Christmas Poinsettias

Beautiful poinsettia photos!

This one can be downloaded for only $6.00.

Christmas Desktop Wallpaper

I have some Christmas wallpaper on my website! I hope you enjoy these. Probably more to come if you want to check back.

Free Christmas Desktop Wallpaper

God Knows Us by Name

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.   Psa 23:1

Sheep aren't smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They need a shepherd to lead them to "calm water" (Psa_23:2 ). They have no natural defense—no claws, no horns, no fangs. They are helpless. Sheep need a shepherd with a "rod and … walking stick" (Psa_23:4 ) to protect them. They have no sense of direction. They need someone to lead them "on paths that are right" (Psa_23:3 ).

So do we. We, too, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour. We, too, get lost.

We need a shepherd. We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us. And we have one. One who knows us by name.

Max Lucado - A Gentle Thunder

You who Promised are Faithful

Lord, I can't claim a blameless walk, but I ask You to please empower me to walk with You faithfully and to never cease pursuing it. Help me, Lord, to hold unswervingly to the hope I profess, for You who promised are faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Let the Earth Rejoice

The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!
(Psa 97:1)

A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about.
(Psa 97:3)

His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles.
(Psa 97:4)

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
(Psa 97:5)

The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory.
(Psa 97:6)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving and the start to the Christmas season!

A Diligent Search

Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. —Heb_11:6

One translation renders Heb_11:6 : "God … rewards those who earnestly seek him" (NIV). I like the King James translation: "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (italics mine).

Diligently—what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this book be but one of dozens you read about Jesus… Step away from the puny pursuits of possessions and positions, and seek your king.

Don't be satisfied with angels. Don't be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did. Do as John and Andrew did: ask for his address. Do as Matthew: invite Jesus into your house. Imitate Zacchaeus. Risk whatever it takes to see Christ.

Just Like Jesus - Max Lucado

The Lord will guide you continually

Isaiah 58:11



This is a beautiful path in the Deep Creek Area, on the way to some waterfalls in NC.

My Utmost for His Highest

They have a Facebook page!

The Lord is my Shepherd

When I read the 15 provisions from Psalm 23, I wanted to share.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1).

Jesus is Lord and King, Conqueror, Savior, the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Christ, Emmanuel, Teacher, Prophet and Master. Of the many titles given to the Lord, Shepherd must undoubtedly be one of His favorite. It links Him in the most personal way to those He loves.
Say it out loud and let the truth settle deep in your heart: "The Lord is my Shepherd."
Isaiah prophesied, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11). Peter preached, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Pet 2:25).

David, himself a shepherd, penned the Twenty-third Psalm as a comprehensive tribute to the Lord. He encompasses in this short poem at least fifteen provisions that are made for us when we follow the Lord as our Shepherd.

1. Rest - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
2. Peace - He leadeth me beside the still waters
3. Restoration - He restoreth my soul
4. Guidance - He leadeth me in paths of righteousness
5. Honor - for His name's sake
6. Hope - I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
7. Courage - I will fear no evil
8. Companionship - Thou art with me
9. Comfort - Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me
10. Sustenance - Thou preparest a table before me
11. Vindication - in the presence of my enemies
12. Blessing - Thou anointest my head with oil
13. Fulness - My cup runneth over
14. Abundant Life- goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
15. Eternal Security - I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

As you can see, there is nothing left out. No wonder David said, "I shall not want!" The Lord gives us everything we need when we follow Him as our Shepherd.

"And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20,21).

Rylisms - James Ryle

“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.”

Isaiah 49:16

No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word “Behold,” is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, “The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me.” How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God’s favoured people? The Lord’s loving word of rebuke should make us blush; he cries, “How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?” O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of his people. He keeps his promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt him. He never faileth; he is never a dry well; he is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapour; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and disturbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert.

“Behold,” is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marvelling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of his hands. “I have graven thee.”It does not say, “Thy name.” The name is there, but that is not all: “I have graven thee.” See the fulness of this! I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when he has graven thee upon his own palms?

Spurgeon Devotional

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