in the new testament. Matthew was credited for teaching the gospel to the Jews, the same people he used to cheat. He probably had to get past but I knew him when.

Mark; John Mark came from a wealthy family and was a missionary drop-out. You can imagine dad wasn’t overly impressed, and mother probably embarrassed. In those days, that would be equivalent to a high school drop-out; now, what are you going to do with your life scenarios? Mark’s recount of his time with Jesus highly focuses on the actions of the Romans. You also meet up with Mark in the book of Acts as he was on many missionary trips with Paul and Barnabas. But isn’t that the same kid who dropped out? He’s just a kid. What does he know? I don’t know? But his parents are finally proud!

Luke; ok, this guy probably had credentials on his wall. Luke was a doctor. Naturally, he recounts all of Jesus’ healing and many miracles of those natures. He also shows us the human side of Jesus’ walk here on earth. Luke also was out in the mission field with Paul. I imagine of the four; he was probably taken the most seriously; why? He had credentials on his wall!

John; a fisherman. A laborer, he did menial labor for a living. He was a rough and tough sailor, no plaques on his walls, yet Jesus called him off his boat and made him a fisher of men. Not only that, but God sent our fisherman to Greece to teach those of Western Philosophy. Those who loved to learn and more, ponder such newfound wisdom. Do you think John might have felt a bit out of his element talking to scholars? Probably, remember that he was just a fisherman!!! A nobody.

So as you see, four of the most influential names in history were people who got up every morning and went to work. They packed lunches, got tired, made mistakes, learned, and kept going. This is all that is asked of us, tell your story, let people know Jesus through you, just one of his ordinary everyday people. I believe that people can relate to us and our testimonies. Don’t be afraid to share; the world needs us right now.

Be Blessed, Be a Blessing, and share his love with others. Thank you always for joining me. 🥰

Amongst many of my favorite Christmas books is a collection by Debbie Macomber. She has a series about three angels who visit earth at Christmas time, these three angels names are: Shirley, Goodness and Mercy. Today I wish to visit earth with Gods: Grace, Favor, and Mercy!

Webster defines Grace:

Unmerited (not adequately earned or deserved) divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration (spiritual renewal or revival) or sanctification (the state of growing in divine grace as a result of a Christian commitment) Approval, Favor, Mercy or Pardon.

God defines Grace:

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV “But then he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

John 1:16 ESV “And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

Ephesians 2:8 ESV “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Webster defines Favor:

Warm regard is shown toward another, especially by a superior. A special privilege or right granted. Gracious, Kind, Lenient.

God defines Favor:

Psalms 5:12 ESV “For you bless the righteous, O’ Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.”

Psalms 84:11 ESV “For The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk up rightly.”

Proverbs 3:34 ESV “Toward the scorned he is scornful, to the humble He gives favor.”

Proverbs 8:35 ESV “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.”

Webster defines Mercy:

Compassion or forbearance is shown especially to an offender. A blessing that is an act of divine favor or mercy. Compassionate treatment of those in distress.

God defines Mercy:

Matthew 5:7 ESV “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Catch this, blessed are those who give mercy to others as they then will receive mercy themselves…it’s a ponder moment!

Luke 6:36 ESV “Be merciful, even as Your Father is merciful.”

Hebrew 4:16 ESV “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

In the season we are celebrating, the season of love and giving. It might behoove us to offer the gifts of: Grace, Favor and Mercy!!!

If you are looking for funny holiday stories that will warm your heart and make you laugh. Check out Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy by Debbie Macomber, these angels get into more trouble, and you will be glad you did.

Have a blessed day, be a blessing and as always, Thank you for joining me. 🥰

A lighthouse is a tower, a building, a type of structure designed to emit light from a series of lamps and lenses to aid maritime vessels safely into port or harbor.

The earliest known lighthouse was built in Egypt over 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found more than 30 lighthouses built by Romans. The first British colonial lighthouse is located in Boston, Mass. (Project Archaeology)

The lighthouse has always represented a tower of strength and hope. Standing tall, never bending or breaking as the sea crashes into it day and night, raging storm after raging storm. Silently sending a message of a safe haven approaching to the ship being tossed around in the sea, a glimmer of light in the darkness. A beacon of hope.

We also have a lighthouse standing tall and strong, unmovable in any storm, sending light into your darkness, a message of peace and a beacon of hope. The Bible is a light and a map to guide us as we maneuver through the tricky waterways of life.

Psalms 119:105 ESV “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Psalms 43:3 ESV “Send out your light and truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.”

John 8:12 ESV “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1 John 1:5 ESV “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him there is no darkness.”

Acts 26:18 ESV “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and the place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Matthew 5:16 ESV “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.”

If your world seems dark, turn on the light. The storms are blowing, and the rain is beating against your window panes. Turn to the One who calms the storm with his hand. (see Mark 4:35-41)

If you need prayer, please leave it in the comment section. I pray for you all, a day of peace in this beautiful hectic season of Love. Be blessed and be a blessing. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

It’s Sunday, and the psalm of David was on my heart to share with you today.

Psalm 23:1-4 NCV

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid because you are with me”

The Lord is my Shepherd. If you let him be, he’s a father who loves and just wants to lead his children in the right direction, on the right path. Out of any darkness, you may be in or facing.

I have everything I need, not to be confused with everything we want. There’s a big difference.

He lets me rest in green pastures if you put your trust and faith in his hands. Remember all the times he’s been there for you in the past, then amongst any storm you can still rest. Rest in him.

He leads me to calm water; Jesus tells us he is the water of life. Isaiah 12:3 NIV “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” It’s amazing how just cracking open your bible will start to take that dry, parched feeling away; keep reading, and you’ll find yourself renewed and refreshed.

He gives me new strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” So true, changes you wish to make about or within yourself. To reach that desired pinnacle you need to ask for his help and strength in doing so because his word tells us what’s impossible for man is possible with God. (See Luke 18:27)

He leads me on paths that are good for his name. Of course he does, he is our heavenly parent. He wouldn’t be a very god let alone a supreme god if he led his trusting children off cliffs and into dead ends. If you read my devotions you know I quote Jeremiah 29:11 often … I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper, not plans to harm.

Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will not be afraid. We live everyday in the valley of death. When we are born into this world, we are born with a clock and one day that clock will stop ticking. While we are walking in this valley, if we belong to Jesus Christ, we have no fear because he is within us, and He has beaten death and the darkness.

Be a blessing today and remember you are a child of God! You’ve got this. Thank you for joining me, off to church. Have a blessed day🥰

Matthew 2:1-2 NCV “Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. When Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Magi-also called Wise Men in the Christian tradition, the noble pilgrims “from the east” who followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem, where they paid homage to the infant Jesus as king of the Jews. Britannia.com

Matthew 2:11 NCV “They came to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Strange gifts for a baby but then this wasn’t just an ordinary baby.

Gold, this gift was representative of the Christ child’s kingly status.

Frankincense or incense is a symbol of deity. The smoke of burning incense by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches symbolizes the faithful’s prayer rising to heaven. Wikipedia.com. The scriptures dictate that its use was purely for Holy purposes. It was not to be made for personal use, at the risk of being cut off from the entire community. The conversation.com

Myrrh, an embalming oil as a symbol of death. Myrrh-a natural gum or resin extracted from a small thorny tree species of the “genus Commiphora”. A flowering plant in the frankincense and myrrh family. Is found in tropical regions of Africa, India and Vietnam. Myrrh has many properties; it’s used in perfumes, anointing oils, many medicines; it’s a pain reliever and often used in balms as it has numbing qualities. It’s mostly recognized, though, as an embalming fluid.

The Three Magi, Wise Men, Three Kings from Orient are bearing gifts we’ve traveled afar. Their gifts were the gifts of prophecy. King, Deity and Death.

Another tidbit of the Christmas story. I hope you’ve enjoyed it, I have. Be blessed today and be a blessing! Thank you for joining me 😊

Family: A group of persons with common ancestry. A group of things related by common characteristics. The descendants or line of a particular individual, especially of some outstanding female. 😊

This is Merriam Webster’s definition of family and one we are all familiar with. I am a family-minded person. I love spending time with my family; they are my best friends. And there she is, popping her head up as if to say, “Hey, what about me?” The Best Friend.

What does Merriam have to say about best friends. A person’s closest and dearest friend. A persons most desirable or valuable possession or resource. I love the second definition, a valuable possession or resource. We don’t own our friends, but their friendship is a valuable possession and their love a constant resource.

Upon moving back to my home state after many years of relocating with my husband’s career, I was able to reconnect personally with friends that I’ve had longer than I’ve had my children. People who really know me, they knew me then and they know me now. As I age, I appreciate the value of knowing these few particulars, and they return the appreciation.

I have had friends support me when family didn’t. I have had friends pitch in and help when family was to busy. I had friends reach out to a single mom when family turned a blind eye. I have had the heart warming pleasure of support and help from my children’s best friends showing up in their time of need and holding my hand as I held theirs.

I am blessed today to have my sons and their families here today for Chanukah. Blessed for FaceTime so my daughter and her best friend can join us via the internet. But, I’m especially blessed today by two young people who have entered mine and my husbands life. We now call them family, and they will also be here to celebrate Chanukah.

I guess my jumbled point this morning is we are born into family. Some good, some not so much, but that doesn’t stop us from creating our own. I encourage you today to make sure those special friends who have become family know how much they mean to you. You’ll be blessed and so will they.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Romans 1:12 ESV “That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

I am blessed every day by you who follow and read these words the Lord sends. The appreciation goes beyond mere words. Thank you. Be blessed today, be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Today starts the Jewish holiday. Chanukah, “The Festival of Lights.” Both spellings are correct; however, the Chanukah spelling is traditional.

I thought a bit of history might be appropriate today; I hope you will enjoy it.

Chanukah means “dedication” in Hebrew. The eight-day holiday celebrates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after it was retaken by the Maccabees (a group of Jewish warriors) from the Greeks in the 2nd Century BCE.

According to the Talmud (the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend), when Judas Maccabaeus captured the Second Temple of Jerusalem, upon entering the temple, he found only a small jar of oil that had not been defiled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day. Still, miraculously it burned for eight days, just long enough until new consecrated oil was made available, establishing the precedent that the festival should last eight days. (Side note, there was always a light to be burning in the temple, and it was the priest’s job to see it continuously lit.)

Judas Maccabaeus was a Jewish guerrilla leader who defended his country (Israel) from invasion by the Seleucid (empire of ancient Greece) king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, preventing the imposition of Hellenism (Greek religion) upon Judea, and preserving the Jewish religion. Britannia.com

The celebration falls each year on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev (an autumn month which occurs in Nov-Dec and the 9th month on the Jewish calendar), which generally falls in December in the Gregorian calendar. National Today

The centerpiece of Chanukah is a candelabra called the Menorah and holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the temple lantern blazed; the ninth candle, the shamash, is the helper candle used to light the others.

Growing up, I remember Chanukah was always a beautiful celebration in my maternal grandparents’ home. I now see that some form of remembrance is placed on the family graves. That’s one of my stops today, the beautiful Jewish cemetery off Nehalem, where two people I adore lay resting. I, two neighbors, my sons, and their families will celebrate a Chanukah feast tomorrow evening, which also signifies the start of the Jewish Sabbath. I’m so excited; it’s my first; my grandma would be so proud!

I hope you enjoyed a bit of knowledge of my family heritage. Be blessed today. Be a blessing and thank you as always for joining me. 🥰

Matthew 2:2 NCV “They asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Orion’s constellation can easily be found in the sky from November to February. For observers in the northern hemisphere, the constellation lies in the southwestern sky. To the east, the line of Orion’s Belt points toward Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, located in Canis Major constellation. (Constellation Guide, Orion’s Belt)

Isn’t it food for thought that the only time we can view this particular constellation is the months circling Christ’s birth? In many myths and legends it is believed that the 3 stars of Orion’s Belt represent the 3 Kings who traveled from countries far, far away just to worship the baby king.

Genesis 1:14-17 NCV “Then God said let there be light in the sky to seperate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days, and years. They will be in the sky to give light to the earth.” And it happened. So God made the two large lights. He made the brighter light to rule the day And made the smaller light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God put all these in the sky to shine on the earth, to rule over day and over the night, and to separate the light from darkness.

Isaiah 13:10 NIV “The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.”

It feels like the darkness is growing stronger everyday. We live in so much hatred, violence, anger, speed, mistrust, killing and death. There’s a virus that has shut our world down and caused us all to hide in our homes and behind masks. Fear seem to be running rapid and winning!!!

Isaiah 41:10 NLT “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged because I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

John 8:12 NIV “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Is your world dark? Is it dimmer then it used to be? Then you might possibly need to plug into your personal light source, Jesus Christ. If you know him, then look up and ask for help back into his grace and light. Start a conversation with him, talk to him about your darkness, ask for a renewed fire and then pick up your bible and climb in!

If you do not know the Lord personally it’s a simple prayer: Father God, I need your son Jesus in my life. I am a sinner and want out of the darkness. Please forgive me of my sins, Lord Jesus come into my life and fill me with your love and light. That I may grow to know you and walk knowing I get to spend eternity with you after this earthly life passes. In your name I pray, Thank you, Amen

If you need prayer, please leave me a message, I have a great prayer team. If you need a bible, please message me your shipping information and we will see that you receive one. It’s the season of blessings. Be blessed. Be a blessing. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

One of my morning devotions sparked the desire to send a prayer with you today.

Dear Lord My Father in Heaven,

I come to you this morning with love, respect, and intercession. I feel the need to say a prayer, and I thank you for always being there and listening when we come to you.

I lift to you those who are fearful right now, this time of year, this season of love; sadly, it often brings much worry and sorrow. I pray for the parent trying to stretch the few meager dollars to put something under the tree for their little ones. I pray for the many who have lost their jobs, hours have been cut back, and paychecks aren’t enough. I pray that those more fortunate will feel the tug on their hearts to open their wallets for the many toy and food drives.

I lift to you, Lord, those who have lost their jobs, unemployment hasn’t been a benefit, or the services are about to end with no job prospects. I lift up those who are behind on their rent or mortgages and ask you to give them peace amongst the stress. I lift up those who are in search or need of a home, who might be sleeping in their cars, streets or a necessary move quickly approaching. Lord, I pray you will open their eyes to the paths and direction you would have them go. Open doors and provide roofs.

I lift all of the sick and tired. The many who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. The ones who live with pain every day, and that’s their normal. I ask you to increase their strength, relieve them of their physical burdens. Speak gently to them in their hurting times, soar with them in the healthy times. Help them to know that You Lord Jesus died for them, by the stripes tore across your skin; they are healed. Help them to believe. I lift those who are trapped in fear of the virus lurking outside their doors.

I lift to you, Lord, all the lonely and alone. Thank you for the patience in those who are waiting and trusting in you for their Christian mate. I ask you to show those who are lonely the many volunteer organizations they could get involved in, blessing others, being around people, to be a blessing, you then become blessed. Send someone with an invitation to a church program or service, that they would feel the love and community. Give that extra boost to the one who feels the need to reach out but can’t quite get off the fence. Just a little push!

Most of all, Lord, I pray that as we are mindful of the greatest gift ever given, and that is your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that those who don’t know him as their Lord and Savior will confess their sins and ask Him to come into their hearts and lives and spend eternity with them. Those who already know you, that their faith deepens and your spirit washes over them today in a tidal wave of hope, love and warmth.

I love you, Lord, and I thank you for sending your ministering, guardian, and warring Angels out to love and assist. In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen

I hope you will receive this prayer; it was for you. Be blessed today! Be a Blessing today and as always, thank you for joining me. 🥰

Many artists have sung this song; one of my favorites is by Reba McIntyre. I wish to share the words to this beautiful song with you as we celebrate the spirit of Christ’s birth this month.

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new this child that you delivered will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod, and when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again. The lamb will leap, the dumb speak the praises of the lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb that sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I AM. O’Mary, did you know?”

Exodus 3:13-14 NIV “ I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM,’ sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “say to the Israelites, the Lord, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.” This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

There is a different feel in December; along with the crisp temperatures, sparkling snow, and bright blue skies comes a warmth. That warmth is God’s son being born unto this earth, bringing with him the dawn of a new day and His great gift of Eternal Love and Life.

We should all try and hold the warmth of December’s love in our hearts all year, but for today. Be blessed, Be A Blessing and Thank you for joining me.🥰

Songwriters: Buddy Greene/Mark Lowry. Warner Chappell Music, Inc.