Author: Judy Elmer

This cactus is known for its early winter blooms just in time for Christmas. As a little girl I remember how hard it was waiting for Christmas to finally come. But when that plant bloomed I knew we were well on our way to Christmas day. Now as an adult, during this time before Christmas, I want to prepare may heart for the true meaning of Christmas. Will you join me? With a thankful heart, let’s take time each day to remember the miracle of Jesus coming into the world… our greatest Gift of all.

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

Great God, You enable us to take one step at a time, even when we can’t see where we’re going. Help us to fully rely on You. Help us to remember that in good times and bad times, in highs and lows, with blessings and sufferings, and when life opens and closes, You are always with us…taking us through.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:20

This bird looks like he’s “on a mission.” I have jokingly said I’m on a mission when grocery shopping with little time or cleaning the house before company comes. I have to concentrate and zero-in-on staying the course. Have you ever felt the drive to undertake a task you considered so very important? As a Christian I want to deliberately choose to zero-in-on the promises of God and stay the course. Jesus Himself was on a mission to testify to the truth. Let’s together have a laser-like focus on the light of God’s Word and all His promises. Together let’s stand firm and daily think about what’s true. Truth like…God is in control, God loves you, and no matter what you can trust Him.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Eph.6:14

Thanksgiving day is one of my favorite holidays. I like celebrating big blessings and little blessings too. I’m thanking God for smiles! Big smiles, grins, or belly laughs can sure make a difference in my attitude. I’m grateful that God created in us the ability to smile. I think smiles capture the heart of God. He created us according to His image, so I bet God smiles too. I’m asking God to remind people of His great love and to bring back smiles in the faces of those who feel they have lost their ability to smile.

“The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Num. 6:25-26

God has given my husband artistic ability. He had a massive stroke that has affected the right side of his body. He used to be right handed but now he has learned to do everything with his left hand, including these beautiful abstract paintings. The technique is called “acrylic pouring painting” on canvas. He has put a scripture on the back of each painting to remind us that God keeps His promises. As I watch Carl pour the paint on the canvas using only one hand and see his artistic ability, I’m reminded of God’s sovereign purpose. This is about what GOD CAN DO through us. No stroke, no paralysis, has stopped what God has prepared in advance for him to do…for God’s glory!

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10

This picture was taken at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. This U.S. military cemetery has over 400,000 graves. I’m thanking God for the heroes who gave their lives to defend and protect America. I know a True Hero who gave His life for us so we could be free and have eternal life. He was killed on a cross. He was buried in a tomb. Three days later the tomb was empty. This True Hero is alive today. His name is Jesus.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

I love looking at the stars and moon in the night sky. There’s something about the night sky that makes me feel like everything’s going to be okay. I guess because I’m reminded that Creator God is in control. The moon is like an eyewitness testifying to the truth about God’s faithfulness. God’s Word even describes the moon as “…the faithful witness in the sky.” (Psalm 89:37) For me seeing the moon, especially after a hard day helps me put things in perspective. When I stop to think about how God has been so faithful in the past my problems don’t seem so big. When life gets hard we can count on God, because bottom-line… He is Faithful and True.

The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:13-14

This is Linley and Grayson deciding which pumpkin to pick up and take home. A home where it will be changed into a pumpkin with a great big carved-in smile. Believers too are waiting to be picked up and taken to our real home. This world is not our true home. Our heavenly home is where believers will be transformed into what they’re meant to be with a great big smile!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil. 3:20-21

This mockingbird has landed in a risky position. It looks somewhat hazardous to straddle two opposite branches with your legs wide apart. It’s amusing to think that maybe this songbird can’t decide what song to sing. Like the old saying, he’s “on the fence.” Straddling the fence can happen to us when faced with big decisions that requires a lot of courage. From my experience being on the fence is not a pleasant place to be. If you’re on the fence and facing a big decision and need lots of courage, take it to God in prayer. He’s willing to listen, guide and bring peace of mind. Remembering that He loves us no matter what enables us to make a courageous decision and get off the fence.

Trust is the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6

I think it’s a God-thing that a small single acorn can produce a mighty oak tree. In the first chapter of the Bible we find that God created all kinds of trees. The oak tree is known for its strength and strong root system enabling it to withstand major storms. Oak trees are supposed to live a long time too. Wouldn’t that be a super reputation to have…to grow strong, have the ability to withstand major storms and live a long time? Wait a minute! God has given us Bible study, prayer and Christian fellowship to help us grow strong in Him, persevere through storms and have eternal life through Jesus. The transformation of the acorn into a mighty oak tree is only one small example of the mighty things God can do.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jer. 17:7-8