Emmanuel...God with us!!

From my home to yours...Merry Christmas!!
Let us rejoice!! He is born!!

Tap, tap, tap...is this thing on??

I'm hoping that someone (anyone?!) is still out there...maybe?! But one way or the other, I hope to be back soon!

Blessings,
Gigi

Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
1 Corinthians 16:6 NIV

For now, anyway...

because I haven't had much to say...
because November 9th is drawing near...
because I need some time...

Blessings,
Gigi

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

Where WOULD we be?

We sang this song yesterday in church...and I've been thinking about it ever since choir practice last week.

(Note: this is not my church's choir)

"I would be lost...without the cross."

Miriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "lost" this way:

1: not made use of, won, or claimed

2 a : no longer possessed b : no longer known

3: ruined or destroyed physically or morally : desperate

4 a : taken away or beyond reach or attainment : denied lost to the faith>
b : insensible, hardened <lost to shame>

5 a : unable to find the way b : no longer visible c : lacking assurance or self-confidence : helpless

6: rapt, absorbed <lost in reverie>

7: not appreciated or understood : wasted lost on me>

8: obscured or overlooked during a process or activity <lost in translation>

9: hopelessly unattainable : futile lost cause>

source: Miriam-Webster dictionary online

I know I can apply 3 and 5a to my everyday life...and as I sit and ponder the other meanings, I can certainly find application for them as well!

How about you, my friends? Where would YOU be without the cross?

We observed The Lord's Supper yesterday during service and our Pastor shared a quote prior...but because I can't remember the author, it won't be verbatim! The gist of it was that Jesus, Who was without sin, took up the cross on behalf of you and I. At any point, He could have said "Did you drop this? Is this yours?" But He didn't...He carried it all the way to Calvary, where He laid down and was nailed to it, and died, in our place.

Oh yes...I would be so lost without the cross. Thank you, Jesus.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV

The journey

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

Bittersweet

Today is my parent's 58th Wedding Anniversary. It's also the 3 month anniversary of my Mom's Homegoing. A celebration of so much love amidst so much sadness.

I'd be grateful if you'd keep my family in your prayers through this time.

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Psalm 71: 20-21 NIV

Just one word

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Revelation 4:8 NIV

I will exalt thee!!

Wow, it's been almost a month since I've put up a new post! I've been spending a lot of time with my Dad, keeping him company, taking him to various doctor's appointments...my poor little blog has taken a back seat, I'm afraid, to these other demands on my time.

But it's a sunshiny Monday morning, our King is on His Throne and I give Him all the praise, honor and glory for all the blessings in my life!

What are you praising Him for today? Leave me a comment - I'd love to help you praise our Heavenly Father for His goodness!

A psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145 NIV

More than enough

It's Monday...God is on His throne and He is oh-so-good! I thought maybe we could all just use a little extension of yesterday's service and continue our worship, what say you?! So let's just praise Him, glorify Him, bow down before Him and tell Him that yes, Jesus...You're more than enough for me!

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 NIV

Happy Birthday America

We were founded as a godly nation...a Christian nation. It is my prayer that we are called to revival in our country - back to the premise our forefathers spoke of so fervently. Please pray for our land, my brothers and sisters. Pray for our leaders, from our President on down. Our heavenly Father promises in His Word that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. And we NEED Him near to us...now more than ever!

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galations 5:13 NLT

From my home to yours, have a happy, safe and blessed Independence Day!