Musings and Nuggets

  There are times we can find wisdom and encouragement in unsuspecting places.  When I run across those kind of "nuggets",  I sometimes like to share them. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.      Proverbs 3:13.   (ESV)                                                                                                                      Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash 13  Everything that is wise does not always come exclusively from scripture, but there are many positive, * common sense lessons from others' experiences that if embraced can be helpful in various areas of our lives. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell s...

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;            Eccelesiastes 3:1-2 The Oxford Dictionary refers to crocuses as plants with bright yellow, purple, or white flowers.   From a Biblical perspective they are symbolic of rebirth, innocence, joy, and new beginnings because their blooms signal the spring season.             Photo by Yoksel Zok o n Unsplash Daffodils are also one of the first flowers of spring and are considered to be symbolic of rebirth and hope since they can survive unexpected winter storms.  One day our temperature was 81 and the next day we had frost.   Even without a drastic swing in temperatures, the crocus' life span is much shorter, yet they fulfill its purpose of announcing the arrival of spring.   The daffodils, however, are still standi...

                        RESURRECTION SUNDAY/EASTER                                                                           Photo by Gaston Abascal on Unsplash This past Sunday, Christians everywhere celebrated the victorious Resurrection of Christ.  Many refer to that day as Easter, but have you ever wondered if the word "Easter" is even in the Bible?   And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.                                                        ...

  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:  the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with His stripes we are healed.         Isaiah 53:5 . ( KJV)                                                                    Photo by Kelly Sikkema on   Unsplash We are in the middle of Passion/Holy week.  It is time when we remember the horrendous bruitality, humiliation, and suffering that Christ endured on our behalf for the sins of the world.  He who was without sin suffered like a sinner to be the bridge to restoring us back to fellowship with the Father.  I don't believe that we really grasp the degree of suffering that He endured for us, even though the movie "The Passion of the Christ" did an adequate job.   I was interested i...

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.                                                      Hebrews 9:22 , (ESV)                                                                                              Photo by Alan Bowman on Unsplash   Passion Week begins Sunday, April 2nd and extends to Saturday, April 8th.  This is one of the most important times for a Believer to reflect on the Jesus' path to the Cross and why it was necessary.  Because of His compassion for mankind who had fallen so far away from God and His...

above all, taking  the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  Ephesians 6:16 NKJV.                                                 The emphasis is mine. A daily walk with God requires us to be dressed for spiritual success meaning that every day we must be intentional in putting on the (whole) Armor of God.   Before we open our eyes in the morning, the enemy has already prepared a spiritual (fiery) dart with each of our names them. This is spiritual warfare because his plan is to "steal, kill and destroy"!   ( John 10:10 )   Ephesians 6:11-18 outlines each piece, however, today I want to focus on the shield of faith and why it is so important.   Verse 16 starts with above all .   Photo by Yogurt on Unsplash According to anthrology.ac.uk and The Oxford Engli...

  Praying is an integral part of every Believers life.  So much so that every decision   should always be bathed in prayer... first .  Scripture records several  instances of Jesus praying and admonishing us through the Word.  If the Son of God recognized the need to pray and provided this example for us, certainly we should follow His lead to do the same.                                                                                   Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Sometimes we may feel like we are praying in a bubble with our prayers never making it beyond the ceiling.  There are times when we may wonder if He is there or even listening because He seems to be silent.  However, God answers all prayers, but not necessarily the w...