Listen to the quiet...

Shsh the thoughts in your head...what will I purchase, when, how. Will I have to time to bake, to visit. Listen to the Peace, let silence take you in, what is coming, what is this season we get anxious about. Why do we worry and stress? Is it what God wants. Be still, and breath in the thoughts of the North star leading. He beckons us to remember the Saviors birth, the reason. The only meaning ~~ A gift from a father, his own precious son, so the world would be saved when his work was all done. Mostly, be in prayer, and in helping the ones who don't know, who are alone, hungry, cold. For if you have done it unto the least of these...you have done it unto THEE.

God in Heaven, show me mercy, grace. Whisper only pure thoughts to me during the next few weeks. Thoughts that I may share, that others will see the meaning of Christmas in me.

There is...

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close" -Revelation 3:8

There is No recession in Heaven...

(Thanks Jill)

Favors...

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...

God requires us to have an attitude of faith and expectancy. Not just a faith that we believe in God, but a faith that no matter what we are facing, we just know God will be there to handle it if we are willing to hand it over to him. God also wants us to have a relationship with him and be obedient to him. Along with obedience, he requires we live righteously which means that we are not deliberately sinning in our lives. As humans we will commit sins and as Christians we will feel convicted if we do not repent. However if we choose not to repent and continue sinning we are blocking our chances of finding God's favor.

Ruth 2:10-13

Romans 8:28

Genesis 6:8-9

Hebrews 11

Opportunity...

"Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains" - Colossians 4:3

(Inbox from Jill)
Paul was writing these words while he was in chains in prison. He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted "limitations," but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

No matter what "chains" you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who's in the business of setting people free. Remember, He has equipped you with His power. He's promised to walk with you all the days of your life. When doors look closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you're in chains, remember, God is still at work in your life.

Like Paul, keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Pray for those opportunities to be opened to you. If you fall, get right back up and press forward with even greater determination to accomplish the dream that God has planted in your heart. The prayer of the righteous avails much, so keep praying because He promises to break the chains and open doors of opportunity in your life.

Father in heaven, I choose to take my eyes off my surroundings and focus on You. I choose to focus on the passion and dream You've planted in my heart. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, opening doors of opportunity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
(Thank you Jill)

Celebrate...

Thank you Ann for encouraging us to think about the real CHRISTmas...

No time for worry, stress, running, franticly purchasing the wrong gift. The perfect gift...Jesus! Without Christ, there is no CHRISTmas. Why not celebrate Him. Take your children to the mall, pick a name from the "Angel Tree". Celebrate by donating food to a soup kitchen or your favorite homeless ministry. Even volunteer there. Together as a family put together a shoe box, or two. Just be together, be still, in his word, celebrate his birth, and the meaning of his birth.
A fond memory I have of Mamaw...each year the five of us, (closest grandchildren), put up her tree and had yummy treats. She always had something on her counter for our sweet tooth. we always celebrated the Advent each week. A very important part of Christmas.
Something to think about-
40 gifts of Hope
1,000 hours of prayer I challenge each of you here...
Teach them
Advent Conspiracy

If you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto thee.

Testing

The testing of your faith produces endurance.
-James 1:3

I have learned much through studying God's word and meditating on God's promises. But I also learn by the way I see God working through the experiences of my life. For instance, after a long series of tests and illnesses, I learned that our walk with Jesus Christ goes through valleys of loneliness and suffering, shadows and light, that lead us to green pastures where our God feeds us.

When I have felt abandoned, God's word has said to me: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). After reading that, I felt new strength. At dawn one day, when deep pain in my leg was keeping me awake, I felt Jesus' consolation and peace. After that, I was able to fall asleep.

Through trust in God's promises, which are reinforced by my own experiences, I have learned to wait patiently for God's answers to my concerns. Even when the storm surrounds me and my ship looks like it is about to sink, I can be patient because I know that Christ's light will lead me safely to a peaceful harbor.
(Jesús Quintanilla Osorio)
Read Romans 5: 1-5

Little is much if God is in it.

(evening sun in Cades Cove)

Dear God, thank you for letting us feel your protection and the light of your love in the midst of our struggles. Amen.
(from the upper room)

Caring...

Jesus said, "I was sick, and ye visited me."
-Matthew 25:36

(devotion)
My friend Julie was sick with a chronic, mysterious affliction that had her living on liquid protein and pain medications. As her weight dropped to under 100 pounds, our conversations nearly always centered on her symptoms and my suggestions: "Maybe you should try this - or this - or this. ..."

After a while, I had nothing to say; I couldn't pray anymore. Julie wasn't healed, and she wasn't getting better. I wanted to avoid her because I couldn't find a remedy for her illness. Then one day, while reading about the king who said, "I was sick, and ye visited me," I saw with new eyes what the Lord expected of me. The king didn't say, "I was sick, and you healed me," or "I was sick, and you gave me all the right answers to fix the situation." The king said, "You visited me."

How marvelously simple! I realized that what my friend needed was my care. By caring about those who are sick - giving of our time, not solutions - we touch the heart of God. Ministering to those who are sick is not about our ability to solve problems or offer advice. It's about letting people know that they are not alone. It's about showing that God cares for them, and so do we.
(Leslie J. Wyatt)

God, help us give our time to those who need us. Open our eyes to see their real needs. Amen.

(view from early morning fog on Clinch Mountain)

I believe...

The Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? -Genesis 4:9

devotion
My wife and I reared two children and prepared for our golden years. Then our daughter's marriage failed. She and our three grandchildren came to live with us. Now we are six people in a small frame house. My wife and I are back at work, and our plans for a leisurely life have been placed on hold. We went through a range of emotions and eventually settled in self-pity. By the third year, however, we began to look at ourselves and our circumstances from a different point of view - because of God's word.

The Lord asked Cain, "Where is Abel thy brother?" "I know not" was Cain's response. Then Cain asked a question, the first question human beings asked of God: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

The disciples had questions too. They came to Jesus as he sat on the Mount of Olives. As he talked with them, Cain's age-old question was answered. The Lord described our obligation to care for and to provide for others, that when we do this we are caring for Christ. (See Matt. 25:40.) Can we indeed drink of his cup, bear the cross, and lay down our lives for "the least of these"? We can and must. Without question, Jesus makes God's business our own. When we care for those in need, we care for Christ.
(Tom Henson)

Do you believe in what things you do not see, can not touch? During the children's sermon Ricky asked, "What is Faith?".

Definition: Faith is belief with strong conviction; firm belief in something for which there may be no tangible proof; complete trust; opposite of doubt.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

I love the metaphor of a chair...Find the chair closest to you. Look at it closely. Examine its design. Is it structurally sound? Is it sufficiently engineered? Will the materials chosen by the manufacturer support your weight?

Most likely, you picked a chair that you believe will support you. That's belief. You applied logic, knowlege and experience to make an informed intellectual decision.

Now sit in the chair...That's faith! At one point, intellectual assent only goes so far. True living requires that we put our beliefs into action. Intellectual belief without actionable faith is hollow and meaningless...


Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -Hebrew 11:1

Lord, "let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth". Amen.



I so much enjoyed my visit with Todd and Jill. I knew I would take them to Cades Cove, and I'm glad I did. It was a perfect day. Examining the old log structures, I found Joy in watching Todd and Jill do the same. They thrive on it. But as I really examined each one, I was also thinking. In the pioneer day, when people lived so simply, were they not humbled, joyful. Like other Christian folk, they built Churches and their belief in the Bible was the source of their strength in such a challenging environment. In particular, the Cades Cove settlement provides proof of the abilities and determination of this Early American Scotch-Irish culture. I found this interesting article...

(glowing sugar maple at the mill)

Early Thursday morning, we head North, far North...the longest distance in this country I've been. Ohio is very flat...unlike the mountains and valleys here in East Tennessee which I am so fond of and couldn't trade anything for. Northern Ohio is beautiful...breath taking. Miles and miles of farm land, undeveloped, which I love. We traveled many hours to arrive at our Mount Vernon destination. Friday morning we head out. God surely directed my path as I drove, forever it seemed. Getting lost several times along the way. Roadways are not marked, construction re routes me in places I don't need to be. Finally I arrive at my destination and it makes the trip worth it. Of course, I thank a sweet gentleman whom I don't know, and will most likely never see again. I traveled down the same road at least three times before spotting him standing out in his driveway. We decide he is our last hope. He draws a map to the town we need to be...then I call the Miller's and sweet Linda directed us right to her door. I surely don't expect to see an early cabin in this place that we've traveled to, but there it is, serene, beautiful in its manner. Ralph and Linda Miller are lovely hosts. As we arrived to great food, (we hadn't eaten since 9 that morning), Linda is all smiles. Her shop brimming with wonderful aromas of Christmas...early painted furniture and smalls. Todd and Jill take us up to the cabin, and it surely is a wonderful home...we were greeted at the door by wagging tails. Mac and Charlie Gibson are great door greeters. We find sweet Claire nestled in the cozy bed upstairs. Loyal companions these three are.


We have no idea how to make our way back to the warm, dry comforts of our hotel, so Todd leads the way...directing us safely back to Mount Vernon. As I lay in bed, I was thankful that God kept us safe in our travels, placing the gentleman at just the right time...he always does that you know. We are never lost, if we have faith that he will direct our path.

Early Saturday morning, we head over to the Dan Emmit Conference Center. They've built a nice fire to keep the anxious shoppers warm. It was overwhelming how everything inside had changed since we were first there on Thursday afternoon before all the wonderful artists and dealers had set up all their lovely booths. So much to see...I wanted to photo all the lovely booths, but for respect, I did not...I'll post when Candy shares the show pictures. She and sister Max, (and all their family and friends) did an outstanding job promoting this show. Great hosts they are.

(Me with Max, left - Candy, right)

I was most thankful for this time away to fellowship with old friends, and new ones too. I am most thankful for my dear friend Delores for reading maps and directing me too...most of all I'm thankful God directed us safely there and back home. It was also good to know I was missed:)
Find Joy in this day-

Too much...Not enough...

Too much -
Bad news
On Sunday evening while my sis and bil were at church, someone broke in their house.
Monday night my best friends house burned. Although not a total loss, she is pregnant, and she and "Little", (dog) were home when she realized something was burning. Husband is Chief of Police. Witness saw a man leaving the property just before fire was reported. Now homeless until investigation and clean up process.

Not enough -
Faith
Trust

I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me

Endurance...

When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything...

James 1:3-4

Yet another lovely artist sharing her talents...I'm behind on reading my blogs, but it's not too late for you to get your name on the list. Angie at Simple Thyme is hosting a give away in honor of her birthday. Look at this sweet snowguy. Happy Birthday Angie!

I'm updating my website tonight...hope you can come for a visit.
Find Joy in this day-

Lord Jesus, help us today to share and serve wherever we are. Amen.