O Christmas Tree: Part One

OChristmasTree

I have pointed out before the intention of God’s landscaping the earth to bring us and himself pleasure. Writing now in the month of December our American culture is busy setting up trees and decorating them in our homes, work, and public places. We also decorate doors, windows, mantles, etc. with fresh greenery (or imitation!)  Have you ever wondered why we do this? What is all the fuss about dragging trees and greenery out to decorate in honor of Christmas and singing O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree for English speaking people)?

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SPEECHLESS

prayer guidance
  • When have you been speechless?
  • Was it a positive or negative reason that left you speechless?

Commonly, we think of speechless moments resulting from something that has suddenly happened to us, whether good or bad.

  • But what about those times when we have experienced something for an extended period and find ourselves speechless and uncertain how to proceed?
  • And what about those times someone we know is struggling or something has happened across the city, state, nation, or globe, and we find ourselves speechless?

Those times can feel much like the vantage point of the person outside the maze in the picture above.

Not knowing which words to speak, we hesitate and linger just outside of the maze, hoping for someone, something, anything, to illuminate our mind with the correct words and choice of direction

  • Does the Bible yield any encouragement or insight for these times of speechless uncertainty?
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Labor Shortages

laborshortage

Are you reading about labor shortages in the news feeds you follow?

Where in your neighborhood are you seeing examples of labor shortages?

Restaurants come to my mind…

Where has your experience been the opposite of the reported labor shortages?

Grocery stores and food delivery services come to my mind…

What causes labor shortages?

War? Aging out? Unwillingness? Poor work conditions? Fear?

What does a sunflower bloom with a single bee on it have to do with this line of questions about labor shortages?

What does any of this have to do with Bible study?

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Thoughts on Prayers

A guest post by Beth Beutler

“Send your thoughts, prayers, and good vibes.”

“I’m so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.”

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”

In a world that is often decidedly not interested in serious prayer, we do see a lot of “thoughts and prayers” being offered when things get tough.  And things have been extra tough of late.  But how meaningful are these “thoughts and prayers,” really?

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PRIVATE PRAYER

downywoodpecker

A downy woodpecker like the one above visited the tree beside our balcony this morning as I was enjoying my private prayer time.

As I watched this cute little bird flutter around from branch to branch pecking at the bark, I found myself singing internally a praise song to the Lord.

My heart filled with joy to have a sighting of this cute bird.

At other times, my private prayer time is inside my home but where I can look out onto my balcony area.

Gazing on wildlife frequently brings me to praise and worship of my Lord as I also meditate upon His word to receive instructions for my day.

It is my habit to spend time in private prayer and reflection with my Lord.

  • Why do I practice this habit of private prayer and reflection?
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Being Grateful During Difficulties

grateful

I was distracted.

Shortly before I sat down at the computer to write we received news that a family member has entered the active dying phase.

Instead of writing a post for this blog what I really wanted to do was mindlessly play a card game on my computer or watch a movie where I did not have to think much about the plot line but just enjoy the scenery, clothing, or humor.

But instead, I texted friends who I knew I could ask to pray for the situation.

Each of them responded to me with a short prayer and encouragement.

I then opened my planning schedule to see what verse of scripture I had planned to work on today and read these words:

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CONSTANTLY DEVOTED

devoted relationship
  • What relationship in your life would you describe as constantly devoted?
  • What other words would you use to describe the relationship in addition to constantly devoted?
  • Persistent?
  • Faithful?
  • Loyal?
  • Others?
  • What elements of the relationship make it one that is constantly devoted?
  • Are you someone else’s constantly devoted relationship?
  • What does Romans 12:12 have to do with being constantly devoted in relationship?
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FLASH FLOODING

flash flooding

This past week has had five straight days of rain in my area.

Flash flooding alerts were prevalent.

Power outages occurred from the flash flooding in some cases.

In addition to the literal flash flooding of the past week there has been emotional flash flooding in my extended family.

  • What flash flooding have you been dealing with recently?
  • Emotional, spiritual, physical, or mental flash flooding?
  • Maybe several flash floods are occurring in your life or someone you know simultaneously?
  • How can Psalm 69 help us with the flash flooding that occurs in our lives?
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BALCONY TIME

Balcony Time

 This morning included some balcony time.

The weather was just cool enough with an occasional breeze to be able to enjoy while simply being.

Balcony time is precious to me.

Whether shared with my husband, canine(s), others, or just the Lord it is a therapeutic place for me.

At times the just me and the Lord time on the balcony is critically needed.

It is a time of solitude and isolation from all the pressures I face throughout a day, week, month, year and so on.

In other words, a place to hideout and be refreshed by the Lord.

Kind David in the Old Testament expresses in his many psalms a need to have an audience with the Lord.

Today we will look specifically at Psalm 54.

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