Psalm 101:3

For many years, we have had Psalm 101:3 printed near our television. It is a great reminder to us of God's command to purity in all of life, including what we watch. The verse was printed on a tent card made of card stock paper. I picked it up at a teacher's conference one year at the Al Menconi booth.

The tent card has stood guard and been our reminder for more than 10 years now.  It is beginning to show wear and tear. So, I sat down with my trusty Photoshop and favorite fonts to create a new one this week.

Perhaps you need/want this reminder in your house. Just click on the photo below and print on 8.5 X 11 card stock paper.  Cut the paper 7" from the top of the page, then fold in half to create a tent card.

God With Us

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, 

“God with us.”
Matthew 1:22-24

A beautiful and moving video to ponder this Christmas season.

You Won't See This Again For Forty-Two Years

Tonight, we had the opportunity to go further out in the country...away from the city lights to view the conjunction of the crescent moon, Jupiter and Venus. We were able to view the moon and Jupiter (as well as the twin stars and a nebula) through a telescope.


What a spectacular picture of God's incomprehensible greatness! As I viewed the innumerable dots of light in the vast universe, I pondered with the Psalmist, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?"

I praise God that He allows us to enjoy sights like these. I am grateful that this great and mighty God saw my need and provided a way of salvation for me.

The Ultimate Gift

A question posed in Sunday School today asked, "How does it make you feel that the Creator of the Universe gave His Son for you?" The discussion prompted me to think about gifts.

I was recently given a gift (which I posted about here and here) that was totally unexpected. It was a gift given to me by the sacrifice of the giver. It was given to me out of the goodness of her heart....not because it was Christmas or my birthday. It was given to me "just because." This gift was so humbling to me, and I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. So much so that I felt incapable of truly expressing my thankfulness.

As I contemplated this gift, I was reminded of an even greater gift: the gift of God's Son. The salvation provided me through Jesus Christ was given to me through sacrifice. Christ died in my place to take the punishment for my sins....the ultimate sacrifice. God gave me this gift, not because I deserved it or could ever earn it. He gave it to me just because of His grace. How can I ever express my gratitude?

The humbleness and overwhelming gratitude I felt when receiving an earthly gift is just a fraction of the humility and thankfulness I should feel toward the Almighty, Gracious God. As you look toward the celebration of Christ's resurrection next Sunday, ponder the wholly undeserved sacrificial gift He gave to those who repent and believe.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
I Peter 2:9 NKJV

The Truth of Christmas

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood , the forgiveness of sins."
-Colossians 1:13,14

Sunday Reflection

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
-Psalm 91

The Death of Christ for Me

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:10 (KJV)

I know You had me on Your mind
When You climbed up on that hill
For You saw me with eternal eyes
While I was yet in sin
Redeemer Savior Friend

Every stripe upon Your battered back
Every thorn that pierced Your brow
Every nail drove deep through guiltless hands
Said that Your love knows no end

Redeemer Savior Friend...

So the grace You poured upon my life
Will return to You in praise
I'll gladly lay down all my crowns
For the name of which I am saved
Redeemer Savior Friend

© 1999 Integrity's Hosanna!/Integrity's Praise! Music

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" I Peter 3:18 (KJV)

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Words & Music: Philip P. Bliss