Music Matters

I was a teen when MTV was introduced. I love music it brings joy to my day. For this reason, I love to share songs most weeks on my blog that have impacted my life. In our current generation with YouTube, Spotify, Sirius radio, and even the standard FM radio, the access points are endless. I was blessed to see We the Kingdom in concert and they were amazing.

Music can soothe, can pump ya up as you get ready to play a sport, bring you down with lyrics that express despair, or just get your feet tapping. Music can bring flash photographs of the first times you heard a song or a season of your life. Parenting and music go hand in hand. I love to share my love of music with my kids and remind them the best music was in the 80s :). I use instrumental or classical music for homework or stressful times.

Lyrics to songs add intensity and address the human condition. Somehow the singer expresses your inner emotions better than you could. Sometimes their despair is catching especially when you are a teen in angst. Sometimes their joy can fill your heart and mind with peace.

Did you know there are men and women in the Bible that love music? In fact, we are called to sing songs and dance with joy. When we choose this action, we feel calmer, more energetic, more peaceful. Our bodies were made for the beat.

There are many scriptures that reference music and instruments. 1 Chronicle 13 shares a time David and all Israel celebrated before God in songs and with musical instruments.

1 Chronicle 13:8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

David was a man after God’s own heart. He was known for his love of music. The Book of Psalms has many of David’s songs written on many human emotions, he is able to express times of hopelessness, depression, sadness, fear, and joy. Psalms is a great place in the Bible to feel a connection to God regardless of the days’ events. You will feel understood and like David you will see how he processed despair and came to the knowledge of the Lord and their amazing loving relationship as the answer.

Psalm 42:8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Psalm 66:4 Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.

Psalm 98 beautifully expresses singing to a new level. It describes victory and love for God’s people and even describes the earth singing and making music. I was in awe as I read this psalm. Take a moment to ponder its words written by David.

Psalm 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.

Have you ever wondered why you love music? It started at Creation. It is a God-given gift. Just imagine the sea, the earth, and every living thing praises their Creator.

Visualize the river clapping in glee. Beautiful creation resonates with their own sounds. I see that smile forming on your face. Find joy, dance if you wish, and Praise Him.

Let me know if you found these amazing scriptures as fascinating as I.

More Love less fear

1 John 4:11-21 NLT
[11] Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. [12] No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

The challenges of the COVID years have brought more fear, less love. Fear of the unknown causes some to isolate, to put up not only their mask but in a sense a fence across their lives.

Fear is a tool of the enemy meant to devour peace, joy and love. Fear can cause divisions in families when people conflict in their understanding of truth. The culture further isolates by fear mongering and continuous barrages of emergency notices. It causes overloaded emotions. feelings and emotions are intense, griping and exhausting however they are not truth. Emotions that run wild cause us to devour and destroy our relationships. Having a relationship with Jesus brings truth and faith over fear.

God calls us not to fear. God calls us to love. I love 1 John : 4. Let me share more gold nuggets of faith in verses 15 – 19.

15] All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. [16] We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
[17] And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

[18] Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. [19] We love each other because he loved us first.

Love is an anecdote to fear. God is love, He wants you to throw out the fear and choose a perfect love. When you choose God ( Jesus) you choose to listen to Him not feelings.

Colorado: Beauty for ashes

Photo by Mary Mesikapp

If there is one thing I have learned about my home state, Colorado it is resilience. The climate is desert like in the foothills especially this past year. The prairie grasses were crispy dry, yellow and trees were increasingly parched. We needed water, rain, snow and precipitation.

Last week, the rest of the country saw what can happen when our hurricane winds mix with a spark of fire. The remnants of burned out or destroyed to the ground homes / businesses along with thick smoke and ash hung in the air. We may not be California but we have forest fires and prairie fires.

I know friends who lost everything. Please continue to pray for the victims of the Colorado fires, pray for the towns of Superior and Louisville, there are many families in need.

Grateful to live in a community that is resilient, compassionate and will love their neighbor by serving those in crisis.

The power of nature is amazing, destructive and will bring new life. In the meantime, I leave you with a snapshot from my area. The beautiful morning on a Colorado farm, peace in the vision of a palomino horse. Purple,pink skies and purple mountains majesty are the reward for those who reside in our state. We are a place of beauty from the ashes.

Isaiah 61:3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

We will rebuild. We will be renewed. We are Colorado strong, our state motto is “Nothing without Providence”. May there truly be beauty for ashes. Appreciate your lifting up prayer.

Footprints and Music

Our footprints are a metaphor for a step of faith, life, and grief as we journey. We are born for a purpose. As the new year comes, step into the footprints of a God who is merciful and kind. It will transform your life.

Grief and loss can bring our steps in line with our Creator.

Ephesians 2: 4-10    4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 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: 8 – 10 tells us we are God’s workmanship, created to do amazing things.

We are called to share what we learn as we walk on this planet. Jesus believes in our impact as we walk the path He leads.

You may have lost someone this year: a sudden death, a prolonged illness, a trauma, whatever the cause. We have all lost at least one person we loved. We may have had grief as a result of lost dreams for ourselves or family. Grief is tough, every journey is different, but we can’t sit too long.

We have to be “The Commission”, as the band Cain shares in this song. We must tell others about the hope of eternity found in Jesus. Death, the goodbye is not the end.

May this song, “The Commission” and the coming 2022, be a journey of stepping into faith with Jesus or renewing your walk. You are a Masterpiece.

As you grieve, Jesus grieves with you. Did you know the shortest scripture, John 11:35, in the Bible is, Jesus wept? He grieved for a friend lost too soon. He came to this world to gain knowledge of being human. He knows all our emotions.

Your life story has a purpose and can help others. Go tell someone about Him.

Light of the World

Over 2000 years in the making, an amazing story of love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and joy is the hallmark of Christmas. We can share this gift of the Savior as God’s children, you and me, who breathe in the breath of life and can experience His Light.

It is beyond our human comprehension. What a love Jesus has for each of us. Glory Hallelujah!

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Bring your gifts, bring your weary lives, bring your selves to the Light of the World. I love this message of hope and new beginnings “ The Light of the World”, sung by Lauren Daigle.

Be humble before the King Jesus. Start a new life in 2022 with the King as your guide. He is the Light of the World. Gratitude for His coming to save us all.

Merry Christmas! Peace to you and yours.

Bright Morning Star

Where are you fixing your eyes? Is it in anticipation of the Bright Morning Star and the remembrance of Jesus at Christmas? Scripture tells us Jesus is the Bright Morning Star.

My fascination with astronomy, NOT astrology has been increased this year. I have been blessed to hear a few sermons on astronomy from our pastor. He has opened my mind to the word of God and the many places scripture supports the specific placement of stars in the sky. However, we are not to worship the stars but the One who made them.

Deuteronomy 4:19

¹⁹And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon, and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

When I ponder on the true meaning of Christmas, I am amazed to think that God placed the stars in the sky and He named each one of them They worship Him. My small human mind can’t compute this truth. This is another opportunity to dig into the Bible and ask Him to show me and you.

Genesis 14: 14 – 19 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, ¹⁵and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. ¹⁶God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. ¹⁷God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, ¹⁸to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. ¹⁹And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

Psalm 147: 4 He (God) determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

Psalm 19: 1 – 8

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
²Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴Yet their voice^[^b^] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵    It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
⁸The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.

The angel spoke to John, the apostle, and showed him things to come. This is a prophecy of Jesus coming to earth.

Revelation 22:16 Jesus said, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give youthis testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

When we consider baby Jesus coming to the world as a baby in a manager, we always remember the Star of Bethlehem that shined. It was a revelation of lighting the way for Jesus coming and drew shepherds, wise men, townspeople, and even Kings to see what was revealed in the darkness.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Light. He is the Bright Morning Star!

His statutes are trustworthy, right and give joy to the heart. Joy to the World.

Websites for Astronomy and Biblical wisdom: Click the links below. The Home button will get you to Bethlehemstar.com and the second link is to The Gospel in the Stars message by Pastor Matthew. Be amazed at our amazing Creator!

Home

bethlehemstar.com

Under construction

Men and women, you are under construction. The architect of your existence made you to be a solid example of the character of Jesus. But, it takes effort and a carpenters tools to break through the character defects. Hammers, nails, drills, whatever is needed.

My hammer occurred this morning as I read Proverbs 14, the words of truth practically bounced off the page. I was given a personal lesson in the life of a women. It is hard work in the building up of faith and tearing down of my character flaws.

The choices I make can bring foolish or rewarding results.
The impulse of my heart ( by the way the heart can be deceitful) can lean to the fool at times especially when hangry, insomniac, or misunderstood. Brain fog, stomach grumbling I can take the bait in communication and bark sometimes. Can you relate?

Words and impulsive reactions matter to God and they should matter to me. Foolish responses effect all relationships. It starts at home in our inner circle of influence. It can be your friend, coworker, family group, or even the places where you find joy such as the gym, with music or sipping coffee with a friend.

Proverbs 14:1
1. The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2
Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
3
A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
5
An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
6
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7
Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
9
Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
11
The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.

Reading this chapter in Proverbs, I pondered the scriptures as if I was looking at the face of Jesus, His image reflecting love and a need for some hammer and nails with a little mortar for my cracks.

I am under construction, we all are under construction. He wants to build in us a solid foundation. The rocks and bricks need to be in His wisdom and we must let Him put the pieces together. Yes, there may be cracks in the dry places but He wants me/us to trust He will patch the breaks and provide living water when we get parched in this dry weary land. Progress not perfection my fellow women and men!

Consider these questions for yourself ( women and men):
Do I build my house with wisdom or tear down those in my home?
Do I understand fear of the Lord is reverence to His instruction and refusal to live otherwise?
Do I lash out in pride using my words without thinking?
Am I an honest example even if it is hard, or do I find ways to speak little white lies to keep peace?
Do I think carefully before I speak or assume everyone must hear my opinion?
Do I make amends when I sin or hurt others ask forgiveness?

We all can think bitter, nasty thoughts, pessimistic attitudes pollute our minds and cause our joy to be snuffed out like the Light of our witness.

^{Matthew 5: 14 – 16
14}“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We want to have a tent of Light, His Light, filled to abundance. We want to help others to see daily life is hard but not impossible when We choose to walk with wisdom. When I seek to choose the better path, the life of those whose paths We cross can be effected for the Kingdom in more hope, love, mercy and grace.

Christmas Paradox

Jesus came for all of us in the most humble way, as a baby in the manger. A gift from God to restore our relationship with our Creator.

We are all worthy of saving broken pieces and all.

Christmas can bring nostalgic feelings of joy or pain, family connections perhaps this time of year brings the opposite isolation with depression. It depends on past experiences. Not all people have been blessed into the traditions depicted in the Hallmark movie reels; continuous smiles, finding love, and family commitment.

For some people poverty, addiction, mental health, and dysfunctional family have brought increased stress and PTSD as the season unfolds. There can be a struggle of comparison traps and (FOMO) Fear of Missing Out leading to more depression, anxiety, isolation with increased substance abuse.

According to the Merriam-Webster definition paradox means something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible. Christmas is relatable to a paradox. We may come from two opposite life experiences and yet what is true and possible is we can find transformation to future generations. We can discover Jesus loves all of His children.

Being an Emergency Department / Trauma Nurse for multiple decades, our patient loads would show the diverse Christmas experiences. It was a challenging time to be a nurse, yet, I tried to treat each patient with compassion, mercy with grace.

Even if patients were in crisis, swearing at me, swinging their fists, suicidal, I had to still believe in Jesus and my ability to care for my patients with Jesus’ love. There were untimely deaths, traumatic accidents with innocent victims, gunshot/stabbing patients, family disturbances. Increased domestic violence occurred, I would love on the patients including kids while they were in my care.

The potential for a tarnished view of life was strong at times, however, I had to dig deep into my relationship with Jesus and lay down, in prayer, my thoughts for the moment. I prayed for patients and families alike. I hoped I reflected Jesus to those who needed Him.

This song by Anne Wilson was released recently, I Still Believe in Christmas really brings a great message of hope and the amazing gift of Jesus. In our lives, we must hold onto hope and grow our faith in the One true King Jesus.

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

No matter what your past experience has been regarding Christmas, there is a wonderful message from Jesus’ birth that can change your life. This baby came to save you from your sin and bring new life. Maybe this year it is time to discover Him.

I still believe in Christmas! May you find Him.

It takes a Village

The more time passes as a parent, the more I realize how little I truly understand about parenting. Even if you are not a parent, this post is to encourage you. We need each other to walk on this earth and raise our children.

Children are a masterpiece of God. We are the caretakers, coaches, encouragers, the listening ears, the cheerleaders, the disciplinarians, the peace-giving, the conflict resolution teachers, and provide comfort with kissed boo-boos and emotional support. Most importantly, we are the example of authority as Jesus walking on this earth.

Because we are all created in unique, beautiful ways, our DNA is intricate. There are physical, psychological, and spiritual elements to our parenting process. We want to do it right. We want to be the most perfect mom or dad to our children. But it is not possible without allowing God to direct our steps.

Genesis 18: 18- 19   The Lord said, "Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.[c] 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Genesis is the first book of the Bible and Abraham was chosen by the Lord to be an example of being a father to all nations on earth. Abraham had some good and bad choices but he kept seeking the Lord and allowing the Lord to complete the work He started. We are descendants of Abraham, we have the same promises available to us.

Just like Abraham, we come into the parenting relationship with our own baggage that needs to be purged by the Lord. We are sinners, our children are sinners, and it all started in the Garden of Eden. Because of the first original sin, we are marked by the same fleshy thorn.

We can’t get mad at Eve and Adam. They were human and as are we. They were given free will to make choices. Their flesh nature, our children’s flesh, and our fleshy nature get in the way of being the best parent. Of course, the snake in the garden, the devil, loved to detour the plan of human and God’s personal relationship from the beginning of time.

The snake still works hard today, attempting to devour our potential and our children’s potential. Scripture tells us he runs around like a roaring lion seeking to kill, steal and destroy. He hates the Children of God.

1 Peter 5: 6 - 9      Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I am learning that God must be my authority. God speaks in His Word in the Bible, through some amazing sisters and brothers in Christ, and when I am willing to be still He prompts me to remember the instructions in His Word.

When I drop the fleshy, no it all, I am in control, anxious, restless selfish actions and words, I can better reflect Him in my parenting or even in any relationship.

However, it really does take a village to keep me on the trail to improved parenting. My village is full of wise women and men who are not afraid to speak His truth and go against the current trends, our world views. The wisdom of the Body of Christ is the answer in all relationships whether you are a parent, friend, have family members, or coworkers.

Philippians 4:  8 - 9   Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

We all need a village of compassionate, loving, wise people. The village spends time in the Word of God and shares what they are learning. They are willing to be transparent at times of their own sins and mistakes. This way others can be blessed to be a blessing to others.

If you are not a parent yet, not sure you want to parent, or struggle with infertility I can relate. I have been where you are. As the Lord wills, this post is for all of God’s people.

This scripture encouraged me to seek the Lord for who I was to impact for His Kingdom prior to my becoming a mom. May it encourage you to make a difference in those children or young adults that walk across your path. You can be an influencer for Jesus wherever you walk.

Psalm 113:9 He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.

He awaits

Though the burdens may seem hard to bear,

Our Creator God, Jesus is near reached through prayer.

He waits for us to lay down worries of life, many to be found.

It is not this world we need to live by,

it is the world of eternity.

When life seems quiet and there is discontent.

Remember for whom the Rock is meant. (YOU!)

For every child, He calls to return to His side

No matter how far you may run and hide.

He waits patiently for you to take a stand,

to turn around and join His hand.

His love endures, His tender care awaits,

for that moment when we place

our cares, anxieties, and fears down

at His feet and receive His grace.

Jesus died for the sinner in all of us.

He will guide us to the best future, His plans are best.

Take a stroll with Jesus, hang on tight to Him

Toss the wisdom of the world and at His feet rest.

This poem was initially written in 2002, I edited it slightly, however, it is so relevant to current events,parenting,relationships,and the economy. Our friends, family even our kids are watching what we turn to in our trials. Let it be Jesus.

I hope this insight of poetry encourages. When I keep my eyes focussed on following His steps over my impulsive detours in life I have more peace and wise direction. Sticking close to the Living Water, Jesus provides refreshment, wisdom and more energy.

Psalm 37:23   
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

He awaits, the time is now not tomorrow, each of us must make a free will choice to freedom, peace, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. 

Call out to Jesus!