Please watch this video! THANKS! American form of government

For those of you who write blogs, do you ever wonder if anyone reads what you write, or if you even want anyone to read it? Some days I write and think I have something really important to share, and then get no comments, and think WOW I guess it was not so brilliant and certainly not inspiring! Well today is a day when I have nothing to share, but just thought I would comment on comments. I seldom get any and often wonder why I even blog. I think I do it mainly for myself....

Happy Valentines Day everyone! We had Joshua and Molly and John, Issac, Grace, and Jude out for dinner. We had stuffed pork loin and manacotti and broccoli and salad. A good time was had by all, except John got a bad headache and they had to leave early. It has been fun the past couple days, yesterday Terry and I bummed around before and after our eye exams, and then went to the Missions Valentines dinner. IT was a wonderful day, the dinner was a lot of fun for us. And today we cooked dinner together and had a great time doing it and then Molly and Terry did the dishes afterwards how grand is that? My pitiful hands sure were glad! Anyway hope you all had a blessed day with loved ones near.

200 Years ago today, Abraham Lincoln was born. Over the years, I have read so many articles on him, both positive and negative. I really do not know what to think of him. Was he a great uniter, or was he in actuality a great divider? Did he cause the Civil War? Or was he making the nation strong? What would our Nation look like today if the Civil War had never happened? Would our states eventually changed their laws and made slavery illegal all over the nation? or would we still have slavery had Abe Lincoln never gone to Washington?

Could we have done a greater service to our country by avoiding the Civil War that killed HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of Americans? At least 618,000 Americans died in the Civil War, and some experts say the toll reached 700,000.


To many, Lincoln was all in it to free the slaves, but this letter to Horace Greeley shows this is not the case. His purpose was to save the Union, not to free the slaves.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, August 22, 1862

Hon. Horace Greeley:

Dear Sir. I have just read yours of the 19th addressed to myself through the New York Tribune. If there be in it any statements, or assumptions of fact, which I may know to be erroneous, I do not, now and here, controvert them. If there be perceptable in it an impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be right.
As to the policy I "seem to be pursuing" as you say, I have not meant to leave any one in doubt.
I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored; the nearer the Union will be "the Union as it was." If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I don't believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown to be error; and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.
I have here stated my purpose according to my view of Official duty: and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free.

Yours,
A. Lincoln

Source: "Abraham Lincoln: His Speeches and Writings" edited by Roy Basler

You can decide for yourself, but I read this to say Slavery really did not matter to Lincoln one way or the other his concern was to preserve the Union, not to free the slaves. So I think having him as a savior of the slavery movement is ridiculous! He did not free the slaves out of a conviction that slavery was wrong, he did it to save the USA. He does say his preference is that every man be free, but after reading this letter I do not know how anyone can think any differently on this issue. The war from his point of view was over the Union and States rights, not slavery.

Our prayer today is for President Obama to have the spiritual support and nurture needed to excel in office

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
—II Timothy 3:16(NIV)

Heavenly Father, we praise You today for Your active involvement in the writing of Scripture, an involvement so powerful and pervasive that what is written is the infallible and authoritative Word of God. It is our life manual, by which we can know how to live a righteous life, through Your direction, that is pleasing to You.

Knowing this, Lord, we now intercede for President Obama, that You would place men and women in his life that would teach and, when needed, correct him from the pages of the Bible. Help President Obama to be open and desirous of this instruction, and guide him, O God, to seek the Scriptures for himself so that he may have the principles and wisdom necessary to excel as our president. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Levi called and wanted us to come visit and see the puppies, so we went in, had dinner with Mandy, Asher, Levi and Addie at The Mexican restaurant in DeSoto, and then brought Levi home to spend the night. We had a snack and hot chocolate, and then went to watch "Yellowstone at Christmas" and then Terry and Levi are watching the "Stable Story" with Terry hoping Levi will fall asleep watching it. I can still hear Levi asking all the Why this and Why That questions in there, so I am afraid his short nap on the way home revived him too much! Terry gets to stay up until Levi falls asleep tonight! This is Terry's 10th anniversary with Yellow today, and that is why we ate out, to celebrate his anniversary. He has to go back to work tomorrow. It has been a good day. We had breakfast with John He made us a nice breakfast. Then we shopped at Orchlens, and then we planned our veggie garden, and then went to see the Luke Anderson family....

And now, remember how much God loves you!

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and
sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
-- 1 John 4:10

For members of the Obama administration to walk humbly with our God
From Praying Through the First 100 Days

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
—Micah 6:8(NIV)

Awesome and righteous God, You are beautiful and good in everything You do. Your glory is vast and incomprehensible, so magnificent are You! You are the only one worthy of praise and glory, O God. I humble myself before You today laying before You my life and all that includes. I bow before You mighty God in humility and awe.

As I bow, Lord, I also lift the members of the Obama administration before You, asking that You constrain each one to look to You in humility and trust as they serve our nation. May their hearts long for goodness—goodness as You define it—characterized by a humble and unassuming walk with You. May they desire and receive Your grace to serve with humility today and every day of President Obama’s tenure. I ask this in Your Son,Jesus Christ's holy and good name. Amen.

On Tablets of Human Hearts

2 Corinthians 3:2-18
(New International Version)

2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The Glory of the New Covenant
7Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

A prayer composed by Kimberly Daniels, overseer of Spoken Word Ministries in Jacksonville, Florida, that we encourage all believers to use to intercede for our president, Barack Obama. Daniels is the author of several books, including her most recent, Delivered to Destiny (Charisma House). You can learn more about her and her ministry at kimberlydaniels.com.

A Prayer for Barack Obama
By Kimberly Daniels

Father, You instructed us to pray for those in authority, and we lift up Barak Obama. We thank You for the anointing that has abided over the office of the president of the Unites States since the time our forefathers dedicated this country to Jesus Christ. We pray that our new president will abide under that same covering. We extend the common honor to Barak Obama that has been ascribed to all in his position.

God, we thank You for placing favor on the highest office in our land. We ask for Your protection for Obama and his family during the upcoming presidential inauguration. We bind every attack from the Arian Nation, covert Nazi organizations, skinheads or any other racist group that specifically hates and targets people of color. We bind all terrorist assignments from local, national and international conspiracies against our president, government and other political leaders.

We bind the resurrection of the Black Panthers (specifically the New Black Panthers). We break the power of demonic influences from any race retaliation groups in the inner cities of America. We turn the words of their demonic doctrine and declare that black people are not taking over America. We break the power of revenge from these groups against the president because he did not put all black people in his cabinet. We decree that innocent black people will not be terrorized in their neighborhoods by white supremacists, and innocent white people will not be terrorized by black supremacists.

Father, we ask You to reveal Your Son Jesus to our new president as the only way to God. We ask You to cause him to have a Saul-to-Paul experience. Release the pricks and goads upon his heart at an accelerated pace so that his heart will turn to the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Deliver him and let him experience a genuine new birth in his spirit. God, deal with our president about the innocent bloodshed of the unborn and the sanctity of marriage.

Open doors for true prophets to speak to Obama in the White House. We bind the ministry of psychics, the teaching of black liberation theology, and every New Age and secular humanist doctrine away from the White House.

God, put Your angels around the White House. As the president is escorted down the streets of Washington, D.C., during the inauguration, let there be no breaches in security. Let the angels fill in the gaps, in Jesus' name.

Anoint the secret service agents with a double portion during the inauguration and throughout the rest of Obama's tenure. We bind the spirit of the double agent. We come against the Judas spirit in the secret service, CIA, NSA and FBI in the name of Jesus.

Lord, we come against every stronghold that keeps the president from the truth. We break every soul tie and vow that has been established between him and Harvard, secret societies and the illuminati.

We declare that even the cabinet that is around him will bow to Jesus. We plead the blood of Jesus over Obama's head so that the pressure of the office will not keep him up all night. Every tormenting spirit sent by a witch or warlock is bound in Jesus' name.

Lord, expose the work of every witch, sorcerer, spiritualist or person from the dark side operating through his cabinet members or through anyone else closely associated with him. We block the power of the influence of the Yoruba religion and all other groups of black people who worship their ancestors, in Jesus' name. We put barriers around the Unites States that will bind and block the witchcraft coming from Kenya to influence our president in Jesus' name. Let the power of every dedication of his past be broken, in Jesus' name.

Keep and protect our new president, his wife, his children and his mother-in-law from kidnappings, assassinations, harassments and any other kind of attacks while they are in the White House. Let every hidden secret and dark thing operating behind the scenes be exposed expediently, in Jesus' name. Let every hindering spirit that would oppose the progress of our country be removed—now—in the name of the Lord.

Father, we pray that our president will not sit in the counsel of the ungodly. We bind all alliances that would hinder the peace and protection of our country. Let all the covert plans of the enemy be infiltrated with light. Put people in the path of our president who will tell him the truth and speak the word of the Lord.

We ask You, Lord, to shut the door to every spiritual leader who desires to frequent the White House for fame and glory. Shut the doors and shut their mouths. Let their words hold no weight in the Spirit. Remove every compromising, lukewarm Christian leader who wants to whisper sweet nothings in our president's ear. Send spiritual leaders who have kingdom mind-sets and hearts for the nation.

We break the iron rod of hatred, racism and prejudice in the United States. We apply the blood of Jesus over our nation. We decree that disunity concerning Obama is being uprooted in the church, and the church will find common ground to stand in the gap concerning the matter.

Lord, help us to build up the walls around our nation that were destroyed during the recent presidential election. We pray that our enemies will not launch a sneak attack on us while we are distracted. Wake up the sleeping church. Let us make supplication, prayers and intercession, and give thanks for all men, especially all who are in authority over us, so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in America, in godliness and honesty (see 1 Tim. 2:1-2).

As we pray, let every ungodly and dishonest thing be exposed and dealt with by the Holy Ghost. Lord, we know that our prayers and supplications concerning this matter are good and acceptable in Your sight because it is Your will for all men to be saved and to know the truth (see vv. 3-4).

We drown every spirit traveling from overseas to wreak havoc. We bind the spirit of havoc and chaos from birthing martial law in the land. We bind spirits that would cause us to lose our constitutional and civil liberties. We declare that the gospel and those who preach it shall have free course in the earth.

We break all agreements between Obama and the nations of the Middle East that would cause America to turn its back on Israel. We decree that a love for Israel will be released in America like never before. Lord, Your Word says that You will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse that nation (see Gen. 12:3). We bless Israel!

Father, we ask You to move over Barack Obama and America. Keep and protect him. Your Word says that the heart of the king is in Your hand, and like a river You turn it wherever You will (see Prov. 21:1). Father, turn his heart in the direction of Your favor, timing and plan.

In closing, Lord, we ask You to supernaturally intervene concerning the laws that will affect the civil liberties of believers. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.




In Jesus Care,
Marylou

Check out my blogs!
Home On The Farm
LT Livestock
Marylou's Place



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Our son Matthew is moving to Houston Missouri this week with his wonderful family. God has placed him there as the pastor of the Houston Christian Church. Below is a portion of the Ordination Service at our church last night. Please pray for him and his family as they take on this service for Christ. Thank you!




The Ordination Service for Matthew Anderson



January 18, 2009
Hillsboro Christian Church
Hillsboro Missouri







Welcome and Prayer
Responsive Reading:

Leader: Ephesians 4:1-13, It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Congregation: Matthew has been called to this biblical ministry.
Leader: (to the candidate) Have you considered seriously this biblical ministry to which you are called?
Candidate: I have.
Leader: As a minister, you are called to a higher level of responsibility and integrity than other Christians. Have you seriously considered the high level of integrity, morality and Christian living to which you are called?
Candidate: I have.
Leader: Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God, your personal Lord and Savior?
Candidate: I do.
Leader: You do not enter this ministry alone, but with the help and support of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the great cloud of witnesses in Heaven,and the church universal. Church, please repeat these words of faith.
Congregation and Leader: I believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God, and my personal Lord and Savior.
Leader: (to the candidate) Will you strive to encourage the church and lead the lost to a saving relationship with Christ?
Candidate: I will.
Leader: Will you remain faithful to the teaching of the Scripture, teaching "the whole counsel of God" as you teach in the church?
Candidate: I will.
Leader: Will you follow the leading of the authority of the local eldership of the church you serve, promoting unity in the cause of Christ?
Candidate: I will.

Laying on of Hands
Charge to the New Minister
Comments by others
Comments by Matthew Anderson

Please pray for God to lead and guide President and Mrs. Bush as they step away from Washington and seek new paths of service and influence

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
—Hebrews 13:7

Holy Lord God, You are strong, mighty and powerful, and You move among us so that we cannot miss Your presence and activity in the world. You know all things, and all things are revealed by You and before You, and we thank You for that truth today.

Heavenly Father, we also come to You now on behalf of President George Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. We praise You, Lord, for their years of service to our nation. We honor You for giving them hearts that love and revere You. We remember them and we thank You for their faith in You. Guide and direct them into what You now have in store for them as they take up residence in Dallas and Crawford, Texas. May they continue to make a difference and have an influence for good in our nation and the world. We ask this, mighty God, in the name of Jesus, amen.
Presidential; Prayer Team

Lets remember what ever comes our way, we must remember to give God praise for all He does in our lives, and how He works all things together for good to those who love and serve Him!

I titled my LT Livestock blog "Baby its cold outside! And it sure is! 10 degrees and snowing. The electricity went off three times during the night, and our water froze this morning. Terry has thankfully been here to thaw us out today! I am so glad!

We have had a lot of sick family members this past month. poor Addie had to go to the hospital with RSV, and now Asher is ill. Nicole has had some difficulties as has Matthew and John. Other members have had various problems too, but I have not typed everything. Prayers for healthy family appreciated! I have been having reoccurring bouts with the psoriasis, and also had to take meds because I snapped a nerve in my shoulder near my spine the other day leaning over the fence to get the dog's feed pan. It is still giving me some discomfort, but noticeably better.

Work has been really slow for Terry, and with that he had to take a huge cut in pay, so it has been a rough start to this new year, and our electric bill is going to be sky high with this cold snap! But we serve a God who is greater than all this! Prayers would be appreciated for John who did loose his job, and for us since we have taken a cut in pay and freight is slower than the usual SLOW January. It is a rough time for us all. I encourage you to read the following article: Slapping the Face of God

January 10, 2009


VERSE:
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his
steps.

-- Proverbs 16:9




THOUGHT:
We're now a week-and-a-half into a new year. How are you doing
with those changes and commitments you made for the new year? Don't
give up or quit on them ... even if you're having trouble staying
on track. But, let's remember that the only real commitment for
this year that is absolutely necessary to keep is that we ask the
Lord where he wants us to go and what he wants us to do; then we go
there and do it.

PRAYER:
Holy God, Almighty LORD, Abba Father, thank you for being
wondrous, holy, and mighty. Thank you for also caring about me, my
life, my decisions, and my struggles. Please guide me by your
Spirit so that I can understand your Word and discern your will for
my life. I want to have you fully direct my steps. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20090110

Today's Verse is also available in:
PORTUGUESE
SPANISH -

-/\/\----------------------------------
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
--\/-----------------------------------

I have started to pull down the Christmas decorations for this year. The big tree is in its box in the basement, and I will be putting the ornaments for it away in the morning. I will then do the rest of the dedecoration tomorrow. Isaac said he thought I should keep the garland up that is between the kitchen and dining room, so I am going to do that, and add snow flakes for January, and valentines for February before pulling it down altogether. Why not? LOL
Praying you all have a very blessed Year 2009

Just a few little things...

So, I am cheating and putting this post on all my blogs. So you only need to visit one today if you follow all of mine.
I think this is a fun time of year! I love seeing how everyone else decorates for Christmas, and I love the cold clear air when I go out doors!

It was really a lot of fun seeing my Nebraska Branch Anderson Clansmen last week. The guys got their limit of deer at the ranch Micah works for. The place is really nice, and the guys had a wonderful time hunting. They enjoyed being in the wide open range again. The rolling hills are similar to the ranch I was raised on, but the vegitation is different.
Micah and Nicole have a really nice 4 bedroom home on two levels. The basement has a huge living area, and two of the bedrooms. There are three bathrooms, and a nice open living area. Tons of cupboards and cabinets and closets.

I got a bad spell with my Cellulitis, and so I really did not enjoy the time as much as I could have had that not happened. I got chilled the first afternoon, and it took me two heated blankets to get warmed back up. Then the leg got bad.

Micaiah and Nicolae are so very adorable, and Micah and Nicole are a greats host and hostess so if you go see them you will have a wonderful time! Now Kristi and I will be heading next to see Mark and Jordan and Caedmon! I can hardly wait.

Here is a little information about cellulitis: I got the info from the linked title....
Cellulitis Index



Our Cellulitis Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Cellulitis



Definition of Cellulitis MRSA Slideshow Cellulitis: An acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness (erythema), warmth, swelling, and pain. Cellulitis can also cause fever, chills, and "swollen glands" (enlarged lymph nodes). Cellulitis is a clinical diagnosis based on the spreading involvement of skin and subcutaneous tissues with erythema, swelling, and local tenderness, accompanied by fever and malaise.

Cellulitis commonly appears in areas where there is a break in the skin from an abrasion, a cut, or a skin ulcer. It can also be due to local trauma, such as an animal bite. Only rarely is cellulitis due to the bacteremic spread of infection -- bacteria arriving from a distant source via the bloodstream.

What does cellulitis look like?



Risk factors for cellulitis include diabetes and impairment of the immune system (from, for example, HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressant drugs). Cellulitis is not contagious because it is an infection of the skin's deeper layers, the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, and the skin's top layer (the epidermis) provides a cover over the infection.

The main bacterium that causes cellulitis is Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) and Strep (Group A Streptococcus) is next most common. Cellulitis can be caused by many other types of bacteria. In children under six, H. flu (Hemophilus influenzae) can cause cellulitis, especially on the face, arms, and upper torso. Cellulitis from a dog or cat bite or scratch may be caused by the Pasturella multocida bacteria. Cellulitis after an injury from a saltwater fish or shellfish can be due to the Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. These same bacteria can also cause cellulitis after a skin injury on the farm, especially while working with pigs or poultry.

Antibiotics such as derivatives of penicillin that are effective against the staph germ are used to treat cellulitis. If other bacteria, as determined by culture tests, turn out to be the cause, or if patients are allergic to penicillin, other appropriate antibiotics are substituted.


Last Editorial Review: 1/25/2008

Common Misspellings: cellutitis, celluitis, cellulitist, cellolitus, cellulitous, celulitis, cellulitus

THE CROSSWALK

I do not know the origin of this cartoon,
but if anyone does let me know so I can give credit
where crediti is due.
Thanks enjoy the lesson today!




























Sometimes we complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot

Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.
May God fill your day with blessings!!

Remember everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle...)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and Your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:6-7

I am praying we all petition God for our President elect, and all those he puts into power. Pray without ceasing and pray for them to all turn their hearts to God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.

It is my oldest son's birthday today! Wow I am really getting old!

It snowed as I was falling to sleep last night, but when I woke up there was no snow on the ground.. I just wish I had some snow to show for the aching I am doing... Oh well such is life here in Misssouri! I am so looking forward to getting to see some missing members of my family this weekend! It will be so nice to see them. And it will be nice to see where they are now living, and it looks to be a really nice visit.
I have plenty of food on hand for my house sitters, and they will get to enjoy some peace of country life for a few days. I am not s ure if we are leaving to night or tomorrow morning. But anyway I will be backnext week. I sure wish I had a digi cam to take some pictures... oh well.

Joyful Heart Renewal Ministriesis a website with a lot of interesting reading I have linked the Christmas section for you. Go and enjoy reading the articles there. Have a wonderful Christmas Season!

For two nights in a row , it snowed here on "The Property". But we only have a sprinkling of snow for all the effort. Had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and enjoyed having Mark, Jordan and Caedmon here! The food and fellowship were great, and I am blessed beyond measure! My eldest and youngest finished cleaning the kitchen for me on Thursday night while I sat and watched them with my bum leg elevated. What a blessing! Chandra could not come Wednesday to help with pies (our anual tradition) cause she was sick, but Jordan was here to fill in for her, and the pies were truly wonderful. Noah and Isaiah made an apple pie that was wonderful! Jordan did the lion's share of the preparation for this Thanksgiving feast, and it was truly great.

~First Sunday of Advent~






This is the first Sunday of Advent! Light your first candle! Call me for the tune for MY Lord What a Morning I will sing it for you!



Advent Wreath Meditations
~First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 2008)





But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come . . . in the evening, or at midnight, or at dawn. Keep awake. (Mark 13:24-26, 32, 33, 35, 37, NRSV)

Such amazing things happen in the sky to herald the return of the Son of Man:
. . . Jesus, coming in the clouds
. . . the sun grows dark
. . . the moon doesn't shine
. . . and stars fall from the heavens


So different from that first coming more than 2000 years ago:
. . . with angels singing of God's glory and peace on earth
. . . with the single star guiding the way to the manger
. . . with shepherds and wisemen -- rich and poor -- coming to worship.

And so we watch, and wait, and stay alert, waiting again for the coming of Jesus.
And we light a single candle in preparation for that glorious day.

[Light the first candle on the Advent wreath.]

. . . And even if the sun should grow dark
. . . even if the moon refuses to shine
. . . even if the stars should fall from the
sky…


. . . we will have Jesus, the Light of the World, to shine brightly in our hearts, lighting our way.

All: Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

"My Lord, What a Morning," 719, The United Methodist Hymnal


My Lord, what a morning; my Lord, what a morning;
Oh, my Lord, what a morning, when the stars begin to fall.
You'll hear the trumpet sound, to wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand, when the stars begin to fall.
My Lord, what a morning; my Lord, what a morning;
Oh, my Lord, what a morning, when the stars begin to fall.

(Traditional African-American spiritual)

OR "Shine, Jesus, Shine," stanza 1, 2173, The Faith We Sing

I got this from Planning Helps~Advent Wreath Meditations