I'll let you figure out which one is me.
My son is one of the narrators...he did a great job! These pictures were from our Dress Rehearsal Thursday night. Our performance will be Sunday morning at church.
Also been watching the birds in "Still Waters Pond", when I can sit still long enough to relax and enjoy them...
And even though this is a bit blurry, it shows that there are two male Wood Ducks and two females...so they must be traveling together...
So, what do YOU do to relax in between all the Christmas activities that are going on? I know that in the New Year I am going to be more intentional about spending more time with the Lord, hopefully outdoors as weather permits...I'd like to get back to writing like the "Secret Garden Chronicles" I used to do again. This time it will be from a new perspective...I really haven't established the "secret garden" yet here in this new home...but there are plenty of places to sit and meditate on God's Word and spend time in prayer and pondering what the Lord is speaking to me at that moment.
That's my goal for the New Year...I know I need to get back to that "place" in my walk with the Lord. This past year has been just too busy to concentrate for any length of time, and I miss that daily communion with the Lord.
How about you? Perhaps you can also be looking for that special spot where you can spend time alone with the Lord and be more intentional about what His message is for you each day. Maybe we can encourage one another in our pursuit of being still before the Lord... and then perhaps we can each write about our experiences...just a thought. I know that with all that is going on in our world and nation today, we need to spend more and more time in prayer and in reading God's Word and spending time with the Lord. We need to strengthen our armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) as the battles are getting harder.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 46:10
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
The Armor of God
10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
Yes, this is what I know I need. I hope you will join with me in this pursuit of growing in Christ in the New Year. Maybe we can remind each other to keep looking up!
In the meantime, enjoy your Christmas with your loved ones and family...and keep Christ is Christmas in every way that you can. I may not have too much time to write over the next week, so just be safe and be blessed!
Lovely to see the interior of your church and the choir members. I always enjoy the wildlife on your pond and their pretty reflections in the water. I've been seeing a woodpecker each morning and would love to take a photo. At the house we shared with mother, we had a special garden spot with a swing where we would worship each day. This past year has been busy here but I need to create a new spot to spend time with the Lord. I thank the Lord for your blog friendship and wish you all a Merry Christmas. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, I do hope you can get a picture of your woodpecker! I love to watch them, but haven't seen as many here as we did in our previous home. And I also hope that you will indeed find that special spot in your new home, inside or outside, where you can spend time with the Lord. It just helps our days to go so much better when we take the time to be refreshed in Him. We will encourage each other to do so, okay? xo to you too! Oh, our church is so special...very old, but that's what I love. And it is small, but we are mighty in Spirit. And that is what matters most!
DeleteI've been trying to develop good daily habits of communing with the Lord at a set time each day rather than whenever it fits best. I was doing well but over the past 2 weeks things have slipped. I hope to correct this going forward. When I need a rest from the activities of the season, I go on line and read blogs, or I read book or catch up on news or television. I also try to be intentional about not running out to do as many errands. That last part was nice :-) I do love your heron photo especially the first one. It really looks like a nice painting. Have a beautiful and enjoyable Christmas. I'm sure the Christmas concert will be wonderful. God bless you and all your family and friends and keep you happy and safe. xx
ReplyDeleteI understand all too well about how our good intentions can slip during this busy season. But then again, hopefully our busyness is all about Christmas, and in the right way...preparing for the "birth of our Lord" to renew and restore us once again! Praying for each of us to find that place of rest and peace in the New Year. I know we all need it! Have a blessed Christmas!
DeleteI love that Bible verse. It brings us hope to know that someday soon God will be exalted in ALL the nations of the earth.
ReplyDeleteOh, wouldn't that be wonderful? To see Almighty God exalted in all the nations of the earth? And most of all, right here in our own land, where He is being trampled on by the masses as they rush to and fro to try and destroy everything that is right and decent and holy? Praying for our country right now especially. Our country needs Jesus really bad!! Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas.
Delete"...all that is going on in our world and nation today, we need to spend more and more time in prayer and in reading God's Word and spending time with the Lord. We need to strengthen our armor (Ephesians 6:10-18)..."
ReplyDeleteWe do need to encourage each other!
We went to see the new Star Wars movie last night. There were a million trailers before the movie. I noticed something about all of them, including Star Wars. They were bleak and extremely violent. In each storyline presented I was thinking, "This is a horrible way to live." No beauty, no redemption, no sense of peace. Just struggle. It's like we're being fed fear.
Uh...um... well, your cantata looks lovely. I'll just avert my eyes and stare at that. 😳
What do I do to relax? The best thing is to come away from it all and sit with the Lord. Read the bible. Pray. Find something good, deep soul good, and beautiful to look at.
Yes, the world is full of bleakness and violence because they are trying to remove Christ from every part of it...but God will prevail...we know the "rest of the story". We just need to be diligent to stay focused on Him and prepare our hearts for "battle"...and the only way I know is to spend more deliberate time in prayer and in studying God's Word and worshiping Him. Praying your Christmas is filled with joy and peace.
DeleteIt looks so warm there, smiles. I have the 3rd bedroom aka 'the office' where I study...I can just shut the French doors.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a lovely day friend and a very Merry Christmas.
It's good to have that space where you can "shut the door" and have quiet time. Enjoy that during your break from school! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
DeleteSo sorry I've been MIA here lately, Pamela, but we just got back from our retreat to the mountains, which both of us sorely needed. We do need to keep encouraging one another in the New Year, and never give up on hope, faith or love. And finding time daily to simply be quiet and rest in the Lord is tantamount to our spiritual wellness. May both of us make sure we take that intentional time in 2020.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, my friend, and Merry Christmas!
Oh, I know you were in the mountains...and I don't blame you at all for not being here on blogger or facebook. You need that respite from the world. That is what I am talking about...we all need to take those breaks, whether it be daily or an actual retreat away from all the 'cares' of the world...it is necessary for our spiritual renewal. And in these noisy times we truly need it even more than ever. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
DeleteVery good blog. Love to read it and I hope you can find some moments with God alone. We have no christmas activities here. Only a service in Church. No special meals etc. So it is quiet.
ReplyDeleteMay Jesus fill your hearts with peace.
Oh,Aritha, thank you so much for writing. Do you celebrate Christmas in your homes with family/gifts/etc.? Wondering if you have Christmas trees? Perhaps that is the better way...keeping the true meaning of Christmas in the forefront of all you do. May Jesus also be with you and yours now and into the New Year.
Delete:-) No tree in house. No presents. But we still have coziness and good talk.
DeletePraying your Christmas time with your loved ones will be very meaningful and yes, filled with peace and joy. God bless you all, Aritha.
DeleteYes, yes, yes to keeping Christ in Christmas! I am sure your Cantata will be wonderful and (of course) I could pick you out! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Pam!! xoxox
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri! Praying we will all sing in tune and on time, and that our voices will be strong for the glory of the Lord. Merry Christmas to you and Joe!!
DeleteI am sure your Cantata will go very nicely. Let us know how it goes please. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDelete