And the Angels Rejoiced!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 KJV

Why all the celebration?

          Where darkness had filled the world, 
                     God has sent JOY 
      in the person of His most beloved, only son.  
                 Let the world REJOICE.  

The greatest event since creation has just happened.

Was it the presents?
Or the trees?

                      Tree at Knapps Station Community Church

Was it all the decorations?

Or the festivities?
Or the great food?

No!

It was the Child

The One born in a stable

This barn is on the Barker Road Potsdam and probably has electricity and running water. Those amenities were not available when Jesus was born.  
Would you want your baby born in a barn, even a "modern" barn?  God did!!

The One whose mother and earthly father
said “Yes” to an angel

          Nativity scene at Knapps Station Community Church

The One who loves you and me so much He came from His throne in heaven to save us from ourselves

The One born to die to save us from our sins
The One whose love for us is limitless
The One who is the Son of God Almighty

The One who chose to become the lowliest
and most helpless of people   
a tiny baby born to a teenage girl
who was a nobody in the eyes of the world

The One who is Lord of all creation

That’s why the angels sang and rejoiced

Will you join in and celebrate
the greatest love story of all time?

For God so loved the world 
that he gave his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

                               Nativity Scene in Norwood, NY             

Commentary:

Route 56 between Potsdam and Norwood, NY.  Are you ready to open your heart to the light and love that the Father is patiently and lovingly waiting to give you?

We are about to celebrate Christmas. Are you ready? I'm not asking if your shopping is done, tree decorated and presents wrapped. I'm asking if you are ready to receive Christ in your heart?

Do you realize that the Almighty One who created everything that exists, loves you so much that He sent His Son to become a human baby? 

This was THE God who became a human baby who was born and lived to teach us how God wants us to live and how to treat each other. 

He taught how much He, Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit love us and want us to spend eternity with them. 

He taught us to love God first and foremost and to love each other as we love ourselves.

We cannot do this or anything without God's help. 

We only need to ask Him and He will help us. 

He never stops loving us and will guide us to the Home we were meant to live in for eternity - if we cooperate.

Are you ready for Christmas?

                Church in Lake Placid.  
         Whatever church you choose, go home for Christmas and always.
                         Open your heart 
         and allow the JOY that is Jesus fill you with peace and love.

Knapps Station Community Church would be a great one to visit and stay with.  It is a true church family that will love you where and who you are.  It will nourish your soul and lead you to the Lord who loves you and is waiting for you to come Home.

Have you opened your heart to the One who loves you enough to become a human like you and me and die for our sins? 

Just open your heart. Ask Him for His help. Ask His forgiveness for whatever you have done wrong.

Follow the One who will never lead you astray and get ready for the ride of a lifetime as He leads you Home.

Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  Psalm 62:18

           Road to my neighbor on Route 35 near West Potsdam, NY

Can You Hear the Cheering? 

I watched a video on Facebook of a young hockey player helping a younger mentally challenged hockey player make a goal.

The younger one could just barely stay upright and skate forward. 

The older one would move the puck in range so the younger one could hit the puck a little and skate closer and closer the goal. 

The goalie got out of the way so the younger one could hit the puck into the net. 

The little guy raised his arm in victory and the goalie rubbed his head in approval. I’m sure he was beaming under his mask.

I think my trip with God is like that
 and I am the challenged child.

Jesus doesn’t force me to follow.

He doesn’t push me toward the Goal. 

He encourages me. He puts the puck in my reach. He helps me every step of the way. He stays beside me when I am afraid and having difficulty. 

He has been there. He lived as a human so He knows what I am going through. 

He helps me get up when I fall down as I have so many times. 

I can choose to go the wrong way and He won’t stop me but He will try to redirect me if I only cooperate. 

He has never given up on me regardless of my sins and missteps. 

Just as everyone watching the event on the video must have been cheering, I believe the angels in heaven cheer for us as we take each little step forward and cooperate despite the many difficulties that life and Satan put in our path. 

We only have to trust in the one who loves us more than earthly life itself and He will guide us to our heavenly Goal. 

Can you hear the cheering?

He holds each of us in palm of His Mighty Hand and loves us each so much that "even the hairs on our heads are numbered." 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; 
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  
Psalm 34:8




Book Reviews:



Cradle, Cross and Crown by Billy Graham

This tiny gem has writings by Billy Graham and poems by Ruth Graham celebrating what Christmas is really all about.



On This Holy Night The Heart of Christmas

Another little gem with writings by some of the most popular modern authors giving insight into the reason we need to celebrate this blessed season.



The Life God Blesses by Jim Cymbala

Another great Jim Cymbala book that discusses why God blesses some people more than others.  Why would that be?  Read it and gain insight and hopefully be greatly blessed by God!  Available at the Knapps Station Church library.




A Biography of Jesus 32 Simple Lessons from His Life by Tom J.Crowley

Short snippets that give insight into the life of the one born to save us from ourselves.  Available at the Knapps Station Church library.


Faith Conquers Doubt
Blog post by my friend Jean Oathout.


Blessing:
May the light of the Christmas Star
  shine brightly on you 
  today and forever more
May it bring you the Peace, Love and JOY
  of the Christ Child!

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- 

  used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV unless otherwise noted

If you are interested, you can click on the Blog Archive 

  dates on the top right side of this post to connect 

  to previous blog posts

I would love to hear from you either on the      

  comment section of this blog post
  or through my email  

  debbieamcewen@gmail.com

I post every other Saturday 

The next post will be 12-31-2016, the last for this year!

                    Is this Charlie Brown's Christmas tree??

           All creation knows instinctively to look to the Creator 

                                  and to honor Him.

                          We people need to realize this
              and REJOICE in the One who is come to save us.

Are You In A Fog?

                                           Foggy mountain near Lake Placid, NY
God and his promise await us through the woods and over the foggy mountain of life.    We only have to accept His outstretched hand as He offers to guide us to our final destination.

I was driving home from Massena tonight. Massena is a town about 24 miles from my home and usually that’s an easy drive. However, the fog was very thick and I was driving after dark. 

      Picture of ship at Locks at the St. Lawrence Seaway Massena, NY 
                                   taken through the fog.  
                              Photo courtesy Dave Sanford.
We proceed toward our destination but the way is obscured.  We need a guide through the fog.  Our Loving Father is always holding out His hand to us.

I found myself using my very best driving skills and watching the road very carefully. I was very grateful for the painted lines on the edge and middle of the pavement.

At times, I could only see a short distance ahead of me. I could not anticipate all the curves and certainly would have had difficulty if a problem like a deer in the road had happened. 

     Foggy day in West Potsdam, NY.  Photo courtesy Judi Sanford.

I could only trust the guidelines painted on the road, my driving experience and my God to get me home safely.

Life is like that. We can only see a very short distance into the future. We really need guidelines to follow to get us home safely.

What are our guidelines you ask? They are the lessons we have learned in life and the ones that we learn from God and His Manual for Life called the Bible.


There is not a situation that can come up that is not covered in the Bible. Parts of the Good Book were written many hundreds of years ago. Amazingly, this book is so well written that is really does cover whatever we encounter in life.

How can we use this guidebook? Well, we have to learn what’s in it. That means reading it and studying it.

I have read all of it at least once but find that there
is so much more to learn that I keep reading it. I learn something new every time I read in the Bible. I’ve also taken Bible study classes which have given me insights that I could not have developed on my own.

                           Lake Placid, NY
When we take the time to work through the obstacles that stand in our way, we can find great beauty and insight.



For God to be able to give you guidance when you get in a fog, you also require a relationship with Him. To have a relationship with God, You must accept Jesus as your Savior. You need to repent, that is tell Him you are sorry for what you have done wrong and ask Him to help you live His way.

In order to get to know Him and to believe in Him, you need to learn to rely on Him and when you do, you will find that you can trust Him completely. 

What happens when you have a personal relationship with God?  You come know in your heart of hearts that He is your Loving Father and you are His blessed child and that He will never let you go.  

Will you still have problems?  Definitely but He will always be there to help you.  Will there be heartbreaks?  Yes but God will never give you more that you can handle. Jesus became man and lived a life much more difficult than most of us could even imagine.  He really does understand what you are going through and He really cares about you and what happens to you.

You will learn that He will never let you down. You can trust God infinitely more than the painted lines on the road or anything else created by mankind.

God will guide you around the obstacles in the road and through the curves that life throws at you. Experience will teach you that God is your Loving Father who will guide you safely through whatever life may send your way - if you will only trust Him.

How do you develop this relationship with God, you ask? You reach out to Him. Talk to Him, pray to Him. Let Him know what’s on your mind.

Ask Him to help you with your problems and concerns. He’s always there patiently and longingly waiting to hear from you.

Be still and listen for His still small voice that will answer when and how you may least expect.

I have found that His answers are not usually quick and dramatic but are very subtle and easy to miss if I'm not listening.

God always knows what is best so He answers in His time, His will and His way. I’ve learned that His way comes out perfect in the long run.

When I find myself in a fog in life, I look to God and ask for His guidance. He always steers me in the right direction. 

Will you join me on my trip?
The destination is heavenly.

                                             

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

   Proverbs 3:5-6

                                             Lake Placid, NY
 

                  Lake Colby at Saranac Lake, NY

Like this gray scene, our gray days can still be filled with God's beauty.

                  Lake Colby at Saranac Lake, NY

Commentary:

Late fall, early winter is now upon us.  As the ground adjusts to the temperature changes there are some very foggy days and nights.  As we adjust to the changes that life gives us, our lives can become very foggy.  

We've had one major snowfall and then the temperatures rose.  Now nearly all the snow is gone. Most of the days have been gray so my pictures are not very colorful.  God can make all things beautiful, even the grays of our lives.

                    Boat launch at Saranac Lake, NY

           Desserted house on the Flat Rock Road Potsdam, NY

Advent has started.  It's time to start preparing for the "reason for the season" to arrive.  It is so amazing to think that the creator of all that exists became a totally helpless baby born to two poor teenagers. 

This kingly child was born in a stable because "there was no place for Him in the inn." His cradle was a rough animal feed trough. No hospital, no doctor to attend the birth, no medication. Only stinky animals for company. 

Nothing was easy. Nothing was "kingly." 

Imagine that the Lord of all Lords, the Great I Am, the King of all Kings became one of us this way. The Creator of the Universe became man under the lowliest of circumstances to be the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. 

He was born, lived and died to save us from our sins. He did this to restore our path to the Father that our sins had destroyed.  We could never accomplish this on our own so He did this for us.  Just for you and me. We could never do enough to deserve it but He loves us so much He did it for us.  

Imagine His love for you and rejoice!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

               The swamp on Rte. 35 Norwood, NY.
         God give us what we need to succeed.
This rare sunny day lifted my spirits and revealed much beauty that is hidden on the gray days.

               River Road between Norwood and Potsdam, NY

              View from bridge over river near Hewitville, NY

                 

                             River Road near Potsdam, NY

                         Swamp on river Road near Potsdam, NY

Book Reviews:


Because of Bethlehem Love is Born

I read this just in time for Christmas.  Max Lucado uses his dynamic style to re-tell the Christmas story and explain to us why our lives will never be the same "Because of Bethlehem."  I recommend this book.



The Case for Christmas

As an reputable investigative reporter, Lee Strobel explores his journey from athieism to Christianity. He consulted the experts and found the actual proof for Jesus, for Bethlehem and so much more.  This little gem of a book expelled many doubts that had lingered in my own mind.  An excellent read and just in time for Christmas.

Knapps Station Community Church

Our church has many committees and groups that work hard to help our church family and our community.  This week I'd like to highlight our Missions Committee.  This group is funded by part of the Sunday offerings and is used to financially assist individuals and organizations that would not be helped otherwise.  For example, Missions has helped fund several young people who served in the mission field in Guatamala, Mexico and in the United States.   Missions also helps support area food pantries as well as medical transportations needs of individuals who had no other way to meet those needs. We are blessed to be able to share God's Love in this way.

What Matters is Who God Is  is a current blog post by my friend Jean Oathout.  This discusses the book of the same name by Max Lucado and gives many examples of how completely we can trust God.

Blessing:

May your heart be filled with anticipation and JOY          knowing that soon the Christ Child 
   will again visit this dreary world 
   and fill your heart 
   with His incredible love and peace
May this JOY be yours for all eternity

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- 

  used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV unless otherwise noted

If you are interested, you can click on the Blog Archive 

  dates on the top right side of this post to connect 

  to previous blog posts

I would love to hear from you either on the      

  comment section of this blog post
  or through my email  

  debbieamcewen@gmail.com

I post every other Saturday 

The next post will be 12-17-2016

Red berries that I've never noticed before remain on bushes on Rte. 35 Norwood, NY.  Their bright red color is a stark contrast to the gray bark and snow.

Bushels of Blessings

All creation sings the praises of the Lord
Every mountain, hill, stream and sunset shouts
  "The Great I Am made me
  Look at His creativity
  Behold what He can do and what He does
  None can compare with the one and only Yehovah
  Look at His handiwork 
    and let your heart shout His praises"

Bushels of Blessings

Praise you Lord for the bushels of blessings
   that cascade from heaven

I don’t always see them

I don’t always feel them

But You shower them down on me
   each and every day of my life

               Near boat docks in Ogdensburg, NY
   God smiles at us and gives us glimpses of heaven
         if we only open our eyes and our hearts.

The moments with no pain

The magnificent sunsets

The smiles that reflect Your love

The way You ALWAYS listen, always care,
   always answer when I pray

You are closer than a heartbeat away

Always there, loving me, guiding me
   if I will only cooperate

You chose me and loved me beyond measure
   from the instant that You chose me

When original sin changed me
   and what I am able to do,
   You intervened

You put Yourself in harm’s way
    to re-create the path back to You
    that sin had destroyed

You suffered the ultimate humiliation for me

Because You love me that much

Even when I ignore or deny You,
   You never forget me,
     
You never turn Your back on me

               God always helps us find a way 
        through all the clouds and storms of life

I don’t deserve all Your blessings
   and could never do enough
   to earn Your love and grace

But You do it anyhow

    I thank you Lord for the daily blessings You send.

Soon I will celebrate Thanksgiving
   and give thanks for all my blessings

With You and Your love,
   every day is cause for thanksgiving
   as You send Your bushels of blessings
   each and every day of my life

Thank You so much for all You do, 

   my wonderful, Loving Father.

Come and hear, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what he has done for me.          Psalm 66:16

                       Ogdensburg near Ford St. Extension
Most of the trees in the area have lost their leaves.  These brilliant red ones stand out
  with their magnificence
  just like a Christian living for Jesus.
Praise you, Jesus for their beauty.

Commentary:

Thanksgiving is Thursday.  I have so much to be grateful for this year.  My husband, Tim and I celebrated 43 years of marriage in July.  It is a blessing to realize that I am married to my best friend.

                       Tim and Simba the cat

It hasn't always been easy.  We've had many ups and downs.  However, the time since we began our walk with Jesus has been the very best so far. 

                          Swamp near Madrid, NY

Our walk has gone through the easy and the difficult.                With Jesus' help
   we will always find love and beauty together.

Tim had successful bariatric surgery in January and has lost almost 100 pounds since them.  He had successful cataract surgery on both eyes in October and complete hip replacement Nov. 8.  So far his recovery from the hip surgery has also gone very well.  

I KNOW that only God has control of our lives and has caused the surgeries to go so well. The good will and prayers of our wonderful church family at Knapps Station have also been instrumental in the positive outcomes.

Knapps Station Community Church

I am blessed with a loving family and many friends.

      On the 11 Mile Road between Santa Clara and Paul Smith's College, NY

              God, family and friends
      have helped us over many rough spots.

You, my readers have blessed me by checking out my blog posts and leaving comments.  Your encouragement has kept me going especially in the beginning when I felt like I was floundering.  

I guess I'm still muddling through but now I know that God is completely in control of my blog as well as my life.  He gives me the words and directs me to the pictures He wants me to use.  I could never do this on my own.  I am just the channel for Him to use to speak to you. I am blessed that He honors me by using me. 

                        A farm near Madrid, NY

              Round hay bales and a farm near Lisbon, NY

                        Grazing cows near Lisbon, NY


I feel that I live in "God's country" which is Northern New York State near the Canadian border.  My pictures should reflect my love for this area.

        

I could go on and on for a very long time counting my blessings.

I encourage you to think about your blessings.  No one is just lucky.  All good comes from God and He is so generous with His blessings.  The more you realize that it is God's intervention  that causes any good fortune and give Him credit, the more He will bless you.  

Sometimes blessings come in disguise and don't seem like blessings. Then you have to trust His timing, His love and His wisdom. Trust that He does all things for your good and know that it will all come out best for you in the long run.

                   Boat launch at Santa Clara, NY
God provides the boat to get you to the distant shore.  If the boat develops a leak, He helps you bail it. If you work with Him, He will never let you sink.


Trust Him and God will come through for you - every single time.  His love for you is limitless and He is anxious to show you how much He really loves you. 

Give Him a chance and get ready to be amazed!


I'm not doing a book review this time since the commentary is so long.  I'll be back to book reviews next time.


Blessing:


I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving
I wish you many bushels of blessings
    for the coming year and the rest of your life
I pray that you open your heart to the peace and love     that only our Blessed Lord can give
And I pray that our Blessed Redeemer greet you
    with open arms when you pass into eternity. 

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen - 

  used with permission

Please note that there is a translate box in the top right hand side of this blog post that will translate this into several different languages.  
Many thanks to my friend Jean Oathout for finding this feature and helping me add it to my blog.

All bible reference from the NIV unless otherwise noted

If you are interested, you can click on the Blog Archive 

  dates on the top right side of this post to connect 

  to previous blog posts

I would love to hear from you either on the      comment section of this blog post
  or through my email  

  debbieamcewen@gmail.com

I post every other Saturday 

The next post will be 12-3-2016

 Tim and Rev. Dave Tulloch.  "The mighty fishermen."