Saturday, November 29, 2025

Advent is a time of waiting...

Advent is a time of waiting. Our whole life, however, is Advent—that is, a time of waiting for the ultimate, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth, when all people are brothers and sisters and one rejoices in the words of the angels: “On earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.” Learn to wait, because he has promised to come. “I stand at the door...” We however call to him: “Yes, come soon, Lord Jesus!” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer Image

Give thanks in all circumstances...

Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, 
give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

---------------------------------------

The current generation “Z”—those now roughly between 13 and 28 years old—is becoming our 21st-century version of the “Lost Generation.” Members of Gen Z are often nicknamed “Zoomers,” a term used to describe young adults who came of age in the era of smartphones, social media, and rapid cultural upheaval.
   Males in their teens and twenties are prolonging their adolescence—rarely marrying, not buying a home, not having children, and often not working full-time.


---------------------------------------

It is not about the Pilgrims, or food, or travel logistics. It is the annual reminder that American identity is built on gratitude: gratitude for freedom, for opportunity, for community, and for the chance to begin again. It asks for nothing but humility. It invites everyone, regardless of background, into a shared moment of thanks.
   As an immigrant, that matters deeply to me. Gratitude softens division; it tempers cynicism. It reminds us that liberty is not automatic. And it teaches children—my children—that life’s value isn’t measured only by achievement but by appreciation.

---------------------------------------


---------------------------------------

Friday, November 28, 2025

Since we have a great priest over the house of God...

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. -Matthew 27:50-51

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." -Hebrews 10:19-23

Thursday, November 27, 2025

May God be gracious to us and bless us...

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us, 
 that your way may be known on earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth. 
 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

 The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, shall bless us.
 God shall bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth fear him!
  -Psalm 67

A Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Absolute dependence upon God...

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. -John 15:5-6

Workers, here is your first lesson: learn to be nothing, learn to be helpless. The man who has got something is not absolutely dependent; but the man who has got nothing is absolutely dependent. Absolute dependence upon God is the secret of all power in work. The branch has nothing but what it gets from the vine, and you and I can have nothing but what we get from Jesus.  -Andrew Murray

God is always speaking...

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
 for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
   but let them not turn back to folly.
-Psalm 85:8

God is always speaking; He is never still. Just as in prayer it is not we who momentarily catch His attention but He ours, so when we fail to hear His voice it is not because He is not speaking so much as that we are not listening.  
-Charles H. Brent

Monday, November 24, 2025

Forevergreen

 
Forevergreen 
Premiered Nov 21, 2025 

An orphaned bear cub finds a home with a fatherly evergreen tree, until his hunger for trash leads him to danger. “Forevergreen” is an animated short film and after-hours passion project created entirely by a crew of over 200 dedicated Artists and Technicians who all generously donated their free time and talent to bring every frame of the film to life. The production took over 5 years to complete. Featuring never before seen animation techniques and handmade artistry, weaving art and technology together with heart and humor.

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Wait for the Lord...

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Do not be afraid of silence in your prayer time. It may be that you are meant to listen, not to speak. So wait before the Lord. Wait in stillness. Wait as David waited when he “sat before the Lord.” And in that stillness, assurance will come to you. You will know that you are heard; you will know that your Lord ponders the voice of your humble desires; you will hear quiet words spoken to you yourself, perhaps to your grateful surprise and refreshment. -Amy Carmichael

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel

 
Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel 
Matt Boswell, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Papa

Intro
Gloria, Gloria

VERSE 1
Sing we the song of Emmanuel
This is the Christ who was long foretold
Lo in the Shadows of Bethlehem 
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold

CHORUS
God most high in a manger laid 
Lift your voices and now proclaim 
Great and glorious 
Love has come to us 
Join now with the hosts of heaven 

VERSE 2
Come we to welcome Emmanuel 
King who came with no crown or throne 
Helpless he lay the invincible 
Maker of Mary now Mary’s son 

CHORUS 2
O what wisdom to save us all 
Shepherds sages before him fall 
Grace and majesty 
What humility 
Come on bended knee adore Him 

BRIDGE
Gloria, Gloria
Gloria, Gloria

VERSE 3
Go spread the news of Emmanuel 
Joy and peace for the weary heart 
Lift up your heads for your King has come 
Sing for the light overwhelms the dark 

CHORUS 3
Glory shining for all to see 
Hope alive let the gospel ring 
God has made a way 
He will have the praise 
Tell the world his name is Jesus 

OUTRO
Gloria, Gloria
Gloria, Gloria
Gloria, Gloria

Friday, November 21, 2025

“Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God..."

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:13-16 Image

“Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.” -J.C. Ryle

Thursday, November 20, 2025

“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” -Matthew 8:23-27

"Why are ye fearful? Doubt not but the ship will come safe to land; though Christ seem for the present to be asleep, the prayers of His disciples will awake Him, and He will rebuke the winds and the waves; though the bush burn, if God be in it, it shall not be consumed." -Matthew Henry

--------------------------------

The Great Retardification Of America’s Youth, Brought To You By ‘Mediocre Elites’  Let’s start with the recent UCSD report on education. In short, one of the most prestigious university systems in California (and so, the world) has been matriculating students who don’t know basic math. They can’t divide a fraction in two. They don’t know how “to start” a word problem. They cannot read beyond a middle school level, never mind read critically.
   In the process of reporting these deficiencies out, there was another stunning discovery: Many of these students had 4.0 grade point averages in public school.

--------------------------------

Doctors “Astounded”: Long-Held Belief About Coffee and Heart Rhythm Was Wrong Although people with heart conditions such as A-Fib are often told to avoid caffeine because it might worsen symptoms, new research suggests the opposite may be true. A collaborative study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Adelaide found that drinking one cup of caffeinated coffee per day lowered the risk of A-Fib by 39%.

--------------------------------

Why The Screwtape Letters Still Resonates with Millennials and Gen Z  As Screwtape writes with chilling prescience: “It’s funny how these humans picture us as putting things into their minds. Our best work is done by keeping things out.”
    This is where the digital world excels. Push notifications, autoplay and infinite feeds have transformed our tools into temples of distraction. According to Digital Information World, the average American now spends over seven hours a day in front of a screen; for Gen Z, it’s closer to nine. Screwtape wouldn’t need to invent a thing. The safest road to hell is now algorithmically optimized.

 
The Screwtape Letters - Free Audiobook

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

For the grace of God has appeared...

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. -Titus 2:11-14

I love you, O Lord, my strength,,,

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.
-Psalm 18:1-3