Musings and Nuggets

   All over the world (depending on time zones) there are people who are celebrating, have celebrated, or are waiting to say goodbye to 2023. Some are celebrating with revelrie at parties with dancing and drinking, some are in church having services until near midnight, while some others are also at church fellowshiping with each other while playing games, etc until near midnight where they will stop to properly welcome 2024.  Some will greet the new year with fireworks and/or shooting guns.  (I don't understand that last one). Before we say "au dieu", lets reflect on 2023.   Photo by Kamran Abdulayev on Unsplash) What are the lessons learned, the "giants" we slayed, and accomplishments celebrated.  Some will sadly be leaving behind loved ones who have transitioned, some have experienced tremendous blessings, tests, and challenged in some way,   No matter your attitude or how you choose to acknowledge finally kicking 2023 over the goalpost into oblivion/history,

                                                       For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.     Isaiah 9:6   (NKJV).  "Jesus is the reason for the season"   seems to have become cliche, but it is absolutely true.  With just 5 days until Christmas day, those of us who are Believers should reflect our gratitude for the birth of the Savior in all our celebrations.  May we not allow the commercializtion of this season to overshadow our celebrating the best gift EVER !    JESUS !                                                                                        Lynn Cooper sang a song called Wise Men Still Seek Him.  The lyrics are awesome.                                                        (Chorus) And wisemen still seek Him, they follow a star  That leads them to Jesus as travelers a far.  Men of great nations a

                                                A D V E N T                                       Photo by Max Bect on Unsplash We are presently in the season of Advent.  The word Advent means "arrival" which is celebrated on the four Sundays between December 3rd -24th (2023). According to BibleProject.com, "Advent is a four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to * anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King.  Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy.  And while their practices may look different, all focus on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus."  We are 12 days away from Christmas Day, the day that we celebrate the birth of the Savior.  This is the time when many are scurrying around buying gifts to go under the tree when the gift that matter is the gift of Jesus.  Luke 2:14 (NKJV) reads, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good

In several of the weather reports during the past couple of months, I was intrigued when the meterologist kept referring to an "atmospheric river" as part of the weather reports in an area plagued with flooding.  It reminded me immediately of the following scripture. Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.  Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. God called the space "sky."  Genesis 1:6-8, NLT My curiousity got the better of me, so here is what I found. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration,  "Atmospheric rivers are relatively long, norrow regions in the atmosphere--like rivers in the sky....     Photo by Ankhenamum on Unsplash the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mou