How marvelous is our God.  He hears us.  He fights for us.  He rewards us.

According to a recent survey, only 8% of students always give credit to original creators, 35% of students sometimes do, while 30% never give credit to original trendsetters.  (And who knows if this survey is correct—I found it on the internet!)

McLaughlin-Levrone won her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles on Aug. 8th, posting another world record time at 50.37.  As the only woman to win the event in two consecutive Olympic Games, she said, “Just grateful for all that has been taking place. God has been good to me."

The man was pacing.  Spewing forth profanities in a low but steady stream.  I was working at my part-time job at the public library and in charge of the building during my shift.  The agitated man was on the open upper level—I was at the checkout counter on the lower level, busy with patrons. 

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My dad had polio.   Polio is an illness caused by a virus. It can sometimes lead to paralysis.  Polio reached pandemic levels throughout the world in the first half of the 20th century.

My dad was diagnosed as a teenager in the early 1940’s, and he spent weeks and weeks in St Anthony Hospital in Rockford, IL.  I don’t know much more about that challenging time in his life, because he did not talk about it to my brother and me…

When I was a young pastor’s wife in my 20’s and 30’s, I had many older role models in our congregations.  These special saints had been faithful through the years despite the challenges and sorrows of our present world.  They trusted God’s direction and His goodness, and they were still devotedly serving Him at church and in their everyday lives. 

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Would you have been sleepless in Bethlehem
The night that Jesus was born?
Would you have sensed
A mother's distress
As she labored, tired and worn?

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As people around the globe continue to face the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic, many buzz-words have emerged in the non-stop media coverage. A buzz-word is described as a word or phrase that is fashionable at a particular time or in a particular context. Even though these buzz-words are popular and relevant now, Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 1:9 “that there is nothing new under the sun.”

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The night was dark
and oh, so still
as shepherds sat
upon the hill.
The a bright light shone

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Why did you choose Mary, Lord
To bear your only Son?
Each Hebrew girl's hope--
she alone did fulfill
And gave birth to the promised One.

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Am I dreaming?  Are my feet running only in my mind, soon to be stilled as once again I awaken from a fitful sleep to the reality of the grief and despair of the past few days?  But, no!  I touch my eyes and they are open.  I feel the wind as it blows my hair, the sun as it warms my skin.  I feel the joy of life!  He is alive!  My Saviour is alive!!

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Soon the day will dawn.  Soon the sun will shine.  Another day will begin, a fresh start will be made.  But not for me, not for any of us who believed in Him.  My sorrow is so heavy upon my heart, the weight seems almost more than I can bear.  

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My task is done.  There is no more I can do.  I have served my Lord as well as I could, and given him the best that I have.  But my service will never be remembered, my gifts are overcast with gloom and despair.

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Oh, my son, my son!  I cannot bear to look upon your suffering and pain!  Your lips are so dry and parched in the heat!  The same lips that sweetly whispered “Mama” as a child years ago.  The lips that as a 12-year-old spoke to the learned men at the temple—teaching, even then, and doing his Holy Father’s will.  As amazed as Joseph and I were, did I realize it would end such as this?

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I have nothing to worry about—no nothing at all.  It’s settled, it’s decided, and I’m free of the matter.  It was a small matter, actually—but dealing with these Jews and their petty concerns and holy rituals can be so exasperating, so time-consuming!  Time!  Three times I told them Jesus would be released!  But the crowd was so insistent, so demanding, I had no choice but to agree to his crucifixion.  But it’s over now, the matter is settled.  It’s of no concern to me.  I must attend to other things.  My wife will be expecting me.  

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He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify" "crucify"...
He could hear the hatred in their voices,
These were his  people.
He loved them,
And they were going to crucify him.
He was beaten, bleeding and weakened... his heart was broken,

But still He walked.

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What have I done?  Oh, my Lord, my Lord!   What have I done?  Jesus, my Lord, my Master, will die, and I am his murderer!  How brightly those pieces of sliver once shone, as I counted them over and over.  Thirty pieces of silver!  How much I anticipated what it could buy!  And respect!  Yes, I finally had respect and importance!  The chief priests and elders needed me!  I was their confidante; they depended on me.

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How could I have failed him?  My Lord!  My Friend!  My Master!  He knew!  He knew I would deny him!  Jesus, the Master who taught me, cared for me, showed me the truths of God! 

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Music is woven into the very design of our universe. 

Job 38:4,7 says: 

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" 

The stars were singing, according to God, when He "laid the foundations of the earth"  (Job 38:4)  They continue to sing today, according to NASA.

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In the Eastern sky
A bright light beamed
to guide the magi's way

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