ON THIS CHRISTMAS EVE ! 24.12.14

On this CHRISTMAS EVE . . .
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* O Holy Night by Paul Brandt *

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Silent Night by Kari Jobe *

* HOPE Was Born This Night  by Sidewalk Prophets   * God of Grace and Glory, 
as heavenly angels spoke to earthly shepherds 
and eternity entered time in the child of Bethlehem, 
through the telling of the Christmas story, 
let our lives be caught up in the eternal 
in that same Child, 
that we might join shepherds, neighbours, family, and all the heavenly host 
in praising the coming of Yeshua, Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen. *

* Mary's Boy by Boney M *

* Silent Night by Pentatonix *

* Hallelujah [LIGHT Has Come] by BarlowGirl *

Light of Life, You came in flesh, 

born into human pain and joy, 

giving us power to be Your children. 

Grant us faith, O Christ, to see Your presence among us, 

so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness 

and walk in Your way of Peace. Amen. 

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May God's Praise be made Glorious!
Yeshua has come . . .
* Ending with one celtic version of O Holy Night by a favourite Canadian Celtic family, the Barra MacNeils *
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God of all ages, 
in the birth of Your Son, 
Your boundless love for Your people 
shattered the power of darkness. 
Be born in us with that same Love and Light, 
that our song may blend with all the choirs of heaven and earth 
to the glory of Your holy name. Amen

* Readings found Here All Blessings sent to you as we join the Celebration of this Holy Night!
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* Shared with -
*Marie's {Christmas} Music Moves Me* * Inspire Me Monday *
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GOOD FRIDAY: GOOD NEWS 18.4.14

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but rather so that through Him, the world might be saved.

John 3:16-17

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

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REVIEW: A MARRIAGE IN MIDDLEBURY by Anita Higman

What happens when the matchmaker finds a match for herself?Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. She did, and then became engaged to another man, who later died before they were married. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?                                                                 ~goodreads

Length: 302 pgs Kindle 304 PB Published: Nov 5 kindle Nov 1 PB Publisher: Abingdon Press

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My thoughts? From the welcoming hospitality of the cover to the end of the book,
I loved this story. Having first met author, Anita Higman, via her standout book of 2013, Winter in Full Bloom [my review HERE]
I was quick to snap up  Higman's next novel.
No disappoints. Captivating contemporary storyline -
anytime there's a tearoom involved my interest engages. Imagine having tea blended for your personality! But this was much more than homey. Authenticity in personalizing characters, yes.  Creative characters, yes. And some deeply engaging relationships develop that kept me engaged in these multiple connections.  Fascinating subplot dealing with contemporary issues of parenting  results in multiple complications needing some great resolutions.
Ms Higman handles her story and relationships with a deft hand.
I was keenly aware of the romance of this tale of love lost for a woman past the typical 20s. Not a common story when youth is the prized commodity in novels, but definitely endearing for this reader.  And realistically written. The romance element fulfills on its promise leaving not a few sighs of satisfaction!
Many scenarios that intrigued and inspired me.  As do the characters.
Higman 's style of writing faith is unobtrusive - a natural component of life.
Highly recommended for your reading enjoyment! 
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Author bio: Anita Higman

CBA best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty-nine books published (several co-authored) for adults and children, and she has seven books coming out in the next two years.  She won a 2011 RWA Readers Choice Award (first place) and has been honored in the past as a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston.  Ms Higman was named a Favourite New Author in the 15th Annual Heartsong Presents Awards, and in the 16th Annual Heartsong Presents Awards her co-authored novel, Castles in the Air, was one of the winners in the Favourite Contemporary Romance category. Anita contributed to an animation script that won a Gold Remi Award.                       Find AnitaHigman online and on twitter @ anitahigman * * My appreciation for an ecopy to read and review without compensation or obligation. * Find and follow FHC online:

@_eHope - Goodreads - Facebook - Pinterest

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SONGS ON SUNDAYS: YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS 23.2.14

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Final 'LOVE' song for this last Sunday of February -  WELCOME to SONGS ON SUNDAYS !
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You're invited to add your Songs on Sundays Love song
in comments {please feel free to add a link if you've posted it}
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This week, Marie at Music Moves Me shared that
Ramona at Create with Joy  is their Spotlight Dancer

in a week filled with Songs that Inspire -

Without knowing of her focus this week,
I had chosen this inspiring Love song,
so I'll be linking it to Music Moves Me as well.

I hope you enjoy it – let me know your inspy music links in comments 

and visit Marie's for more Music that moves us !

[courtesy of Naila Moon]

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SONGS ON SUNDAYS : HOW HE LOVES US 16.2.14

Writer: John McMillan

Lyrics: He Loves Us

Artist: Kim Walker - Jesus Culture
Album: We Cry Out

He is jealous for me

Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

and I realize just how beautiful You are and

how great your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us so

Oh, how He loves us

How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us

Woah, how He loves us

Woah, how He loves us

Woah, how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes

If grace is an ocean we're all sinking

So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and

my heart turns violently inside of my chest

I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That he loves us,

Woah, how He loves us

Woah, how He loves us

Woah, how He loves  

* Share your SONGS ON SUNDAYS with us - THANKS for leaving your link in comments for our visit 

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Shared with Barbie's Weekend Crew at
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FRIDAY FIVEs: RANDOM VALENTINE LOVE 14.2.14

source * Today's a Random FRIDAY 5 at Rev Gals with Rev Karla hosting. She says: Hello Gals and Pals,

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Happy Valentine’s Day! 
I know that some (a lot) of you are digging out from snow and ice and lack of electricity.  
We feel for you, and love you!     
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Some of you have a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day.  ‘Nuff said.     

I happen to enjoy Valentine’s Day in spite of having exactly one date ever on VD 

[before I was married].   
I love celebrating Love!   

So, all that is to say is that our Friday Five is to tell us about five random things that you love.    Thanks for playing and 

Love and Grace to you!

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* My Random 5 Loves?
 1- My now 6 adult kiddos ~  2- My sweet wee grandson !
BEST Valentine Gift ever for this Mom [and Nana!] Just got the message from son #1 - they're moving home !!! { GRATEFUL / JOY FULL !!! }

* 3- Dove chocolate  {but actually any CHOCOLATE will do nicely!} such as....

source * 4- Discovering new Tea Rooms for enjoying more TeaTimes!

especially taking tea outdoors {and the appropriate weather!}
and certainly not least - #5

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Care to play along?  Chat with us in comments!

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 MUCH LOVE to YOU today !!  {take one ~ my treat!}

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Pinterest follow by clicking HERE -
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Faith Hope Cherrytea

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MORE VALENTINE WISHES @ BEV"S 

SONGS ON SUNDAYS: ONLY HOPE - Switchfoot 2.2.13

* Beginning a month of  SONGS on SUNDAYS. EnJoy!   then add your Songs on Sunday links in comments -

SHARE THE LOVE ! *

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Find more inspy with the crew at the Weekend Brew!

Easter JoY !

Easter

“Oh, what joy for those

      whose disobedience is forgiven,

      whose sin is put out of sight!”

The Alleluia of Easter 

while living in a Good Friday world, 

King David’s words resonate with me increasingly 

as I near the day of celebration.

Caspar David Friedrich 1833

My Lenten journey has been long 

as I’ve plumbed new depths of relationship 

with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

Spiritual discoveries gained through exploration 

of new directions led by Holy Spirit, 

that voice behind me saying, 

"This is the way you should go,”” Is 30.21. 

From the very inception of this Lenten journey 

I have been led on a new path.  

Not a common path of caffeine or sugar sacrifice; 

A path of inner recognition; a path of listening and hearing; 

a path of relational focus;  

An uncommon path of sacrificing distractions.  

I was impelled to answer the searching gaze that queried, 

“What is keeping you occupied?  

What has your attention?  

Your focus?  Your heart?” 

Which is, of course, what God is always pursuing; 

our heart.  My heart in this case. 

 And was it a worthy focus?  A worthy occupation?  

These attractions; these distractions 

that so cleverly kept my attention?  

Anaesthetizing me to the very relationship 

to which I’m called and for which I’m created.  

The questions searched the depths of me; my core.  

Which they must if I am to be changed.  

To be transformed.  

To be conformed to the image 

of the One who designed and desires me as His own. 

And so the journey continues.  

Hearing, now that I’m listening.  

Listening, now that I’m hearing.  

The joy and beauty of a developing love relationship.  

How do we fall in love?  

By spending time together.  

Which is exactly what this Lenten journey has provided.  Focused time – together. 

Time intentionally redirected to God.  

Sitting in His Presence.  

Reading and re-reading His love letters.  

Conversation.   Notes taken in those conversations.   

Ah hah  moments of revelation.  

Resting in His embrace.  

Gratitude and reflection.  

Contemplation of beauty – His beauty.  

Of person, heart, love, nature.  

‘Altogether lovely’, isn’t He described in scripture?  

And I’ve - we’ve – been invited 

to discover this loveliness for ourselves. 

And so I enter into Easter.  

Into this celebration of joy.  

Focused.  Intentional.  

Undivided in heart and attention.  

In heart satisfying relationship with my Saviour.  

And with all Easter people I joyfully proclaim, 

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!  

The Lord is risen indeed!  

Alleluia!

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Wednesday in Holy Week 3.27.13

I am giving you a new command -

love one another.
Just as I have loved you,

so you must love one another.

This is how all men will know that you are my disciples,

because you have such love for one another.

John 13.35

JB Phillips translation

Lord God,

your Son our Saviour gave his body to be whipped

and turned his face for men to spit upon.

Give your servants grace to accept suffering for His sake,

confident of the glory that will be revealed,

through Jesus Christ our Lord

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Readings:
{click reference to link directly}

Isaiah 50.4-9a

Psalm 70

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Hebrews 12.1-3

John 13.21-30

God of Glory,

may our worship this day

fix the eyes of our faith on Jesus,

the pioneer and perfecter of our new humanity,

who is seated at the right hand of your throne,

now and for ever.

God our help,

your Son was betrayed by one who called himself a friend.

May we who call him Lord

ever remain his faithful people,

for He lives and reigns with You now and for ever.

Amen and Amen.

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