Musings and Marvelings on my Jesus Journey

  Goodbye 2020. Thank you for what you taught us. -To look to Jesus, the only source of total Truth -To be thankful for the little things -To cherish times spent with those we love -To be thankful for our precious homes -To be thankful for provisions provided by our Great Provider -To appreciate an opportunity to "do coffee" or "dine in" -To be thankful to wake up healthy -To be able to connect via technology -To not take hugs and touch for granted -To be creative and resourceful, coming up with new ways to do old things -To laugh more, look at the bright side and  chuckle at the funny stuff -To grow in trust and faith in Him who has it all under control, even when things seem so out of control -To be more thankful for our jobs -To be so thankful for the power of purpose -To find meaning in the every day things -To delight in the ordinary -To be thrilled with the unordinary -To cherish the gift of praising God corporately (oh the beauty of harmony)! -To value the fe

The Year of our Lord and King, 2021 2021! It is a new year, a new dawning, a new opportunity!! Last year as we sat in our New Year's Eve services on the brink of 2020, no doubt it was mentioned that we did not know what the new year would hold. And how true was that! But we took assurance and found peace, knowing who held the year as well as our lives in His hand. How often did we look back on that reality this past year!  How often did we remark   "Thank God, He is on the throne"!   "God has this"!  And He did.  And He does. We do not know the mind of God. But as we study His Word, we come to know His Character. It is one of Love, of Justice, of Mercy and Redemption. As our God, the King, looks back on 2020, is His royal, loving Father heart disappointed that more did not utilize the God given opportunities to come to know Him? Or for His children, to come to know Him better? The opportunities were ample.  Covid and the social challenges of 2020 are a result of

  I am musing and marveling about.... Just what is it about this time of year?? It is a time of "peace on Earth, good will to men". It is a time of universal sharing, caring and giving. It is a time when people open their hearts, their homes and their pocketbooks. It is a time of nostalgia; a time of dreaming. It is a time of childhood wonder (no matter your age), It is a time of chorales, symphonies, caroling and ..... humming.  It is a time of togetherness, a time for connectivity (or at least a desire for it). It is a time of extreme busyness (pre-Covid anyway) and yet a time we yearn for quiet and pause. It is a time of reflection. It is a time of memory making and memory stirring. It is a time of healing or a time when healing feels so needed. It is a time of emotion, when feelings reign strong. It is a time when grief hits harder and joys abound more fully. It is a time of beauty and serenity and warmth. It is a time of reaching out and reaching in. It is a time of cozy

  I am marveling at.... The Power of Purpose We all need it. Whether we know it or not, it drives us onward. When the way gets rough and the terrain gets tough, it keeps us going. Purpose. This was driven home the other day in a refreshing, and may I say "cute" way:) Our kids were home from hither and yon (most of them anyway). It was of course, delightful. We decided to take a family hike at the nearby hiking trails at Parklands. The air was brisk, the sun was poking through the clouds and it was fun:) The baby slept peacefully wrapped snuggly next to mamma. The two little girls, ages 2 and 3, tromped along like little troopers. For a while. Then they decided to dawdle or go off course, however their sweet little curious minds took them. Our son quickly grabbed a long, narrow branch. He gave each of the little girls a "job". They were to help hold it up...to be a "choo choo" and help the train keep moving along the trail. They each had their assigned spot

  I am musing about My Tin Can Friend So I have a friend. She is older then me. Basically a generation older. But she is young at heart. She is kind and spunky. She loves Jesus and others. And we have "this thing". You see, every year about this time, as the Holidays roll around, I give her a call. "Are you home today? Can I come over and pick them up?" I ask. No doubt, she is expecting the call because it has been going on now for quite a few years. Probably somewhere around 15. Maybe more. She is my "tin can provider". I have this family recipe that I make every year. It is called "Raisen Bread" or "Hobo Bread" or  "Brown Bread". I have heard it called all three. The fun thing about this recipe is that you bake the nummy treat in a tin can. My mom started making this years ago, when I was a little girl.  If I recall correctly, it was a popular "go to" recipe for bridal showers and back then was usually paired with

  Don't you love this time of year! The other day I was setting up our nativity set. As I gently unwrapped each piece, I was disapointed to see that the little lamb's leg had broken. Off. Aww shucks, I thought. I guess I should glue it back on. But then I placed it in it's usual spot, at the foot of the manger where in the Christ child lay.   As I took in the scene of the little broken lamb, looking hopefully and adoringly at the babe, I realized that the scene had suddenly become more profound. What a story I could share with our grandkids, I thought. "See, the little lamb? He is broken. But he is looking at Jesus because maybe he knows that Jesus can heal him and make him "all better"." Isn't that how it is with us? We come to Jesus, broken and un-whole. And as we look to Him with faith and repentance and expectation, He makes us whole and gives us hope. And what is even more (as I learned in my Bible study this morning),  He "repairs us to p