POLAR EXPRESS 12/5/2023

Tripping to the North Pole can be done in no better place than on the "Polar Express" in Bryson City, North Carolina with a 5 year old.

Loading not 'til 8:30 pm but we have our PJs ready for the trip!

AWAY IN A MANGER

When one’s  5 year old grandson sets  up a manger & re-sets it again and again & again, it’s a great way to pass on the true meaning of Christmas!!

He knew the one in the manger was baby Jesus. When I tried to tell him that Joseph was Jesus' Daddy---he said, "NO"---"God is His Daddy!"

How right he is!!

SATURDAY SHORT IN SOUTHERN SPEAK

Hooray for Interpretations I understand from Scotty Smith. Siri creates words I don't "get." I prefer Pastor Smith's familiar words.

Mind-bogglingly loved.

Diddly-Squat matters.

Just what I will need for a Saturday morning after a 9 hour drive to arrive in the the Smoky Mountains.

PERFECT GIFTS!

It's hard to believe---December will be here in just a few hours! 

That will mean there's just 24 days until Christmas. Ads on TV are already calculating the number of shopping days left to spur the buying frenzy!

Having trouble with your shopping list?

This past week, ABC's Reading List had us reading in the book of James---right where I found the perfect answer. Tonight as I changed the calendar on the kitchen table. I was affirmed in that answer.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, (James 1:17a)

Share Jesus, a true and perfect gift from the heart!

PLAY ON WORDS!

Play on words is a literary technique usually used to give men choice of meaning...in a humorous way.

Lately, for me. it's been a way of reducing words to an acronym to help me remember. 

AGOG---I am keen to remember God's love and mercy! The gift of His Son on my behalf. There is no greater gift.

A

Gift

Of

Grace

Word Play. "Play on words" techniques offer many new possibilities.

A recent word play was shared in Sunday School.

For those whose disposition is a bit grumpy.....

...Drop the D and add an H to give one an entirely new outlook!

Dis-position -D + H = His-position! 

Don't "dis" me about that word play; I think it speaks volumes!

In everything you do, put God first. (Proverbs 3:6a, TLB)

What position does God hold in your life?

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS!

This morning it was so-o-o easy to give thanks! I live with a bird-loving, 

bird -feeding, bird-watching man.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds. (Luke 20:24)

A goldfinch singing outside our window no more......

......Even though the goldfinches are gone, bluebirds are still thumping at the kitchen window......

......& dove are are perched on the feeders while Carolina chickadees are playing in the patio fountain.  

The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. (Palms 104:12)

I am thankful!

BUT GOD!

Yesterday, our "Pulpit" Pastor, Wayne Smith Jr., mentioned "The Gospel Message in Two Words" as his sermon title. Immediately, "But God" came to mind. Those 2 words have gripped me time and time again.

But God....(Ephesians 2:4) in His love and mercy keeps us from being Deceived, Depraved and Doomed.

Smith encouraged use to remember that God works "in us," "for us" and "through us" as we serve Him.

How do we serve Him? 

By Identifying our passions, our experiences and our gifting, and using them to share God's love, mercy and truth with others.

Apart from Him we could not do that.

But God, in His love and rich mercy has made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and that's all we need!

REVIVE US AGAIN!!

HALLELUJAH!

Hallelujah, Thine the glory, revive us again!

WELL SAID!

ENOUGH SAID!......

 .....AND SUNG!...

...FROM A 1923 COKESBURY HYMNAL, COST 23¢

REVIVE US AGAIN!! AMEN!!!

REVIVAL!

REVIVAL! 

What does that mean? In the the Hebrew words, “chayah” and “michyah,” and the Greek words, “anathallo” and “anazao”  mean revival  "to live,"

“to live again,” and “to come to life.

What does that look like among many young Americans these days?Saturday football games give many glimpses of the one who brings revival in the hearts of college kids, who want to pass on the one who revives...... JESUS!. 

DON'T GIVE UP. TALK TO JESUS

LET'S BE REAL. WE ALL HURT. CALL OUT TO JESUS

ESPN EVERY SINGLE PERSON NEEDS JESUS

THE REALITY OF LIFE IS TROUBLE DON'T GIVE IN TO IT. JESUS OFFERS COMPASSION.....

DON'T GIVE UP. TALK TO JESUS

                                (Wherever you are)                            

PLEASE, I BEG YOU, GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us and we will you and call upon your name. (Psalm 80:18)

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6)

REVIVAL seen on TV screens everywhere today!

May it be seen in hearts tomorrow!

FULL QUIVER = BLESSING!!!

GENERATIONAL FUN!!!

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them. (Psalm 127-3-5a, RSV)

Three generations of Liles!