IT IS A BLESSING TO SUFFER

A BLESSING TO SUFFER

When it comes to physical pain, I have been blessed to suffer more than others. Though some may look at me oddly when I say this, I truly do feel I carry an honor. Not everyone gets to be so close to Christ, being reminded of him and what he did for us because of my own pain. It is the passage, “You were called to this kind of endurance because Christ suffered on your behalf. He left you as an example so that you might follow in his footsteps,” (1 Peter 2:21) (CEB), that leaves me in many conversations with our Lord. He is my companion, always there, putting everything in perspective for me. What I go through is nothing compared to his suffering, nor am I mocked and tortured as he was. Though people tell me I am their inspiration to carry on, I tell them it is Christ who is mine.

Granted, I do not always stay so cheerful about it, wishing some days I could walk the dogs, one of the things I miss the most. However, staying in the wishing mode will not get me anywhere, not making me stronger. All I have to do is remember what Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “Remember the Lord your God! He’s the one who gives you strength!” (CEB) I am ready to move on, a bit stronger in my mind, body and soul than the moment before. I have another conversation with God, saying, “Okay, God! Let’s do it together!,” and off the two of us go.

I know I am never alone. Only once, did I have that down moment when talking to him, asking him to show me the way to keep moving. I wanted to, but I needed urging. Oh, how my pain was trying to take control of me! It was the passage from Daniel 10:18, that God showed to me, “"Don't be afraid. You are greatly treasured. All will be well with you. Be strong!" I shared a grin with him and immediately moved forward. Never have I let my pain take over my life; I am in charge!

I did just what Jeremiah 29:13,14, said to do, " When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me. I will be present for you.” (CEB) It took me only a minute to search for him. He was right there, waiting for me. By the excitement in his voice, I knew he was hoping I would ask for his help.

What a full life I have! As Amos 5:6, states, “Seek the Lord and live.” (CEB) How truly blessed everyday can be!

~Marie T. Morrison~


http:CommonEnglishBible.com

MY BLESSING TO YOU

May countless blessings come upon you in the New Year, as you take steps forward using your growing wisdom and knowledge. Let faith keep you standing, pulling you back up when those strenuous times knock you down. As you feel a breeze, it is an extra sprinkling of God’s joy, compassion, mercy, peace and grace, because of His love for you. Wherever you are, there will be our Lord, always within you, His Spirit always giving you hope.
~Marie T. Morrison~

ANGEL COMFORT

"The angel who came and talked to me held me, comforted me, and set me on my feet." 2Esdras 5:15

Some days, we feel we want more than God to be with us. We want company. We forget our guardian angel is always there, a special angel, individually assigned to us. Our angel is there right by our side, never sleeping, even as we nod off into our world of dreams. As we begin each day, we can say good morning to both God and our angel. If we want to make sure God hears our extra needs, tell it to our angel; it will be ‘hand delivered.’ Listening, as we do to God, we can hear our angel talk to us, giving us beautiful words of comfort, kindness, compassion, mercy and love. It will help us take all the next steps to continue on our journey, the one God has planned for each of us, according to His will.
~Marie T. Morrison~

WHO IS IT?

WHO IS IT?
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gather the wind by the handful?
Who has bound up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is this person's name
and the name of this person's child-
if you know it?
Proverbs 30:4
(CEB)

We all know the name! It is God, and His son, Emmanuel!
~Marie T. Morrison~

verse from CommonEnglishBible

WHAT WOULD BE MISSING

"It is the glory of God to hide something and the glory of kings to discover something." Proverbs 25:2 (CEB)

If everything was right in front of us, we would miss the beauty of what was behind it. Seeking for it, the excitement of discovering it, enjoying it in awe and placing it in our memory is what makes the moment glorious, praising God for the joyous gift.
~Marie T. Morrison~

http:CommonEnglishBible.com

WHAT TO BRING

"Give to the LORD the glory due his name! Bring Gifts! Tremble before him, all the earth!" Psalm 96:8,9 (CEB)


How thrilled our Lord will be, if we present Him with gifts of humility, peace, love, gratitude,compassion for one another and a daily prayer of praise!

~Marie T. Morrison~

REMINISCING

"Let's enjoy all the good things of life now. Let's enjoy creation to the fullest as we did in our youth." Wis.2:6
What a beautiful Christmas reflection this passage is! Taking us back to our childhood years, we can dream about the ornaments carefully placed on the tree with each having a memory. We were not afraid to sing all the Christmas carols, no matter how off key, among our group of friends. We made cards for the family, never replacing “Christ” with an “X.” Never would we miss hearing the holiday bell ringers, playing every Christmas song, listening to them in awe, those hollowed, silent, bells making glorious sounds. Waking up to the glistening snow, we would warmly bundle up to run outside and make snow angels. As we moved our legs and arms in formation and our faces upwards, the continued snowflakes fell upon us. Our eyes and mouths open, we would scream with joy as the cold snow hit our eyelashes and tongues. We would come in with frozen red cheeks, laughing, being greeted with cups of hot chocolate topped with mini-marshmallows, our parents pulling off our coats, boots and hats as we sipped, cookies on the table waiting for us. Waiting, as we are for the birth of the Christ child, thanking God for all of life He has given us!
~Marie T. Morrison~

(CEB-http:CommonEnglishBible.com)-Bible Passage

WHAT TO SEEK

"Scatter your seed in the morning,and in the evening don't be idle because you don't know which will succeed, this one or that, or whether both will be equally good.
Sweet is the light,and it's pleasant for the eyes of the sun. Even those who live many years should take pleasure in them all." Ecclesiastes 11:6-8

I am a person wanting to see the positive in everything. It is hard to find it in some situations, but it is there. Turning to God and the angels can help me seek the goodness. That lost seed can turn into something bountiful, bringing fruit to many.

During Advent, I reflect and pray on the goodness of each of my brethren. I am also doing my best to only speak of the goodness of those I know.
~Marie T. Morrison~

ANNOUNCEMENT!!

"Hark the herald angels sing!" It is the time of year for us to praise and glorify our God, eternally bringing us light in our darkness, providing life in every direction we turn. He loves us unconditionally,giving us mercy, even when we are not following His Will. Our newborn King is coming, the angels, our unchanging messengers tell us, as they sing to announce His acclaimed birth. In our hearts,

"May God be praised, and may his great name be praised, and may all his holy angels be praised forever! May his great name be upon us, and may all the angels be praised for all eternity!" Tobit 11:13-14 (Common English Bible)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com

SILENT HANDIWORK

SILENT HANDIWORK

The landscape is blanketed with snow today. I think of the beautiful psalm, which begins:

"Heaven is declaring God's glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork." Psalm 19:1

I habitually wake up thanking God for another day, praising Him often as I acknowledge the roof over my head, having food to eat and warm clothing to wear. I say a prayer of gratitude for my family and friends.

As I look at nature, I always smile and thank God for what I can see, touch, smell, hear and even taste. There are the berries to eat, the salt on the lips from an ocean wind, raindrops and snowdrops gently landing on the mouth. Today is one of those days, where I especially feel happy and at peace, as I see a panorama of white. Delicate snowflakes cover every object I see out of my windows, providing a web of intricate designs. My soul is rejoicing by God’s luxuriant handiwork. Dormant fruit trees, flowering bushes at sleep for the winter and tall pines all hold layers of snow, appearing soft and silent in their own grandeur. How grateful I am, to be part of this spiritual world.

~Marie T. Morrison~

Bible version for quote is from the Common English Bible

THE SHARING

"Among all things, who hasn't known that the LORD's hand did this, In whose grasp is the life of everything, the breath of every person?" Job 12:9-10

Job continues to be an inspiration on what faith is about. No matter how tough life got, he looked at life as something given to him by the Lord's hand. In his own pain, he knows that without God, there would be no air. Without the air, we cannot breathe in God's glory. Without His glory, there could be no excitement and anticipation of His Son birth, bringing a new beginning to the world. Because of His Son's later pain and sacrifice, mankind was saved. Mankind offers us the sharing of God's faith, love, peace, grace, joy and mercy, now and forever.

~Marie T. Morrison~

WHAT EMOTIONS!

"Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel." Matt 1:23 ( Emmanuel means'God is with us.') (Common English Bible)

Our Virgin Mary was chosen from God to carry His Son. She has been magnificent since her own conception, her own soul being chosen to be carried in her own mother's womb! What a grand image! We glorify Emmanuel, giving thanks to Mary, for carrying out this great deed. He is part human, part divine, to be there for humanity and God. Let our emotions pour forth, never ending our praise for him!