A Mother’s Thoughts

Since we moved so frequently as a military family, I have memories of each of my children in different places. I used to be upset that I didn’t have one home with all of my memories safely stored there with me. Nowadays, after suffering a stroke and losing part of my memories, I am thankful for all of the moves because I can see an image of a child in a place and know where we were and what was happening then. Tokens of their childhood are stored safely away in various places in our current home…the first haircut, the first tooth lost, the first report card. And each token carries a memory of being a young mother with a lot of love and not much knowledge about what I was doing.

That brings me to the Bible verse and a song for today.

The angels sang, the shepherds came to worship and Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, treasured these memories in her heart. It boggles my mind that a simple girl was chosen by God to give birth to the Savior of the world. It mystifies me that Mary was a mother, just like me, with hopes and dreams for her child but also knowing that He had a destiny to fulfill and she was only a small part of it.

“Mary, Did You Know?” by Pentatonix

This is my absolutely favorite Christmas song because it incorporates the love of a mother for her newborn child and the love of the child for the entire world.

Cherish your memories and hold fast to to your faith that God has a plan for your life, just as He did for Mary, and that He will bring it to pass.

The Goodness of God

How long has it been since you took time to think about God’s goodness? I don’t mean some rote prayer or a list of all God’s blessings. I am talking about His goodness, an attribute that I think is generally overlooked.

When Moses requested to see God’s glory, God agreed to show him His goodness, saying he could see God from behind and His goodness would pass before him.

God answers our prayers even when they are unusual requests, particularly if our goal is to know Him better, as Moses desired.

So, I ask you again. Have you reflected on God’s goodness? As you listen to this song, take time to worship our Creator and acknowledge His goodness.

Goodness of God-Bethel Music

My Hope Is In God

There are a lot of things these days that can cause sleepless nights for me and a lot of anxiety, not the least of which is the fear of another excruciating headache and loss of vision. But God has been speaking softly and reassuringly to my heart, telling me that He is with me and not to fear.

God is helping me to trust and to rest peacefully. And when I have difficulty falling asleep, He puts a song in my heart and off I drift to slumber.

God’s love surrounds me, at home, in doctor’s offices and even in the hospital. He is the only one in whom I have complete trust and hope.

Giving God the glory because He is worthy helps my mind to recall all of the good things He has already done and that my future is in His hands. So, praising Him helps restore my hope and my peace.

What a Mighty God We Serve-Bob Givens

Goodness of God-Bethel Music

A Prayer for Today and Maybe Everyday

Authors have written books about the day after 9-11. Presidents have made speeches. Congress has passed resolutions. But I have done nothing on the day after one of the worst days in the history of the United States. This morning I was feeling kind of out of sorts, not really discouraged, but just not feeling as though I had done much for the survivors, the people left behind. Then, in Dr. Denison’s Forum this morning, was this song that is also a prayer. I share it with you in the hope that you will join me in praying it, today and everyday that you remember. You don’t have to remember the words, but I hope that the heart of the message will touch you deeply in your soul, where you long to make a difference.

God of the Poor Lyrics by Graham A. Kendrick

Beauty for brokenness

Hope for despair

Lord, in your suffering

This is our prayer

Bread for the children

Justice, joy, peace

Sunrise to sunset

Your kingdom increase!

Shelter for fragile lives

Cures for their ills

Work for the craftsman

Trade for their skills

Land for the dispossessed

Rights for the weak

Voices to plead the cause

Of those who can’t speak

Friend of the weak

Give us compassion we pray

Melt our cold hearts

Let tears fall like rain

Come, change our love

From a spark to a flame

Refuge from cruel wars

Havens from fear

Cities for sanctuary

Freedoms to share

Peace to the killing-fields

Scorched earth to green

Christ for the bitterness

His cross for the pain

Friend of the weak

Give us compassion we pray

Melt our cold hearts

Let tears fall like rain

Come, change our love

From a spark to a flame

Rest for the ravaged earth

Oceans and streams

Plundered and poisoned

Our future, our dreams

Lord, end our madness

Carelessness, greed

Make us content with

The things that we need

Friend of the weak

Give us compassion we pray

Melt our cold hearts

Let tears fall like rain

Come, change our love

From a spark to a flame

Lighten our darkness

Breathe on this flame

Until your justice

Burns brightly again

Until the nations

Learn of your ways

Seek your salvation

And bring you their praise

Friend of the weak

Give us compassion we pray

Melt our cold hearts

Let tears fall like rain

Come, change our love

From a spark to a flame

Friend of the weak

Give us compassion we pray

Melt our cold hearts

Let tears fall like rain

Come, change our love

From a spark to a flame

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Graham A. Kendrick

God of the Poor (Beauty for Brokenness) lyrics © Make Way Music

God of the Poor-Graham Kendrick

The Lord

Who is the Lord of your life? Is it yourself? Something you have accomplished in your life that you are proud of? A material possession that means more to you than anything? Or perhaps your family whom you love dearly. These things may be important to us, but none of them can be the Lord of your life. There is only one Lord, one God, and as a dear pastor used to say, “It ain’t you!”

Only our God can help us when we are fearful. He is our Lord.

God’s Spirit was sent to abide in each of us and gives us the freedom to choose to make Him Lord in all of our daily decisions.

God is our lighthouse, the one who shows us the way and gives us the power and strength to follow the right path towards eternity with Him.

My Lighthouse-Rend Collective

He is Lord-Elevation Worship