THE CHRIST CHILD ...THE STORY OF GOD'S LOVE

 

                                                                      

                                                   

                    A MAUVE-SPATTERED SUNSET

        Photo by Carole Castagna  ©9/2007

 

A chilly night with

myriad stars in the sky...

one lone star shines brightest to point the way...

 

The Christ-Child is born.

Psalm 8: 3,4,5

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him? 

or the son of man that You visit him?

You have made him a little lower than the angels

and You have crowned him with glory and honor."

Yet he was born in a manger to become the man of sorrows 

to die for our sins on a cross

on Calvary.

 

John 10: 14,15

"I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep and am known by my own.

And I lay down My life for My sheep.

 

John 10: 27,28

My sheep know my voice and they hear Me and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand...My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.  I and My Father are one."

 

David wrote in Psalm 8 of his experience as a shepherd and his relationship with the sheep. The sheep were fully dependent on him for their needs and wellbeing. At one point, he said in prayer, ‘Your rod and your staff, they comfort me’.  Comfort is that state of wellbeing when one is at peace with oneself.  There is a sense of security, a peaceful calm is in the air and one feels completely safe.  The Lord was protecting David as well.  David's sheep sense calm and security as well.  At some level they may have sensed that the shepherd held in his hand the instruments of their safety, the rod and the staff with which to strike the predator and retrieve them if they fell in harm’s way.  Since 'all of us like sheep have gone astray', we can feel protection beneath the cross of Christ:  one short instrument (the horizontal wood-piece, like the rod) and one long instrument (the vertical wood-piece, like the staff) by which Christ struck the predator of our souls, Sin.

 

Psalm 23: 4  "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." 

The long staff - the short rod are instruments

of protection not of punishment.

Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection

bring us new life and bring a new

song to our hearts.

 

After 2000 years, the story of God's love holds strong:  it cannot be deleted.

It stands the test of time.   HE IS ALIVE...

 

THE CHRIST CHILD IS THE STORY OF GOD'S LOVE

FOR HUMANITY!

 

 

                                                                              A NEW DAY'S SONG

Psalm 104: 24

 

Photo by Carol Castagna   © 9/2007

 

 

   Why have so many people walked away from Him?

   By carol castagna © 11/2013

   NKJV Holy Bible



 

 

LISTEN TO THE QUIET

 

Psalm 65: 8

Those who live at the edge of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.  From where the sun sets to where the sun rises, you inspire shouts of joy!

I am blessed here where I live, near the West Shoreline of Florida.  I can look out from my lanai and see the splendor of the night sky running to greet me.  And when I awaken, the lazy morning sun pours down on me as I listen to the grass grow ~ and I know that all peace reigns in my corner of the world.

LISTEN TO THE QUIET

                                                          © 11/2013 Photo by John Sgarlata

LISTEN TO THE QUIET

Weeping willows dancing in sweet abandon

Against an azure sky

Tomorrow will wait...

An oriole visits my porch and speaks a song

Written just for me - This moment is sweet solitude

Raindrops slide down my cheek and

Hush whispers to the pond

Listen ... sweet silence

Quiet splendor

Only Jesus and sunshine ~ a cool breeze

At this moment ... Listen to the Quiet ...
He is everywhere.

A Word About Prayer:

There are two elements of prayer:
...where we speak to God
...where God speaks to us

We may feel that the most important aspect of prayer is letting God know what we need (the 'speaking part' of prayer).  He already knows.  He still wants us to ask:  asking demonstrates to Him that we love and trust Him to direct our way.  Listening for the still, small voice of God is exquisitely important.  It is the 'listening part' of prayer that offers the soul nourishment:  it is where God's Holy Spirit hovers over us and fills us with God's presence and peace.  It is there, in those quiet moments with the Lord that He draws us nearer to Himself and His embrace.
Carol A. Castagna  
© 11/2013 

Hospitality As It Relates to Being a Christian

 


Hospitality As It Relates to Being a Christian :

     If one stops to think about it, hospitality is synonymous with one's 'heart for God.'  In some instances, hospitality may come in the form of a warm welcome for family we have not seen for months or years. We prepare a lovely table setting, with our best china, stemware, silverware, napkins, tablecloth and add a vase of colorful flowers to the table ~ to express our joy at their arrival.  In many ways,  it reflects the stories of the women in the Bible who prepared food and lodging for family, friends and strangers who traveled many miles from their homes. These women killed, skinned and prepared the animal for consumption:  theirs was not an easy task.  Today, our task is easier but the message is the same:  Welcome!

     In other ways hospitality speaks to what Jesus has taught us:  The first and most poignant one I am thinking of is:  "You shall love the Lord, thy God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind"...this is the first and greatest commandment.  Deuteronomy 6: 5 and Matthew 22: 37.  And the second is similar:  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  Leviticus 19: 18 and Matthew 22: 39.

     An example is that of the good Samaritan giving a cup of cold water to a stranger:  And Jesus said to him, "If you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me."...i.e., dressing wounds, comforting with words, listening to a friend's  grief, sharing joy in celebration.  The crowd did not undertand.  Jesus explained that our love, indeed, our expressions of love toward others is as if we are expressing our love to Him.

     In view of the previous verses, it would appear that hospitality is not limited to the home.  So, if hospitality does not refer only to welcoming people to our homes, what does it refer to?  I like to define hospitality as something that we as Christians bring with us wherever we go.  It is our unconditional acceptance of people, our willingness to listen, our welcoming embrace, our invitation to spend time together, our concern upon someone's loss, our joy upon someone's celebration ~ our concern and love.  Let me suggest that our home is probably the first place where our graciousness is seen, i.e., in the way we make someone feel welcome and at home which is an unfamiliar setting to them or the way our non-judgmental attitude speaks kindness. Our home could be considered an in-reach or an in-our-home reach.

     If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we are conveying hospitality in the finest and most intimate sense.  In other words, we bring hospitality or a sense of welcome, to the person ~where he is.  We meet people along the way, each day:  unaware of their particular circumstance, we greet them.  One may need an encouraging word from the Lord, through us.  One may need a warm embrace that says we care, that says that Jesus cares about him/her.  A child may need an understanding heart to calm his fears.  Mother Teresa considered every adult and child that she met, to be, in essence, Jesus.  In other words, each person took the form of Jesus.  She dressed the wounds of the sick and poor, as though she were ministering to someone who was equally as important as Jesus  . She gave a cup of cold water as though she were giving it to Jesus.  Hers is an amazing story:  she brought her love for Jesus to the people on the streets of Calcutta.   Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Mudderidge is the story of a journalist's interview with Mother Teresa.   At the age of 80, this journalist, who was an atheist, became a convert (to Catholicism) as a result of his observation  of  Mother Teresa's example of Christ by her gift of self to the homeless of Calcutta.  If our goal, as Christians is to reach the lost for Christ, perhaps, then, hospitality is synonymous with our out-reach or our (out-in-the-world/field-reach), as well as our in-(home) reach.  As Christians we often show that we have a heart for missions, the down-trodden in other countries, the poor without food and water, warm clothes, or medical resources. We are hospitable to these strangers, Good Samaritans to people abroad and in the United States.  The Lord blesses our offerings.  
     In our  little corner of the world, though, around the corner, next door, up the street, we can show the same heart for missions, heart for God, or hospitality.  The mission field or our hospitality track may be right in our own backyard.  
     In this regard, this is still our outreach but we are bringing people in our surrounding area in to our homes (in-home) reach, which kind of gives a warm and cozy, comfortable feel to our mission.  Ultimately, the in-home reach becomes an extension of our out-reach to people in our corner of the world.

May the Love of My Jesus Surround You
A Song for You

May the love of my Jesus surround you

His love encompass, enthrall ~ yes, abide with you

Open your heart and receive Him, today!

His arms are opened ~ He'll show you the way

May the joy of my Jesus be your joy

His joy, unceasing, far-reaching be your joy.

Reach out, He's calling, 

He loves you, today!

He'll give love, joy, love
You'll bring Him praise!

Carol A. Castagna
copyright 11/2013

A POEM OF THANKSGIVING: JOY COMES IN THE MORNING




 Cactus Plants on my Kitchen Bay Window

 

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

A POEM OF THANKSGIVING

AND REJOICING IN HIS PROMISE

Lord, You have turned my mourning into dancing

My night into the sweet glow of

Moonlight

You’ve touched my life with the might of your

Healing hand

And comforted my soul in the desert

Lord, when I walked through briar and thistle you guided my way

And lifted me close to your heart to breathe your sweet

Presence

My soul sings your praise for directing me God-ward

And upward

I am content to look toward heaven and to know the

Strength of your promise

It is you, oh God, my Portion, my Redeemer, my Joy

Who breathes new life into each new day

Stay with me as I grow old and await your return.

carol a. castagna copyright October 2012

ISAIAH 55: 12 AND 13      

“FOR YE SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY, AND BE LED FORTH WITH PEACE; THE MOUNTAINS AND THE HILLS SHALL BREAK FORTH BEFORE YOU INTO SINGING AND ALL THE TREES OF

THE FIELD SHALL CLAP THEIR HANDS.

         INSTEAD OF THE THORN SHALL COME UP THE FIR TREE, AND INSTEAD OF THE BRIER SHALL   COME   UP THE MYRTLE TREE; AND IT SHALL BE TO THE LORD FOR A NAME, FOR AN EVERLASTING SIGN THAT SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF.

WE ARE NEVER ALONE

WE ARE NEVER ALONE

I feel that wherever I stand is an alter and whatever room I enter is a place of worship.

My Lord is always with me, His Spirit ever-present, His love always abounding.  How sweet is the song of His name.

Psalm 31:7

I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles and care about the anguish of my soul.

Anyone who has gone through the trials this life can bring, and has trusted in God's tender mercies and lovingkindness, can say in sweet gratitude, with the Psalmist, 'for you have seen my troubles and care about the anguish of my soul.'  

There is nothing as sacred as the closeness that comes through a relationship with our Savior:  it is immeasurably blessed and personal, comforting and empowering.  I grew up with the Lord since ever I can remember.   We receive strength to endure, peace in turmoil, comfort in loss and healing whether it be for ourselves or for others.  I am a woman of prayer and conviction and I treasure the closeness of my walk with the Lord.  I can do nothing of any worth without Him, for He goes before me in everything I do.  There is something called grace ~ God's kindness and favor toward those who put their trust in Him.  During the times when I failed Him (and we all fail Him in this life) He never left me.  He drew me even closer to Him by His faithfulness, mercy, forgiveness, love and grace. He is not the kind of friend who turns around and walks away because we have displeased him.  He is 'all in' with us, for the long haul.  His mercy endures forever.

PRAYER:

We come before you, dear Father, with grateful hearts because you know our needs and our heartaches~ because you know us by name...and are near to comfort us in our darkest hour.  Let us feel your presence and your warm embrace.  Comfort us in our desert.  Shower us with your love.  Lead us to your sunlight with your mighty power and glorious promise.  We praise you for the hope that you have offered us through your Son, Jesus Christ, who loves us and through His shed blood and resurrection, takes away the sin of the world.   Amen

© 11 - 2013  Carol T. Castagna

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

Psalm 91: 11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee to keep you in all your ways.

New Testament, Holy Bible NKJV
Old Testament, Holy Bible NKJV

JOY PSALMS! Weekly Devotions~Poems: The Place Where Kindness Lives

JOY PSALMS! Weekly Devotions~Poems: The Place Where Kindness Lives: THE PLACE WHERE KINDNESS LIVES The place where kindness lives is not so very far away You'll stumble quite by chance upon its pres...

THE JOY WE SHARED

THE JOY WE SHARED


You believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
 I Peter 1:8 (1)

The Breathing of One Joy:

When my Grandmother, Rose DeLucia, closed her eyes toward her journey to awaken on Heaven’s shore,  a big part of me just fell to the ground.  My world was shattered.  Nothing was the same.  I was down for the count.

I was hoping I could manage well without her – but I didn’t fare very well at all.   I lost a dear friend.  Grandma was the one with opened arms, a ready welcoming smile, a warm embrace, a ‘Hello Dah'ling!’  Not only did we share laughter, we breathed one joy ~ and it was that breathing of the same joy that was my constant.  Together, we breathed in the joy of the Lord, the joy of laughing and conversing, the joy of seeing each other and the joy of anticipating seeing each other again.  She was the first one with whom I felt a spiritual connection.  She knew who she was in the Lord and in this world.  Even-tempered, slow to judge, slow to anger, quick to heal, to cover a wound, quick-witted and wise, she was my friend.  How much like me, was she!  I found someone in this life who understood me without my having to explain!   And now, she was physically gone.  It's not that I was  unaware that she must leave this earth, some day.  It was that even though we think we are prepared to say our final good-bye, we simply are not prepared.  Oft times, my Grandmother's understanding was in her eyes or in her smile.  It was that palpable! And her hands, the hands of a seamstress, were as gentle as  her character was strong.  She held the Holy Bible and turned its pages as though she were sifting through gold – and she was – Truth’s gold.  The truth of the Christ of Calvary, the cross, the Resurrection and the opened tomb, Redemption, and Eternity flooded those hallowed pages.  I never really worked through the loss of her, thoroughly, though – the loss of my maternal Grandmother, this woman of God.  

It was lonely for a long, long time after Grandma passed.  It was during that time that the Lord gave me the lyrics and piano melody to Sonnet of Hope (on last week's JOY PSALMS! entry).  I play the music and read the words 'till today and I am comforted. .  One day I will see her again…the promise of eternity will come to pass and the breathing of one joy will resume brighter and more alive.   Heaven’s great splendor will blaze with the light of our Lord and Savior in our midst.  With loved ones surrounding us and Heaven's symphony resounding, earth's sadness will be but a disappearing pebble erased from memory's stream.  It will be replaced with 'joy unspeakable and full of glory.'  (2)

Prayer:

Thank you, dear Lord, for your promise that one day all tears shall be wiped away, that all things will be made new, that the days will need no sun because you, Lord, will be our bright and shining light.

In Jesus name,  Amen ….

© Nov. 2013    written by Carol T. Castagna

New Testament, Holy Bible NKJV
The Celebration Hymnal, Joy Unspeakable (c) 1997 by Word Music/Integrity        Music,  p.740