"The Steps You Took, I Take" - a Christmas Poem

               

Merry Christmas, Everyone!  Isn't this picture  touching?  Joseph wondering over the new Baby while his young wife rests after an exhausting labor and delivery...a much more realistic portrait than the typical Nativity scene!
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Now go back in Time with me...
         


                                 The Steps You Took, I Take 


                               How rich am I to have your Book!
                                that follows all the steps You took

                                to show your love and let us trace
                                the depth of your amazing Grace!

                                (Before the world, Time un-begun,
                                the Lamb was slain, Death left un-done.)

                                I hear the shout the angels raise
                                and run to hold the Babe they praise;

                                seek You with Magi, full-aware
                                that it's your Star that leads us there.

                                I listen in as You spellbind
                                the Temple teachers with your mind;

                                then join the Twelve You called apart
                                to learn the secrets of your heart.

                                I vow to own the One I know
                                and never fear the rooster's crow;

                                then stand with Mary, as hearts break,
                                and feel darkened Golgotha quake...

                                ...now spread the wonder - hope anew!
                                Your tomb's unsealed, your words come true!

                                Through your life, my new life's begun;
                                now You and I walk on as one.

                                And, though much to come is still un-penned,
                                You've told me how The Story ends!

                                                                                               (Becky Rhon)
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May you all have a wonderful, joy-filled Christmas, and be filled with strength and passion to continue into the New Year, as you "walk on as one" with The Child...our Teacher...our Savior...our Friend!
                                                                       
                                                                             

Limes, lemons and saints! (a kitchen tip, plus...)

All of the limes in the photo were bought at the same time. But the ones in my left hand, which were left out on the counter, are shriveled and brown, while the rest...are fresh and still bright green, after several weeks!  Why?

I found a great way to help lemons and limes have a much longer life!

All you need to do is put the dry limes or lemons in a dry glass jar and screw on the top...then stick it in the fridge.  When I first saw this tip, I wondered about it.  But, since I don't use a lot of limes, and my supermarket only sells them in mesh bags with 15 or so per bag, it was worth a try.  And it definitely worked!
                                         
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Looking at the jar of limes in the fridge the other day, I was struck by the "object lesson" it gave.  Jesus' disciples remained a part of this world, of society, visible to all...but He knew there were dangers, and asked his Father to protect them.

"I'm not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan's power."  (John 17:15)

And the limes?  If I'd put them in the fridge unprotected, even in the crisper drawer,  they would have shriveled up and turned  brown more quickly (though maybe more slowly than out  on the counter).

When  I put them in a closed jar, they can still be in the fridge, (visible through the glass jar), part of the whole culinary scene, yet protected by the glass from the drying-out effect of the fridge, giving them a longer, more "fruitful" life, and delaying (by a lot) the decaying process.

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As long as we have to live here on Earth, we can take to heart the words Jesus prayed on our behalf, asking the Father to protect us from the Enemy who looks to "dry us out", cut short our productiveness and induce spiritual decay. The psalmist also weighed in:

"He will cover you with his feathers, He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection."  (Psalm 91:4)

 And here is one of those promises:

                                        "The Lord is faithful;
                                     and He will strengthen you
                                and protect you from the evil one."   (II Thessalonians 3:3)

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                                            Thank You, Father!