ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2013
5 DAYS UNTIL WINTER
9 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
93 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
Sunrise:7:47 am
Sunset: 4:58 pm
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
Matthew 2: 3-6
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written:
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.
Author Unknown
We’ve heard about the shepherd in the fields as the Angel told them of the birth of Jesus and now in the verse above we hear about One that will shepherd the people of Israel.
There is a lot of references to shepherds and I think there was a good reason for it. Simply put, the illustration of a shepherd with his sheep was used so often because it was an illustration people could easily identify with in their cultural context. Middle eastern cultures understood what shepherding was all about. It was about feeding the lambs and the sheep, bringing them to good pasture lands and water, grooming and clipping them, delivering new lambs, leading them and teaching them to stay together, going off after the wandering lost ones, and protecting the sheep in the field and in the fold.
We need to be mindful that we have all wandered at times, we have gone astray, but the point is to return to the Shepherd. The Good Shepherd, watches over every step we take.
This is the final week before my family will get together for Christmas. We’ll be celebrating this coming Saturday the 21st. These days are going to be busy ones for sure. It’s good to know that no matter what Christmas will come whether we are ready or not.
When a storm or predator caused the sheep to tremble and panic, the shepherd had to be the one to calm the sheep. He led his sheep in peace and sought peaceful settings in which to place his sheep.
Hope your Monday is a great one!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
We are like angels with just one wing. We can only fly by embracing each other.
Anonymous
I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts. I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting. There is always, always something to be thankful for.
1226. for a Shepherd who will lead me to peace
1227. for the snow making it look like Christmas
1228. for a cup of Christmas tea
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS
Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.
Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters
and Paramedics and EMT's
GOD BLESS YOU !
When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep.
Author Unknown
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
1 comment:
I have also heard too that sheep are not the smartest of animals. I think it is a great analogy that we are considered sheep with Jesus as the Good Shepherd since sometimes we aren't the smartest people :)
Lots of fun happening in your household this week, Ma! I bet the week will speed by as you are getting ready for your family gathering!
betty
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