2015 New Year Resolution

“Wes Hal!” - Be Whole!

Traditional Wassail

1 gallon apple cider
2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 to 1 cup brown sugar, to taste
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
(optional) Spice Rum

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan or pot, adjusting sugar to taste, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve in mugs, or pour into a punch bowl and serve warm in cups.

Makes 10 to 12 servings

Daily Blessing

Christmas Eve Blessing

Luke 2:1-14 KJV

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Daily Blessing

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you - His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings - money cannot buy
Your reward is in Heaven and your Home is on High.

Count your many blessings and you'll soon lose count.

Sunday Blessing

Daily Blessing

Fill each heart and reign alone,
Break the idols we have known;
Lead us to confession true,
Give us strength Thy will to do.

Daily Blessing

Daily Blessing

Daily Blessing

Battered Pots

 I Corinthians 15:42-49 NKJV
  
"42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man". 

Years ago, I heard a story about a man looking for flowers for spring planting. At the greenhouse he came across a splendid floral arrangement, bursting with blooms. To his surprise, it was hidden in a corner and growing in an old, dented rusty bucket.

"If these were my flower," he said to himself, "I would place each in a beautiful pot and display them proudly! Why are they confined in this old bucket and hidden away in this concealed place?"

When he remarked to the owner about the flowers, she explained, "Oh, I started the plantings in that old bucket until each blossomed. But it's just for a short time. Soon I'll transplant them to my garden."

The man laughed, and imagined such a scene in heaven. "There's a beautiful one," God will say, "the product of My lovingkindness and grace. Now it's confined in a broken body and in obscurity, but soon, in My garden, how tall and lovely this soul will stand!"

So we may now be "planted" in bent and battered containers for a short time while our Lord beautifies our souls. But, "as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man" (1 Cor. 15:49). Then He will display His handiwork and our loveliness for all to see. This is our assurance and delight.

In bodies that will ne'er grow old,
We'll reign with Him through years untold;
O precious thought: We all shall be
With Christ through all eternity.

While God is preparing a place for us, He is preparing us for that place.

Daily Blessing

“He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, THE Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.”

~Augustine ~ 

Daily Blessing

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5 NIV).

Only as we submit our brokenness to the good and great Shepherd of our hearts can we find the peace that allows us to respond to life. Hope in God - it's the only solution for the deep traumas of the heart.

The Christian's hope is in the Lord,
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we're tempted to despair,
We do not doubt that God is there.

Sunday Blessings

Daily Blessing

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Daily Blessing

We are with Him and He with us;
Great confidence this gives
To face life's trials and even death
Because our Savior lives.

Daily Blessings

Lord, thank You for our daily bread
And everything that You provide;
Increase our faith and help us see
That Your supply is deep and wide.