God as human

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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.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

Christmas, Jesus, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , 
MESSIAH HAS COME! LIFT UP YOUR HEADS!

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
The fullness of time has arrived and the grace
of God is revealed for all of mankind.
His arms are wide open to give His embrace.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
The angels deliver the message of peace
for God has sent Jesus from heaven to earth
to deliver from death--its power will cease.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
True life has come for people on earth
The promise is given for those who will seek.
Messiah has promised for each a new birth.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
One day we will stand in his presence in heaven,
free from life's sorrows and sickness and pain,
free from the hold of sin's old nature's leaven.

Messiah has come! Lift up your heads!
Let rejoicing begin and our praises ring out, 
for Jesus has come to show us God's love.
Messiah has come! Of this we will shout.
(2021)

FEARS AND TEARS

Easter, God, trials, Uncategorized, , ,

We have just celebrated Easter! Praise God for the Resurrection. Now through Jesus we have peace with God and can live in peace. He is near in our trials. When we hurt, He hurts with us. He is worthy of praise.”

I TALKED TO GOD
The other day I talked to God
while driving down the road.
He sat beside me on the seat
and listened as I drove.

With heavy heart, I told my tale
of trials in my way.
When all was said, I felt His hand
reach out to mine that day

He dried my tears and I saw His;
He walked my path with me.
He took the load that I had borne,
and traded it for peace.
(2018)

THE ICE STORM

snow, Uncategorized, winter, , ,

Winter is here with its cold and snow. Well, not so much snow this year, just lots of cold. I am reminded of a time many years ago of experiencing my first ice storm. I remember how beautiful it was, with everything coated in ice. It was not fun to be out there in the danger of tree branches giving way and ice threatening every step. My thought was: stay home and drink a hot cup of cocoa.

THE ICE STORM

Snow falls, the trees wear their blanket of white.
Rooftops are covered in canopy bright.

How lovely the sight of the new fallen snow.
Everything’s white and so clean. How it glows.

Winter winds blow; there’s a chill in the air.
Look all around; there’s ice everywhere!

Tree branches creak at their cold, icy guest.
The air cracks, the limb falls. They could not resist.

Roads glow with dark patches of glass no one sees
Until it’s too late. Drivers skid on the freeze.

Houses and cars become icicle farms,
Plying the world with diamond-like charms.

Sit back and relax as the snow keeps you home.
There’s nothing to do for once more winter’s come.
2004

FAMILY VISIT

AUNT, family, Uncategorized, , ,

Yesterday was a neat day. My daughter took three of her children and me to visit my sister in the next state. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive. We had a nice lunch, then my sister put in a DVD for the kids–Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We enjoyed the afternoon.

My daughter is not well acquainted with my sister. She has seen her a few times as she was growing up and then as an adult. But there is that connection of family I think she is longing for. I am glad, not only for her desire, but that my sister wants it too. That is nice for me. Some families don’t have that closeness and I am glad that it is there for us.

I remember time spent with aunts and uncles and cousins when I was a child. When I was 12 we left the area where they lived to move several states away, but I never forgot them. I did get to see them from time to time as an adult but they lived in another state a distance away so it wasn’t often. Even at that, I felt a sense of family that went beyond just my parents and my siblings.

Perhaps my grandchildren will feel a connection to family though they are spread far apart. I think that adds to life. It does to mine.

THE LIGHT HAS COME

Christmas, light, , , ,

Christmas has passed but the Light does not. May it never go out in my life. May it never go out in yours.

THE LIGHT HAS COME

The Light has come
for Christ was born.
He came to earth
to face men’s scorn.

The Light has come,
in manger laid.
His life poured out–
the price is paid.

The Light has come
to lift our souls
from darkness’ hold
to make us whole.

The Light has come.
He died, now lives.
He’s ransomed me.
True life He gives.
2019

Jesus, life, suffering, , , , ,


CANDLE OF HOPE
God’s candle blazes in the dark
among the shadows, cold and stark.
It sends its warmth against the chill
of death that lurks, waiting to kill
the seeking heart. But this bright light
draws close to seeking hearts with might
to fill with light where there is none.
It lights the way, bids seekers come
to find the kingdom of Jesus Lord
who fights the dark with Truth’s sword.
The dark dispelled, the light is cast,
God’s hand will hold the seeker fast.
2016

Life is never easy. About the time it settles down, something else happens.

Last December, I totaled my car and dealt with a sprained shoulder. My kind sister gave me her car, old and needing some repair, but got me around. After a couple months, for various reasons, I gave it to my daughter for her son. It wasn’t that I was ungrateful, but decided it was the best procedure for me. I asked my sister if it hurt that I gave away her gift to me. She said no, it had a good home.

Last June, I fell and sprained my right (I am right handed) wrist. It is hard even to write. At times it feels like it is healing, but the past couple weeks, it feels as if the healing has stalled.

The arthritis in my knee and hip have been acting up. I am grateful for the exercises I have. They help.

Now my kind sister tells me she has lymphoma. My baby sister. I lost my dad in 1978, my brother in 2012 (my younger brother) and my mom in 2014. My heart grieves for my baby sister as I pray for her healing.

So what do I do in the face of trials and suffering? It is easy to let the suffering get me down and honestly, at times it does. But I know God has a purpose for it. I live in a broken world. I reflect that Jesus came to a dark world, caught in the enemy’s grip to bring life. Jesus’s suffering gave life to those who embraced Him. Then He rose, and I see His promise to me is real. I am eternal being and He points me to life eternally in joy.

But how does that speak to my trials and suffering? Just as Jesus suffering brings comfort and life because He understands what I am feeling, so my suffering can help others experience life.  I wrote a poem book of my emotions on the deaths of my loved ones. As I give it to people who are experiencing loss of loved ones, they express how grateful they are. One lady said she knew I understood; I had been there. I see life birthing into people’s hearts through my understanding.

I see my own understanding grow when someone ministers to me through their trials as they put their arms around me and give me their love. Or even as I watch their lives and see how they deal with their situation.

It will never get better until Jesus returns and sets all things right, fulfilling His promises to His people. This time on earth seems long to us, but as I get older, I see how short it is. Then He will dry my tears and as I live with Him, I will be able to serve Him in joy.

Meanwhile, I take stock of my blessings and ask God to give me a grateful heart for His many gifts. Key to living through my sufferings.