Angels

ANGELS

I wonder what God named his other angels?

We know of Michael and Gabriel.

They were sent to earth as special messengers.

All angels, though, have a special purpose for

they were created to do God’s work -

for sure, a God-honoring work.

In the Bible, angels often appeared in dreams.

We read an angel spoke to Joseph in his dreams.

Joseph must have been in a listening “yes, Lord” frame of mind

for he obeyed the angelic directive time-after-time.

Joseph's obedience changed the course of history

as the Christmas story is God's Son's birth story.

This angel, a messenger direct from God, and loyal

came to Joseph when he was in mental turmoil

giving godly instructions to righteous Joseph to follow

after Joseph had thought of a human response to follow.

A timely angel with tidings who

would change society anew.

The angel, Gabriel, appeared in person to both Zechariah and Mary

with a message that seemed quite an impossibility.

Both were gripped with fear

when Gabriel appeared.

Zechariah responded with disbelief,

while Mary's response was one of believing faith.

Perhaps one of Gabriel's roles

is to bring peace to God's people

for “do not be afraid” were words

that these surprised believers heard.

Many angels brought a message of peace

for they brought with them a new lease.

One night an angel surrounded by the glory of the Lord

came down from heaven with good news of great joy for the shepherds.

As with Joseph, Mary, and Zechariah who were afraid,

this angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid.”

One role of angels must be to encourage people

for as a human race we are fearful people.

This angel could rightly be called a good news angel,

though the Bible also speaks of avenging angels.

Heavenly hosts are another name for angels.

They visited earth then went back to heaven to dwell.

These angels were praising God

with voices giving glory to God.

This occupation was not new to them

for that is the angels role in heaven.

These angels praise God day and night

perhaps surrounded by a bright light

for God is light and in Him is no darkness.

The fallen angel, satan, lives in darkness.

After Jesus' temptation in the wilderness

ministering angels came to encourage Jesus,

strengthening him, perhaps with food,

for Jesus had been without food

for 40 days and nights

being tempted in Satan's fight.

God sends guardian angels to watch over us.

Though often unaware of, they protect us.

Doing God's bidding they come

just when we most need them.

God sometimes uses ordinary people for this purpose too.

I'm sure you can think of an “angel” who was there for you.

* * * * *

Today there are still live "angels" in our midst.

Some will greet you with a hug and a kiss.

Perhaps they are named Gloria or Marco.

Others might be Angela or Antonio.

They might come with a gift of encouragement

by simply taking the time to visit.

An angel of the Lord

appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,

because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 1:20

An angel of the Lord

appeared to Joseph in a dream.

Matthew 2:13

An angel of the Lord

appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.

Matthew 2:19

The angel answered, “I am Gabriel.

I stand in the presence of God,

and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

Luke 1:19

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,

a descendant of David.

The virgin's name was Mary.

Luke 1:26-27

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:9-10

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host

appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men.”

Luke 2:13

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven...

Luke 2:15

He will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

Angels came and attended him.

Matthew 4:11

Are not all angels ministering spirits

sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Hebrews 1:14

Do not forget to entertain strangers,

for by so doing some people have entertained angels

without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

Destiny

DESTINY

Within each one of us is a God-given destiny.

In Luke 1 Mary is about to find out her destiny.

Mary, engaged to be married to Joseph,

was visited by an angel on earth.

It's true. That's how it really was.

The angel acknowledged Mary as:

“You who are highly favored.” (Luke 1:28)

That's how God see us – favored.

Loved, chosen, fortunate -

as in His favorite.

Yes, even before you were born,

God had your destiny formed.

The angel knew Mary was greatly troubled

and immediately consoled her with these words:

“Do not be afraid.

You have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)

You know, God knows, too, when we are worried

as scripture reminds us often with these words:

Do not be afraid.

Do not be terrified.

Do not be troubled.

Do not be discouraged.

Do not be fainthearted with sorrow.

Do not worry about tomorrow.

Because God knows the fear in our hearts

His Word will strengthen us when we start

a daily routine of reading it

with just what is needed to lift our spirit.

The angel told Mary she would give birth to a son

whose name would be Jesus who would rule an endless kingdom.

This baby would be the Son of the Most High,

He would be great and would reign by and by. (Luke 1:31-33)

When Mary questioned

the angel answered,

“nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Yes, with God there is nothing too hard.

What was Mary's statement?

“I am the Lord's servant.” (Luke 1:38)

She willingly carried out her destiny,

one that affects everyone's eternity.

Mary, chosen to be

mother to this baby

that would change the destiny of the world

with this greatest story ever told.

* * * * *

You, too, have a chosen destiny within you

for God has chosen you for something special, it's true.

Perhaps you have the gift of giving

to someone in the need of receiving.

You've learned that the more you give

the more blessings God in turn gives

so that you can bless others more

from God's wonderfully, abundant store.

Maybe your gift is encouragement

for everyone needs encouragement.

If you find your world is a bit more cheerful,

perhaps your encouragement made it so.

And you'll find cheerfulness

is quite contagious

as others will offer needed encouragement

perhaps in the form of a hug or a note sent.

Whatever your personal spiritual gift is,

it is your destiny to bring it to pass.

Your destiny will affect generations after you.

Perhaps like Mary, living out the gospel message true.

Will you be like Mary and say,

“I am the Lord's servant” everyday.

This is your destiny

for all eternity.

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.

Luke 1:38

I tell you, do not worry about your life...

Matthew 6:25

Do not be anxious about anything...

Philippians 4:6

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

If a man's gift is prophesy,

let him use it in proportion to his faith.

If it is serving, let him serve;

if it is teaching, let him teach;

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.

Romans 12:6-8

Encourage one another

and build each other up.

I Thessalonians 5:11

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who loved us and by his grace gave us

eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts and strengthen you

in every good deed and word.

II Thessalonians 2:16-17

Christmas Memories

Will be adding Christmas stories to this blog this month of December.

Starting with one from my childhood.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Gingerbread cookies and bread baking,

venison soup in a big pot stirring.

Mom's busy in the kitchen.

Later these goodies we'd be sharing.

Everyone piles into the car

to deliver Christmas cheer – not far,

to those who lived alone.

People now long gone.

A quart jar of soup, a loaf of bread,

a plate of cookies – someone it fed.

But there was a bigger gift -

for someone's spirits would lift.

To have company unexpectedly

for those alone was somewhat heavenly.

There was a twinkle in their eye.

They were sad to say goodbye.

...Still makes a memory sweet.

Christmas memories can't be beat.

Dad quoted "T'was the Night Before Christmas."

He also said "Bah, Humbug," I must confess.

Two stories that must have had meaning

from childhood days each year gleaning.

Dad usually was up all night plowing snow

for on Christmas Day people had places to go.

No moss grew under his feet -

nor snow, nor ice, nor sleet.

Not one to be materialistic

but one to share wherever he saw fit.

Making memories for others -

for it was never a bother.

Sharing was Dad's year-round motto.

Sometimes it was a sack of potatoes.

Perhaps Christmas comes every day

if one takes time to share today.

...Still makes a memory sweet.

Christmas memories can't be beat.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving

in this blessed country we're living

our kitchens are a-flutter.

Don't forget the butter.

The day before Thanksgiving

there are pies baking in the oven

with cinnamon and allspice.

Doesn't it all smell nice!

The day before Thanksgiving

the turkey's still defrosting,

butternut squash is ready for roasting

when the pies come out of the oven.

The day before Thanksgiving

there's day-old bread for cubing

to mix with poultry seasoning

causing some to be sneezing.

The day before Thanksgiving

celery and onions are sauteing

to be added to the stuffing

or do you call it dressing?

The day before Thanksgiving

the refrigerator's stuffed with everything.

In fact, each one's favorite foods for eating,

as everyone is preparing for a day of feasting.

The day before Thanksgiving

the pretty company dishes need a quick washing,

perhaps the tablecloths or linens need pressing,

and there doesn't seem to be time for everything.

The day before Thanksgiving

our country is preparing

for a day of feasting

with much thanksgiving.

* * * * *

The day before Thanksgiving

with thankful hearts we're intent on giving

a prayer of gratitude overflowing

for much more than the food we're busy cooking.

We're thankful for our loved ones,

those near and those far from home,

for those added to the family

and those now in eternity.

We're thankful for everyone's health

irregardless of what has been dwelt -

for adversity teaches us to trust,

growing our faith, which is God's good plan for us.

We're thankful for freedom to worship

with others in like fellowship,

to pray for one another,

and encourage each other.

We're thankful for God's Word

which helps keep us moored

in choosing to do what's right,

to stand firm in faith, not sight.

We're thankful for God's Word which keeps us nourished

so that our faith will grow strong and flourish

as God's Word is food for the soul -

sustenance to keep us well and whole.

We're thankful for ...

(be sure to discuss what you're thankful for).

Foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving

by those who believe and who know the truth.

For everything God created is good.

I Timothy 4:3-4

Let us come before him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Didn't have a photo of a pie to share

but did find this bridal shower cake

that seems appropriate.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Gathering

Gathering

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing

as friends and family join in one big union

around the table abundantly laden

with the garden's yearly colorful offerings.

But before we partake by dining

we'll offer up heartfelt thanksgiving

by coming together with a connecting

of everyone's hands around the table joining.

There's the large calloused hands of those who labor,

rather fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers,

co-joined with the frail, soft hands of one's great grandmother,

who may join hands with a pudgy-fisted toddler.

There's the hands of the ones who prepared dinner,

perhaps roughened and red from cold weather,

linked with antsy teenagers

who can't wait to eat dinner.

Hands that create

and others that bake

something for dinner tonight

which brings diners delight.

Other times two loving hands connect

though this merging is often too quick.

Fingers wearing rings engraved with "together forever"

and other fingers with scars and stains worn forever.

There are hands dotted with age spots,

lined hands that have seen a lot

of sorrows and joys

as their hands employed.

If only these hands could talk

they'd tell tales that you'd never thought.

Sometimes this familiar joining

is meant to stop fidgeting.

Hands with short fingers still growing,

slender fingers of one blossoming

wearing nail polish expressing

one's individuality often.

Hands that lovingly care,

hands that often share,

hands that burdens bear,

hands daily pressed in prayer.

Hands in all shapes and sizes, eight fingers, two thumbs,

in various shades, belonging to a loved one,

held together for a moment in time -

a familiar tie in which love binds.

Hands joined together with thankful hearts

that one day will no longer park

around this table any longer,

replaced by hands of a stranger.

Yet this stranger one day invited in

becomes family now known as kin.

This gathering around the table becomes

to new family members a heartfelt welcome.

May tonight as you gather together to eat

become a time when hands reach out to greet,

to connect with a loving heart

before dining begins to start.

Holding hands in prayer,

thanking God for His care,

then God's goodness share

through abundant fare.

* * * * *

Have you ever thought about God's hands?

Every day they uphold men and women

and care for His beloved children

for in God's hands there is a saving plan

to sustain and protect all humans

across all countries and distant lands.

He's got the whole world in His hands...

He's got you and me brother in His hands...

He's got you and me sister in His hands...

He's got the little tiny babies His hands...

He's got the whole world in His hands...

Here's some selected verses from Psalms

on which to quietly reflect on

about God's awesome hands.

Hands which fill us with songs

with grateful thanksgiving on our tongues

giving praise to God to whom we belong.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

You give me your shield of victory,

and your right hand sustains me;

you stoop down to make me great.

Psalm 18:35

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6

My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15

If the Lord delights in a man's way,

he makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;

let your right hand display awesome deeds.

Psalm 45:4

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

You hold me by your right hand.

You guide me with you counsel...

Psalm 73:23-24

Your arm is endued with power;

your hand is strong,

your right hand exalted.

Psalm 89:13

For the Lord is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The seas is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:3-5

Help me, O Lord my God;

save me in accordance with your love.

Let them know that it is your hand,

that you, O Lord, have done it.

Psalm 109:26-27

The Lord's right hand is lifted high;

the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!

Psalm 118:16

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:12

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,

with your right hand you save me.

Psalm 138:7

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your love, O Lord, endures forever -

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Crunch

CRUNCH

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

not popcorn for lunch.

Outdoors underfoot

when a stroll you took

snap, crackle, pop, crunch heard

on the earth's carpeted floor.

Carpeted in red, orange, gold

before turning into a brown load

to be raked one sunny afternoon -

autumn's last bouquet of blooms are doomed.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

into a pile a bunch

of leaves raked

then relocate.

Leaves recycled into free mulch

put on the garden to produce much

for over the winter they'll decay.

You'll find composting does well pay.

Late summer you'll hear snap, crackle, pop, crunch

when green beans are prepared for lunch

or snow peas eaten under the sun -

a snack straight from the garden.

For autumn's dead leaves became

nutrients for the garden's gain.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

decomposed leaves add a punch.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch!

Rather raking leaves into a bunch

or fresh vegetables for lunch,

enjoy today as you crunch.

* * * * *

There is no waste in God's economy.

He planned earth to renew itself, you see.

Leaves are given new birth

when decompose into the earth.

These nutrients are then fed

to grow our daily bread.

There's a more wonderful new birth

waiting for all humans on earth.

We have the opportunity to be born again

when we believe Jesus came to die for our sins.

This new birth becomes our eternal salvation

that God provided for all men and women.

Just believe

then receive

God's plan of salvation.

It's our regeneration.

Your new birth awaits. Just pray.

Don't delay. Do so today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe

and right now I pray to receive

your gift of salvation that's free

because you died on Calvary for me.

You made a way

for me that day.

Thank you. Guide me to live your way

as I seek to live for you everyday.

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:21

Putting the vegetable garden to bed.

Life is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Still

Although November at the time of this posting, it looks like winter outside.

Still

In the still of the night they came

as a hush lay over the land;

silently they came, though not motionless,

causing more work for many of us

and fun for some of you -

rather young or old, it's true.

They came fluttering,

a silent spiraling,

orbiting round and round

then lay still on the ground

silent, their journey ending,

though employment is pending.

A frozen orb caused this fuss,

though it creates a hush,

in the meadows and woodlands,

the countryside, towns, and lawns

as it falls silent and still

while stirring up a chill.

Silent, yet sparkling, effervescent before becoming still,

then children in multi-colored snowsuits and mittens spill

dispelling the quiet born

from these orbs cold and frozen.

Laughter fills the air

from children playing there.

The stillness of the landscape becomes tracked

as snowmen appear from snowballs packed.

These snowmen, still, like guards

made from snow packed hard

survey the snowflakes that descend

from someplace up in the heavens.

Other people get out the shovels,

or noisy snow plows and blowers,

interrupting the still silence

as they seek to keep their balance,

though they might not giggle and laugh

as they work at scooping out a path.

However you view

this cold, still view

a photograph - a still,

will freeze this moment, it will,

of snowflakes falling...

still, silent, calming.

And still they come with a certain solace

as they flutter down from outer space

a serene,

tranquil scene,

silent and still now,

though cold and how.

Still...they lie after their journey,

still...they come every January,

still...the hush heard in February,

still...to some quite contrary.

Now lying still...

through tomorrow...still.

* * * * *

Our lives are rarely still.

We tend to make ourselves ill

with busyness from sunup to sundown

all around our homes and even around town.

Ill as in physically drained

and even emotionally drained

for we take care of everything

but sometimes forfeit one thing.

That one thing is time with the Lord.

Where we should go to be safely moored.

Where peace is found despite difficulties.

When God enables with grace, plenty.

God desires that we learn to be still.

To hear from Him we need to be still

for God speaks to us in a still, small voice

which surely gives us reason to rejoice.

His voice gives us comfort and hope,

gives us direction when we can't cope,

brings us peace in the midst of our troubles,

making our impossible, possible.

Be still and know that God is the Lord

who longs to carry our heavy load.

Don't make yourself ill.

Learn to cease and be still.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

...a still, small voice...

Then a voice said..."What are you doing..."?

I Kings 19:12 (KJV/NIV)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

Cast all your anxiety on him,

for he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.