Prayer Request

My mother, age 71, has pneumonia. She was given antibiotics last Saturday and is not better today (Tues.). Please pray for healing and for a softening of her heart toward the Lord, as she faces a difficult illness for her age? She is unsaved. Thank you!

Now is the Time

Time to set our to-do lists aside to worship. Oh, but this one brings the tears! So many do, but the words and melody are so beautiful here. Time spent worshiping changes our perspective on everything. For me, it's like I'm right there in heaven with Him, for the moments of songs, anyway. A valuable experience and discipline, no matter how busy our days are. 

I've reprinted the lyrics because this rendition doesn't include all of them. A song so rich in meaning!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Here's the background for this carol, found here:

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856).

Multitude Monday 12/3

Beth had her rheumatology appointment this morning, during which we discussed the results of the recent blood draw. Both her inflammation markers are up, so she will start methotrexate this Sunday and take it once a week, every Sunday, for two years. Sunday after church was chosen because I have my husband's help on that day (the drug may cause nausea).

This is a chemo drug which is given in low doses to rheumatoid arthritis patients to help calm the auto-immune response, which causes inflammation in the joints. The inflammation acts as an acid on the joints, destroying them over time.

They will allow me to use the needle to inject the fluid into a spoon of yogurt so that Beth won't have to endure a weekly needle. She will, however, need to have blood drawn once every six weeks, which she detests.

While I process all this, here's a wonderful Multitude Monday post Ann Voskamp wrote. Enjoy it!

Seven Ways to Have More Grateful Kids This Christmas

Joy to the World

In 1719, Isaac Watts penned the words to Joy to the World. My favorite lines are:

Let Earth Receive Her King

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love.

This Christmas season may we rejoice anew at our King, at the glories of His righteousness and the wonders of His love.

For His love? It's the greatest wonder we'll ever know. Our soul aches to worship our King.

Set aside the to-do list long enough to worship your King, every day. Be still and know. Let your soul do what God designed it to do.

There is no peace when we fail to worship the Prince of Peace.


Isaiah 9:6, "...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, Prince of Peace." 

Answer to Prayer!

God is faithful! He inspires us and then equips us. We're never alone as we seek to please Him.

Amen to that!




The associate pastor of our church contacted me today and affirmed our desire to minister to neighborhood children and families. They will provide the Jesus Storybook Bibles for us--for eight families to start. They will also pray for us and provide for our other ministry needs as they arise. So excited doesn't begin to cover the emotions here! Thank you for praying about this with us!

I prayed about celebrating Christmas in a God-honoring way and it came to me to give Jesus three gifts, just as He received as a baby over 2000 years ago. A Jesus Storybook Bible for eight neighborhood families here, followed by a Jesus Storybook Bible Children's Bible Study hosted by us, were two of the gifts I planned to give!

When the Holy Spirit inspires, he also equips! Our part is to move forward in obedience, not demanding all the answers and details up front. We live by faith.

In other news....

I'm studying peace for our Fruitful Friday series, but as Beth's dental procedure under general anesthesia is tomorrow morning, I may not have the post quite complete for a Friday publishing. Look for it soon. (Not that I assume you were on the edge of your seats or anything.:)



One amazing thing I've learned so far? God does not give us our own peace. He invites us to share in His peace.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

More to come....





images here