His mercies are new every morning!

 "The Morning Glory is a rather fragile, delicate blossom with a dazzling quality -for each morning.

God's mercies are new every morning, fragile as Jesus' human-ness, but full of strength and power as is His Godliness! 

No one can stand against His glory and might. 

Praise the LORD! We can stand in Him as new creations!"

blessings to you SJ

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

..." but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not 

heard,
 and which have not entered the heart of man,


All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; 

for the Spirit searches all things, 

even the depths of God."...

Ephesians 3:14-21

..."For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth 

derives its name, that He would grant you, 

according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with power through His Spirit 

in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in 

your hearts through faith; and that you, 

being rooted and grounded in love, may be able 

to comprehend with all the saints what is the 

breadth and length and height and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses 

knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the 

fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly 

beyond all that we ask or think, according to the 

power that works within us, to Him be the glory 

in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations 

forever and ever. Amen."

*

Morning by Morning new Mercies I see!

(Great is Thy Faithfulness)

*

Snoopy Taking a Stand

 

Safety in an "Ice Covered" World

 

Lonely and sorrowful, wounded and wanting... 

The LORD gives us His hope, His comfort, His safety, for His own children in times of grieving. 

..."You are my friend and my sister in our Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord teaches me to love and care more deeply through all of this.  

For my heart to grieve in this is a worthy a pain.  

There is far too much time for me to think on my own sorrows and your hurt takes my mind away from this to pray for you.  

This life-tapestry filled with so many people, so many stories; is something we must walk.  

For the children of our Loving Father, this is a walk to His glory and ever-tender presence.  That is where our hearts and minds must be..."

-blessings to you CB

2 Corinthians 1:1-7

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction so that 

we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction 

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, 

so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; 

or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, 

which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings 

which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, 

knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, 

so also you are sharers of our comfort."...

*

Being Able to See God's Grace

 "I think most people in cults are afraid God will be angry with them if they leave, and punish them.  Never do they see His grace."

-blessings "N.K."

God's Grace:

Titus 2:11-15

..."For the grace of God has appeared, 

bringing salvation to all men, instructing us 

to deny ungodliness and worldly desires 

and to live sensibly, righteously and godly 

in the present age, looking for the blessed hope 

and the appearing of the glory of our great God 

and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us 

to redeem us from every lawless deed, 

and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, 

zealous for good deeds.

These things speak and exhort and reprove with 

all authority. Let no one disregard you."

Titus 3:1-7

"Remind them to be subject to rulers, 

to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for 

every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, 

gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, 

deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, 

spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, 

hating one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior 

and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, 

not on the basis of deeds which we have 

done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, 

by the washing of regeneration and renewing by 

the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly 

through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified 

by His grace we would be made heirs 

according to the hope of eternal life."...

*

May you who have been caught in a web of legalisms now see, hear, and know God's truth and His marvelous grace!

Winter Reading...

 

I have been rereading through precious things I have kept through the years. This one is from 2019. My friend said:

"...let us join all the children of God and proclaim His wonderful Name!  

First to ourselves as we seek Him through His Word and prayer.  

Then may our hearts be so full that our awe and worship and praise overflow to all we touch! 

Let us set our hearts to intentionally proclaim - to be so aware of Him that - in a sense - the world grows dim - we just are so drawn to our Father that He is more real than the creation He made! 

Let us proclaim His greatness. 

He is great as Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer."

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

“For I proclaim the name of the Lord;

Ascribe greatness to our God!

“The Rock! 

His work is perfect,

For all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness 

and without injustice,

Righteous and upright is He."

Blessings to SJ

*

Living in Continual Trials and Tribulations

1 Peter 4:12-13

..."Beloved, 

do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, 

which comes upon you for your testing, 

as though some strange thing were happening to you; 

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, 

keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory 

you may rejoice with exultation."...

 

(4:7-11)

..."The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."...

*

Bring Out Your Momma Bear

 

    A Classic ROSE is ROSE

What is Gratitude in Real Life?

What does gratitude actually look like in real life? 

Your everyday life?

Your public life?

Your private, personal life?

Your all alone life?

First of all, gratitude is an inner state of mind. It isn't just what you "show" people. It is true thankfulness.

If you have true gratitude then it will exude from you naturally in all of the above questions. 

True gratitude is NOT pretense. 

If you only "show" gratitude in your public life then you are not living with true gratitude. You are just pretending. It is not real to you. 

You most probably do not realize it, but you have put on a persona of fake gratitude. Sooner or later you will discover this yourself because of the emptiness hypocrisy leaves you. Sooner or later others will discover you are a hypocrite.

And what about being a hypocrite...

Romans 12:9-13

..."Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; 

cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; 

give preference to one another in honor;

not lagging behind in diligence, 

fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation,

devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs 

of the saints, practicing hospitality."...

1 Timothy 4:2-5

..."But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times 

some will fall away from the faith, paying attention 

to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

by means of the hypocrisy of liars

seared in their own conscience 

as with a branding iron, men who forbid 

marriage and advocate abstaining from foods 

which God has created to be gratefully shared 

in by those who believe and know the truth.

For everything created by God is good, 

and nothing is to be rejected if 

it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified 

by means of the word of God and prayer."...

Luke 6:42 

..."Or how can you say to your brother, 

‘Brother, let me take out the speck 

that is in your eye,’ when you yourself 

do not see the log that is in your own eye? 

You hypocrite, first take the log out 

of your own eye, and then you will see clearly 

to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye."...

*

Love: a Gift from God to us

 

The LORD Gives Strength to His Children

 

Psalm 3:3 

..."You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head."...

John 15:18-21

..."If the world hates you,

 you know that it has 

hated Me before it hated you.

 

If you were of the world, 

the world would love its own;

but because you are not of the world,

but I chose you out of the world,

because of this the world hates you.

 

Remember the word that I said to you,

 

‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ 

 

If they persecuted Me, 

they will also persecute you;

if they kept My word, 

they will keep yours also.

 

But all these things they

will do to you for My name’s sake, 

because they do not know 

the One who sent Me."...

*

I Found a Friend

 
I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!


He loved me ere I knew Him;


He drew me with the cords of love,


And thus He bound me to Him;


And round my heart still closely
 twine 

those ties which naught can sever,


For I am His, and He is mine,


Forever and forever.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!


He bled, He died to save me;


And not alone the gift of life,


But His own Self He gave me!


Naught that I have mine own I call,


I’ll hold it for the Giver,


My heart, my strength, my life,
 my all 

are His, and His forever.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!


All pow’r to Him is given,


To guard me on my onward course,


And bring me safe to heaven.


The eternal glories gleam afar,


To nerve my faint endeavor;


So now to watch, to work, to war,


And then to rest forever.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!


So kind and true and tender,


So wise a Counselor and Guide,


So mighty a Defender!


From Him who loves me now so well


What power my soul can sever?


Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?


No! I am His forever.

-Small

Let Your Own Heart Overflow with Gratitude

 

                                                    *

Colossians 1:9-14

..."For this reason also, since the day we heard of it,

we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask 

that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will 

in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that 

you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every 

good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

strengthened with all power, according to

His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness

and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father,

who has qualified us to share in the inheritance 

of the saints in Light.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,

and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."...

Colossians 2:6-7

..."Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, 

so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now 

being built up in Him and established in your faith, 

just as you were instructed, and 

overflowing with gratitude."...

Colossians 3:12-17

..."So, as those who have been chosen of God, 

holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, 

kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, 

whoever has a complaint against anyone; 

just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Beyond all these things put on love, 

which is the perfect bond of unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body; 

and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, 

with all wisdom teaching and admonishing 

one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, 

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."...

Colossians 4:2-6

..."Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert 

in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

praying at the same time for us as well, 

that God will open up to us a door for the word, 

so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, 

for which I have also been imprisoned;

that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders,

making the most of the opportunity.

Let your speech always be with grace, 

as though seasoned with salt, so that 

you will know how you should respond to each person."...

*

Life is Short: Live it for the LORD!

 

ROSE is ROSE

Funerals

Life is busy and full. We personally attend many funerals. Most of these need a Bagpiper. 

So many people.

So many lives.

So much sadness.

So much regret.

So much loss.

If you are a child of God it doesn't have to be this way as death is only temporary, where eternal life with Him is forever.

Philippians 1:21

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." 

John 14:1-4

“Do not let your heart be troubled; 

believe in God, believe also in Me.

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; 

if it were not so, I would have told you; 

for I go to prepare a place for you.

If I go and prepare a place for you, 

I will come again and receive you to Myself, 

that where I am, there you may be also.

And you know the way where I am going.”

Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the valley 

of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 116:15

"Precious in the sight of the Lord

Is the death of His godly ones."

Romans 14:8

"for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, 

we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, 

we are the Lord’s."

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood 

cannot inherit the kingdom of God; 

nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, 

but we will all be changed, in a moment, 

in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; 

for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be 

raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, 

and this mortal must put on immortality.

But when this perishable will have put on the 

imperishable, and this mortal will have put on 

immortality, then will come about the saying 

that is written, 

“Death is swallowed up in victory. 

O death, where is your victory? 

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power 

of sin is the law;but thanks be to God, 

who gives us the victory through our 

Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, 

be steadfast, immovable, always 

abounding in the work of the Lord, 

knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Live your life for the LORD God Almighty!

*

Worry / Calmness

Matthew 6:34

“So do not worry about tomorrow; 

for tomorrow will care for itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

Philippians 4:4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 

The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Peter 5:6-7

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, 

that He may exalt you at the proper time, 

casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.."

Psalm 37

...3 "Trust in the Lord and do good;...

...4  Delight yourself in the Lord;...

...5 Commit your way to the Lord,...

...7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;...

...39 the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

      He is their strength in time of trouble.

40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;

     He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

     Because they take refuge in Him.

*

                                                                                 

God's Creation: Up Close and Personal

 

My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness

Of the Father's love begotten,

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framed;

He commanded; it was done:

Heaven and earth and depths of ocean

In their threefold order one;

All that grows beneath the shining

Of the moon and burning sun,

Evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion,

Death and sorrow here to know,

That the race of Adam's children

Doomed by law to endless woe,

May not henceforth die and perish

In the dreadful gulf below,

Evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed,

When the Virgin, full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving,

Bare the Savior of our race;

And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,

First revealed His sacred face,

Evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time

Chanted of with one accord;

Whom the voices of the prophets

Promised in their faithful word;

Now He shines, the long expected,

Let creation praise its Lord,

Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him;

Angel hosts, His praises sing;

Powers, dominions, bow before Him,

And extol our God and King!

Let no tongue on earth be silent,

Every voice in concert sing,

Evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed,

Righteous King of them that live,

On the Father's throne exalted

None in might with Thee may strive;

Who at last in vengeance coming

Sinners from Thy face shalt drive,

Evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men,

Thee let boys in chorus sing;

Matrons, virgins, little maidens,

With glad voices answering:

Let their guileless songs re-echo,

And the heart its music bring,

Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,

And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,

Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,

And unwearied praises be:

Honor, glory, and dominion,

And eternal victory,

Evermore and evermore!

----