Sometimes I see a sight
that makes me smile.
Then I like to share it,
laughing all the while.
Thank you Father for
for humor in my life.
As I enjoy your gift,
it helps me deal with strife.
This poor guy looks like he needs a doctor!

“Time marches on” as the old saying goes. Things never stay the same. As I think of the passing years with its joys and sorrows, I look forward not just to a new year, but the never-ending year God has for those who love Jesus Christ. And there, I will have no sorrows, only joy. I hope many others join me there.
ALL THINGS NEW
What was can never be again.
The landscape of the present day
is now the shadow on the wall
no matter how I bid it stay.
There's now no mother kiss to heal
my wounds, no father's arms to hold
me when I weep, no bouncing child
to keep my heart from growing cold.
My auburn strands of hair have turned
to gray. My skin, in years gone by,
so soft and smooth, now shows the lines
of years that passed just like a sigh.
If I could hold the reins of time
and from its endless journey free
the joy of moments past, then they
could always be a part of me.
Though not just joys, but sorrows too,
would never leave and never heal.
Perhaps what seems a glorious thought
would simply be a gross ordeal.
And yet inside of me, a part of me
yearns to never say goodbye
to mother, father, child, or friend,
as years are days that ceaseless fly.
The changing days are part of life
for blessings, sorrows, much or few,
until God stills the earthly clock,
and with one word makes all things new.
As I enter January, I think about my grandson Judah who ended his life on January 23, 2022. He was far too young; he would turn 19 that year. Even when someone seems whole and involved with God, there are times the darkness gets too heavy. I pray that no one feels there is no hope as they think this course would be better. I miss that young man, but I know his mama and daddy and his siblings miss him more. And I know that God brings comfort to our hearts as he catches our tears and mingles them with his own.
WHEN DID YOU DRY JUDAH’S TEARS
When did You dry Judah’s tears?
When he first looked in Your face?
When he felt Your warm, calm arms
When he felt Your mercy, grace?
When did You dry Judah’s tears?
When he knew there were no chains,
earth’s enticements now were gone?
Was that when you healed his pain?
When did You dry Judah’s tears?
Before the joy You had for him?
When he knew earth’s arms were loosed?
Gone was bondage to all sin?
Come and dry our tears of grief
from these pain that wounds our hearts
to Your joy because we know
Judah now lives in Your heart.
Darlene Estlow©2023
Christmas is so close. How blessed we are to be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior!
A LIGHT SHINES
In the darkness
a light shines
that cannot be quenched.
In the shadows
a light shines
and hope grows bright.
In the night
a light shines
and joy is birthed.
Christmas is more than just about a baby. It is about God who came as that baby but was God incarnate. He was God in human form.
GOD IN HUMAN FORM
Watch the angels winging earthward,
singing praises to a king,
giving message to some shepherds--
lowly shepherds watching sheep.
"He is born! The Christ is come!
Peace on earth! Good will to men!"
Now the shepherds go to worship
God who's come in human form.
Watch the star that beams from heaven
guiding wisemen to a king.
Long they travel searching, searching
for the one the prophets tell.
Gifts of gold and frankincense
and myrrh to give the one they seek.
Now he's found, they bow in worship
God who's come in human form.
Watch the people as they gather,
singing carols, giving gifts.
Do they hear the Christmas message
"Peace on earth! Good will to men"?
Are they searching for the one
shepherds worshipped, wisemen sought,
One who died but still is living,
God who came in human form?
A purple-blue pouch spreads overhead. When God unzips it, diamonds spill out and clatter to the earth. A ribbon of color spreads overhead as the sun pierces the empty pouch. Arches of shades of red, yellow, and blue glitter in the sun's rays.
Darlene Estlow©2016
I have become a cloud watcher enjoying God’s presence as he performs his artistry in the sky. A few days ago, the sky was filled with large white marshmallow clouds, drifting west, small patches of blue accompanying them. And then, a few small wispy clouds, closer to earth, moved rapidly to the south across the background of the large clouds. Then a large cloud joined the wispy small ones on their journey south. After awhile, the wind dissected it and it became several small clouds, all while the bank of clouds in back of them continued west.
Our snowfall a couple nights ago reminded me of a poem I wrote from several years ago. The snow is so beautiful, but has the power to rearrange our lives! I hope you enjoy my memory!
Like a blanket of light, It fills valley, large and small, with icy cotton, and dresses hills and mountains in shimmering gowns of white, making that which was crass, pure. It lures children from the warmth of home into the chilly playground where snow angels flourish, battles are fought with snowy cannonballs, and snowmen wait for the sun to warm their cold bodies. With silent, frozen breath, it blows aside our schedules, rearranging our lives, keeping us helpless in the face of all we have to do, demanding our surrender to its will. 2007
This morning I was listening to a post by Dutch Sheets. He asked some interesting questions to ask Jesus about his coming to earth to be human. What did it feel like to be hurt? What did it feel like to lose his father? What did it feel like to be rejected by his brothers and his people? I was reminded that Jesus went through all the things we go through. God came to earth and experienced all the hard things we do. Praise God, He loved us enough to come and show us the way to God–to be that way–bringing us peace and good will!
MESSIAH ACCROSTIC Man and God Eternal Sent from God Savior Immanuel Almighty Holy (2021)
May God bless you with His peace and joy this Christmas and New Year as He draws your heart to His.
What hope Christmas brings. Life is scary and bad things are happening. But this is not all there is. God, in His love, sent His Son as a human being to give us hope.
BORN A BABY Born a baby Born a king Through the skies Glories ring. Peace with God the angels say He is bringing Freedom's day Worship Him the worthy one for the baby is God's Son Darlene Estlow 2021
| by JP Arceno
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