SPILL THE BEANS

Spill the beans.

Blab.

Blurt.

Blather.

Yes, I have been guilty of spilling the beans.

But let me be perfectly clear here.  I am not talking about sharing secrets or confidences.

No way.  

I am eminently trustworthy with private conversations, vulnerable feelings, honest thoughts.

I will not betray a person's faith in me.

And I will not be the one to burst the bubble of a surprise party, gift, or announcement.

So, I'm not talking about that.

It's more that I just don't think sometimes, and something slips out that probably wasn't the best thing to say.

You see, I suffer from "foot-in-mouth disease."

I can't tell you the number of times I've said something, and then realized what I've said, and wished that I could rewind my words.

For instance, I am a walking, human spoiler alert at times.

Like how I ruined the movie Armageddon for my older son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so sad when Bruce Willis dies at the end of the movie."

Or how I ruined the movie Sixth Sense for my youngest son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so weird how Bruce Willis is really dead at the end of the movie."

(Honestly, what is it about Bruce Willis and me??  In my defense, I thought both of my sons had already seen these movies).

I've also been known to tell my oldest son the score of a game, only to find out that he hadn't seen the game yet.

"Did you see that comeback in the third period?  WOW!"

"No, Mom, I taped it.  Thanks."

Sigh.


I also seem to tell everyone way too much about my personal life.

My sons tease me about how often I make *a close personal friend in less than five minutes.*

I think some of the teasing is good-natured, and comes from their admiration of my openness and vulnerability.  But sometimes, I think they believe that I should be a little more circumspect in what I share!

And I can't begin to recount the all-too-many times that I've said something in anger, in the heat of the moment, only to realize that I didn't really mean it.

So, if spilling the beans means upturning a pot of beans and making a big 'ol mess, yeah, I've done it…

No wonder we are admonished to *tame the tongue!*


I got to thinking about this…

As I read in the New Testament, it's interesting that there are several instances when Jesus performs a miracle, and then cautions people not to tell others about it.

It never worked.

People always told.

But why didn't Jesus want it told?

What were His reasons for wanting silence?


In my research, I've come upon two good reasons:

First, if news of Jesus' healings and miracles became widely known, His movements would become hindered.

Can you imagine the excitement generated by what Jesus did?  And how much attention this brought Jesus?

And how much this newfound *celebrity* would inhibit Him on His mission?

Indeed, this is exactly what happened:

"As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere.  He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him." (Mark 1:45, NLT)


Secondly, Jesus was undoubtedly concerned that news of His miracles would distract and detract from His mission.  Instead of coming to Jesus for His message, many would be attracted to Him solely for the miracles He performed.

They would be less interested in finding truth than in viewing a "show."

Dazzled by having their physical problems solved, they would concentrate on that instead of their spiritual need – the forgiveness of sins.

They would become like King Herod:

"Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." (Luke 23:8, NLT)

Or like everyone else:

"Jesus asked, 'Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?'" (John 4:48, NLT)


So, there was a time when Jesus counseled against "spilling the beans."

And people disobeyed.

However, at the end of His time on earth, Jesus gave a completely different message.

He commissioned His disciples to go and tell the world about Him:

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" (Mark 16:15, NLT)


I think about this.

You know, He was talking to us, too.

The Great Commission was given to ALL His followers.

How are we doing?

Sometimes we've been known to disobey these words, too.

We've kept the message to ourselves, bypassed opportunities to speak truth, or melted into a corner when people start castigating "religious" people.

(At least I've done this – have you?)

But we can't afford to be silent.

Jesus wants to be known.

For who He truly is – the Living Son of God.

Jesus did not come to this world to be a performing puppet.  He wasn't a circus entertainer or a showman.  Not a magician or a conjurer.

Certainly not a vending machine to fulfill our endless requests.

He didn't come for our purposes.

He came to save us.

And now, as His hands and feet, He calls us to spread His Gospel – the very Good News of who He is, what happened when He was here on earth, and why He did what He did.


We're so human, aren't we?

We're told to keep quiet – and we open our mouths.

We're told to speak out – and we close our mouths.

Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit's discernment and His power.

We need to be told when it's wisest to keep silent, and then to obey.

And we need to be told when it's wisest to speak out, and then to obey.


I'm asking for the Lord to help me in this area.

I want to *tame my tongue* – and use it properly for His purposes.

But, as far as spreading the message of His salvation?

Well, I can hear Him saying to me…

"Go on!  Spill the beans!!"



Are you boldly taking opportunities to share the Gospel?

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills
and everywhere -
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ
is born.


(Written by John Wesley Work, Jr.) 

"'I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.  He has not left that open to us.  He did not intend to." 

(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)



"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
'But what about you?' he asked.  'Who do you say I am?'
Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you…'" 

(Matthew 16:13-17, NIV)


"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all…" 
(Acts 4:33, NIV)

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." 
(Isaiah 12:4-5, NIV)

"…'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:13-15, NLT)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…" (Romans 1:16-17, NASB)

"I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not." (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

"'Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'" (Exodus 4:12, NLT)

"'God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'" (Matthew 10:19-20, NLT)

"'And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.'" (Matthew 24:14, NLT)




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TITUS 2SDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY 
(The last few days have been so busy, and I've not been feeling well.  So, if I joined your blog hop/link party and didn't reference you here this week, I apologize.  I'll be back on track next week.  Thanks!)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WOULD JESUS WEAR JEANS?

It's a good question.

Now, hold on…

I don't mean this question to be facetious, flippant, disrespectful, or sacrilegious.

I want it to spur us on to some serious thought.


When my sons were young, they asked me questions about Jesus all the time.

Did He get tired and hungry?

Did He get sick?

Did He get blisters?

Did He ever have a headache?

Did He ever trip and fall?

On and on the questions went.  

At first, I was tempted to think that they were being impertinent.  But then I realized that they were very sincere, and that what they were really asking was this:

"Is Jesus like me?"

All these questions gave me a wonderful opportunity to tell my boys that yes, indeed, Jesus was just like us – except with no sin.


Sometimes I think about what it would be like if Jesus walked the earth today.  

I like thinking about that...

What would He look like and wear?

Where would He go, and who would He talk to?

What would make Him angry, and what would break His heart?

And who would rise up against Him?

It's interesting to me to contemplate these things.

And based on what we read about Him in the Bible, I think we can make some educated guesses to answer those questions.


What would He look like and wear?

I don't think that Jesus would look like a movie star or fashion model.

I don't think He'd be dressed in designer suits, stylish sunglasses, or fancy shoes. 

I don't think He'd be driving a Ferrari. 

Jesus was humble and simple.

Isaiah described Jesus as looking like an ordinary man, and that there was nothing special in His appearance that would make Him stand out.  

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2, NIV)

So sure, He might be wearing jeans or cargo pants!

And maybe Birkenstock sandals???


Where would Jesus go?

I think we might be surprised at the answer to that.

I don't think He'd expect to be eating at gourmet restaurants or staying in five-star hotels.

I don't think He'd be seeking center-stage, or hungry for the spotlight.

I don't think He'd worry about crowds flocking to Him, or desire to perform in front of cheering throngs.

I don't think He'd be running for office.

Rather, I have a strong feeling that Jesus would go to places where He could encounter people in an intimate way.

(Maybe He'd find His way to the local Starbuck's, and wait for the opportunity to speak to someone?!)

He would quietly go about the business of His Father, wherever that led Him.

"'For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.'" (John 6:36, NLT)


Who would He talk to?

Again, I think we might be surprised.

Jesus was always reaching out to the marginalized, the ostracized, the minimalized, the victimized – the persecuted, the mistreated, the abused – the weak, frail, and infirm.

When I think about it, I can picture Jesus speaking to those same people today.

I can see Him on Skid Row or working in a soup kitchen.  I can see Him at the feet of a homeless person.

I can see Him in hospitals and hospice care centers – with the sick and dying.

At nursing and assisted living facilities – with the old and forgotten.  

On a college campus – with the seekers and the skeptics.  

In a prison – with the angry and hopeless.  

At a rehab clinic – with the addicted and broken.

I can see Him talking to the people that are so easily vilified by society…(and sometimes by Christians??).

People who persecute us, or whose lifestyles or religious beliefs are different than ours, or who do hateful and ugly things.

Jesus would be found in the company of those who needed Him most.

Even if it was politically incorrect, unacceptable, or scandalous.

"'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Mark 2:17, NIV)


What would make Jesus angry?

This is an interesting question to ponder.

Of course, my first inclination is to think that Jesus would be angry about the things that make me angry.

Injustice, hatred, cruelty.

And yes, Jesus would be angered by these things.

But He would also be angered by things He might see in me.

Hypocrisy, self-righteousness, pride.

And Jesus would also be angered by the things He might observe within His church.

By white-washed tombs of impurity, and empty words, and prideful boasting, and false piety, and critical spirits, and unforgiving hearts, and sanctimonious posturing.

By misinterpretation and misrepresentation of God's Word.

By anything and anyone who thwarts the cause of the Gospel.

"Do not cause anyone to stumble…even as I try to please everyone in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:32-33, NIV)

Jesus would be angered by the *log-in-the-eye folks* who spend so much time pointing out the *specks* in others.


What would break the heart of Jesus?

I think it's easy to think of some things – disease, affliction, suffering, loss of innocence, and the like.

He would be saddened by the way His beautiful world is broken and filled with sin.

But, I think He would also be saddened by apathy and complacency amongst His beloved followers.

As I write this, it is Palm Sunday, the remembrance of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem.

But as Jesus approaches the city, we see a most unusual reaction:

"...as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep." (Luke 19:41, NLT)

Why did He cry?

Surely not for His own sake, though He knew He was approaching the crucifixion.  

No, He wept for His own:

"'How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes…because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.'" (Luke 19:42, 44, NLT)

Jesus was anguished by those who were not saved – and His heart still bleeds for them today.

He is grieved when we who do know Him do not obey Him, when we shirk the responsibility of bringing His Gospel to others.

He is troubled when we remain in our comfort zones.


And finally, who would rise up against Him?

Truth be told, I don't think it would just be the "bad guys."

Because I think Jesus, the Person, would rail against all the artifice of "religion."

He would single-mindedly oppose counterfeit teachers and false doctrine.

He would speak out against idolatry, and all of the myriad ways that it manifests itself – fame, fortune, reputation, beauty, possessions, people.

He would hate everything fake and conceited and pretentious.

Jesus is still the two-edged sword, the One who divides households and nations. 

The One who brings controversy and contention, because He stands for Truth.

He would not win a popularity contest.

"'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.'" (Matthew 10:34, NIV)

If Jesus walked the earth today, would He still be crucified?

Sadly, my friends, I believe He would.

Because Jesus would not remain quiet.

And the world would want to silence Him.

For the heart of mankind is still proud, selfish, stubborn, and cruel.


Next Sunday is Easter.

The day when we celebrate the greatest day on earth.

The day when Jesus rose from the grave, paying our sin debt, and conquering death.

But just 40 short days later, He returned to heaven, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

So, in every real and mysterious and overwhelming way, He now walks the earth in us.

Therefore, we must go where He would go, talk to who He would talk to, be angry at what would make Him angry, and let our hearts be broken by what would break His.

We must be courageous and brave, determined and resolute, when others rise up against us.

We must open ourselves to His work in our lives, and seek to obey His calling.

We must venture out of our comfort zones.

We must represent Him well.


Would Jesus wear jeans?

Maybe.

But let me just say this – 

Truthfully, He's wearing what YOU put on this morning…

Now go and be His hands and feet!!



How can you *wear* Jesus this week?

I'll be Your hands
I'll be Your feet
I'll go
where You send me
And I'll try
to touch the world
like You
touched my life.



(From the lyrics to "Hands and Feet" - songwriters:
Tyler Burkum, Bob Herdman, Charlie Peacock,
William McGinniss, Mark Stuart) 

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15, NLT)

"For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:13, NIV)

"Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17, NLT)

"Because God's children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." (Hebrews 2:14, NLT)

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 
(2 Corinthians 5:18-20, ESV)

"As God's partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it." (2 Corinthians 6:1, NLT)

"'You are the salt of the earth.  But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again?  It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.'" (Matthew 5:13-16, NLT)

"'…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…" 
(1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, NLT)

"Sing to the LORD; praise his name.  Each day proclaim the good news that he saves." (Psalm 96:2, NLT)

"I will tell everyone about your righteousness.  All day long I will proclaim your saving power…" (Psalm 71:15, NLT)



HAPPY EASTER!  


HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!



Linked with:

INSPIRE ME MONDAY, SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, RA RA LINKUP, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TITUS 2SDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WISE WOMAN, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, TUESDAY'S RUBIES, THE LOFT LINKUP, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, & FAITH, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

A CROWN FOR CHRISTMAS

It's not what you think.

Well, it will be…eventually.

But first, an entertaining little story about my teeth!!

So, earlier this year, I noticed that something was *weird* with one of my back molars.  I was having all sorts of trouble keeping it clean, and flossing it – (You know what flossing is, right?  That thing that you do a week before getting your teeth cleaned??) – flossing was becoming a futile chore.

That's when I noticed that part of an old filling, and a goodly portion of the tooth, had chipped off.

Oh phooey.

(Can't imagine why a 50+ year-old filling was so weak…ahem).

Well, at my next teeth cleaning in June, I mentioned it to my hygienist.

She said, "Well, let's clean your teeth, and then I'll have the dentist look at it."

OK.

Said dentist then came in, and in utter horror, informed me that the gums surrounding this tooth, and his backyard molar neighbor, were in serious need of repair.

"Lucky for you, we now have a periodontist in the office every other Thursday, and he's here today."

Yes, lucky me.

Well, this guy opened my mouth and uttered another expression of horror, and dropped the hatchet of verdict – (that's what I like to call it).

I needed gum surgery.

"Oh, and by the way, there's decay in that tooth, too."

Double-lucky me.


Well, I had the gum surgery in July.

And healed for the next six weeks. 

And put the cavity/filling on the back burner.

After all, the tooth wasn't bothering me.

Fast forward…

Remembering that my dentist was retiring at the end of this year, I called and made an appointment to take care of this.

It was about six weeks off.

I figured that would be fine.  The tooth still wasn't bothering me, and there were countless other things going on that I thought took precedence over a stupid filling.

Uh, yeah.

You know how this story goes…

The tooth started bothering me.

A little bit – and then A. LOT.

And so I lumbered through the remaining three weeks until my appointment.

I went in last Wednesday, now eagerly (??) looking forward to having this dumb molar taken care of…

If wishes were pennies, I'd be a rich girl.

They took x-rays so my dentist would have an accurate idea of where the decay was, and how he was going to proceed.

That's when I was informed that the tooth had *exploded* in the last six months, and he couldn't fill it, and he was going to try to pull some strings and get me into an endodontist for an emergency root canal.

Say what???

He showed me the x-ray, and almost the entire tooth was now consumed with decay.

No wonder it was bothering me.

Well, to cut to the chase, the endodontist was kind enough to stay extra hours to fit me in.  At 5:30 that evening, after close to two hours in the chair, I walked out into the cold evening and muttered to myself…

"What just happened?"

It's kinda good that it happened this way so I didn't have to fret and worry about it ahead of time.  I am not a dental hero, I've never had a root canal, and needles frighten me.  So, having less time to ponder was probably a good thing.

But, we're not done yet.

Next week I have to go in to get my first crown.

And, oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm still going to the same dental office that I've been going to for years – you know, the one that's 2 ½ hours away from our mountain town – so now each visit requires five hours of traveling time.

Yeah, that office.

Sigh.


All I can say is that I'm humming my own version of that classic cute song, "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."  My version goes like this:

All I want for Christmas
Is one really good crown
A lovely crown
A beautifully functioning crown
Gee, I if I could only have a totally repaired tooth
Then I could wish you Merry Christmas…

CODA:
Except I won't be able
To buy you a gift
For my bank account is empty now, ow...
Yes, my bank account is empty now.
Tra la.


Yup, my version isn't nearly as cute and endearing.

But as I was driving back up the mountain the other day, the Lord revealed to me three things that were true about my root canal and upcoming crown procedure – and how they parallel Christ's arrival upon the earth.

And yes, there's a Christmas devotional in it all.


1) It was unexpected

When I walked into the dentist's office that afternoon at 2 PM, I was expecting an easy, straightforward *drilling & filling* experience.  I was prepared for a short visit, but what I got was an odyssey.

In similar fashion, the arrival of the Messiah didn't happen like expected.

The Jewish people had been looking for a Messiah for hundreds and hundreds of years.  He had been talked about, wondered about – anticipated, sought, and longed for.

Of course, they were expecting a vanquishing King, a mighty Deliverer.

Someone who would swoop into their world and rescue them in overpowering fashion…quickly.

Perhaps he would be a rebel, a revolutionary, a righteous warrior.

A whirlwind.

What they got was a whisper.

A baby.

Unexpected…


2) It was expensive

Any of you who have had gum surgery, or a root canal, or a crown know that all of these procedures are very expensive.  And, adding the expense of my tooth travails to the already hefty costs of all the other medical stuff we've had this year, well, let's just say that it's been taxing on the budget.

Yeah, our Christmas gifts to each other might involve just paying bills…

In like manner, the coming of Christ was expensive, a costly venture that would eventually require the greatest payment of all…

A life.

People were counting on a quick fix, an *in-and-out-and-Israel-is-restored* kind of Messiah.  They would never have guessed that delivering them would cost him his very life.

And certainly not in the way it happened.

On a cross.

Gone was their vision of the hero, the strong and powerful King.

What they got was a beat-up, mangled, bloodied, humiliated, weak, taunted and rejected and abandoned man.

They did not understand that this man was also God.

Yes, the coming of Christ was expensive, for it cost Him so much…

Willingly giving up His place of honor in Heaven, emptying himself of His God-ness, relinquishing His power and majesty, He deigned to become a cell, an embryo, a fetus, a baby.

Helpless and completely reliant on His earthly parents to preserve and nurture His life.

Just so He could one day give it up.

Expensive…


3) It was necessary

Tiny pockets of decay can be fixed with a simple filling.

But decay that has completely invaded and consumed a tooth requires drastic measures.  For if the problem is not remedied, the poison could invade the bloodstream and multiply in rampant fashion.

An out-of-control situation that could one day become fatal.

As much as I tried to stall my treatment, as much as I wanted the *simple fix,* in the end my dental problem required extensive and necessary work.

Why?

Because it was the only way to bring healing.

Is this not the perfect metaphor for sin?

We might look at sin as a minor pocket of decay.  Causing a little aggravation sometimes, occasionally a moment of pain – but easily taken care of with minor correction.

God saw it different.

He saw a pervasive, virulent, poisonous corruption of the very essence of man.

He knew that it was going to require something painful to restore His beloved children to spiritual health, to give them eternal life.

And because of His love, He did what was necessary.

He gave His only begotten Son.

And Jesus willingly gave Himself, and chose to die.

Alas, sometimes the cure requires more brokenness, more agony, more suffering, more misery.

But Jesus did what He did because it's what had to be done to keep sin from killing us.

He literally saved our lives.

Necessary…


So, yes, I've been on a dental odyssey lately.  

And when the title for this blog post came to my mind – "A Crown for Christmas" – I was only thinking about the upcoming "awesome" gift of a new crown for my pesky molar.

But then I got thinking about the King, about Jesus –

About how He laid aside His glorious crown in exchange for a crown of thorns.

About how the whole mission of salvation was unexpected, expensive, and necessary.

I got pondering...

He deserves a crown, but He gave it up…

We do not, but He gave us one anyway…

A crown of life.

An awesome gift!

Oh joy!

Forever live the King!!



MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL!!

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down...
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

"Don't be afraid...Look, your King is coming…" (John 12:15, NLT)

"Because God's children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." (Hebrews 2:14, NLT)

"Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor.  'Are you the king of the Jews?' the governor asked him.  Jesus replied, 'You have said it.'" (Matthew 27:11, NLT)

"The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head."  
(John 19:2, NIV)

"…Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.   Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:5-11, AMP)

"They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." (Revelation 17:14, NIV)

"And behold, on the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.  And to Him (the Messiah) was given dominion (supreme authority), glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every language should serve and worship Him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed." 
(Daniel 7:13-14, AMP)

"'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.'" (Hebrews 1:8, ESV)

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'" (Revelation 19:11-16, NASB)

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, NIV)



This Christmas let's celebrate our Lord Jesus' journey – cradle, cross, crown – and thank Him for giving us the gift of eternal life!!



Linked with:

MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE FINGERPRINT OF GOD

We are all unique.

You know that, right?  

And I'm sure that most of you know that every single person has a unique and different fingerprint.  No two are the same.  But, did you know that although identical twins share the same DNA profile, they do not have the same fingerprints?  Yes, though they are similar, they are still different, unique to each.

I find this fascinating.

What I also find fascinating, and this is something that I just recently learned, is that no two dogs have the same nose print!  Yup, a dog's nose print is just as unique as a fingerprint, and no two dogs have the same pattern of ridges and lines.  Even puppies of the same litter are not the same when it comes to noses.

Interesting, huh?!

So, I've been pondering.

Since Jesus was born a human, then He must have had fingerprints.  And His fingerprints were unique to Him.  So, in all reality, He literally had the fingerprints of God!!

I wonder what His DNA profile was like.

We each have a unique DNA makeup, composed of chromosomes inherited from our mother and our father.  Since Jesus' father was God, I wonder if His profile looked different from a normal human being.

I know these questions have no real practical use, nor do they have any impact on faith, but I still find it intriguing to think about.

Everything that Jesus touched had the fingerprint of God on it.

He was literally made up of the very *stuff* of God.

No wonder He was so different, so unique, so perfectly tailored to become the Savior of the World!

And in every real sense of the word, because we are the image-bearers of the Creator, because we possess the Holy Spirit living within us, we are also stamped with the fingerprint of God upon our lives.

Thrilling, isn't it?!


I'm recalling the very beautiful work of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.  There is one section that shows God reaching out to touch the figure of Adam.  It's called "The Creation of Adam."  Though I am not a huge fan of Renaissance art, there's no denying that this famous image is spectacular.

But you know the reason I like it the most?

It's because the painting captures a moment, just as the fingertip of God is about to touch Adam.  

I ponder the posture of Adam's hand – it looks rather weak and powerless.  Contrasted to that is God's finger – as it reaches out for the hand of man with great intention.

I get the feeling of *spiritual electricity* surrounding this moment.

I get the feeling that in the very next second, something of tremendous meaning and purpose and power and glory is going to be released as Creator makes contact with creature.

BOOM!

Man becomes alive, touched by the finger of God.  Irrevocably stamped with the fingerprint image of the Almighty.


It's the same with us.  You know why?

Because a little over 2,000 years ago, the hand of God reached out once again.

It reached all the way down from Heaven, and touched this earth with His Presence.

When I think about the birth of Christ, I am reminded of this painting.

Can you place yourself there in the manger?  Mary has strained and strived for a long time to birth her child.  She knows this child is different, but I wonder if she fully comprehends the impact of the whole story.

Tired, sweaty, in pain, she works so hard to have this baby, this boy, this child whom God has promised.

Think of the moment just before Jesus appears.

Something of tremendous meaning and purpose and power and glory was about to happen.  

The Almighty is on the brink of entering His creation, full of great intention.  The angels stand on tiptoes to see an extraordinary mystery.  And the heavens are hushed in awed silence.

And then…

The Child, the Son of God, makes His appearance.

The fingertip of God makes contact with humanity, with a lost and broken world, and with every single soul that will ever be born.  

God's fingertip reaches down for the rest of eternity to His creation – in love, and grace, and mercy, and hope, and redemption.

I kinda get chills thinking about it.


So, here I am.  Here you are.  All these years later.

Pondering the mysteries of the nativity.  Contemplating the miracle of the manger.

Reaching our weak and powerless hands to the Almighty.  Stretching our fingers of faith to Him.  Seeking the contact of the Great One.  Waiting for the incredible encounter with His power and glory.

BOOM!

Heaven reaches down, and we are touched.


So, as we spend this Advent season remembering and preparing, let's never forget this.

We are stamped with the fingerprint of God.

We are connected to Him in the very *stuff* of which we are made.  We are united to His Spirit.  New creatures.  Each uniquely printed with our own individuality, but part and parcel of the Creator Himself. 

It's a wonder, and I find it fascinating.


Take a moment right now, look at your fingerprints.  (Or look at your dog's nose!!)

Think of Jesus, and His uniqueness.

Think of Jesus, and His humanity.

Think of Jesus, and His glory as God.

Think of His love, and grace, and mercy, and hope, and redemption.

Think of Jesus, and know…

You belong to Him.  

His fingerprint is on your heart.  


BOOM!

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them.
And the LORD said,
"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."

*****(Lots of Scripture - but read and let The Story unfold!)*****

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  And God blessed them." (Genesis 1:26-28, ESV)

"When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself." 
(Genesis 5:1, NLT)

"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world...But there is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many.  But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ...For Adam's sin led to condemnation...But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:12, 15, 16-17)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)

"Now search all of history, from the time God created people on the earth until now, and search from one end of the heavens to the other.  Has anything as great as this ever been seen or heard before?" (Deuteronomy 4:32, NLT)

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

"'Don't be afraid, Mary,' the angel told her, 'for you have found favor with God!  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!'" (Luke 1:30-33, NLT)

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see...Everything was created through him and for him.  He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together." (Colossians 1:15-17, NLT)

"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." 
(John 1:18, NIV)

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, NIV)

"Jesus shouted to the crowds, 'If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.  For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.'" (John 12:44-45, NLT)

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.  After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..." 
(Hebrews 1:3, ESV)

"Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18, ESV)

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature...[and] put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:5, 10, NIV)

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30, NLT)



What does it mean to you to bear the fingerprint of God?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS,SOLI DEO GLORIA, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, THRIVING THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, SHINE, EVERYDAY JESUS, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, A GROUP LOOK, MISSIONAL WEEKEND, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, WEEKEND BREW, SATURDAY SOIREE, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

STRUT YOUR MUTT

I love small towns on the Fourth of July.

I love our small town.

Our mountain community put on quite a show!  Featured events included an arts and crafts show, a pancake breakfast, a deep-pit barbeque, a pie-eating contest, music, dancing, sidewalk vendors' booths, and food and drink galore.

And oh…what a parade we had down the main street of town!

With all the small town participants you could imagine!

The parade started with a little old lady playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" on her violin.  Just precious!  The grand marshal was Smokey Bear.  (Which, by the way, is his original name, not Smokey the Bear – trivia tidbit free of charge).

I certainly appreciated his presence in our town, and his well-wishing admonitions about fire prevention.  After all, it's only been one short year since we were evacuated for 4 days after a huge wildfire threatened our town and our home.

That's why I also appreciated the next entrants in our parade – a rather impressive showing of local and county fire engines, trucks, and emergency rescue vehicles.  At one point, I looked down the length of the parade, and there were like 15 vehicles in a row.  I call that reassurance, my friends!

Might I just add that I had way too much fun gathering up candy thrown from various cars and floats and kids who walked the street.  I made my acquaintance with something called an Atomic Fireball – basically, a cinnamon candy on steroids!  Let me tell you, combined with the homemade jalapeno sauce that I later ate at lunch, well, my mouth was on fire the rest of the day.

Where was Smokey when I needed him?!

A highlight of the holiday weekend was the several events sponsored by some local animal rescue organizations.  All sorts of animals were up for adoption.  OK, yeah, I felt really sad for the faces, but I know that these animals are safe – these organizations are no-kill.

There was a contest for the Mr. and Mrs. of our town – a sort of canine homecoming king and queen event.  I must mention here that the mayor of our town is a Dog, elected into office by a very dog-friendly town!  He was around all day, with his tie on, spreading goodwill and possibly a few licks.

And, there was a special parade called, "Strut Your Mutt."  

Only dogs with…ahem…*mixed* heritage could enter.  I loved that!  A big to-do to honor those lovable creatures who bring us such joy.  Not Winchester Dog Show candidates, but real down-to-earth guys and gals who make up in adorableness what they lack in pedigree.

In all, a great time was had by all!!


So, I've been sitting here thinking about my blog post.

What on earth am I going to write about?  

And as I've been contemplating, I just couldn't stop thinking about the "Strut Your Mutt" parade.  First of all, I loved the title – I'm a sucker for rhyming! And second, I loved the idea of treating some otherwise "overlooked" doggies as special.

And then I remembered a recent conversation I had about judging other people.  About how I try not to do that because I've made so many mistakes in my own life.  How I try to extend grace to others because I realize that I am no better than the next person.

That I am a sinner like everyone else.

And in the course of the conversation, I mentioned the conversation that Jesus had with some high-and-mighty Pharisees.  This is what He had to say:

"But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, 'Why does he eat with such scum?'

When Jesus heard this, he told them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor – sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'"  (Mark 2:16-17, NLT)

And then I said, "I know I'm a sinner.  And I'm glad I know."


So, what's this have to do with the "Strut Your Mutt" parade?  

It's this…

I know I'm a mutt.

When we read the Bible, we see that Gentiles were considered pariahs. Not born into the chosen race, they were thought to be impure and heretical and not deserving of the benefits and blessings that God bestowed on the Jewish nation.

Not purebreds, but mutts.

Until Jesus.

And then, in a shocking display of overarching love and grace and acceptance, Gentiles were given the chance to join the Kingdom.

I'm not sure that we of the 21st century can conceive of how audacious (and disturbing) this new covenant truly was!

God was now including *mutts* – curs and mongrels – into the blessed privilege of becoming His children.

Shocking!

However, as a person who is now granted an inheritance into the Kingdom of God because of Jesus, I am so very glad to claim my place in the parade!

I count myself lucky to be totally aware of my lostness without a Savior. I'm glad to fully acknowledge that I didn't deserve His salvation, but that I was granted it anyway.

I KNOW that I am a sinner.  And I am grateful to know that I was "sick with sin" until the Great Physician came along.

The Savior of the World, God Himself, sat down with "scum" – and that would include me.

I know that I am much more comfortable sitting at the table with the outcasts, the disenfranchised, the miscreants, the bedraggled, the strugglers, the screw-ups.

For in my Master's eyes, I am now righteous.


So, friends, let's go out this week in all our *muttness* and live out the very Good News that we are now part of the Kingdom.  Let's celebrate the fact that we have been rescued and adopted.  Let's praise Him for the truth that we are now counted among the privileged children of God.

Let's continue the work of inviting others to sit down at the table, and join in the parade!

Yeah, let's go out there into the world and "Strut Our Mutt!"

Strutting can be hard work! 

"'If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do?  Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?'" (Matthew 18:12, NLT)

"'For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.'"
(Luke 19:10, NLT)

"'…the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.'" (Luke 9:56, NASB)

"'For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.'" (John 3:17, NIV)

"Then Peter replied, 'I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.'" (Acts 10:34, NLT)

"'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.'"
(Galatians 3:28-29, ESV)

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, NLT)

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."
(Romans 8:14, NLT)

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.  For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him."
(John 3:16-17, AMP)



In what ways do you still struggle to accept God's acceptance of you?



Linked today with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WORDS OF LIFE WEDNESDAYS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, THRIVING THURSDAY, FAITH BARISTA, EVERYDAY JESUS, THRIVE AT HOME THURSDAY, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, THE FRIDAY FIVE, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, SATURDAY SOIREE, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"