REJOICE!

                                               Nativity Scene at Knapps Station Church

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.   I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.  Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you;  he is the Messiah, the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11

Rejoice

            By Debbie McEwen@2015

The world was dark and merciless
Cruel people ruled with an iron fist
Life was hard
Most folks struggled just to survive
There was no hope of anything better

And then it happened
God fulfilled His promise
Love came into the world in the person of a tiny baby
God sent His only precious Son to bring light and life to the world
      that had turned its back on Him
He loves us so much He came to us
      to bring us to Him
      since we had lost our way
He sent His Son to live with us
      to show us how He want us to live
      and to let us know how much He loves us
How He never forgets
No matter what we do or don’t do
He says “Come to me.  My love for you is limitless.”

And the heavens rejoiced.
The angels sang  “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth
      and good will to all men.”
Tonight God’s love comes to you.
Rejoice!

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.  Ecc. 3:1

Hunkered Down

            by Debbie McEwen @2015

Has nature hunkered down for the winter?
Is the wildlife settled in for the long winter’s sleep or are some still out foraging?
Are some wandering around wondering where the snow is?
I wonder the same thing but am so grateful for this reprieve
I love the bare ground and the mild temperatures
       since it’s almost Christmas
The green holdouts are slowly turning brown
Some brave green souls flaunt their bravery and will continue to do so
       even when the snow lays its blanket
The life force of so many field grasses and flowers
        has settled into their roots leaving dying remnants of what once was
Except for the evergreens, the trees seem “hunkered down”
       ready to brave the winter cold and storms,
       braced against the mighty Nor'easters
My windows are closed, the shovels are in place,
       the things of summer put away till spring
I too am braced for winter
       and like so much of nature will persevere

                   

Christmas Blessing 2015

May the Christmas Star shine on you
            filling your days and nights with joy
May the Lamb of God fill your heart
            with His grace and love
And may the coming year
            be your best one yet.

God's blessings on you, my friend

            Debbie

           

All biblical quotes are from the NIV
All photos taken by Debbie McEwen

Prepare the Way of the Lord

            

                                           Altar at Knapps Station Community Church

"Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts, since as one body you were called in peace."  Col. 3:15

Advent is upon us.  This is the time when we are preparing for Christmas, for the time when God sent His only son to live with us, to teach us how to treat each other and how to live as His children are supposed to live.

There is so much need this year. Maybe the need has always been here.  Terrorists are menacing and killing whole groups of people all over the world.  Refuges, huge numbers of people, have no place to go.  Many are dying unspeakable deaths.  

So many people are hungry, homeless, lacking medical care.  So many are depressed.   So many are hopeless.  

We read about people with unimaginable amounts of wealth.  Do they help? Some do, some don’t.  

It’s easy to paint the oppressors, the terrorists, the wealthy as the villains and hate them.  However, God loves them just as much as He loves you and me. They just don't know it.

We pray for the victims and we should.  

But we must also pray for the terrorists and the abusers however guilty they are.  As much as we are God’s creation, they are too.  Each of us has hurts, needs and wants that only God can satisfy.  He is the medicine that can cure all ills.  

Let me repeat, Jesus is the medicine that can cure all ills. 

It is only through Jesus, that people will be happy, will have their needs met, will be secure and loved.  Everything else is empty.  

It would be great if we could eliminate the need to pray for victims and the only way that I can think of that possibly happening is if Jesus touches the hearts of all and opens those hearts to His love.  

Only if Jesus is working in the hearts of everyone will we eliminate anyone from becoming a victim.

In this time of peace and good will to all men, please pray with me for all the terrorists, all the abusers and everyone who would hurt anyone, even accidentally.  Please pray that God touches their hearts and that all hearts are open to His love, His grace, His mercy and His forgiveness.

We have all been guilty at least one time and Jesus forgave us when we asked.  Let us all treat each other as we want to be treated and pray that everyone else does the same.  

Then this truly will be a time of good will to all men.

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 14:34-35

                          Time To Dream

           
                                  By Debbie McEwen @2015

Like a grand lady putting away her colorful finery, fall has settled into a limitless palette of browns, beige and the occasional dark red.  Only the grass and the evergreens are still green. 

The sun shines brightly today in a clear blue sky but provides no warmth.   Shadows are longer. Stark bare trees stand like sentinels ready to brave the upcoming storms. Canadian geese honk a mournful tune as they soar the skies in distinctive v formations.    

The ground seems to be sighing “Winter, I’m ready for my sleep.  Bring your cold,  but cover me with your snow to protect my roots and flowers.  Please be gentle with all my wild creatures.

I am ready to rest.  As I sleep, I will dream of the warm southern winds, the bird songs and the flowers waiting to explode with my finest colors. 

I will dream of all the young who will cavort through my forests, streams and skies.  They please me with their joy in being alive.  

I await the melting brooks whose waters will trickle over my rocks with lively melodies.  I await the trees that will burst forth with buds and leaves.  I dream of the fields that will spring into life.  

But now it is time to rest.  Come, Father Winter, cover me for my long sleep and let me enjoy my dreams of upcoming spring.”  

"There is a time for everything
         and a season for every activity under the heavens."  Ecc. 3:1

Thank you for taking the time out of you busy week to spend time with me.

May your days be filled with God's love and peace.

When you rest for the night, I wish you: 
           Good Sleep, Sweet Dreams and may God bless you, my Friend.

                                                                                                  Debbie

Photos taken by Debbie McEwen
Biblical quotes from the New International Version.