Letting Go... Leaning Forward...

This letting-go-leaning-forward passage will be the heart of my message on the first Sunday of 2016:

(Click on type below for full-frame.) 

"... and i wait." Psalm 5:3

Grateful 

"Knowing You'll Be There"

In our quiet time with The Lord this morning, my Mom, Lady Melba, and I had a tender season sitting at her table together. 

After coffee and some reading and reflection, Mom dove into her sacred CD collection and wanted me to hear track 3 of one album, titled "Knowing You'll Be There." Of course, it reminds her and her son that one day we'll see our Jesus face-to-face and her husband and my dad, Cap'n Billy, too. Here's the heavenly homesick song by The Gaither Vocal Band:

http://youtu.be/yTSDeBYvTik

"... and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT) 

Words You May Need to Hear Today?

I sense someone reading my blog right now needs to hear and hold onto these words. So, please now receive these words of mine and agree with them wholeheartedly, for forever and today:

Even if people give up on you, you must not give up on Christ in you. 

(Refer to Colossians 1:27)

"... and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful

"God, You're Faithful"

God, You're Faithful

This I know.

I seek Your face; 

And bow down low.

You offer favor

Beyond my dreams.

Sweet mercy comes

With Holy Beams.

When I call?

Yes, when I cry;

You hear at once

And do draw nigh.

"... and i wait." -- Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

A Final Christmas Song Before 2015 is History

This is my final favorite Christmas song of the 2015 Christmas Season -- Darius Rucker singing "I Wonder What God Wants For Christmas." 

 http://youtu.be/eqlH19dhI9Q

"... and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

"Kiss The Son"

Some do not know that The Old Testament tells us plainly in more than one verse that God has a Son. One reference is Psalm 1:11-12 (GWT):

"Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, or he will become angry and you will die on your way because his anger will burst into flames. Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him (The Son)."

Will we Kiss the Son of God or diss him?

"... And i wait.." -- Psalm 5:3 

Grateful 

Christmas = Chased By True Love

Blessed Christmas 

to the depths of your soul.

May knowing God cares 

make your life whole. 

I hope your day 

is amazingly graced. 

I pray by true love

You will surely be chased. 

(Click on image for an in-your-face look at our Oreo Pup.) 

Give away your life... Knowing God cares. 

Grateful 

Our Christmas Portrait From "Yesterday"

Today, as my grown daughter, Allison and I, were spending some time together at our home, this Christmas Portrait of our family taken 23 years ago when we were living in Colorado Springs was unveiled. 

Memories are tender; and whatever happened to yesterday? It picked up our little children and stole them away. Well, kind of. 

(Click on image for full-frame.) 

Give away your life... Trusting the Christ of Christmas Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Blessed Christmas Eve to you all! 

Grateful 

Christmas is a Miracle

Do I believe in Christmas Miracles? Indeed, I do, however I see Christmas in and of itself a Miracle. Why?

We were in darkness; 

Jesus came to be our Light.

We got ourselves really lost;

So, He came to point us right.

His mission was to save us;

We were deep in dire straits;

He offers deep forgiveness;

Yes, He came with Holy traits.

His mercy is extended still;

He gives His Love to all.

Will we now love Him back;

Crown Him our All-In-All?

Christmas is His cry to us;

Will we become His friends?

Before this season comes and goes;

Let us bow and make amends. 

Give away your life... To The One Whose Birth makes Christmas a Miracle.

Grateful 

"Buckle Up, Y'All."

This YouTube video made my day. Young gospel singing man, sings his way out of a ticket for not wearing his seat-belt.

Click here: Florida Man Sings His Way Out Of A Traffic Ticket! - YouTube

Give away your life... Singing through discouraging circumstances.

Grateful

Prescription for Renewed Strength

I offer you from God's never-failing Holy Word a tried and true prescription for renewing strength:

Isaiah 40:31a (GWT)

(Click below for Full-frame.)

Give away your life... Anticipating renewed strength.

Grateful 

'Wait Calmly..."

Psalm 62:1-8 GWT 

For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by David.

1 My soul waits calmly for God alone.
    My salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
    I cannot be severely shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a person?
How long will you try to murder him,
    as though he were a leaning wall or a sagging fence?
        
        They are happy to lie.
        They bless with their mouths,
            but in their hearts they curse. Selah

5 Wait calmly for God alone, my soul,
    because my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
    I cannot be shaken.

7 My salvation and my glory depend on God.
    God is the rock of my strength, my refuge.
8 Trust him at all times, you people.
Pour out your hearts in his presence.
    God is our refuge. Selah

Give away your life... Waiting for God. 

Grateful 

Awestruck at Bethlehem Village

Tonight, our Life Group visited for a second year the Bethlehem Village Nativity at Hebron Baptist Church on Afton Mountain, Virginia. The simplistic presentation is an act of worship by these down-to-earth precious people and it is indeed a priceless experience for everyone who enters.

Standing here at the Live Nativity with Christmas Carols filling the atmosphere leaves this one believer awestruck. 

(Click image below for full frame photo.) 

Give your life away... To The Bethlehem Boy Who offers Unending Joy.

Grateful 

Wherever Jesus Is...

These words by Henri Nouwen are very deep...

"Jesus came in the fullness of time. He will come again in the fullness of time. Wherever Jesus, the Christ, is... the time is brought to its fullness.

We often experience our time as empty. We hope that tomorrow, next week, next month or next year the real things will happen. But sometimes we experience the fullness of time. That is when it seems that time stands still, that past, present, and future become one; that everything is present where we are; and that God, we, and all that is have come together in total unity. This is the experience of God's time. "

When the completion of the time came [that is: in the fullness of time], God sent his Son, born of a woman" (Galatians 4:4), and in the fullness of time God will "bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth" (Ephesians 1:10). It is in the fullness of time that we meet God."

Give away your life... Fulfilled in your time by Jesus.

Grateful

Praying Psalm 5:1-3 Touches Me Deeply With Hope

Click below for full-frame of passage from God's Word Translation:

Give away your life... Waiting in Hope for The Lord. 

Grateful 

Mary Knew!

The young Virgin, Mary, of Nazareth, believed what the Angel Gabriel came to say to her on behalf of Almighty God. As a result, she immediately became pregnant with Good News in her times of bad views. Yes, Mary believed and became a carrier of Possibility in her seemingly impossible days. And guess what? We are still reaping the rewards of Mary's childlike faith because The ChristChild came to save us through her. Did Mary know? Mary knew! 

Give away your life... Believing God and blessing others.

http://youtu.be/M7Ux80jK3bI

Grateful 

www.FrontPorchTalks.com

Today, I remind you of the podcast my son, Grayson, and his dad co-host. It is www.frontporchtalks.com and new downloads happen multiple times each week. 

If you have time, I believe your heart will be encouraged by listening to a session from time-to-time. 

Give away your life... Leaning into relationship with Jesus. 

Grateful  

The Source of Real Joy (Holy Spirit Joy)

When The Angel Gabriel prophesied to Zechariah about the birth of John the Baptist, the specific words of Luke 1:15 (GWT) says to me, "if we have The Holy Spirit, we don't need other spirits like wine, liquor, or any other alcoholic drink to create an artificial joy in our lives."

Give away your life... Finding Real Joy through The Holy Spirit, The Source of Real!

Grateful 

  

Mr. Orville -- 8 Medals for Heroism

I casually spoke with "him" near the old-timey candy section in the local Cracker Barrel Restaurant and General Store. We were waiting to be seated for lunch. I was with my wife and friends. He was with his caretaker. 

Once he was seated, I introduced myself and he returned the gesture. "I'm Orville" he said, "and I'm 96-years-old." 

Noticing he was wearing a military veteran's cap, "I thanked him for his service and asked if I could please buy lunch for him and his caretaker, Jennifer?" He said, "Thank You." As he cried tenderly, I echoed "Thank you" to him. 

Humbly he told me he was the recipient of 8 medals for heroism in World War 2 and he also raised the American flag at Okinawa. "Wow" I said, then added "You are a true hero, indeed, Mr.Orville."

I went on to tell him I was so glad he had Jesus and Jennifer to take care of him. He agreed and said " Thanks for saying that." 

I snapped a quick picture of us together. Click photo below for full-frame. 

Give away your life... Staying humble and tender as you age. 

Grateful 

Give.

Give.

Give away your life...

Grateful 

"I Have Asked One Thing From The Lord..."

I have decided that for 2016, my main book for daily devotional reading is going to be The Holy Bible. Of course, it's already the main book of my life, but I sense that The Lord is calling me to His Word almost exclusively for the coming new year. I invite you to consider joining me in this endeavor.

Now, I am not saying it is the only book I will read from in 2016, but I do sense that all other writings will be running a more distant second to God's Word than in past years. In fact, I think I've already started to make the transition though it's still December of 2015.

This morning these ancient words from Psalm 27:3-4 (GWT),  reflect so real the prayers at the depths of my own devotion:

(3) Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I still have confidence in The Lord. (4) I have asked one thing from The Lord. This I will seek: to remain in The Lord's house all the days of my life in order to gaze at The Lord's beauty and to search an answer in His temple.

Give away your life... Leaning into The Holy Word of The Lord.

Grateful  

    

Let's Pray..."The Serenity Prayer"

(Click below for full-frame.)

Give away your life... Surrendered for Serenity.

Grateful 

Praying Psalm 26:8

Praying through the Old Testament Psalms is a powerful devotion. Today, these words written by the Psalmist hint at the prayer in the depths of my being.

"O Lord, I love the house where You live, the place where Your glory dwells."

-- Psalm 26:8 GWT

Give away your life... Treasuring the Presence of Holy God. 

Grateful 

"In the Valley Below.."

Spiritual self-centeredness craves only moments on the mountaintop, yet we must come down to the valley below to be witnesses unto Jesus.

Give away your life... In the valley below for The Lord above.

Grateful 

A Royal Welcome

This Christmas song is making the old story new again to me. 

http://youtu.be/ALG-sbAvfZE

Give away your life... Welcoming King Jesus. 

Grateful 

Guess Who Sat on Front Row As I Preached About Christmas?

Tonight, at the fishing village of my Mom's childhood, Davis, N.C., two very famous people came to hear me preach about Christmas. 

(For full-frame photo of me, Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus, click image below.)

Give away your life... In The Spirit of Christmas.

Grateful 

"Christmas Memories" -- Clint Nelson

At a Christmas concert as Clint Nelson was singing a heart-warming song titled "Christmas Memories", this thought came to my mind as tears came to my eyes:

"Yesterday's memories really do matter alot, but matters of today and making reservations for forever surely do matter most." 

http://youtu.be/y7bLaOyYZpM

Give away your life... Past, Present, and Future to Holy God. 

Grateful 

Prayer for Courage

Last night I heard a young, female, acapella choir -- "Into Hymn" -- beautifully sing their rendition of this modern prayer for courage. Powerful. 

 http://youtu.be/6xWBuWtC8MY

Give away your life... Praying to be BRAVE!

Grateful 

"If i Could? i Would."

"Lord, if i could...

...rewrite history?

i'd leave out the part...

Where i broke Your heart!

If i could?

i would."

(Lyrics above from DVD "The Story")

Give away your life... Loving Jesus Passionately for the rest of your days.

Grateful 

The Real Reason I Rejoice...

I love Christmastime. Here's the real reason I rejoice during this blessed Advent season:

(Click type below for full-frame verse.)

Give away your life... To The Savior. 

Grateful