I Am Not Ashamed

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. I am not ashamed of the true Christmas story!

 

Although I know that the true meaning and story of Christmas is seen and heard less and less every year, it does not cease to be very disturbing and sad to see this. When I went to the mall last Saturday, I did not see one Christmas decoration that had anything to point to the birth of Christ. Not surprising, I suppose, since those things seem to be prohibited in public anymore.  And when I was looking on netflix for a Christmas video so that some grands could watch it, I only found two (out of 72) that had anything to do with the true Story. One of those was SO old the quality was terrible and the other was mixed with the secular story so...yeah, the choices were less than desirable.

Well, I am only one person and we are only one family on this huge planet called earth...a drop in the bucket among the 7,057,663,328 people that are living here (as of this writing).  But we are doing our teeny, drop-in-the-bucket part to let the world know that we still celebrate Christmas for the REAL reason that it began to be celebrated: the birth of our Saviour and Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. (You can read more about it here and here and here and here-for starters.)

 

My husband has been giving out some different kinds of evangelistic tracts during this year. Here is his most recent one, a button to pin on something. I chose to put one on my purse, in plain view where anyone can see it...

He also ordered this sign to put in our front yard...

(You can order the above items from here.)

   I also make "fotocards". If you are one of those (few) real people who still send real Christmas cards via real mail using real ink, real envelopes and real stamps (sorry, I had to rub that in), you know how difficult it is to find cards that have something in them that refer to the true story of Christmas. 

I like the fact that I can promote the Story of which I am not ashamed! I am also thankful that I live in a country where this is still allowed (to a certain degree). Some of you who are reading this, because you live in "certain" countries, do not have this liberty...but God has allowed you to have internet (yay!) so that you can read this. THAT is one of my special blessings!

 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(Luke 2:10-14)

 

I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. (Psalm 119:46)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...(Romans 1:16)

Forgiven

The blessing of forgiveness from God is beyond description. I was touched this morning by a devotional about this from Spurgeon's writings, part of which I quote here:

Can there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness", when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite?...For ever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and for ever, forgiven by virtue of His substitutionary pains and death. What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to Him who of His own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through His blood. What riches of grace does free forgivenss exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, is to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering, worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul.

                                                                                                            -Charles H. Spurgeon

"And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven."

(Luke 7:48)

The Birds Of The Air

 Last week my husband discovered this nest of a sabiá (robin) built on top of our water heater outside. Quite the interior decorator, I'd say!

                                     Look at the cute greenery circling the top of the nest...

And the red trim! Maybe she's getting ready for Christmas, huh?

Well, since the day the nest was discovered, we haven't seen any bird in or near the nest. Not sure what's going on. Maybe she detected that I'd be nearby taking TOO many pics...Gotta find a safer, more private place, she said. 
But I daily hear robins singing, charming us with their plaintive but melodic songs. We are in our Springtime here in southern Brazil so the variety of birds with their songs and activity is an entertainment for me these days. Gotta love it.
                                                           Can you find 2 birds here?

 "Oh, robin, fat robin, you're the symbol of Spring!

    You're the orange-breasted creature with a sweet song to sing.

Without you my yard would be a quite dreary place,

For you add to its beauty with your color and grace..."

(except from "Message Of The Birds")

Postscript Oct 16: A comment by a reader got me curious so I researched a bit and found out that the sabiá (or sabiá-laranjeira) is a Turdus rufiventris or Rufous-bellied Thrush which is only one of about 85 species of the thrush family. Wow, I learned alot!

  "And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, 

   and the birds of the air have nests,

   but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head."

    (Luke 9: 58) 

Angels' Joy!

                   Forty-four years ago today I was the cause for bringing joy to the angels.

And who can describe or even imagine HIS joy

when a sinner repents?!

I believed in God's Son....therefore I have life. Eternal life!

So simple, so true, so wonderful. No wonder this gives joy to the angels!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3:16)