Monthly Archives: December 2011
Four Words
Hope
He came, a tiny babe, wrapping His godliness in a form that we could recognize. Flesh and humanity, like us, yet not. Completely Man and still Completely God. Miraculous.
Mercy
But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Rm. 5:8.
The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and “shadow of death” on them a light has dawned. Mt. 4:16.
Grace
He came as love, into our world of need. He knew rejection and hunger and cold. He knew His Father would have to turn away from Him as He took our sins upon Himself, and still He chose us. He knew death on our behalf. Compassion.
For by grace are you saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Eph. 2:8.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. Ti. 2:11.
Glory
He knew as He stretched out the nail-torn hands, reaching out to save us from ourselves, that He would seal us in His hands forever, and hold us safely there through all eternity. He knew if we believe in Him that we will rest with Him in splendor on heavenly shores. He knew He would return for us one day as He laid His life aside for redemption’s sake. He knew who will choose Him and those who will reject His Gift. Power.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:4-7.
As we celebrate this year, we must remember the Truth of Christmas: Jesus. He came as Hope to save. He gives us Mercy even though we are undeserving. He extends His Grace to all who will believe. And He deserves all Glory.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace… Lk 2:14.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, Rv. 4:11.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Ps. 19:1.
BLUE EYES
(To my beloved, Happy Anniversary!)
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; Song of Solomon 6:3.
My first look into their blueness took me diving straight heartward.
Lost in liquid love. Memory clear still.
And you gazed back into my soul.
Did you see love there
–igniting?
Love, swept up, pulled deep, locked safe in heart chambers, remains there now.
Love is patient and kind. I Cor. 13:4.
First, as friend, shy, careful. First date, first finger-clasp, first brush of kiss. Tennis sets, popcorned movies, strolled walks, long talking on phone. Step-sitters watching traffic and days pass by. Bright chariot of red with My Prince for dates at lunch. Heartthrob…
Overwhelmed with busy, you: college courses, camera clicking, games to capture on film. Study, study groups, exams. Quarrelsome dad, pressure…
Me: busyness like you, classes and study, life plans to ponder. Brake and heartbreak—step back, slow down.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. I Cor. 13:7
Time passes as the shadows, and hearts still bound as one, our worlds collide at a chance supermarket meeting. Together again for good.
Love never ends. I Cor. 13:8.
Cap and gown and teen excitement.
Today, graduation day. Your gift, tiny-boxed bit of starlight, one- kneed proposal. Yes, of course, YES!!
Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Ruth 1:16.
Three images of father, each blue shades, soul windows like us. Blessings,
God’s gift.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, Ps. 127:3-5.
Those little eyes watch, learn imitation, learn life. Love, responsibility. Dad and mom, sons. Joy!
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Prov. 17:6
Turn away your eyes from me–for they overwhelm me–Song of Sol. 6:5.
You draw me close. I sigh and look deep, deep to soul,
where faith lives, and goodness, and me.
Until Heaven, and then forever.
Our history, future, now…