Our Christmas Eve celebration was made complete with the addition of this amazing instrument and the skill of our daughter in expressing her music.

Did you know that serving the Lord with gladness is like making a joyful noise to Him?

Entering His presence as we sing out His praise opens the gate of familial love.

His people, His sheep, His creation…that’s who we are when we acknowledge Christ Jesus as Lord. #Hisplanisredemption

Thankful and joyful describes those who enter His courts, blessing His name.

How can we not rejoice when we truly understand that He is good? His love steadfastly endures to our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. #salvation

I attempted to record a “voice memo” to exemplify this truth (as I enjoy playing the piano and singing along for private worship times). It’s not flawless, maybe not even very good…so I won’t be sharing!

To God’s ears, however, I believe it’s beautiful as He sees my heart of thanksgiving.

Whether it’s service or singing, our joyful noise is not lost on Him.-Teresa #authenticpraise

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
² Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵ For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves

A desire to be rich can lead to temptations, snares, crazy desires that bring about ruin.

BUT the best type of gain is found through Paul’s teaching to Timothy. Hold fast to godliness and be content with that. After all, we didn’t bring anything into the world and we will leave the same way.

Is it enough to have food and clothing? The minimalist would agree.

Our society is complicated. Not only food and clothing but transportation and a bed to sleep in are a minimum. I’ve come to dislike traveling because bare minimum needs are no longer easy to come by. Even if I am willing to spend the money in order to be comfortable, I’ve found that the customer service to match said value is rare, but lovely when experienced.

While I was waiting for my flight to board in Denver, a young man was talking on the phone and pacing back and forth. His whole conversation was about landing contracts for at least a half million dollars at each of their bookings that year. My imagination took this conversation to mean that his line of work must be an entertainer (since he did not appear old enough to be a businessman or even out of college yet)!

Since he boarded with me in group 4, I also assumed he was the person booking the gigs for an agent! (not the actual entertainer, maybe a relative of the entertainer).

We each have an individual story, although we all enter and leave the world in much the same way (with nothing). Our faith in God is what opens the veil between truth and sparkly appearances trying to convince us of truth.

We watched “Big George Foreman” last night on Netflix. He literally came back to life at 28 years old. Jesus really changed him. His desires and outlook changed. He went from needing 5 cars, mansions and expensive clothing to being a preacher, no longer fighting for respect. The love of God had changed him. I’m not saying he doesn’t have money now (especially after winning the heavyweight championship for a second time at 45 years old). The difference is that the veil of unbelief was removed so that he could understand how God saw him. #worthwhile #nomoreanger

Will I desire to be who riches tell me I am or desire who Christ says I am?-Teresa #content

I Timothy 6:6-10 ESV *

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and^[c] we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

*OneyearBibleonline

When I got on my final flight home this week, I was literally longing for home. My husband and I have been married a long time. Whenever we spend time apart, it brings back memories of our engagement when we were separated almost 6 months (to finish our college semesters). He arrived 2 days before the wedding to whisk me away!!

We told each other that we would never live apart again. Not taking that for granted, I appreciate anew our commitment whenever I get home from a trip.

Similarly, when I trust in the Lord my heart is always with Him. I know the road home (like a highway in my heart), strengthened by faith. Singing songs of praise, I bask in this heavenly relationship.

Until I see Him face to face, I will go from strength to strength. Even in the valley of Baca (or balsam tree) also to weep. He refreshes me. In fact, He withholds no good thing from my life. I can even trust Him for strength to walk uprightly.

Yes, it may come as a surprise but God is trustworthy. We are programmed to lack trust especially if our family of origin has dysfunctional behaviors.

A resume writer on Linked In (Adnan) posted this morning: Don’t Run. You prayed for this.-God. When I read the verse stating “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere”, it reminded me of a few years ago when I prayed to be able to retire from my job. He allowed it and I have time to spend as a “doorkeeper” in God’s house. It does not appear glamorous or fast-paced, but I trust it is connecting with His heart. #celestialteam

Lord, we look to you. Our souls may even faint with longing for your presence. Because you are God of the living (and of the resurrection), you are a shield about us. – Teresa #fainting #yetfulfilled

Psalm 84English Standard Version*

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.^[a] A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

84 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
² My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.^[b]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

⁸ O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
⁹ Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

¹⁰ For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
¹² O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion

*OneyearBibleonline

Visiting Minnesota this week, I’m thankful for the way my mom cared and nurtured us when we were children. She continues to find ways to take care of people and things around her.

I was overcome with grief last night, thinking of what life would be like without someone to take care of me. Sure, as adults we often don’t think we need that caring touch. The “independent” mindset of the Western world has almost spurned this paradigm.

Strangely, the more stoic and “not needy” I am, the less I desire to interact with others. Opening up to others means I am vulnerable. Asking for help means I can’t do it all on my own. (To put an exclamation mark on this point…I watched the movie “28 days”, with Sandra Bullock, on the flight over)!

Asking for help requires humility.

In the passage below, I’m reminded to embrace humility. If God chooses me, makes me holy and tells me that I’m dearly loved, I can “put on” (like a new garment) an attitude of humility.

If you find yourself in a time of grief, be sure to reach out to someone safe. Their understanding may bring not only peace to your life but restore the love that supports you in harmony with God’s purpose.

It is Jesus Christ the Lord dwelling richly within that helps us find a much needed wisdom and joy.- Teresa #gratefulforthis #newperspective

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)*

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

*OneyearBibleonline