The Lion of Judah Has Conquered

Revelation 5:1-5  New English Translation (NET Bible)

The Opening of the Scroll

5 Then I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. 4 So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Hallelujah Chorus [Live]

CASTING CROWNS - At Calvary Song: Song Session

MATT MAHER - He Shall Reign Forevermore: Song Session

Not Even Weekends Off...

Sigh...not even weekends, Sally.  

Romans 6:6 New English Translation (NET Bible)

6 We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Thankfully, we are no longer in bondage to sin.  Jesus gives us the power to overcome.  It still isn't going to be easy, Sally, but it is truly worthwhile.

Philippians 4:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

MATT MAHER - Glory (Let There Be Peace): Song Session

Christmas Classics Medley | Anthem Lights

Hope Is Alive

Hope Is Alive - Ellie Holcomb 

It's Christmas Sunday!

Margaret Tarrant

O come let us adore Him!

C.S. Lewis and Linus on Christmas

What Is Christmas All About? | A Charlie Brown Christmas

Gloria (Our Savior Found Us) - Darlene Zschech (from Majesty In A Manger)

A Christmas Shout Out...

Carl Larsson

Psalm 29:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 May the Lord give strength to his people!

    May the Lord bless[a] his people with peace!

...to my Swedish relatives.  May your peace come from the Lord.

I'm Still Proving It...Sigh...

But it's good to have a goal.

O Astonishing Grace - Summit Church

O Astonishing Grace - Summit Church

Joy to the World [Live]

O Holy Night (A Capella) | MattNickleMusic

A Merry Little Christmas

Christmas Eve Battle of the Bulge, 99th Infantry Division

Isaiah 25:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

8     He will swallow up death forever;

and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,

    and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,

    for the Lord has spoken.

I found myself wishing today that I had gotten the story of my father's Christmas during the Battle of the Bulge; and out of that desire came today's upload, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as sung by Brett Eldredge.

I'm not likely to know now that he's gone home to Jesus and may never know, because Heaven is perfect for this lovely man who rarely talked about his wartime experiences.  Why talk of war when all war is no more?  

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Brett Eldredge 

Rejoice!

Galatians 4:4-7 The Message (MSG)

4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.

We have been redeemed and adopted!

Amy Grant - To Be Together (Music Video)

It's Sunday!

Hebrews 13:1 NRSV

Let mutual love continue.

Because There's A Happy Dog...

...in my house tonight.

Brett Eldredge - I'll Be Home For Christmas | The Candlelight Sessions

BrettEldredge

This Just Made Me Smile

Chris Sheban, Artist

James 1:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a]

Because the young man who once lived in this house but now lives in a dorm is coming home for Christmas break tomorrow, this just made me smile, a smile mixed with a sweet nostalgia for when a young boy lived in my home.

Celtic Thunder - 'Christmas 1915'

Oh What Joy!

Isaiah 9:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 2:10 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

King of Israel - Folk Angel

O Holy Night (Hear the Gospel Story) [Acoustic Sessions]

I Don't Know the Artist...

But I have loved this image of Mary and the infant Jesus.

Stars Go Dim – How Glorious The Love of Heaven (Lyric Video)

Turn to Him Now

What a powerful Scripture passage!

Selah - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings (Official Lyric Video)

Indescribable Gift

John 1:12 New English Translation (NET Bible)

12 But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children

I was at a Christmas party this weekend where the entertainment consisted of multiple drawings for gifts, some very generous.  I wasn't in the drawing as it was my husband's party, but I was right there hoping that he'd win something good, totally ignoring that we'd already received the greatest gift possible, our Savior, a salvation freely given, freely bestowed upon all who would receive Him, not a drawing but a gift.  Indescribable gift indeed!

Ginny Owens- The Greatest Gift (Official Lyric Video)

A Content Discontent

Psalm 34:17-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones;

    not one of them is broken.

Romans 15:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Sometimes Christmas is tough.  Sometimes Christmas is sad.  Sometimes Christmas hurts and hurts deeply.  There's no shame in it, however, when circumstances bring pain, because we have a Savior who brings hope.  In a season of suffering?  Hold fast to your salvation and know you are safe in your Savior's keeping.  Be content.

Melancholy Christmas - Amy Grant

It's Sunday!

For all those who are dashing through the snow to church...

JUDY GARLAND: 'MEET ME IN ST LOUIS'. 'HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRIS...

Tenth Avenue North - No One Can Steal Our Joy (Official Lyric Video)

The Hill That Matters

2 Corinthians 5:21 New English Translation (NET Bible)

21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

I have hills I'm willing to die on, especially when it comes to making people who I think should, could but won't conform to my ideals.  Then in anger I sin, even knowing that this sin is why God sent His son, why Jesus died, why my soul was  redeemed.  My God knew I couldn't purity myself, so He sent his Son to purify me.  I couldn't deserve it; I couldn't earn it; I couldn't expect it, this grace, mercy and life that was extended to me.  Forgiveness.  It was on that hill that my Savior died, the only hill that should matter to me. 

   

Downhere Performing "How Many Kings"

Mary did you know the singing contractors

Snow!

Isaiah 1:18 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 “Come now, let us reason[a] together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

    they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

    they shall become like wool.

It's snowed and more snow is coming!  I need to find my inner child that loved a good snow day, instead of worrying about how to get around in it...and how to stay upright!  A coworker, who slipped and fell in our parking lot today, is now hurting.  I figure if I fall just plan to call 911 for me.  I no longer have joints that can take a beating.  I do love this verse from Isaiah, however, because it gives me reason enough to appreciate snow. 

 

Winter Snow (feat. Audrey Assad) - Chris Tomlin 

God Made Low [Acoustic Sessions]

Selah - Where Are You Christmas (Official Music Video)

A Greater Joy

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - JJ Heller

The Dayspring

By Margaret Tarrant

Luke 1:78-79 New International Version (NIV)

78 because of the tender mercy of our God,

    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

79 to shine on those living in darkness

    and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Dance In the Dawn - Selah 

It's Sunday!

Someone has left a light on for you.

Unspoken - Life In The Death Of Me (Performance Video)

Because Waking Up Is Hard to Do

Romans 13:11English Standard Version (ESV)

1 is you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

JJ Heller - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring & Silent Night (Official Lyric V...