A Weekly Walk in the Word

Matthew 21:6-9 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

This week is Holy Week. A time to celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made. As we pave the road to the cross this week, let us keep our focus on the one leading the way. Jesus was with the people over 2000 years ago, and continues down the path with us today.

Hosanna to the Son of David! ~ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ~ Hosanna in the highest!

Matthew 18:2-6 He called a little child and had. Him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

34 years ago today, I received one of my biggest blessings. God gave me a son! I have had the privilege of watching him grow into a man. And he has taught me so much along the way. Children have a way of slowing us down to view things through their eyes.

Thank God for the children in your life, whether they are 3 or 34. We are given a special relationship with young ones. But, with that relationship comes a responsibility to teach them about Jesus. It is the most important thing you can do for your child.

Birthday Blessings Seth! Jesus loves you, and so do I.

Matthew 6:19-21 Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The next 40 days will be spent on a journey to Easter. We use this time during Lent to walk alongside Christ on his journey to the cross. Be your authentic self as you open your heart to the wonderful possibilities God has for you.

On a side note, I am retiring from The City of Northfield the end of April. Today I looked at my countdown calendar to see that I have exactly 40 days left to work. Isn’t God’s timing perfect!

God bless you on your journey to the cross.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This week’s creative project was to finish a rug I have been knitting for a full year. Actually, I could only work on this 100% wool project during cold months because it is too much to hold this tube of color work when it is hot. Anyways, the knitting is complete. I used the top load agitating washing machine at work to felt the rug. Then came the scary part, steeking! Steeking is the process of cutting your knitting without unraveling your completed work. It was terrifying to say the least.

God’s words in Isaiah are comforting, even during knitting! Do not fear anything for God is with you. He is the strength that will hold you through all circumstances. Do not fear for FEAR is only False Evidence Appearing Real. God upholds you with TRUTH.

The steeking went off without a hitch. My newly made rug of many colors has been proudly placed at the entrance of my studio. It reminds me of God’s faithfulness every time I walk through the door.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

The FIBER Co.’s Eyelet Shawl was a joy to knit. The Luma yarn I used is a blend of Merino, organic cotton, linen & silk. A simple 8 row repeat with yarn overs to give it interest and very few purl stitches made this a quick project. But, the beauty of the shawl wasn’t seen until it was blocked. Now, if you aren’t a knitter, blocking is the process of wetting your knitted project and stretching it to it’s finished size. I use a blocking mat and T-pins to hold the stretched garment in place until it is completely dry. The lace pattern on the edges open up showing off the true beauty of the knitted piece.

God is continually molding and shaping our lives. He is involved in every aspect, big and small. But, the true beauty is seen when we are stretched to move out of our comfort zone into God’s zone. Enjoy the process of being stretched as you become God’s masterpiece.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

What are you reading in 2022? I started in Genesis again this week. God’s word never gets old. He shares something new every time I read it. There are several guides available to help navigate reading the Bible. It seems like a big undertaking, but if you break it down into daily pieces, you will be amazed at how easy it is. You will look forward to your personal quiet time with God.

Let his word be the light to lead you through 2022.

Luke 2:1-7 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus. Let him into your home this CHRISTmas!

Luke 2:8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

May you experience the joy of the shepherds this Christmas season at the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Luke 1:11-17 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and. You are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and may will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

It’s Christmastime! The most wonderful time of the year. The preparations have begun. They can be seen in the stores. They can be seen as you drive through your neighborhood. They can be seen in your own home. May God bless you durning this time of preparation as you prepare those around you for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Nehemiah 12:31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphant procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thank you Jesus for your abundant blessings. As always, you have given us so many reasons to be thankful.