tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855992933654325182024-03-27T19:54:13.718-04:00Susan's Sitting RoomThoughts about life and faith and books...Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.comBlogger1712125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-14279645740594141612024-03-21T07:45:00.000-04:002024-03-21T07:45:15.713-04:00I Want to Pray Like That<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVcLx3oZM4YvFKj086x8rvF3kxd6oZMi1ZuWEYitix2ZP6L_YGwcWEg9SN97NEnqOyZzbvFA7ItL4d2GzQFwqPGeZjbiQI5oufYwVNNKabAeAPS9O2uAGN7fpKi-XsbHzgZePMWBSN0ddgOuhhHDgTFYyLSEGB3UoqnvSFltpTR-G-ZWkleehiTD-PbFC/s703/IMG_1768.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="703" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVcLx3oZM4YvFKj086x8rvF3kxd6oZMi1ZuWEYitix2ZP6L_YGwcWEg9SN97NEnqOyZzbvFA7ItL4d2GzQFwqPGeZjbiQI5oufYwVNNKabAeAPS9O2uAGN7fpKi-XsbHzgZePMWBSN0ddgOuhhHDgTFYyLSEGB3UoqnvSFltpTR-G-ZWkleehiTD-PbFC/s320/IMG_1768.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br />Have you spent any time lately in the Old Testament book of Daniel? It's powerful stuff! My Bible Study group has been spending time studying Daniel, and today’s lesson has us looking at chapters 6 and 9. You will probably be familiar with chapter 6. It’s the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. And how did Daniel respond? He prayed. That’s chapter 9.<div><br /></div><div>Daniel has a lot to say to us. About things that have already taken place. And about things that are yet to take place. And Daniel has much to say to us about prayer. If you read the first part of Daniel 9, you'll find Daniel praying.<br /><br />In his book <em><u>The Handwriting on the Wall</u></em>, Dr. David Jeremiah says, "[Daniel’s] prayer is an example of what praying ought to be." <br /><br />And I think to myself, <em><strong>I want to pray like that</strong></em>.<br /><br />Daniel began his prayer by saying, <em>"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments." (Daniel 9:4 ESV)</em><br /><em></em><br />Daniel began with praise. With adoration. With worship. Daniel knew His God. He acknowledged God as God. In notes from a previous study of Daniel, I found these words I had written in the margin: <em>Daniel prayed as if God is God.</em><br /><br /><em><strong>I want to pray like that.</strong></em><br /><em></em><br />After Daniel acknowledges who God is, he goes on to the next section of his prayer, found in Daniel 9:5-15. Once he has acknowledged God, then he confesses sin, the sin of his people. He is very specific in his confession. This is a lot more than a quick "forgive us our sins" before rushing on to make a request. It's much more than a tag line at the end of a prayer: "forgive us our sins. Amen."<br /><br /><em>"We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened.....To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame.....because we have sinned against you."</em><br /><em></em><br />As I read Daniel's prayer, I realize this is how we......how <strong><em>I</em></strong>.......should be praying. As we pray for our cities and our states and our families. As we pray for our nation and our world. <br /><br /><em><strong>I want to pray like that</strong>.</em><br /><br />What's wrong with our nation is not about me pointing fingers at what <em><strong>they</strong></em> have done......the politicians and the pagans and the perverts. It's not about who is or isn't President. It's about what <strong><em>we </em></strong>have done. About how <strong><em>we as a nation </em></strong>have sinned and turned aside from God's way. I'm part of the nation. You are part of the nation. We as a nation have sinned against God.<br /><br />Daniel worships. Daniel confesses. Only <strong><em>after t</em></strong>hat does Daniel make a request.<br /><br /><strong><em>I want to pray like that.</em><br /><em></em></strong><br />Daniel begs forgiveness for his people. "<em>O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem.......O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act." (Daniel 9:16, 19 ESV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>I want to pray like that</strong>.</em><br /><em></em><br />Daniel's prayer was not about Daniel. It was not Daniel-centered. Daniel was not a selfish pray-er. The focus of Daniel's prayer was <em><strong>the Person and the character of God.</strong></em><br /><em><strong><br /></strong>"For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but <strong>because of your great mercy.</strong>" (Daniel 9:18 ESV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong><em>I want to pray like that.</em><br /><em></em></strong><br />Daniel's prayer is a good example. It's a good model to follow. Especially when we're tempted to point fingers at others for all the problems we see around us. Or when we're focused on ourselves instead of on others. When we fall into the "life is all about me" trap. <br /><br />We're living in tough times. But so was Daniel. He and his people were in exile in a foreign land. Even so, his focus was not on circumstances, but on God. In spite of tough times, he continued to pray God-centered, rather than self-centered, prayers.<br /><br /><em><strong>I want to pray like that.</strong></em><br /><br /><br /><em>"Lord, teach us to pray." (Luke 11:1 ESV)</em><br /><em><br /></em><br /></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-63491831775471032302024-03-13T09:07:00.000-04:002024-03-13T09:07:31.374-04:00Be Careful How You Walk<p>It was March, 2005. The day I took a wrong step. One wrong step. As a result of that one wrong step, I fell. The result of that fall was a dislocated foot and a shattered ankle. And life has never been the same.</p>Multiple ankle surgeries. Hours of physical torture. I mean therapy! Ankle fusion. An ankle that now has the ability to forecast the weather!<br /><br />Life changed for me on that day.<br /><br />I now walk differently. I understand pain differently. I wear different kinds of shoes than I did previously. I'm different as a result of that one wrong step. <br /><br />March 29, 2005, started out wonderfully well, and it ended so differently. All because of one wrong step.<br /><br />One wrong step can make a huge difference to us physically. But it can also make a huge difference in other ways as well. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually.<br /><br />Our wrong steps are not always literal, physical steps that lead to landing in a heap on the ground with broken bones.<br /><br />Sometimes our wrong steps are bad choices. Wrong thinking. Poor decisions. Sometimes our wrong steps are based on self-centeredness or short-sightedness. Sometimes our wrong steps are a result of not giving God His rightful place in our lives.<br /><br />Perhaps it's these kinds of "wrong steps" that the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote these words in his letter to the church at Ephesus:<br /><br /><em>"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15 NASB)</em><br /><em></em><br />Think about that today. And be careful how you walk.Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-86774943067643984522024-03-08T11:09:00.000-05:002024-03-08T11:09:11.694-05:00What Are You Doing<p>When I first began this blog, I posted regularly. Almost daily. I haven’t posted anything at all in several weeks, and my “regular posting” seems to be a thing of the past. Since cancer entered our world, all our routines have been tossed, and the only routine is that there isn’t one! I often find myself walking in circles through the house asking myself the question, “Susan, what are you doing?”. </p><p>That question seems a good place to get back to this blog. So I ask you the same question I often ask myself. <b><i>What are you doing?</i></b></p><p>If you watch the TV show Wheel of Fortune, you will recognize that question as one of the puzzle categories. Usually the answer is something like <em>reading a book</em> or <em>sitting on the beach</em> or <em>watching a movie</em>.</p>Today let's consider that question in a little different light.<br /><br />It's Friday. Sunday's coming. <strong><em>What are you doing</em></strong> to get ready?<br /><br />I'm not talking about being sure you have turned your clock forward one hour for Daylight Saving Time. (And really, what time does it actually save??) I'm not talking about deciding what you're going to wear to church. Or deciding where you'll go for lunch after church.<br /><br />I'm talking about this: <strong><em>What are you doing</em></strong> to get ready for worship? <strong><em>What are you doing</em></strong> to prepare to meet with God? <strong><em>What are you doing</em></strong> to prepare your heart for Bible study? <strong><em>What are you doing</em></strong> to get ready?<br /><br />Or are you planning to just show up and see what happens?<br /><br /><em>"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD!'" (Psalm 122:1 ESV)</em><br />Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-32609734631606842682024-02-12T09:58:00.000-05:002024-02-12T09:58:00.220-05:00With All My Heart<p style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla8w9Q-SsCPqIi0Nl7xy86zXmeSCWuRaJHtaLlxBvDryMbgefa4aLSN_x0B-uUDtIZWsza4q4QLK7f29EXtCeUaRjQJ-iA3KSMEIh0BWOZpnruZ9tvV2mNz5vJ2AIyT20tdkjPu9XwmWowQke8BpBguJS7rHSU_1JQxGcDQuCLE3F1Q46AW6XoZD9jQ/s123/36E1E39C-46E2-490D-80AF-C031FAE0992B.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="123" data-original-width="123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla8w9Q-SsCPqIi0Nl7xy86zXmeSCWuRaJHtaLlxBvDryMbgefa4aLSN_x0B-uUDtIZWsza4q4QLK7f29EXtCeUaRjQJ-iA3KSMEIh0BWOZpnruZ9tvV2mNz5vJ2AIyT20tdkjPu9XwmWowQke8BpBguJS7rHSU_1JQxGcDQuCLE3F1Q46AW6XoZD9jQ/w320-h320/36E1E39C-46E2-490D-80AF-C031FAE0992B.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </p><div><br /></div>I heard there was a big football game yesterday. People yelling and screaming to express their love for their favorite team. In just a couple of days, people will be expressing their love for a favorite person. In both cases, a lot of money was and will be spent just to prove the point.<div><br />My earliest Valentine memories are of red construction paper hearts and white paper doilies and heart-shaped candies with messages like "Be Mine". Back in elementary school (way back in the 1950s!) we made our valentine "mailboxes" out of construction paper, or by decorating brown paper bags with construction paper hearts.<p></p>As I grew older, Valentine's Day came to be less about construction paper and more about flowers and chocolates that came in heart-shaped boxes.<br /><br />Fast-forward to 1971, when I was a college student and was invited by a friend to attend a Valentine party at her church. There I met a young man who had just been discharged from his military service and had returned home. A little more than a year later, on a warm summer evening, I married that young man! We drove away from the church that evening singing along with Karen Carpenter......"We've only just begun....". For the more than fifty years we have been married, that has remained "our song".<br /><br />But today, I have another song ringing in my heart. While all the world is thinking about hearts and flowers and chocolates and love, my thoughts have turned to what love is really all about. To that greatest expression of love. To the Savior who gave His life that I might have life eternal. Today, this is the song I'm singing......<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>With all my heart</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I want to love you, Lord,</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And live my life</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Each day to know you more.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>All that is in me</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Is yours completely.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I'll serve you only</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>With all my heart.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>(--Babbie Mason)</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As we celebrate Valentine's Day this week, it is certainly true that I love my husband.......my sweetheart for all these years......and I'm so grateful for that party invitation all those years ago. He really is my Knight in Shining Armor, my very own Prince Charming!</div><div><br /></div><div>But even more than that, I am so very grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who loved me, not because I was worthy of His love, but even though I am not. Who loved me enough to die for me! That's the best Valentine ever!</div><div><br /></div><div><em>"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19 NASB)</em></div><div><em><br /></em></div><div><em><br /></em></div><div><em><br /></em></div><div><em>Listen to “With All My Heart” here: </em><a href="https://youtu.be/Ah7DKbtLpL4">https://youtu.be/Ah7DKbtLpL4</a></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-90065191583106268812024-02-02T16:53:00.001-05:002024-02-02T16:53:22.271-05:00Anticipation <p>It’s a beautiful afternoon here in the Upstate! Which makes this a day for anticipation. Anticipating the return of warmer weather. Anticipating even more sunshine. Anticipating Spring! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDXiHzh2ZYvu58sfc9yIbFk6y_LGBgKol5ABoVfiomfGVA7rfja5MHca6NfT3vPmTk9SLh_1piapqk_S5c-k7Q5PfUqGl521oMrR9Q3F8RP0Rm4clrJMrxkE0BIM59AvIUOke8lXNnMonXy5gw7rvPY2uAvR2lJ_GQ0R2zaJsU3TtdD27VxsanSMS_Gg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDXiHzh2ZYvu58sfc9yIbFk6y_LGBgKol5ABoVfiomfGVA7rfja5MHca6NfT3vPmTk9SLh_1piapqk_S5c-k7Q5PfUqGl521oMrR9Q3F8RP0Rm4clrJMrxkE0BIM59AvIUOke8lXNnMonXy5gw7rvPY2uAvR2lJ_GQ0R2zaJsU3TtdD27VxsanSMS_Gg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As we look around our world, we often feel the weight of gloom. Politics, cancer, viruses, the threat of war, discontent, unemployment, inflation….the list could be quite lengthy. All these things could weigh heavily on us and lead to gloom and despair.</p><p>But just like gloomy weather, these things can also be cause for anticipation. Anticipation of a better day coming. Because a better day is ahead. </p><p><i>“This world is passing away…..” (1 John 2:17).</i></p><p>This world, with its stress and gloom, is not all there is. For those who belong to Christ, there is a far better day coming. Let’s focus our attention there. Let’s anticipate!</p><p><i>“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)</i></p>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-10797164777692827682024-01-05T07:49:00.000-05:002024-01-05T07:49:06.216-05:00And Know<p>Blaise Pascal, the French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher of days gone by, said, "Nearly all the ills of life spring from this simple source: that we are not able to sit still in a room."</p><br />God said, <em>"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)</em><br /><em></em><br />When we read that verse, we tend to focus on the first phrase. Be still. And of course, that's an important part of the verse.<br /><br />Be still. Or, as the NASB renders the verse, cease striving. The Amplified Bible puts it this way: <em>Let be and be still.</em><br /><em></em><br />But let's not forget the rest of the verse. Just <em>being still</em>, as important as that is, is not enough. <br /><br /><em>Be still, and <strong>know that I am God.</strong></em><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Don't forget the <em>"and know"</em> part of the verse.<br /><br />Again, let's look to the Amplified Bible for clarification. <em>Let be and be still, and <strong>know (recognize and understand) that I am God.</strong></em><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Be still. That's important. Cease striving. Stop worrying. Be aware.<br /><br />And know. Not just give mental assent to. Recognize and understand in the very core of your being. Know. Know that you know that you know. <br /><br />Recognize and understand who God is. <br /><br />Certainly He is a loving God. He is also a just God. A righteous God. A providing God. He is a Sovereign God. <br /><br /><strong><em>Be still and know that I am God.</em></strong> <br /><br />Whatever the circumstances of your life. Whatever decisions you are facing. Whatever emotional upheaval may encompass you today. Whatever. In every circumstance of life. In the big things and in the little things. Know this. <strong><em>He is God.</em></strong><br /><br />There is nothing facing you or me today that He can't handle. Because <strong><em>He is God.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Think about that today. Ponder that. Live in light of that. Be still. And know.<br /><br /><strong><em>"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted among the earth!" (Psalm 46:10 ESV)</em></strong><br />Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-54832473803676151142024-01-03T11:58:00.000-05:002024-01-03T11:58:51.396-05:00Something to Think About<p> I have been using the same devotional book - <i>My Utmost for His Highest </i>- for as long as I can remember. And each year I have learned from it and been blessed by it. Each year it speaks to me at a different point.</p><p>But there is one point that gets me every time. Every January 3 I have to pause and consider this point. And more so with each passing year.</p><p>Chambers had this to say: “If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet - getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God - it is questionable whether we have ever stood in his presence.”</p><p>Our culture has become increasingly informal, even sloppy, in the way we dress and the way we conduct ourselves. That informality has spilled over into the church. I’m not suggesting we go back to the stiff formality of the Puritans or the Victorians. But I am suggesting that our extreme informality may have gone too far. </p><p>Read the Chambers quote again. Then stop to consider who God is. Reflect on His character and His attributes. His holiness. His majesty. His omnipotence. </p><p>Are we honoring God with our “excessive informality”?</p><p>Something to think about.</p>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-67324142801913861002024-01-02T16:56:00.000-05:002024-01-02T16:56:03.697-05:00A Prayer for the New Year<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Mz3_bOCTztpSqQbcuBed9vucTcoF-T3OH04yV0zR938FQombxsfPlLV927NLZEBzqXoMCGCFdpCs7qjH-Bllp3QkJM3HBYngtlvAzwKT_ean_c_aOaNKfGGYR1r3CVgo9eIGq8H3lZIBwczHRv2jG8s9apHIG6cjTR42OyVQteOsx9TEvG8RVCZzUSd/s519/IMG_1736.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="519" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Mz3_bOCTztpSqQbcuBed9vucTcoF-T3OH04yV0zR938FQombxsfPlLV927NLZEBzqXoMCGCFdpCs7qjH-Bllp3QkJM3HBYngtlvAzwKT_ean_c_aOaNKfGGYR1r3CVgo9eIGq8H3lZIBwczHRv2jG8s9apHIG6cjTR42OyVQteOsx9TEvG8RVCZzUSd/s320/IMG_1736.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>I hope your new year is off to a good start. We had a very quiet New Year's Eve, at least until the fireworks started! We celebrated New Year's Day with a traditional meal of greens, peas, ham, and cornbread, then spent the day relaxing. So far, this new year is good!<br /><br />Last year began in much the same way, and it was a good year. At least, it was until cancer entered our world. Once my husband was diagnosed with cancer in August, life got a little crazy!<br /><br />There had been no symptoms, so the diagnosis came as a complete surprise. We had no idea. But God did. <br /><br />I have no idea where this new year will take us. But God does. And just as He has guided us every step of this journey, He will continue to do so. <div><br />As one year has ended and another has begun, I want to thank you for stopping by. And I want to offer my very best wishes for a Happy New Year, a year of joy and peace and our Father's bountiful blessings! As we begin this new year, this is my prayer for each of us:<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>In working or in waiting, </em><em>Another year with Thee;</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Another year of leaning </em><em>Upon Thy loving breast;</em><br /><em>Another year of trusting, </em><em>Of quiet, happy rest.</em><br /><em><br /></em><em>Another year of mercies,</em><em>Of faithfulness and grace;</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><em>Another year of gladness </em><em>In the shining of Thy face;</em><br /><em>Another year of progress, </em><em>Another year of praise;</em></div><div><em>Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.</em><br /><em><br /></em><em>Another year of service, </em><em>Of witness for Thy love;</em></div><div><div><em>Another year of training </em><em>For holier work above.</em></div><div><em>Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be</em></div><div><em>On earth, or else in heaven, </em><em>Another year for Thee.</em></div><div> -<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Frances R. Havergal</span></em></div></div></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-55348383839563649442023-12-27T09:05:00.000-05:002023-12-27T09:05:14.098-05:00Keeping Christmas. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKlF7aRtLPndhH2AWW5MayvB4IJpIS24n2JdZEI-pX6jJzgmaiUmLE1bMKT6X4HdAXZBiNclV-Ov6yVTrkQMHySuebUCioE_JnG9K_7PN3GtmYRdonZzjAKVMCRRDEW_46R1ioA0gqAza7ISWmT7wj5tHzHHTgozu9s7jdhiNuTBF0_8tovtXPKSrpLg=s3223" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="2065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKlF7aRtLPndhH2AWW5MayvB4IJpIS24n2JdZEI-pX6jJzgmaiUmLE1bMKT6X4HdAXZBiNclV-Ov6yVTrkQMHySuebUCioE_JnG9K_7PN3GtmYRdonZzjAKVMCRRDEW_46R1ioA0gqAza7ISWmT7wj5tHzHHTgozu9s7jdhiNuTBF0_8tovtXPKSrpLg=s320" width="205" /></a></div>Just a few days ago, we were looking forward to Christmas Day. And now Christmas Day has come and gone for another year. Some people will be sad about that, while others are ready to move on to the next thing. Which brings us to that time again. Time to pack away Christmas for another year.<p>For some, the process begins immediately after Christmas Day is done. For others, like me, it's a very gradual process. I'm not quite ready to give it up completely yet. We'll be enjoying the tree a little longer, at least into the new year, through the 12 days of Christmas. Probably longer. But this week I’ll be gathering up things, one room at a time, to be packed away again until next year. It's time to put Christmas away. </p><p>I heard someone say this week that the fa la la la la is gone. That sounds a little sad, doesn't it?</p><p>Have you ever noticed how generous people become with their time and money during the Christmas season? They drop money in the Salvation Army kettles. They donate more generously to their church and to charities. They tip more generously in the restaurant. They give more freely of their time at homeless shelters and food ministries. Then December 25 is past, and life gets back to normal. The generous Christmas spirit is put away until next year. That's so sad. There are still homeless people and hungry people and people with all kinds of needs who could use our help, not only in December but throughout the year. How sad that we seem only to think of them at Christmas. Even more, the spirit of Christmas, the reason for doing all this in the first place - the coming of the Savior - is still a very present reality.<br /><br />We often hear about random acts of kindness, particularly during the holiday season. Then we don't seem to hear about quite so many of those kindnesses.<br /><br />Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were generous all year long?<br /><br />Wouldn't it be wonderful if we did our random acts of kindness throughout the year?<br /><br />Wouldn't it be wonderful if we kept Christmas all year long?<br /><br />Not just in December.<br /><br /><br /><em>“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”</em> <em>(Charles Dickens in <u>A Christmas Carol)</u></em><br /><em><u></u></em><br /><em>"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me." </em><br /><em>(Jesus, in Matthew 25:40 KJV)</em></p>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-19338593253920096852023-12-26T10:35:00.002-05:002023-12-27T09:07:07.177-05:00The 12 Days of Christmas…..<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9ascN8CUMZKJhk1OstgRaL7RQfrZ9CpTexA0wwG6ssTUAAj7NHRCFC5gJNeaA6Gli170u1xYp9bnR1QY3jIzaQwzpeoJsxvpcBz_rXwmZ7-s8Grx8I9Qm1jUrhsSFAesGaBPhoBnkYFUCtndn1hHeFEh2rLWiZmXWR815m87j6PnNncKR_e24y0KZDMw/s1160/IMG_1723.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9ascN8CUMZKJhk1OstgRaL7RQfrZ9CpTexA0wwG6ssTUAAj7NHRCFC5gJNeaA6Gli170u1xYp9bnR1QY3jIzaQwzpeoJsxvpcBz_rXwmZ7-s8Grx8I9Qm1jUrhsSFAesGaBPhoBnkYFUCtndn1hHeFEh2rLWiZmXWR815m87j6PnNncKR_e24y0KZDMw/s320/IMG_1723.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For many, the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” may be their least favorite of all Christmas songs! The song is an English Christmas song, although it may have actually originated in France.</p><p>The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and end on January 6, a day celebrated in many traditions as Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, referring to the coming of the Wise Men. One theory about this song is that it was used, particularly in Catholic traditions, to teach parts of the Catechism.</p><p>Following that tradition, the First Day of Christmas is a reference to Christ. The Second Day of Christmas is a reference to the two Testaments, the Old Testament and the New Testament. And it is there that I want to center our thoughts today.</p><p>On this Second Day of Christmas, let’s turn our thoughts to the Scripture.</p><p>How important is the Scripture to you? Or to ask the question another way, how intentional are you about spending time in God’s Word?</p><p>Is it a daily habit? Or is it only occasional? Or just for Sunday? </p><p>Is the Bible meant only to be ready and studied by pastors and Bible teachers and so-called religious zealots? Or does God mean for each of His followers to spend time reading His Word on a regular basis? </p><p>For those who have committed their lives to Christ, is it not important that the Scipture have a prominent place in our lives? Not just occasionally. Not just on a hit-and-miss basis. Not just a verse from some devotional book. Not just with a verse of the day grabbed hurriedly from social media.</p><p>But intentionally. Consistently. Deliberately.</p><p>I believe the answer is a resounding “Yes”! And with that in mind, as we near the end of another year and begin making our plans and setting our goals for the new year, I want to challenge you to make God’s Word a priority in your life. To make it a daily commitment. To make it a habit. And my hope for you is that it becomes more than a habit, but that it becomes your joy and delight!</p><p>May 2024 be the year you begin to dig deep into God’s Word!</p><p><br /></p><p><i>“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)</i></p>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-63577468279768539632023-12-23T10:26:00.000-05:002023-12-23T10:26:11.810-05:00I Heard The Bells….. <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFjxZIHZ7Bd7DKmwFzqgSl3kqDjXbXBxOdx7P98mwmw9CIfyrRYRd_bWOzKAVYOUgu1hXeuUYPrzq7bwY8qncm50w3WzQGbzJ8FA4P3E5bKp0ZNHfqbtye9QEU0cc1wrEe1lHEGfVV3fvh-7xieFTeSUk1wFdCPCC8olebwRsUc70t1fch0ZdoJ0EBw/s744/AD020A06-AFD6-4FAF-8E92-1B6663CF47D4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="744" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFjxZIHZ7Bd7DKmwFzqgSl3kqDjXbXBxOdx7P98mwmw9CIfyrRYRd_bWOzKAVYOUgu1hXeuUYPrzq7bwY8qncm50w3WzQGbzJ8FA4P3E5bKp0ZNHfqbtye9QEU0cc1wrEe1lHEGfVV3fvh-7xieFTeSUk1wFdCPCC8olebwRsUc70t1fch0ZdoJ0EBw/s320/AD020A06-AFD6-4FAF-8E92-1B6663CF47D4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p> <em>"There is no peace on earth."</em></p><div id="main"><div id="header"><br /><div class="ad_leader">This line, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "Christmas Bells", may be a line ringing through many hearts and minds these days. We live in a world filled with war and terrorism, with strive and discord, with racial tension and political unrest. As I am typing, terrorists continue to lob bombs into Israel. Our world is anything but peaceful.<br /><br />When Longfellow penned these words in the mid-1860s, the United States was in the midst of civil war. Longfellow's wife had died, and one of his sons had been seriously injured in the war. Originally the poem had seven stanzas, with two of them referring specifically to the war. Eventually those two stanzas were removed, giving us the five stanzas that comprise the Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".<br /><br />Longfellow's dilemma mirrors our own in these difficult days. We sing Christmas carols about peace on earth. We read the Christmas story with the angelic proclamation of <em>"Peace on earth, good will to men."</em> Yet we look around us and see no peace. That was Longfellow's world, just as it is ours.<br /><br /><em>"Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."</em><br /><em></em><br />But Longfellow's bells proclaimed another truth we would do well to remember in these troublesome times. The bells pealed <em>"loud and deep"</em> that <em>"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep." </em>The Psalmist proclaimed the same truth when he told us in Psalm 121 that God neither slumbers nor sleeps.<br /><br />Longfellow affirmed another powerful truth of Scripture when he wrote, <em>"The wrong shall fail, the right prevail."</em> These words echo Daniel 9:24: <em>"to finish the transgression, to make and end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness."</em><br /><em></em><br />Just as Longfellow did, we live in a world where there is no peace. A world where violence is increasing. We live in challenging times, both politically and personally. <br /><br />Even so, we can be at peace, in spite of the turmoil around us. In spite of financial stress and difficult relationships. In spite of loss. In spite of wars and terrorism. In spite of violence and unrest.<br /><br />That's why Jesus came.<br /><br />To bring us peace.<strong>.</strong><br /><br />Because He is the Prince of Peace.<br /><br /><em>"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, <strong>Prince of Peace</strong>." (Isaiah 9:7 NASB, emphasis mine)</em><br /><br /><em>"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:13a NASB)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br />Do you know this kind of peace? Do you know the Prince of Peace? If not, why not turn to Him today?</div></div><div id="browse"><div id="search"><div class="searchform"><noscript>Please, allow Javascript to use search</noscript></div></div> <br /><div class="clear"> </div></div><div id="leftcol"><div class="ad_sky"> </div></div><div id="middlecol"><div class="ad_middlecol_inside_top"><div id="cf_async_817477585"><style>.ringrone, .ringtone_b, .lyrics-ringtone{ height: auto !important; } /* lyricsfreak, mode */</style></div><!--INFOLINKS_ON--></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>I heard the bells on <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">Christmas Day</span></i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Their old familiar carols play,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>And wild and sweet the words repeat</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Of peace on earth, good will to men.</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>I thought how, as the day had come,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>The belfries of all Christendom</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Had rolled along the unbroken song</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Of peace on earth, good will to men.</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>And in despair I bowed my head:</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>"There is no peace on earth," I said,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>"For hate is strong and mocks the song</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Of peace on earth, good will to men."</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>The wrong shall fail, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">the right</span> prevail,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>With peace on earth, good will to men."</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Till, ringing singing, on its way,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>The world revolved from night to day,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i>Of peace on earth, good will to men!</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)</i></span></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span>Listen to the Gaither Vocal Band sing this carol here:</i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://youtu.be/T-bH5u5hEDI">https://youtu.be/T-bH5u5hEDI</a> </i></div><div class="lyrics" style="text-align: center;"> </div></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-52938392977962276672023-12-22T10:21:00.000-05:002023-12-22T10:21:48.494-05:00Peace Will Come<p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0u33nKy176I/U2k-xyD8n2I/AAAAAAAAAag/yF1unabGdU8/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0u33nKy176I/U2k-xyD8n2I/AAAAAAAAAag/yF1unabGdU8/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This instruction comes from the Psalms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><em>"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers." (Psalm 122:6-7 ESV)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><em></em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I think about those verses, and when I see this visual reminder, my mind takes me back to Colorado and to an anthem I first remember singing when we lived there. (Thanks, Rg!) The anthem title was <em>"Peace Will Come"</em>, which I think may have been written by David Danner, although I can't be certain of that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It isn't the composer or the music that stirs my memory so much, but the lyrics that I still remember more than thirty years later: <em>"Peace will come to those who let the Son of God be born to them......born in their hearts, their homes, their lives......Peace will come when we hear the still, small voice of God."</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><em></em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then, and only then, peace will come.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Peace is not about politicians or political parties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Peace is not a process.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Peace is a Person.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And His name is Jesus Christ.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><em>"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-76215577677644026412023-12-21T09:17:00.000-05:002023-12-21T09:17:05.816-05:00Wonderful Name<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmk_lOzcDPYywYroVcv_-N-SKuxnBRZ-7GptMGvY9hK5RzUwzr8SYXSu2NiTRhf_SImJ39NiDrNYbQfb9XDG5dzYc3BJqB01rZSqqNVlq530XyVx-1jJxDZ5yaKSilDqs3e3RCulnYQhRAlctQ_C_Sm7odjmUKebkuhsX8qvVjp1KFFlZrl5mkQl2-lBE/s2024/IMG_1713.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="2024" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmk_lOzcDPYywYroVcv_-N-SKuxnBRZ-7GptMGvY9hK5RzUwzr8SYXSu2NiTRhf_SImJ39NiDrNYbQfb9XDG5dzYc3BJqB01rZSqqNVlq530XyVx-1jJxDZ5yaKSilDqs3e3RCulnYQhRAlctQ_C_Sm7odjmUKebkuhsX8qvVjp1KFFlZrl5mkQl2-lBE/s320/IMG_1713.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>I’ve lost count of how many Christmas musicals I have participated in over the years, whether as a singer, a pianist or organist, or as director. Everything from Handel's <em>Messiah</em> to a children's musical called <em>Three Wise Men and a Baby</em>! So I guess it comes as no surprise that music is a big part of my celebration during the Christmas season. There's Christmas music playing pretty much non-stop throughout the day. </p>Today I woke up with a favorite song playing over and over in my head. I first heard this song many years ago as part of a Christmas musical we were doing in our church. I loved it then and I have loved it ever since<em>.........Wonderful Name, Jesus</em>! That just sums it all up, doesn't it?<br /><br />In the chaos of the world we live in. With trillion dollar debt and budget deficits and fiscal cliffs. In the middle of sickness and heartache and turmoil in daily life. No matter what is going on in your world or mine, what a comfort to know that Jesus came. That His is the Name above every name. That we can call on that Name no matter what is going on in our lives! <br /><br />The challenge for all of us today is focus. To turn our focus away from all the hustle and bustle, all the chaos and busyness of life in the modern world, and to turn our focus toward that baby in a manger in Bethlehem. That baby who is no longer in a manger. That baby who grew up. Who died that we might live. Who didn't stay dead! Who was resurrected, and who has ascended to the Father. Who will one day return for His own! <br /><br /><em>"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)</em><br /><em></em><br />We are only a few days away from Christmas Day. Perhaps this is a good time to reexamine our Christmas traditions and exactly how we celebrate the birth of Christ. Are we really celebrating Christ, or only giving lip service to that while we get caught up in elves or Santa or other "stuff"? My prayer is that we might all focus our celebration on that Wonderful Name.....Jesus! That we might truly celebrate the Christ of Christmas......and not only in December!<br /><br /><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><u>Wonderful Name</u></em></strong><br /><br /><em>Mary was the first to hear it, name that came from heaven above;<br />Name that raises souls from darkness, this the only name worth singing of.<br /><br />Wonderful name, Jesus! Wonderful name, Jesus!<br />Name angels sang the night all heaven rang; wonderful name, Jesus!</em></div><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><em><br /></em><br /><em>Heaven touched His name with glory, precious <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1355840551_1">name of Jesus</span>, our King;<br />In God’s Word is told the story, of this wondrous name the angels sing!</em></div><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><em></em> </div><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><em>Wonderful name, Jesus! Wonderful name, Jesus!</em></div><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><em>Name angels sang the night all heaven rang; wonderful name, Jesus!</em></div><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><em></em> </div><div class="content" style="text-align: center;"><em>-Roger Strader</em></div><h3 align="center" class="reference" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1355840550810200"><em></em> </h3><div style="text-align: left;">Lisren to <i>Wonderful Name </i>here: <a href="https://youtu.be/GqZfpg1j6CM?si=-YVLZ6hXAIa9dyVh">https://youtu.be/GqZfpg1j6CM?si=-YVLZ6hXAIa9dyVh</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-55478111084095059692023-12-20T09:07:00.001-05:002023-12-20T09:08:44.148-05:00Is There Any Room?<p>We know that the Baby Jesus was born in a stable because <em>"there was no room for them in the inn."</em> (<em>Luke 2:7)</em></p>We know that Baby Jesus grew up. That He died on a cross for the sin of all mankind, that He was buried, and that He was resurrected on the third day. We know that He ascended back to the Father, and that He will come again. The Scriptures teach us this.<br /><br />We know, according to the Scriptures, that <em>"to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12 ESV)</em><br /><em></em><br />We know that this is still true.<br /><br />We also know that not all people received Him in the time He was here on earth. Nor do all people receive Him today.<br /><br />We know that there was<em> "no room"</em> for Him when He was born. And for many, there is <em>"no room"</em> for Him even now.<br /><br />The question today is this: <strong><em>is there any room for Jesus in your Christmas celebrations?</em></strong><br /><br />In the middle of your Christmas traditions. In the middle of mistletoe and holly. Of Christmas trees and presents. Of Santa and elves. Of hustle and bustle. Of parades and lights. Of cookies and cake.<br /><br />In the midst of all the things you are doing to celebrate, have you left any room for Jesus?<br /><br /><br /><em>"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, tho those who believe in His name." (John 1:12 NKJV)</em><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYso3jZkFmRuLlyPuo4CIAa3xZW9yraG9sh8y5ntSO2BVnGQ825TLh2Tf1vj72RFykk3beEeuAjKi0O8tVha4_kveFFAI9-Kv3s2ldK0NUNrGtK7t_EBIIWFPOGEw7s1D5LpvrgkYSiCVBQyJFg1lglC3v-OEzntY0LuUTbIdoScl-BWWf-Zk1Jh4kVA/s642/A4DCACEC-3D9E-496E-9F67-514F317FCC75.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="642" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYso3jZkFmRuLlyPuo4CIAa3xZW9yraG9sh8y5ntSO2BVnGQ825TLh2Tf1vj72RFykk3beEeuAjKi0O8tVha4_kveFFAI9-Kv3s2ldK0NUNrGtK7t_EBIIWFPOGEw7s1D5LpvrgkYSiCVBQyJFg1lglC3v-OEzntY0LuUTbIdoScl-BWWf-Zk1Jh4kVA/s320/A4DCACEC-3D9E-496E-9F67-514F317FCC75.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-63018644939672552812023-12-14T09:47:00.003-05:002023-12-14T10:34:33.972-05:00Christmas Miracles<p>I am a Christmas miracle! If you are new to this blog, you may not know my story. In November, 2016 I had a hemorrhagic stroke. At Christmastime that year, I had been discharged from rehab and was beginning outpatient therapy. While I was in the hospital, the doctors had told my husband that I might not wake up. That if I did wake up, I would have severe limitations as a result of the stroke. I might not be able to talk normally. I probably would, at the very least, need to use a cane. More likely, I would need a walker or a wheelchair. The prognosis for my full recovery was very bleak.</p>When I was taken from the hospital to Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute, I was taken in an ambulance. Three weeks later, I walked out the door, with help from my walker. Today, I need no assistance to walk. <br /><br />While I still have some limitations, the doctors got it completely wrong! I sometimes mix words up and I have trouble remembering things, but my recovery is nothing short of miraculous! <br /><br />Yesterday was another miracle day. In August of this year my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. After lots of tests and doctor visits, along with chemo and radiation, he had a repeat PET scan yesterday, and the scan showed the tumor was gone! Not only had the cancer not spread, it was not there any more! This is truly a gift from God! A Christmas miracle!<div><br /></div><div>Al will still undergo surgery in January to insure that all the microscopic bits that don’t show up on a scan will be removed. Even so, we are completely in awe of God’s goodness to us. Of this miracle!<div><br />Why us and not others? I don't know. I have no answer for that, except to say that God has a plan and a purpose for all things. Just as He had a plan and a purpose for the miracle in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago.<br /><br />The greatest Christmas miracle took place in a stable in Bethlehem. The miracle had been set in place in eternity past, when God had a plan for the redemption of all mankind. Thousands of years before Christ came to earth, the prophets foretold His coming. And in the little town of Bethlehem, Christ was born, just as the prophets had said He would be. <br /><br />That baby in a manger grew to be a man. Having lived a sinless life, He died on a cruel Roman cross to pay the sin debt for all mankind, just as the prophets had foretold. Just as God had planned. He was resurrected from the grave, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, until the time comes when He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Just as the prophets have foretold. Just as God planned in eternity past.<br /><br />That is the greatest of all Christmas miracles! God Himself has sent Jesus to make a way for us to be in right relationship with Himself. <em>God and sinners reconciled.</em><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This is the greatest Christmas miracle!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;</em></div><div align="center"><em>Peace on earth, and mercy mild, <strong>God and sinners reconciled</strong>."</em></div><div align="center"><em>Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;</em></div><div align="center"><em>With th'angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"</em></div><div align="center"><em>Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the Newborn King!"</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">words: Charles Wesley; music: Felix Mendelsson</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5jOG_L_FMx_RAQaYpRO-Kx0V26eHPpwxZlKRX4CIiZE0LhcSQZ2RY69QfIoOCoXefPmcy_oPn-b6lazvW5gaqnStXawuhpaJc6fzF2zgnEw_PP73b3OvmI5PhzdHmDFQU5qJB0oryWPyYza80Ot0d-OQ5C9QtFmIuz4w9rLqDdUn2fbUFlroAj02Jg=s1159" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1159" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5jOG_L_FMx_RAQaYpRO-Kx0V26eHPpwxZlKRX4CIiZE0LhcSQZ2RY69QfIoOCoXefPmcy_oPn-b6lazvW5gaqnStXawuhpaJc6fzF2zgnEw_PP73b3OvmI5PhzdHmDFQU5qJB0oryWPyYza80Ot0d-OQ5C9QtFmIuz4w9rLqDdUn2fbUFlroAj02Jg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Listen to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" here: <span style="color: #cc3300;"><a href="https://youtu.be/SFjMPaOBzXc">https://youtu.be/SFjMPaOBzXc</a></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-92064015571934294582023-12-13T07:50:00.003-05:002023-12-13T07:50:47.089-05:00Adore<p>If you ever watched the television show "The A-Team", then you're familiar with that phrase <em>I love it when a plan comes together</em>. </p>And that's what we're celebrating! A plan. God's plan for the salvation of mankind. As we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of that plan. A plan prophesied hundreds of years before coming to fruition with the birth of a tiny baby one night in Bethlehem.<br /><br />We celebrate that birth in December. Did it actually happen in December? Probably not. But I don't think that matters. What matters is that Jesus was born. That He lived a sinless life, that He died to pay the penalty for your sins and mine, and that He was resurrected on the third day. That He ascended back to the Father where He now waits, seated at the right hand of the throne of God, until that time when He returns to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.<br /><br /><em>"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God....made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:5,7 KJV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5 KJV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger." (Luke 2:7 KJV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"And the angel said unto [the shepherds], Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11 KJV)</em><br /><em></em><br />And that's why we are celebrating. That's what Christmas is all about. <br /><br />As you are enjoying family and cookies and eggnog and gifts, don't lose sight of that.<br /><br />Never forget what Christmas is really all about!<br /><br /><em>O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord.</em><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOCIMlFl0wXtQQSsqEleY1iOiARz7YZTg70OB_QW-19V5ucwuOW56ff4tRBKPoYQhKPuJCQALrKSEXFrbsKt2qa7efxmkA6MokKzgmJv178zR51nvjye-iua9xbD99QrGvkDo0FKePGT79pkWhocAHCRDWLTPjFDOyCJ5IV4bZCCyNclcsxyDQXmiBw/s662/B074CD4E-8350-4ADA-9958-ED9E3C5BF50C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="662" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOCIMlFl0wXtQQSsqEleY1iOiARz7YZTg70OB_QW-19V5ucwuOW56ff4tRBKPoYQhKPuJCQALrKSEXFrbsKt2qa7efxmkA6MokKzgmJv178zR51nvjye-iua9xbD99QrGvkDo0FKePGT79pkWhocAHCRDWLTPjFDOyCJ5IV4bZCCyNclcsxyDQXmiBw/s320/B074CD4E-8350-4ADA-9958-ED9E3C5BF50C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><em></em><br /><em></em><br />Listen here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mIh3JMqxuo&list=PLkW_qeRTF9XX2tJ4webh4rG9i_Vf6peF7&index=11">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mIh3JMqxuo&list=PLkW_qeRTF9XX2tJ4webh4rG9i_Vf6peF7&index=11</a><br /></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-81675786193094777252023-12-11T09:42:00.001-05:002023-12-11T09:43:58.601-05:00‘Tis The Season <p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p5jcgoreKud9nyONBIToweAPLTe_i8K0ysOBvBebM3w9IACdaKuxAm5vx-teW3cPNgzW_LBk6BS_KT7kd04g1gi5x8dx_b8HFBhnOpYginU1fpYRQhXLAbRxyC86-qp4PzcNSqSMNhWov2gkVNkw01QPQPpLO0Wts1iD0VvBZ80V82sme5sc2_k4GQ8M/s1788/IMG_1702.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1788" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p5jcgoreKud9nyONBIToweAPLTe_i8K0ysOBvBebM3w9IACdaKuxAm5vx-teW3cPNgzW_LBk6BS_KT7kd04g1gi5x8dx_b8HFBhnOpYginU1fpYRQhXLAbRxyC86-qp4PzcNSqSMNhWov2gkVNkw01QPQPpLO0Wts1iD0VvBZ80V82sme5sc2_k4GQ8M/s320/IMG_1702.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <i>Deck the halls with boughs of holly, </i><i>Fa la la la la la la la la. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>‘Tis the season to be jolly, </i><i>Fa la la la la la la la la.</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><div><em></em> </div><div>So begins a familiar traditional Christmas carol, sung to a peppy Welsh tune. We often hear this carol in the malls and on the radio at this time of year, and perhaps sing it at our Christmas gatherings or when we go caroling.</div><div> </div><div>We're in the season of Christmas songs. </div><div> </div><div>The season of holly and mistletoe.</div><div> </div><div>The season of wreaths and red bows.</div><div> </div><div>The season of candles and carols.</div><div> </div><div>We're in the season of Advent.</div><div> </div><div>Advent can be defined as a season of expectant waiting and preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ. Many of the songs we sing at this time of year reflect that, particularly those we sing in our church services. We sing about a <em>Silent Night</em> in a <em>Little Town of Bethlehem</em> when <em>Angels from the Realms of Glory</em> came to announce the nativity to a group of shepherds who were <em>Watching Their Flocks by Night.</em></div><div> </div><div>In addition those songs about the birth of the Christ Child, we sing about <em>Santa Claus Coming to Town</em> and about <em>Frosty the Snowman</em> and about <em>Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer</em>. And we sing about <em>Decking the Halls</em> because <em>"'tis the season to be jolly."</em></div><div> </div><div>However, for many this season is anything but <em>jolly</em>. There are those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Many are in the midst of health challenges. Battling cancer. Enduring chemotherapy. Waiting for the biopsy to be scheduled and wondering what the results will be. Besides the grief and the health issues, there are many facing serious economic challenges. Downsizing at the work place. Wondering if there will be enough money to give any Christmas gifts this year. Facing the reality that there's more month than money. Top it off with political upheaval and terrorism around the world, and we're in a season that is anything but jolly.</div><div> </div><div>The world in which we are living is not all that different from the world into which Jesus came. The Roman Empire, not particularly known for their kindness and compassion, was in control of most of the known world. Mary and Joseph, and the rest of their countrymen, found their lives disrupted by a government-required census, so that they had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to be counted. Mary and Joseph had already seen their lives turned upside down by the angel's announcement to Mary, and by seeing what the angel foretold fulfilled in Mary's pregnancy. Life was not easy for Mary and Joseph, or for any one else, in those days. It was not a particularly <em>jolly</em> time.</div><div> </div><div>Yet into that world, Jesus was born. Just as the angel Gabriel had told Mary it would happen. Just as the prophets had foretold hundreds of years before. Because <em>"no word from God will ever fail." (Luke 1:37 NIV)</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div>That's what we celebrate in this season of Advent. That <em>"no word from God will ever fail."</em> That Jesus came just as God had promised. That all the prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus the Messiah have come true, just as God spoke them through the prophets.</div><div> </div><div>We celebrate that <em>"no word from God will ever fail"</em> as we face our health crises and economic challenges and our bereavement and terrorism in the world and all the other difficulties that come our way.</div><div> </div><div>And even as we celebrate this season of Advent, remembering Christ's coming to earth as a baby, to live a sinless life and then to die on a cruel Roman cross in order to pay the penalty for sin, for yours and mine and the sin of all the world, we also celebrate that there will be a second Advent. Just as the prophets have foretold. </div><div> </div><div>Because <em>"no word of God will ever fail."</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div>'Tis the season for celebrating the first Advent. 'Tis also the season of anticipation and expectancy for the second Advent, as we await the return of our Lord to earth, as we are <em>"looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13 KJV)</em></div><div> </div><div><em>"This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11 NASB)</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>"In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives....." (Zechariah 14:4 NASB)</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>"And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True....and on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11, 16 NASB)</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>"Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20 KJV)</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-90203113086500798592023-12-08T09:17:00.000-05:002023-12-08T09:17:20.402-05:00Perspective <p><br /></p><br />Perspective. That's what's missing at this time of year. As we over-spend. And over-bake. And over-eat. And over-schedule. And over-decorate. And over-stress. We're just over the top. <br /><br />It's really easy to get carried away with buying gifts and baking cookies and making candy and going to parties and hosting dinners and decorating every nook and cranny of our homes. On and on and on we go. <br /><br />But when we slow down. When we sit and ponder. When we think about what Christmas is really all about. What does all our activity and busyness and stress really have to do with that night so long ago in that little town of Bethlehem?<br /><br />Bethlehem these days is a lot different than it was when Jesus was born.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFcATSkMt8Y/VIX89cQ_85I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4RrU7wcRKFY/s1600/1526751_10202955409831436_103812827_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFcATSkMt8Y/VIX89cQ_85I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4RrU7wcRKFY/s1600/1526751_10202955409831436_103812827_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ics2vg-SsMI/VIX8920L4DI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Csxa4KVk_kM/s1600/1618465_10202955413111518_863879903_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ics2vg-SsMI/VIX8920L4DI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Csxa4KVk_kM/s1600/1618465_10202955413111518_863879903_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRQPsZd83Jc/VIX89aoAVII/AAAAAAAAAtM/eAAp0qCBIBg/s1600/1533843_10202955414311548_1493400886_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRQPsZd83Jc/VIX89aoAVII/AAAAAAAAAtM/eAAp0qCBIBg/s1600/1533843_10202955414311548_1493400886_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />As you walk the streets of modern-day Bethlehem, it's sometimes hard to imagine the sleepy, quiet village we sing about in many of our carols. It can be a bit difficult to put it all into perspective.<br /><br />Yet in spite of the hustle and bustle and noise, and the fumes from cars and buses in the streets, and the street vendors, and all the other facets of life in Bethlehem today, it was there that our Savior was born. There in the <em>little town of Bethlehem</em>. While people slept, and shepherds watched their flocks in the fields nearby, and angels hovered overhead, Christ was born.<br /><br />We celebrate that event with carols and candles. With trees and gifts. With parties and family gatherings. And all of that is wonderful! But this season, may we keep a right perspective on our celebrations. And may we perhaps get away from our hustle-bustle-got-so-much-to-do, over-the-top way of doing things, and may we find a quiet place to reflect on why we are doing all this in the first place.<br /><br />This Christmas season, may we find room in our celebrating to spend time with this One who was born of Mary, who came that we might have life everlasting. <br /><br /><div align="center"><em>"O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend on us, we pray.</em></div><div align="center"><em>Cast out our sin and enter in; Be born in us today.</em></div><div align="center"><em>We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell.</em></div><div align="center"><em>O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord, Emmanuel.</em></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">("O Little Town of Bethlehem", verse 4; words: Phillips Brooks; Music: Lewis H. Redner)</span></em></div><div align="center"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-MmLMiCcMg/VIYB5aOsXXI/AAAAAAAAAtw/V52AGtBQHZg/s1600/1503403_10202925269597949_584488815_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-MmLMiCcMg/VIYB5aOsXXI/AAAAAAAAAtw/V52AGtBQHZg/s1600/1503403_10202925269597949_584488815_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div align="center"> </div><div><em>"Bethlehem, out of you will come for Me One who will be ruler over Israel." </em><br /><em> (Micah 5:2 NIV)</em></div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0th2-rMM5cE/VIX881B0fqI/AAAAAAAAAtI/wkm6m_MxYak/s1600/1521942_10202925000631225_2040751799_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0th2-rMM5cE/VIX881B0fqI/AAAAAAAAAtI/wkm6m_MxYak/s1600/1521942_10202925000631225_2040751799_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Listen to this carol here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj2fwME46GM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj2fwME46GM</a></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-24911994122678592192023-12-07T10:52:00.003-05:002023-12-07T10:52:44.643-05:00Winds Through the Olive Trees. <p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGjxG5PY_PKPVbK6OMKqkRdMO7hXyY8VL7DHfzep28WKnL5dfpFrDavoiLqO792JnRgFf_oibnNPc3Yb14p_DBA0TLF_Zn8754RxvRj5j1cw3cAqVNrpucDiREoQohbf-l82z_uW0u3SZaauxu0iLnGzB0743JAx3fo5pcVIe0HDoUvcGNmQacCF44ZPa/s542/IMG_1701.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="542" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGjxG5PY_PKPVbK6OMKqkRdMO7hXyY8VL7DHfzep28WKnL5dfpFrDavoiLqO792JnRgFf_oibnNPc3Yb14p_DBA0TLF_Zn8754RxvRj5j1cw3cAqVNrpucDiREoQohbf-l82z_uW0u3SZaauxu0iLnGzB0743JAx3fo5pcVIe0HDoUvcGNmQacCF44ZPa/s320/IMG_1701.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Winds through the olive trees</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Softly did blow<br />'Round little Bethlehem,<br />Long, long ago.<br />Sheep on the hillside lay<br />Whiter than snow,<br />Shepherds were watching them,<br />Long, long ago.<br /><br />Then from the happy skies,<br />Angels bent low,<br />Singing their <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">songs </span>of joy;<br />Long, long ago,<br />For in a manger bed,<br />Cradled we know,<br />Christ came to Bethlehem,<br />Long, long ago.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(traditional tune; author unknown)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></em></div><div align="center"></div>I learned that song as a child at the First Baptist Church of Landrum, SC. Perhaps you learned it as well, in your church. It's been playing on a continuous loop in my mind for the past few days. Perhaps it's because I have our olive wood nativity set, purchased in Bethlehem some years ago, on display for Christmas. Or maybe it's because the wind has been blowing. <br /><br />It has called to mind the first time we traveled to Israel. By the time we got to Jerusalem, a snow storm was making its way across Europe, causing gusty winds to blow all across Israel. On the last day we were there, an awning blew off our hotel, and the revolving door at the front of the hotel had to be locked to keep it from constantly spinning! <br /><span><br /></span><div><span>It is entirely possible, although we can't know with any certainty, that the sound of gentle breeezes blowing through the olive trees was heard on that night so long ago when our Lord was born in Bethlehem.</span><br /><br />At His first advent, He came to us as a tiny baby. Perhaps with gentle breezes blowing. Surrounded by animals in a stable.<br /><br />His second advent will be quite different. No longer a baby. No longer in a stable. And likely not accompanied by gentle breezes. More likely by the sound of a mighty wind!<br /><br />Two thousand years have passed since that first advent in Bethlehem. We don't know how much time is left on the prophetic calendar before the second advent.<br /><br />But we do know that there will be a second advent. Are you ready?<br /><br /><em>"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True and in righteousness he judges and makes war.....and the name by which he is called is The Word of God....On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords." (Revelation 19:11, 13, 16 ESV)</em></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Listen here: <a href="https://youtu.be/hKf-kudcvfE?feature=shared">https://youtu.be/hKf-kudcvfE?feature=shared</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></em> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-27310867338377963442023-12-05T08:39:00.000-05:002023-12-05T08:39:04.312-05:00Silence<p>Silence. It's a hard thing to come by at this time of year. </p><div>Everywhere we go, there's noise. Everywhere we go, people are in a hurry. </div><div> </div><div>Have you noticed how many more car horns you are hearing these days? </div><div> </div><div>Have you noticed how people always seem to be rushing about? </div><div> </div><div>Have you noticed the noise in the malls and the shops? </div><div> </div><div>Have you noticed the stress on people's faces?</div><div> </div><div>All that may well be similar to what the world was like when Christ was born. Without the malls and automobile horns, of course. People were likely busy with their lives, hustling and bustling about with the activities of daily living. Their world was not unlike ours in that regard. </div><div> </div><div>And into that world, with its busyness and its noise and its daily routines, Jesus came.</div><div>No one even noticed.</div><div> </div><div>It's still the same, isn't it? We're busy and our world is full of noise. Even though we hear and sing carols about Christ the Savior being born, not many are really paying that much attention. We put out our nativity sets and we sing our carols and we send our Christmas cards, but far too often all that is only done out of a sense of habit. It's how we get ready for Christmas. It’s time for Christmas, and this is what we do.</div><div> </div><div>We buy candy hearts for Valentine's Day. And we wave our flags in July. We buy pumpkins in October. And we talk about Jesus in December. It's what we do.<br /><br />How sad it is that in all our busyness and routines and noise, we too often lose sight of the reason we are doing all these things.<br /><br />One of the carols we seldom sing, with words dating back to the 3rd century, says <em>"Let all mortal flesh keep silence."</em><br /><br />Silence. It's what's often missing at Christmas time. Because noise is what we do. We aren’t very good at silence.</div><div><br /></div><div>How much better might we understand the magnitude of the Gift we have been given and the reason for our celebrating, if we would take some time for silence. Some time to be still. Some time to ponder. Some time to worship.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pondering is often even harder than silence. To ponder is to think, to consider, to reflect. To think deeply. But in our noise and our busyness, we don’t often think take time to think. Certainly not to think deeply, yet thinking deeply, pondering, is another challenge from this Carol.</div><div><br /></div><div>The third line is an even greater challenge than the first. The third line reads, <i>ponder nothing earthly minded.</i> We think that was all well and good for the 3rd century. But this is the 21sr century with its busyness and stress and noise. Yet because of that very busyness and noise, because of the stresses of modern living, is it not just as important now, as it was in the past, to <i>ponder nothing earthly minded</i>? Isn’t that the very essence of living the Christian life? To keep our thoughts and our minds <i>“fixed on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Especially in this Christmas season.</div><div><br />It may be challenging to find time for silence.</div><div><br /></div><div>It may be challenging to keep the focus on Jesus.<br /><br />But it will be worth the effort.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em></em><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ4jBluzjp8/Vl8G1W2EliI/AAAAAAAABTk/rghhG5nAt7M/s1600/th2XMEGTF4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ4jBluzjp8/Vl8G1W2EliI/AAAAAAAABTk/rghhG5nAt7M/s320/th2XMEGTF4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><em>Let all mortal flesh keep silence, </em></div><div><em>and with fear and trembling stand; </em></div><div><em>ponder nothing earthly-minded, </em></div><div><em>for with blessing in his hand, </em></div><div><em>Christ our God to earth descendeth, </em></div><div><em>our full homage to demand. </em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Text:</strong> Liturgy of St. James; trans. by Gerard Moultrie <br /><b>Music:</b> French carol melody; harm. from The English Hymnal <br /><b>Tune:</b> PICARDY</span></em></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Listen to this carol here: <a href="https://youtu.be/Q8ByNT1m8V4?si=PR4ihUCE_EoZ1YG_">https://youtu.be/Q8ByNT1m8V4?si=PR4ihUCE_EoZ1YG_</a></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-89738949184706694092023-12-01T09:53:00.005-05:002023-12-01T10:03:32.136-05:00An Important Question<p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWCeuthT20_fMIGQeij-V1p1Xq5MEqARAUG5fcpeng84i4FVxUq2tZl1IW8offaySrGhCHT9iDRUj-RerVeTd8eIDX_Bo_W_I3d4ilqupo3YM7BZskMrujzOO6IzvgSb7FhLGc_eUghImHd7wQqijpPdOmSa8c4K7NJzFHffDulXho7HVbTH74A0NwQ/s486/3E31E4ED-165B-4E4B-9431-2DF9558FD517.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWCeuthT20_fMIGQeij-V1p1Xq5MEqARAUG5fcpeng84i4FVxUq2tZl1IW8offaySrGhCHT9iDRUj-RerVeTd8eIDX_Bo_W_I3d4ilqupo3YM7BZskMrujzOO6IzvgSb7FhLGc_eUghImHd7wQqijpPdOmSa8c4K7NJzFHffDulXho7HVbTH74A0NwQ/s320/3E31E4ED-165B-4E4B-9431-2DF9558FD517.jpeg" width="200" /></a></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i>“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” - John 1:14 KJV</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p>We beheld His glory. So wrote the John the Apostle in the King James Version. Other more recent translations say we <i>saw </i>His glory, or we <i>have seen</i> His glory.</p><p><i>Behold</i> is not a word we use all that much in modern English. We don’t often say things like <i>“Wow! Did you behold that?” </i>Instead, we say things like <i>“Wow! Did you see that?” </i>or <i>“Did you see what I just saw?”</i></p><p>In effect, that’s what John is saying in this passage. He’s saying <i>“Look what we saw!” </i>But he’s saying so much more than that.</p><p><i>Behold </i>is a word that carries with it an intensity of experience. It’s not just that John and the other disciples actually saw Jesus, but that they <i>beheld</i> Him. They got to know Him. They experienced life with Him. They knew Him in a personal way.</p><p>Think about that for a minute. Try to wrap your head around something - Someone - existing before existence. In eternity past, and forever before that, Jesus was already there. </p><p>This One who came to earth as a baby born in the tiny town of Bethlehem was with God, and was God, even before time began.</p><p>That’s why Christmas is so much more.</p><p>Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, as important and special as that is. Christmas is about God Himself taking on human flesh and coming to live on earth.</p><p>Christmas is about Who Jesus is. Christmas is about why Jesus came to earth. Christmas is about celebrating His coming.</p><p>We don’t have the same opportunity John and the other disciples had to see Jesus in the flesh, but we do have something they didn’t have. We have the written Word of God. And it is through this written Word that we, too, can <i>behold</i> our Savior. That we can get to know Him, His character, and His way.</p><p>If you want to be ready to celebrate Jesus this Christmas, why not set aside some time during this busy month of December, and <i>behold</i> Him. Choose one of the Gospels and spend a little time reading it, perhaps a chapter each day. Pay attention to what Jesus says and does. Beholding Him in this way, getting to know Him better, is one way to be ready for Christmas.</p><p>But the real question is not just <i>are you ready for Christmas?</i> The more important question is <i>have you beheld Him? Do you know Him?</i> That is a question which must be answered not only for Christmas, but for eternity.</p><p>Will you place your faith in Him today?</p><p><b><i>“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe to in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Adapted from <i>Are You Ready for Christmas? by Susan Feaster, copyright 2016, all rights reserved </i></span></p>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-81361503009850540202023-11-29T15:43:00.001-05:002023-11-29T15:43:41.424-05:00Are You Ready For Christmas?<p>Are you ready? We hear that question a lot at this time of year. Are you ready for Christmas? And that usually means "have you finished your Christmas shopping?" Or "are all your decorations up?" Or "have you finished the cookie baking?" Or.......you can fill in the blank.</p>The question reminds me of a sermon I heard a few years ago on this topic. In fact, I think the pastor may have titled his sermon "Are You Ready for Christmas?" But what he was talking about had nothing to do with decorations or shopping or cookie baking!<br /><br />His point, and one I think we would all do well to remember, is that being "ready" for Christmas has very little to do with shopping or cookies or trees. It has everything to do with Jesus. And with a right relationship with Him. Being ready for Christmas is about focus......about remembering <strong>why</strong> we are doing this in the first place.....about <strong>celebrating Jesus</strong>!<br /><br />Stop for a moment and think about how you celebrate Christmas. What are your Christmas traditions? What events or activities or foods or traditions are part of your celebration? What are the “always” parts of your Christmas? In other words, if you were asked about your Christmas traditions, what would you say is always part of your celebration?<div><br /></div><div>What would you say is the <b>most important</b> thing about Christmas for you?</div><div><br /></div><div>We spend a lot of time and energy and money each year on decorating and gift giving and baking. We spend a lot of time thinking about those are special to us, and about what gift we can give to show just how much we love them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should we not also do the same thing for Jesus? It’s <b>His Birthday</b> we are celebrating! We hear so often that Jesus is the reason for the season. If that’s true, and it is, then what are we doing <b>intentionally</b> to focus our attention on <b>Jesus</b> during the Christmas season?</div><div><br /></div><div>When we redirect our energies away from the hustle and bustle, and <b>focus on Jesus</b>, on who He is and why He came, then we will be ready for Christmas!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” </i></div><div><i>(John 1:14 KJV)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWCeuthT20_fMIGQeij-V1p1Xq5MEqARAUG5fcpeng84i4FVxUq2tZl1IW8offaySrGhCHT9iDRUj-RerVeTd8eIDX_Bo_W_I3d4ilqupo3YM7BZskMrujzOO6IzvgSb7FhLGc_eUghImHd7wQqijpPdOmSa8c4K7NJzFHffDulXho7HVbTH74A0NwQ/s486/3E31E4ED-165B-4E4B-9431-2DF9558FD517.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWCeuthT20_fMIGQeij-V1p1Xq5MEqARAUG5fcpeng84i4FVxUq2tZl1IW8offaySrGhCHT9iDRUj-RerVeTd8eIDX_Bo_W_I3d4ilqupo3YM7BZskMrujzOO6IzvgSb7FhLGc_eUghImHd7wQqijpPdOmSa8c4K7NJzFHffDulXho7HVbTH74A0NwQ/s320/3E31E4ED-165B-4E4B-9431-2DF9558FD517.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-66115388264731744862023-11-27T11:59:00.005-05:002023-11-27T11:59:42.399-05:00Transition<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeBuCop54KQIP7l7gGsK1pU-9YD_eo86w5zakulN299Y5iZbzoO_B5kvRJ-2Yy0c_vufsnwAO7MXQ1S55v5knzrBNBMrFn9s_QknS-cD3XmPqcLejvIVqDwTfYVsje_bjCyI0TX-ozL-ls5KQ2G6qwi4Q71mteikUcW3DtjhM4dOexkRxAf4LTzPB_w/s657/835099A5-2E94-4140-84C8-AF6A815742EB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="657" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeBuCop54KQIP7l7gGsK1pU-9YD_eo86w5zakulN299Y5iZbzoO_B5kvRJ-2Yy0c_vufsnwAO7MXQ1S55v5knzrBNBMrFn9s_QknS-cD3XmPqcLejvIVqDwTfYVsje_bjCyI0TX-ozL-ls5KQ2G6qwi4Q71mteikUcW3DtjhM4dOexkRxAf4LTzPB_w/s320/835099A5-2E94-4140-84C8-AF6A815742EB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><br />Transition. I hesitate to use that word, since it has such a different cultural connotation than what I mean. But here in the Feaster household, it’s a week of transition. Of change. It's time for the shift from fall décor and pumpkins to Christmas trees and holly. Many people began November by putting up a Christmas tree. For us, the tree goes up after Thanksgiving. It has been our tradition since our very first Christmas.<p></p>This is the week we transition from the season of Thanksgiving to the season of Christmas. Even though the malls and discount stores and TV commercials have been pushing Christmas on us earlier and earlier each year, now that Thanksgiving is past we are officially in the Christmas season. <br /><br />This week leads us to the first Sunday of Advent. Although I didn't grow up in a church that talked about Advent, at least not that I can recall, and we didn't light Advent candles in our church back in my growing up years, as I get older I find myself drawn to that tradition. To the way it focuses our attention on what we are really celebrating during this season of the year.<br /><br />While we enjoy our snowmen and our Santas and our elves, that's really not what the holiday is all about. This is a season to celebrate the birth of our Savior. To celebrate Jesus! Even though it is unlikely He was born on December 25, or even at this time of year, this is the time we celebrate that event.<br /><br />Whether or not your particular church has an Advent wreath, and whether or not you have an Advent wreath in your home, you probably use candles in your Christmas decorating around the house. Even those candles are a reminder to us of what Christmas is all about. Jesus, <strong><em>the Light of the World</em></strong>, is the reason we are celebrating.<br /><br />In many churches where an Advent wreath is part of the celebration of Christmas, the candle that is lit on the first Sunday of the Advent season is the Prophet's Candle. It's a time to focus attention on what the prophets had to say about the coming of the Messiah, and how these prophecies are fulfilled by the birth of the Christ Child in Bethlehem.<br /><br />This week, as you are transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas, why not take some time to find a quiet place and read some of these Scriptures yourself. Maybe you could even light a candle. Set aside the hustle and bustle of the holiday season for just a moment and reflect on the One whose birth was foretold so long ago by the prophets. <br /><br />Read the prophecies. Reflect on how they are fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let your spirit be renewed by focusing on what Christmas is really all about.<br /><br />It's a good way to transition into the Christmas season.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." </em></strong><div><i>(Isaiah 7:14 NASB)</i></div><div><div><strong><em></em></strong><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><em>"Come, thou long expected Jesus,</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>born to set thy people free;</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>from our fears and sins release us,</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>let us find our rest in Thee.</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Israel's strength and consolation,</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>hope of all the earth thou art;</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>dear desire of every nation,</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>joy of every longing heart."</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(-Charles Wesley)</span></em></strong></div></div></div>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-26476376245778998562023-11-11T09:31:00.000-05:002023-11-11T09:31:39.971-05:00Never Forget<p> It’s Veteran's Day, a day when we remember and honor those men and women who have served in our nation's military. I'm glad there is a day set aside for this purpose, but I also think it's sad that we don't remember them more often. That we don't think about and honor those men and women, and their families, who sacrifice so much on our behalf. Who pay the price so we don't have to. We must never forget that freedom isn't free, and that many have sacrificed much on our behalf.</p>Freedom comes at a price. A great price. And not only the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens, but our freedom in Christ as well. May we never forget the great price that our Savior paid that we might be free from sin. May we never forget what it cost Him. May we never take it for granted.<br /><br />We so often take our freedoms as Americans for granted. Shame on us! And shame on us when we treat our freedom in Christ that casually as well.<br /><br />May we live this day, and every day, with gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus. May we never forget what it cost.<br /><br /><em>"For you were bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. For he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)</em>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185599293365432518.post-14477080058049739082023-11-03T10:40:00.000-04:002023-11-03T10:40:43.395-04:00It’s November!<p>The calendar says it’s November which, for many, means it’s time to decorate for Christmas. I am not one of those people. I prefer to celebrate holidays one at a time. This is not meant as criticism on my part; it’s simply a matter of personal preference.</p><p>In any event, November is something of a mixed bag for me. For these last several years, every time the calendar turns to November, I start to get a little uncomfortable. A little stressed. November brings with it some bad memories. It was in November 2016 that I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. While I have no memory of that event or of many of the days that followed, I’ve seen the pictures and heard the stories, and I know it is something I never want to repeat. Of course, it is completely unreasonable to think it could happen again simply because it’s November. Even so, November brings it all to the surface.</p><p>Despite that, my overwhelming thoughts this month are gratitude. Extreme gratitude. Because November is the month we celebrate a day devoted to giving thanks, and because I have so very much to be thankful for, I want to focus November on gratitude. On counting my blessings. On giving thanks. I don’t want to rush past that to the next holiday, as special as it is.</p><p>When I was in the Neuro ICU, my husband was told I might not wake up. He was told that if I did wake up, I would face severe challenges. But God had other plans for me. And today, my reality is very different from that gloomy prediction. I walk without assistance. I can read and write and talk better than anyone ever expected. I still deal with some aftereffects of the stroke, but most are not visible except perhaps to those who know me best.</p><p>This month I celebrate that I am a stroke survivor. And it’s all because of God’s amazing grace!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwhDSm66kTDApE2ZaMympQflMCv5TGX8AH61YzXoj745jxMPx91WmVQbTqPuPh8UbHrtdR2By32JWn-XekDutu1IJD2qWGUZUWoDXYIdGrtNLqtelolXvfcKkmLJAgIom1KZKxEJ5lyhyphenhyphenHoq300cFZzS-RSG9uh3sGcCPXpAwmfzHQcbYaSLJq6gGW64k/s1170/IMG_5911.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1170" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwhDSm66kTDApE2ZaMympQflMCv5TGX8AH61YzXoj745jxMPx91WmVQbTqPuPh8UbHrtdR2By32JWn-XekDutu1IJD2qWGUZUWoDXYIdGrtNLqtelolXvfcKkmLJAgIom1KZKxEJ5lyhyphenhyphenHoq300cFZzS-RSG9uh3sGcCPXpAwmfzHQcbYaSLJq6gGW64k/s320/IMG_5911.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Susan's Sitting Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945662115435885614noreply@blogger.com0