IT'S CHRISTMAS!

By Vernalee

It’s here! The day has finally arrived! All of the traditional gentleness and happiness of Christmas permeates throughout the air. Some celebrate the “White Christmas” that they dreamed of having. Peppermint candy canes, yummy gingerbread houses, glowing scented candles, and stuffed Christmas stockings are everywhere. The house smells of love! Gift wrapped presents with decorative bows are marvelously scattered under the Christmas tree. Family and friends are displaying bountiful love. Children are thrilled at what Santa brought them. With Rudolph and his reindeer companions parked in a sleigh on top of the roof, some of the younger ones claim they saw Mr. Claus easing down the chimney! Oh my!

The kitchen is filled with the aromas of Honey baked ham, turkey and dressing, home made rolls, sweet potato pies, chocolate cake, egg nog, and countless flavorful delectable dishes. “Joy to the World” and timeless Christmas carols are heard In the background. (”Silent Night” by the Temptations remains my favorite). A galaxy of colorful scenic lights and nativity scenes are on every street corner and fill every room of our homes.

Yes, Christmas is a day of giving; a day of love; but more importantly – the day that we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season! “O come let us adore him.” Let’s rejoice and give thanks as we pray for our well being and that of our loved ones/families, the less fortunate, the lonely … and for a better world. Let us show immense thoughtfulness, incredible caring, and bountiful love to one another! Let us remember and never forget the memories of those that we love who are not with us in the flesh, but who are smiling as they watch us from the Heavens! Their love for us and ours for them is forever and a day. As “Hark, the Herald Angels” sing “Glory to the new born king” – “Let there be peace on earth!” Merry Christmas! Blessings!

Photo credit: www.brespres.org

10 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE

By Vernalee

There are so many intricate details and amazing features of the Bible from its writings to its writers; from the current events of a particular time to a path of proven historical facts; from the creation of man to the dispelling of evolution; from God’s word being prophetically written to the expressed outline of God’s expectations for mankind. For sure, the Word keeps you grounded and in a safe space. So as we read God’s Word, let's review the amazing facts. Ten Amazing Facts: “1 – The Writing of the Bible The Bible was written over a 1600 year period by approximately 40 men. The time of the writing was from 1500 BC to AD 100. 2 – The Divisions of the Bible While the Bible is 1 book, it contain 66 smaller books. The books of the Old Testament were written before the birth of Jesus Christ and the New Testament covers the life of Christ and beyond. 3 – Chapters and Verses Each of the books, except 5, are divided into chapters and verses. The 5 which aren’t divided by chapters are Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These are short books which only have verse divisions. Chapters were introduced to the Bible in 1238. Verse divisions were not added until 1551. 4 – The Longest and Shortest of the Bible The longest chapter if the Bible is Psalms 119 with 176 verses. The shortest chapter is Psalms 117 with only 2 verses. Incidentally, the middle chapter of the Bible is also Psalms 117. The longest book of the Bible is Psalms with 150 chapters, or psalms. It contains 43,743 words. The shortest book is 3 John with only 1 chapter and 299 words. The longest verse in the Bible is Esther 8:9 with 90 words. The shortest verse is John 11:35 with only 2 words, “Jesus wept.” 5 – The Bible is God’s Word There are many books written about and by various religions. But the Bible is the only one which includes the actual words of God. Those who believe the Bible also believe that God inspired various people through the years to write down His actual words for mankind. The Bible says more than 3,000 times “thus saith the Lord.” And the words which follow are quotes from God. 6 – The Bible is Historically Accurate There were several secular historians who wrote about the events of the New Testament at the same time the Bible was being written. Josephus is the most well-known of them. He was a Jewish historian. Tacitus was a Roman historian who would have no benefit from not telling the truth. Both these men, as well as others, can be used to back up the historical accuracy of the Bible. There are historical discoveries regularly coming to light that continue to support the accuracy of the Bible. 7 – The Business of the Bible There are more than 168,000 Bibles either sold or given away per day in the United States according to the Gideons, Wycliffe International and the International Bible Societies. Historically it has been said that the Bible is the most sold book of all time. It is regularly on various best seller lists. The Bible has been translated into more than 1,200 languages. 8 – The Bible Never Contradicts Itself There are no contradictions in the Bible. Various people claim to find contradictions but they have to take verses out of context to do so. When looking at the Bible as a whole and understanding its teachings there are no contradictions. This is amazing when one considers that the Bible was written over such a long period of time. 9 – The Prophecies of the Bible There are more than 3,200 verses with fulfilled prophecy either within the Bible itself or since the Bible was written. But there are still more than 3,100 verses with unfulfilled prophecies. 10 – The Writers of the Bible While there were at least 40 different people who wrote parts of the Bible, some were more prolific than others. The Apostle Paul wrote at least 13 books of the Bible. He may have also been the author of the book of Hebrews. Moses wrote the first 5 books. The Bible attributes more than 3,000 proverbs to King Solomon. These are not all written in the book of Proverbs. However, most of that book is said to be the proverbs of Solomon.” I’m sure that you were just as intrigued as I was. There were so many interesting tidbits that were absolutely astounding.

Now, let’s absorb the Word; it’s time to absorb greater knowledge and read! Happy Sunday! Blessings! Photo credit: www.crosswalk.com; Source: www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

IS GOD IN YOUR BUSINESS?

By Vernalee

Yes! God is in my business! What about you? I wouldn’t dare operate without him! I have learned to pray and ask for his guidance before I make critical decisions. Years ago, I relied upon my own understanding and intelligence. Not any more! I now realize that I am not a “know it all!” Making business decisions with God‘s guidance is assurance that if you slip or get lost, he will put you back on track. When you step on his escalator (which moves you automatically), your feet will land in the path that God has directed. Oh yes, I walk with God, and keep him in all aspects of my business – personal and professional. Keeping God in – keeps the enemy out! What a magnificent shield and safeguard! As Psalm 24:1 says: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” He has the whole world in his hands including you, me, our businesses, and workplaces! Now then, if you choose to do something different, don’t question me because “it’s none of your business that I run all of my business through the Lord!” . Photo credit: www.workingwomenoffaith.org