HIS WISDOM = WELL-BEING!

God's Word gives wisdom.

• (Wisdom's) ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17, AMPC)
• A wise man keeps silent. (Proverbs 29:11,NLV)
• She speaks with wisdom...(Proverbs 31:26a, NOG)
• If any....lack wisdom,...ask of God. (James 1:5a, KJV)

Proverbs 3:1-4 summarizes the benefits of God's Wisdom.

God's Word gives wisdom in abundance for our well-being.

Thanks be to God!

JOY = THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

Whether in person, live-stream or later on YouTube, we celebrated 3 Advent services today; blessed by each as we focused on the coming birth of our Savior Jesus. Each had a church family light the candle and explain its color and place in the wreath.

A small church celebrated their Christmas Cantata as a UMC choir 35 miles away joined a FBC to add voices to Advent celebration. Singing. Sharing Responsive reading among the choir including verses from Luke 2. Having a children's lesson at the altar to explain the first pink candle to be lit known as the shepherd's candle. Congregational singing "Joy to the World."

Live-stream church FEC in a later time-zone had a large sanctuary and choir loft filled with the city orchestra plus church members seniors and teens played instruments as well.

A children's choir joined the adult choir as the service began.

Little man in plaid, front row knew all the hand motions & could have led the entire group. A special treat was the acceptance of one little fellow, whose family I know well, who treated all to a view of his belly-button a couple of times. (Adorable front row little guy in black & white to far right)

A hymn/carol included, 'Silent Night, Lonely Night" was new to me but the words rang as the words told of the difficulties of life that can darken ones life and weary ones  with trials..... BUT God offers peace and comfort for one's soul when His son Jesus entered bore sorrows and offered eventually offered his redeeming blood Christ the Savior, in whom is all our hope. All is calm and bright.

YouTube Service had excellent visuals as the Matthew 1 responsive reading was led by the two lighting the candle together. I chose a few of my favorites; to reflect the reason for the Advent season. 

Thank you LORD for blessing me over and over again as each church today included HARK THE HEARLD ANGELS SING  as one they chose to sing. 

A Christmas carol close to my heart

3 great ways to celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent!

BEAUTY FOUND IN TANGLED WEBS!

Photographer friend, Anne B., has a way of finding and highlighting beauty in the messes of life!

I, on the other hand, lately have a way of making messes in life or walking in fear that my decisions might mess things up for everyone. Decision making is so difficult as "what ifs" flutter all around in my mind.

My Uncle John Edward learned during WWII to "pull self up" by his boot straps. I don't even have any bootstraps. Plus, it sounds self-reliant to me!

If I have been constantly reminded of anything since our move to NC.....it's the need to lean into the Lord every day. It's His strength I need. His path I want. Leaning in to Him gives both strength and a straight path.

Today, even in the tangles, may I find fulness of joy in His presence as I follow the path of life He has made known to me. (Psalm 16:11)

WOW = WORDS OF WISDOM!

All true wisdom comes from God.

Trust in Him = Help!

A thrust of trust for Thursday!

WISDOM IN PRACTICE!

Wisdom in practice is action.

Think walking in wisdom.

A practical way to live out wisdom is to pass on the truth God has taught us, from His Word, to neighbors, nations and the next generation. (Allen Bible Church) 

Live it out. An RX for applying Scripture in our daily lives allows others to "see" Christ in us.

Fellowship with other believers is mutually strengthening.

Walk with the wise and become wise. 

(Proverbs 13:20 NIVa)

May we make this a true Walkabout Wednesday!

Let's practice wisdom together.

BLESSINGS OF WISDOM!

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom! (Proverbs 3:13)

Understanding enhances wisdom and takes it to a whole new level for each new situation.

Praise the Lord for the many words he gives us to meditate/chew on.....which, like His mercies, can be new every morning and lead us to paths of peace. (Proverbs 3:17)

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom! (...with permission to write in her Bible)

Enough said as a summary for this "Teaching Tuesday"!

PEACE = SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT!

Great place to be during ADVENT is with God's people!

"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" are shared words of John the Baptist from Matthew3:2. (Pastor Dave)

Whether it's an older couple or a young family, it's a blessing seeing families come together to share in the lighting of the advent wreath.

The second purple candle is for PEACE.

Peace = wholeness and flourishing. (Pastor Buddy, ABC) 

Such peace is needed in both the church and throughout the world. 

PLACE OF GRACE CHRISTMAS PARADE 2025!

Small towns can often show folks what is important in their lives through their celebrations. Especially at Christmas.

From bands, live animals and nativities to that mean one, Mr. Grinch 

Today's Christmas parade was just that---

An early float had "Go Tell it on the Mountains" singers belting it out and many bystanders in this mountain town joined in, especially on the refrain, "That Jesus Christ is born."

JESUS Sweetest Name I Know......

'Tis so Sweet to Trust Jesus

The Sheriff's Department also participated to the delight of our first-grader grand. They locked up the Grinch so he would not steal Christmas.

Every time the Grinch broke out of jail, the Sheriffs would recapture him. The Grinch did not have a chance to steal Christmas.

A farm family used Psalm 50:10 to reflect every animal belongs to God---as they sang hymns together.

Certainly at every turn on the parade route one saw...

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Do I hear an Amen?!

Another family float near the end of the parade blew "snow" across all attendees..... 

...with a sign that summed it all up for their family.

In case any reader is confused......JESUS SAVES....

JESUS SAVES.......TWO WORDS THAT SAY IT ALL!

ALL PATHS!

A picture can be worth a thousand words---thus this post.

A great "Saturday Short" for one who has been camped in Psalm 25.

I would give credit for this photo but I have no idea where or when I found it. Obviously it was during a warmer time!

PATHS OF LIFE!

Few paths in life are straight. The direction or length of the path can be an age-related choice based on one's physical attributes.

Though beautiful, many paths are even rocky.....both physical and mental.

So............how does one recognize the path or paths that are just right for him/her? 

Warning---My paths became so curvy, you will be confused.

Recent bedtime reading, Bathed in Prayer by Jan Karon, I came across an excerpt from her 2005 book Light from Heaven, prayer of the vicar's as he, Father Tim, sat and dog, Barnabas leaned against his shoulder. 'I am Thine, O Lord. Show me Thy ways, teach me Thy paths, lead me in Thy truths and teach me.'

(Psalm 25:4-5a)

My ESV Bible had Psalm 25 listed as Teach Me Your Paths 

OF DAVID

The first 2 verses "had" me for a few days. A great starting point for my path. I sat and went nowhere.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust.

The next curve in my path took me to an on-line devotional book. Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller. I sat in my prayer chair. February 13 was location for Psalm 25:1-7. He emphasized David's convictions were "a man must live by the help of God, not by his wits." Keller's concluding prayer began, "Lord, I want to live according to your Word--"your ways, your truth"....

Obviously, somedays one can follow the path God has for them without ever standing up or leaving the house.