Posted on 01/01/2024 3:15:48 PM PST by luvie
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Thank you luvie!
I had some of those lilies. Found them on the edge of the woods and lawn.
Of course by digging them up and moving them to my garden, I doomed them to only one more year of life. Should have left them in the trees. Killed ‘em with kindness.
Hi all, I have caught an awful bug that my hubs picked up last weekend on a trip.
Was up all night. Checking out until tomorrow. Have a good day.
So sorry you aren’t feeling well! Prayers for your quick recovery.
Bible in a Year :
He had no beauty or majesty . . . . By his wounds we are healed.
For more than 130 years, the Eiffel Tower has stood majestically over the city of Paris, a symbol of architectural brilliance and beauty. The city proudly promotes the tower as a key element of its magnificence.
As it was being built, however, many people thought little of it. Famous French writer Guy de Maupassant, for example, said it had “a ridiculous thin shape like a factory chimney.” He couldn’t see its beauty.
Those of us who love Jesus and have entrusted our hearts to Him as our Savior count Him as beautiful for who He is and what He’s done for us. Yet the prophet Isaiah penned these words: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (53:2).
But the towering majesty of what He did for us is the truest, purest form of beauty that humans will ever know and experience. He “took up our pain and bore our suffering” (v. 4). He was “pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (v. 5).
We’ll never know anyone as beautiful—as majestic—as the one who suffered for us on the cross, taking the unspeakable punishment of our sins upon Himself.
That’s Jesus. The Beautiful One. Let’s look to Him and live.
Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus revealed His beauty to you? What does it mean for you to find your only hope in Him?
Dear Beautiful One, thank You for Your selfless sacrifice for me.
Learn more here: ODB.org/personal-relationship-with-god.
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Bible in a Year :
They could find no corruption in [Daniel], because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
Scientists from a California university ran experimental molecular swab tests to identify the traits and lifestyle habits of individual cell phone users. They discovered, among other things, the soaps, lotions, shampoos, and make-up that cell phone users used; the type of foods, drinks, and medications they consumed; and the type of clothing they wore. The study allowed the researchers to create a profile of each person’s lifestyle.
The administrators in Babylon, figuratively “swabbed” the prophet Daniel’s life to try and find any negative traits or lifestyle habits. But he’d served the empire faithfully for nearly seventy years—known to be “trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Daniel 6:4). In fact, the prophet was promoted by King Darius as one of “three administrators over” his many governors (vv. 1-2). Perhaps out of jealousy, the other officials were looking for traces of corruption in Daniel so they might be able to get rid of him. He kept his integrity intact, however, and continued to serve and pray to God “as he had done before” (v. 10). In the end, the prophet prospered in his role (v. 28).
Our lives leave visible traces that point to who we are and whom we represent. Although we struggle and aren’t perfect, when people around us “swab” our lives, may they find visible traces of integrity and devotion to Jesus as He guides us.
Reflect & Pray
How does your life reflect God’s ways to others? What do you need to change to represent Him better?
Heavenly Father, please help me represent You well in what I say and do.
For further study, read Taking Sin Seriously.
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Day 2 of the plague...not as bad as day one.
Tomorrow it should be a bit better, too.
🤒
Feel better soon, FRiend.
Bible in a Year :
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.
When my granddaughter Eliana was just seven, she saw a video at her school about an orphanage in Guatemala. She told her mom, “We have to go there to help them.” Her mom replied that they would think about it when she was older.
Eliana never forgot, and, sure enough, when she was ten, her family went to help in the orphanage. Two years later, they went back, this time taking along a couple of other families from Eliana’s school. When Eliana was fifteen, she and her dad went again to Guatemala to serve.
We sometimes think the wishes and dreams of little children don’t carry the weight of adult hopes. But Scripture seems to make no such distinction. God calls children, as in the case of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:4). Jesus honors the faith of little ones (Luke 18:16-17). And Paul said younger believers shouldn’t let people discount them just because they “are young” (1 Timothy 4:12). So, we’re called to guide our children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6), recognizing that their faith is a model for us all (Matthew 18:3) and understanding that hindering them is something Christ warned against (Luke 18:15).
When we see a spark of hope in children, our job as adults is to help ignite it. And as God leads us, encourage them toward a life dedicated to trust in Jesus and service for Him.
Reflect & Pray
How can you encourage children to believe in Jesus? How can you help them grow in faith?
Dear heavenly Father, the children in our world need Christ. Please help me to encourage them to believe in You.
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Day 3....sore throat.
🙄
Arrggghhh.
Hope, besides the sore throat, that things are improving. If it’s a cold, you have about 2 more days of symptoms. I know that is soooo reassuring. LOL!
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