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As We Prepare this Advent…

I know that the rest of the world is in shopping mode, preparing for Christmas. Now that Black Friday has become a whole week instead of one day, we now have “Green Monday”, which follows.  Not to mention the retailers who try to lure us away from our Thanksgiving dinner for even greater savings.  December 25th for them is a day off work with the added perks of gifts, a good meal and perhaps a football game.  The next day it is back to work and business as usual, waiting for the next holiday.  How empty and boring is that kind of life?

But they have missed the best part, the real point:  the King of kings, the Lord of lords:  Jesus!  Christmas is welcoming our Savior into our world.   He chose to become one of us, to decend from His cheribum throne to meet us at our lowly human level.  How can we comprehend this marvelous miracle?  Those people who are so intent on the parties and gifts are really missing the Spirit of Christmas, the excitement of His coming into the world.  They are trying to fill the void in their life.  It was a black and white world until Jesus came and gave it color.   Such a precious little Babe!

This is the Advent season, the season of hopeful waiting.  Enjoy the excitement of expectation.  Then fully and prayerfully enjoy the Christmas season;  the season of the fulfillment of God’s redeeming promise to the world.  If you try, you can feel the closeness of God to us during this blessed season.  And remember: Christmas lasts until the Wisemen come to adore the newborn King.

Be joyful!  Be hopeful!  Enjoy the spirit of Christmas.  Be blessed!

This picture is entitled “The Touch of God’s Hand”.  Can you imagine God touching you like this?  The Blessed Mother knew His touch.  God touches the earth with His mercy again this Christmas.

TouchGodsHand

 

 

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Amazing Summer

Here in Ohio, one cannot complain about the amazing summer weather we have had recently.  It has not been too hot or too cold.  Last year the weather went straight from winter to the hottest part of summer–100°+ and stayed that way until way into September.  And today looking at another beautiful, low humidity day gives one a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.  I know that all parts of our beautiful United States have not experienced good weather.  We keep those places and people in our prayer.

Usually in August, it is a good time for artist to prepare their canvases for the coming year because it is too humid to paint.  But this year is an exception.  Praise God for His kindessses to us.  He does not let our burdens become more than we can handle, if we trust in Him.

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Thank God For Our Freedoms

I was so glad to hear about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Hobbie Lobby and the Green Family.  On this Fourth of July, we must continue to pray for those who have gone before us in the many battles our country has fought, for their courage and their commitment to keep this country free.  Freedom is not just being able to do what you want when you want.  With it comes a responsibility to keep God’s moral laws and be protectors of the earth and its peoples, no matter how small.   And above all freedom is being able to worship our great God.