Brrrr! Today has been one of those bone chilling kind of days where the sun never seems to shine and the wind keeps blowing and the temperature never got above 50 degrees all day long! And I live in Florida! So it was a good day to use up the remainder of our New Year's ham bone and make some split pea with ham soup and cornbread for lunch.
These split peas are yellow...never had them before, but they were still good! They tasted better than this looks...
We finally got our Christmas tree down and all the Christmas decor put away. The house always seems so bare when that happens, and I feel a little sad to see it go, but then again, it's nice to have the mess cleaned up and some space back in the living room again!
However, I talked hubby into doing something that I've been wanting to do ever since we moved to this house almost 18 months ago...
In the space where the Christmas tree was we set up our extra old dining room table that has been disassembled and leaning against the wall in a corner waiting to be either gotten rid of or put back in use.
I have wanted to set it up to use for a puzzle table so I don't have to remove the puzzle from the dining room table every time we have company for dinner. Now I can sit here and look out at Still Waters Pond and work on my puzzle and enjoy the view while I do. It can also be used for a project table for, well, projects! You know...those things you decide to do and need extra space to spread them out to do? I don't know what exactly that would be at the moment, but give me a while and I'll think of something.
So what have you been up to this week? It's been the kind of week where we have tried to stay busy to stay away from the TV and the news and any other interaction on social media that could get us into trouble. I have determined that for every negative comment I see on Facebook from someone, I will post something positive from God's Word or other encouraging thoughts. I will not give in to the petty thinking of those who just want to call names and say ugly things about conservative people and viewpoints, no matter how tempting it may be!
This was the sunset on Still Waters Pond the other evening, when it seemed like the world was coming to an end...God was displaying His power and glory and beauty in the heavens for us to enjoy.
My One Word for 2021 is Believe.
Today's devotional readings included the following verses:
I John 5:1-4
1. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.
4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith."
So, faith is the victory that overcomes the world!
Do you know this hymn? It's a great one for today!
Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers rise,
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies;
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
Chorus:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
2 His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints before
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
(chorus)
3 On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
(chorus)
4 To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n;
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n;
Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.
Chorus:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
Hymn written by John Henry Yates in 1891
So dear friends, we who have faith in Christ will overcome this old world and all that "the world" tries to do to hurt us. Stay strong and steadfast:
I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Faith is the Victory!
