Christian Photographers Community

A chilly morning, much more like a "normal" December, and not supposed to get very warm during the day.  Light flurries are leaving a dusting of white, and I can imagine the excitement in homes with small children.   

"...behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?..."  Matthew 2:1b and 2b


No, I don't think this is where the song writer got the three French hens from!  Neither do I believe that these sagacious noblemen came to the stable and saw the new born King.  Why?  Because the Bible says they met Him in a house, and Christ is called a young child, not a babe (see vss. 9 and 11).

Obviously, these wise men had met important personages on previous occasions.  (Not excluding Herod, even though I'd like to).  However, I don't think they ever traveled so far and followed a heavenly beacon before encountering the Christ-child that was born in Bethlehem.  This brush with the royalty of Heaven and the Redeemer of ruined men was different.  They were wise beyond their "book-learning" to search for the Saviour.  They were prescient beyond whatever religious training they may have had to worship Him (vs. 11).  Their revelry was expanded beyond its previous borders, when they rejoiced with great joy at the prospect of meeting the tiny, princely Potentate.  And their largesse was exhibited by the loosing of their purse strings in giving Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

At whatever juncture in life you meet Jesus it will be permanently life-changing.  He changes your outlook and your innermost being.  He brings joy, gladness, peace, and forgiveness!  He also opens up new vistas of generosity, and just like any of the wise men, you too will learn the grace of giving, when the presence of the greatest Present ever given is enjoyed by a seeking sinner or a grateful saint.

Thank you Pat..

Light dusting of snow here, very unusual for this time of year.  I have little things to do...but they have accumulated, so it will take more time than expected.

Had a great time at the Pastors last night, visited with friends we don't see often.  And of course RuthV and her hubby and daughter were there.  It was great to spend time with all.

Got to run, be back later.

Last night, the entire family was here - all twelve of us.  If middle son ever gets married, we can be 13.  It was wonderful.  Thank the Lord that everyone is working and all healthy & bright minds.  Am astounded by their top grades and that is a blessing for sure. 

A very poor snow removal here and trash has not come for two days.  We have everything out today in hope they do show.  Sunny and melting today.  We have a dinner with youngest son tonight & all of his wife's family. 

This is such a lovely and peaceful day and tomorrow shall be as well.  Enjoy the peace. 

It certainly doesn't look like Christmas outside my windows.  The sun is shining very bright.  The temperature is 33° with a slight breeze.  The blessing is that the travelers won't have weather challenges to conquer coming 'back home in Indiana'!!  The gas prices will be enough since they raised 40¢ a gallon in the past few days. 

Nothing exciting going on today.  Ivalou, Marge and I will be going to Christmas Eve service this evening.  Maybe Betty if she calls me back.  Then it is up early in the morning for Christmas Sunday Service.  Ivalou won't go tomorrow since Teresa and Doug will be here early tomorrow to help Ivalou with what all she needs help with.  But I am running the projector system. 

Then it is home to make my contribution for dinner at 1pm.  After that we will play games or just vegetate!! 

Carol, I meant to say earlier (but I couldn't post due to my eye surgery) about how happy I was that Don could hear the music at the concert!  That's such wonderful news.  I've been thinking of it ever since.

Hi everyone on this Christmas Eve.  I think we are about ready for tomorrow.  Pat baked the two hams late yesterday afternoon and sliced one and make ham salad from the other as everyone in our family likes it.  I did get the gifts wrapped yesterday morning.  I think Pat has one or two more dishes to get ready but that may have to wait until tomorrow so they will be freshly cooked.  It was a beautiful day here yesterday and suppose to be nice today.  However, tomorrow we have a good probability of rain during the day.  I picked Stacey up at her apartment this morning and we went out to out to lunch rather than try to go out this evening.   

Jeanne, sure it is a relief to finally have your washing machine.  We don't realize how we would miss something like it until we don't have it anymore.

Janet, that payment from Amazon for your book seems terribly small.  Did you have to put up the several thousands of dollars to get it published?  Don't answer if you would rather not but I just wondered as don't know about the publishing process.

I haven't tried to post to everyone today as I was almost two days behind. 

Larry, yes I did have to put up the money upfront, which is why I hope to sell lots of books before Amazon gets them!    But God is in control; after doing what I can, He will do the rest.  Which doesn't mean I am to run out in front of Him; only that I need to do what I am supposed to do.  I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Beth and John came out for supper.  Darrel made chili, as that was what they wanted.  They chose not to open any gifts tonight, but to wait until tomorrow when the rest of the family will be here.

Carol, we are also twelve, when John is here!  Glad to hear about your wonderful Christmas with family.

Pat, no, John doesn't stay with us.  He did, several times, he has never had to stay in a motel while here; but Beth asked permission for him to stay at the care home in her room.  So he takes my little folding cot, lots of covers, and stays there with her.  In the mornings, he goes into the bathroom, dresses, then comes out here to shower and change, and goes right back to Beth.  He is totally devoted to her.
What kind of eye surgery did you have, Pat?  Was it cataracts?  Darrel will be having cataract surgery on the 27th, so that's coming up really soon!  Then, after both eyes are done, they will do his upper eyelids, as the sagging skin blocks part of his peripheral vision.  Boy!  That will make him look much younger, and even more handsome! 

We haven't gotten any mail for THREE DAYS!!    My proof book is in the mail and should have arrived; otherwise it wouldn't bother me so much.  Phooey.  Whatever happened to "neither snow nor rain nor dark of night......"  I wanted to go pick it up at the PO, but was told it had already gone out on the route again.  Grrrr.

My new kitchen is so beautiful I just want to sit and stare at it!  When Lon asked me how long it took to get what I wanted (or something similar) I told him I never thought I'd have it anywhere near this beautiful (with a big hug and tears.)  Still a lot to do, but it is usable.

Hello to Judy, Marilyn, Gord, Nita, Jane, Ruth, Ruth Ann, Jeanne, and all our other wonderful members.  Merry Christmas and all God's blessings to each of you!

"And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."  John 12:23
"...I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  Luke 10:18b



I know, I know, this is a strange part of the Christmas play to try and portray.  However, I feel it pertinent to present the ultimate antagonist, Satan.  (P.S. Have you ever noticed that when you move a couple of letters around you spell Santa?)  (Just meddling). 

Often in the book of John these phrases are found;  "...The hour is coming..." and, "...his hour is not yet come."  Then in John 12:23, he proclaimed His hour had come!

Ever since the cataclysmic casting out of Lucifer from Heaven, I think Satan's diabolical plan to dethrone Jesus was being formulated.  Now a virgin had conceived.  Perhaps the first attempt on Jesus' life as Son of man was to put in Joseph's mind the thought of putting Mary away privately.  One could surmise the shudder that shook through the corridors of the damned when the Christ was born.  Surely, Herod's demented mass murder of all the children under two was part of the devilish plan of the arch-enemy also.  The devil must have known that embodied in that bald babe in the manger was his final and complete defeat.  The devil's day was ending with every movement of His sainted sinew, and the clock was ticking on his Satanic plan with every breath the young child drew.  The hour had not yet come, but the pendulum of the promise of a Redeemer was pounding in the heart of the little Lad who would confound all the ill-laid plans of the one who fell like lightning from Heaven's glory.

I attended a beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service this evening.  The church was packed!  So many there with all their family!  Love it. 

So now that I am totally in the Christmas spirit...let's go to a new Thoughts for the Week.

That's done.  Now I won't forget tomorrow!