“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6)

Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Let’s take the manger story, and see Jesus in light of Isaiah’s declaration.  This verse is sung in carols, beautifully gold leafed across our Christmas cards, even quoted by those who don’t have a clue WHO Jesus is. But have we really considered the fact that THE Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace was … given … to … US!  ‘For unto us…’   That is YOU and me. Not just the shepherds watching their flocks by night, or the wise men who out witted the Herod dude. (see Luke 2:8-20 // Matthew 2:1-12)

Last week we looked at Wonderful Counselor, today Mighty God. 

At first glance we would assume, it is just a two word religious name used to describe just how big God is. BIG He is. Yet this is NOT the intent of this prophetic disclosure.

Sadly, many in society today see Jesus as weak, the man in a white robe knocking on a door. For some, they leave Jesus in the manger as a swaddled babe, meek and mild with a hovering halo above His head. Mighty God.
 
‘Mighty’ in the Hebrew (gibbor) renders a militant theme. STRONG, BRAVE, VITALITY, THAT OF A SUCCESSFUL RULER. (emphasis made to express the magnitude of the word) It can even be translated as ‘HERO’. Boy doesn’t our culture need a ‘hero’ and hand raising allegiance !!
 
If we could take the same energy found at a pro basketball game … as the star player runs down the court, his name yelled from all corners of the arena, taking a few steps he launches himself up, releasing the ball … (take a breath) Taking THAT energy, praise, inawe-ness (YES, that is a word … now) that allegiance, the same worship and spend it on JESUS, the One declared … WORTHY. (see Revelation 5) WOW.  Take THAT opposing team!  Mighty God. 
 
The culture of Isaiah’s day, as found in the Semitic language was also seen in word picture imagery as ‘to rise, raise, strong or prevailing.’  What a wonderful picture, the Warrior-King arising. Psalm 68:1 “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee before him.”  Here the picture is God rising up, with all power & authority. This is very serious and something to be feared. I say “Wahoo ~ God’s standin UP … look out!”   Now THAT would be an arena Hero experience! Mighty God.
 
HOWEVER, with all this ‘mighty’ strength and warrior muscle bearing, there is gentleness. “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty (gibbor) to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Interesting, the word translated here for ‘quiet’ means ‘engrave.’ While God is flexing His muscles with power & authority to save you, he ‘engraves’ His love on you.’ Now that is some heavy ‘gentle’ Warrior King lov’in goin on! Mighty God.
 
Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, HOWEVER no longer in the manger, He is strong, brave, risen, successful ruler, our Warrior King. Mighty God.
 
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given …”
 
In Him, DeDe (‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ Heb.10:24)
Lambs Expressions Ministry

This week, while doing my study of the covenantal love of God, I was again reminded of the journey of … the Lamb. From Genesis to Revelation the Lamb of God.

Genesis 22, God declares to Abraham to take his son Isaac, his only son to the mountain and offer him as a sacrifice. As Abe and son begin their hike up the mountain, father placing the wood on the shoulders of the son, Isaac says “The fire and wood are here.” Then asks, “but where is the lamb …?”

As the story progresses, Isaac willingly climbs up on the altar.  Abraham obeys to the fullest, God knowing His heart, stops him, and provides a ram for the sacrifice. The lamb. Hearing God, following His commands, sacrificing until it hurts. The Lamb … provided.

Exodus 12, God prepares the Israelites to leave the captivity of Egypt. Instructions were given, “… take the lamb…” slay and place the blood on the doorpost of the home. Taking the lamb into their home, the blood now over them, death avoided. freedom from captivity. The Lamb … protected.

John 1, John the Baptist, known eccentric evangelist, sees Jesus approaching, he openly declares “Look, behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” John purposely points to Jesus, the shift of attention. The Lamb … proclaimed.

Revelation 5, the angelic choir sings before the throne “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” The Lamb … praised.

We too, hold a progression of the Lamb. Perhaps we are wondering, where is He, ‘where is the Lamb?’ Carrying our own wood, agony of heart in the sacrifice, NEEDING provision. Have we taken Him ‘take the Lamb’, the offering of protection and deliverance from our captivity. Are we beholding Him, ‘behold the Lamb’, openly declaring Him before others, re shifting the focus from us to Him. Does our heart and lifestyle harmonize with heaven ‘worthy is the Lamb’ joining the celebration.
 
This week, may we contemplate where WE are in our own personal journey of the Lamb.
 
Jesus, from the foreshadowing in the Old Testament,  the wood on His shoulders, willingly climbing on the altar, His blood, protecting and delivering, to US proclaiming Him, to the celebration at the foot of the throne … the Lamb of God.

“Where is the lamb?” The Lamb, provided.
“Take the lamb” The Lamb, protected.
“Behold the Lamb” The Lamb, proclaimed.
“Worthy is the Lamb” The Lamb, praised.
 
In Him, DeDe “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” ~ Heb. 10:24
Lambs Expressions Ministry

Throughout our day, perhaps week, we may observe a few variety’s of what other people may feel, say or act about WHO God is. There are many names that society has put on God. Some may call Him, ‘Big Guy in the Sky’, the ‘Main Dude’, or ‘Man upstairs’. As we find in scripture, His name represents Who He is, what He does, How He operates.

“Prince of Peace, Morning Star, Chief Shepherd, Root of David, Lamb of God, Holy One, Everlasting Father, Righteous Judge, King of Kings … I AM!” (just to name a very small few)

This last week I was asked again to speak to the children and staff at Emmaus Christian School. With teaching and a skit, (assisted by a few high school students from another local Christian high school.) My assignment: share with them about God, the WONDERFUL COUNSELOR….

We might say today, that God is an Awesome Advisor, and that He is, yet  God’s children will know Him as … Pele Ya’as ~ ‘pela yaw-ots’ (Hebrew) ‘Wonderful Counselor.’ (Isaiah 9:6)

God is Wonderful.  Pele, unusual, marvelous, extraordinary. WAIT, look at that word again … it is a compound word … extra~ordinary! So much so that He is separate, like none other. This Hebrew word is wrapped up in the same word that God uses when talking to Abe, regarding Sarah having a son, (in their ripe old age I might add) “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” Too hard … it can be rendered, ‘is there anything to wonderful for the LORD?’

Ya’as, three words are used to define Counselor.  He is the One who deliberates on our behalf. Who with careful consideration stands in our place and tells the truth about what He knows about us. He advises with the greatest wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5) Wonderful Counselor, One who resolves the most difficult of situations. “Being confident of this, that He who began a GOOD work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6 emphasis mine, good … profitable, useful) Wonderful Counselor!

How many of us are facing a situation that may seem ‘too hard’, and we would LOVE deliberation, wonderful advice, and wonderful resolve to flood our soul?

Remember the garden scenario in Matthew 26? Jesus left the crowds, left the disciples, taking Peter, James and John, leaving them, ‘going a little farther’, now ALONE, He falls to His face and prays “Father …!”

May we too take it a ‘little farther’ leave our ‘too hard’ situation, get alone, seek the One who stands on our behalf, gives wisdom generously, and provides resolve seeing us through to ‘completion’.

I AM, Wonderful Counselor … I am the extra~ordinary Deliberator, Adviser, Resolver.
 
In Him, DeDe (Ps. 92:4 “You thrill me, LORD…)

“A cheerful heart is good for your health, gloom and doom leave you bone-tired” (Pro. 17:22 -MSG)

How many of us are … TIRED? Sorry for yelling. Perhaps sadden or depressed, confused or greatly disappointed, wounded or beaten down. These all are wrapped up nicely in the Hebrew phrase for “a broken spirit drieth the bones.” One resource has this to say: “A broken spirit describes the life, the vitality, the drive, the spirit of a person that has been oppressed by a grieved heart.” *

The cartoon rendering of the heart, is that of a mirrored angel wing, bouncing rhythmically from the chest, which isn’t to far from the truth. Metaphorically the heart beats of our feelings, will and intellect, passions… our inner self.

This proverb so divinely inspired, instructs us that the best successful cure for a dried up, and may I add ‘icky’ disposition is that of a CHEERFUL HEART. This is the ONLY place in the Old Testament, that this use of the word for ‘medicine’ is used… hm.

Welcome to my world, here is where I have been the last few weeks. When thinking, pondering and meditating on this verse, I found myself offering expressions that others may deem … um …. SILLY – even IMMATURE, and down right EMBARRASSING!  Let me explain. I have been emotionally and spiritually … tired.  To regain my strength, first … prayer … the Word … then my goal has been to try to make as many people smile, laugh, be encouraged, lifted up, and take a look and enjoy their surroundings as possible. Have you seen those COLORS outside!

I have waved at folks in their cars (don’t have a clue who they are) Stopped, held up a line, elbows on counter, looked the cashier in the eyes, and asked ‘how are YOU doing today?’ (interesting response) I sent a package to a dear friend, ‘just because’. Sent a poem via text, wrote the STUPIDEST things on FaceBook, like: “Ever stop to think, and forget to start again” and “Why hasn’t there been a sequel to Titanic?”   Then today, when picking up my son from school, as he approached the car and climbed in, he was greeted with a pair of silly glasses with a HUGE nose, mustache and fluffy eye brows beautifully placed upon his mothers face, if I do say so myself. Pair of glasses … $1.57. Giggle from son … priceless!   And yes, I drove a short distance down the street like that.

“A cheerful heart is good for your health.” Sometimes, faith comes by acting out  of faith. OH, we may not FEEL it, but if our heart isn’t responding to life’s advances the way we would like, and all we are getting in our bucket seems to be lemons, well … you know the saying. Then advance BACK with a CHEERFUL heart… make someone laugh, smile, bless their socks off. In doing so, make YOURSELF  laugh, smile, be blessed. So the cycle continues. God, grace, godly gestures … GOOD medicine.

I would never imply we ignore our issues, or ignorantly look the other way of our own heartache, but even as in a balance meal, dessert is just a course away (personally I have been ordering dessert FIRST). The word says, ‘a cheerful heart is good medicine’ – SELF MEDICATE, with the help of the Holy Physician. Wave at those passing cars, smile at the librarian, text someone to get a ‘LOL’ in return, invest in some silly glasses. Be creative, I call these ‘mini ministries’.

Life is short, just enough room and time to enjoy ‘regardless’. God is good.

In Him, DeDe (Ps.94:2 “You thrill me, LORD …)

* Quote from: Complete Word Dictionary of the O.T. — other resources used: Theological Dictionary of the O.T., Strong’s Hebrew/Greek Dictionary/Concordance, The Vine’s, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words. Translations looked at: KJV, NASB, NLT, NIV, MSG

~ Side Note: Medical articles state that how we handle stress and other emotional factors affect the potential of illness such as: upset stomach, muscle aches, tension headaches, weight loss, ulcers, panic attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome, lack of energy, inability to focus.

 
Waiting . Isn’t it HOARDS of fun? Yes, that is a rhetorical – sarcastic question. Nothing, floats my boat, rolls my socks, more than … waiting. I am kidding of course, whether it be in a check out stand, gas line, or in a season of life, I am not a good wait-er.

Recently studying in Genesis, I was again reminded of just how ‘human’ the characters are. This is my take on … Noah. Quickly setting the scene: God is grieved over mans ‘ickiness’, (yes that now is a word), He’s starting over. He instructs Noah to build the first Titanic, however, this one IS unsinkable. Noah obeys beyond the critical looks, and behind his back snickers. He builds the ark and gathers the animals. Loading up, God shuts the door and it begins to get quite wet out.

Forty days it rains. Let’s look at this picture a little closer. Get your rain coat on, and step up to a window and look inside the Ark with me… animals EVERYWHERE! Where there are animals there is … um … poo. Here is where I would like to be a fly. No, too ugly – a butterfly on the cypress wood, and observe Mrs. Noah. What a TROOPER, knee deep in poo and yet there is no documented complaint from her. Go Mrs. N !

Ok, get serious. Genesis 8, the rain stops. Noah sends out the raven, then the dove, the dove returns because there is no place to land yet. Verse 10 “He WAITED seven more days ...” (emphasis mine)  Noah waited. In the Hebrew this waiting is a painful waiting, as to wring the hands, not a mere sitting on a crate playing cards passing the time. It refers to either pain in the physical sense or in the emotional, of suffering and sorrow. Noah and his family in the ark, God preserves them, now he (they) wait.

Had God forgotten him? Will he forever spend the rest of his life in a stinky ship full of animals? How many rounds of  ‘Row row row your boat’ do they HAVE to sing, those silly sons!  No, we really don’t know what he was thinking, but his waiting was anguishing.
 
David penned “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him …” ~ Psalms 37:7.   The same Hebrew word for ‘wait’ is used here. He too knew … ‘wait’. Anointed to be king as a young boy, deadly pursuit by King Saul … wait.

BUT, the story, the waiting does NOT stop there. Noah sent out the dove AGAIN, that evening the dove returned with an olive branch, “Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but THIS TIME it did not return to him.” (Gen. 8:11-12)

Noah waited. We read that and think … ‘the guy is getting good at waiting.’  YET, his waiting has changed. First he ‘hil’ (Hebrew) ‘painful waiting’, now after the olive branch, he sends the dove out with hope, ‘yahal’ (Hebrew) a confident expectation in his wait. His pain has turned to hope. The results of his hope … “but this time it did not return to him”   The dove had landed happily in an olive tree somewhere. I LOVE the ‘this time’ of waiting.

Hope, it will carry us a long way, as long as it doesn’t carry us in the wrong direction. “Hope is NOT a pacifying wish of the imagination which drowns out troubles, nor is it uncertain, but rather ‘yahal’ hope is the solid ground of expectation for the righteous.” *

Again, David shares, “Be strong and take heart all you who hope (yahal) in the LORD…” (Ps. 31:24) Job, the poster child for troubles and waiting … he testifies boldly “Though he slay me, yet I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15)

Can not stop there … “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Romans 5:5)

Folks, whether we are in a season of painfully waiting, or our waiting is full of hope, there is something here for us. It says “But God remembered Noah …” (Gen. 8:1) God put Noah in the Ark, to preserve him, He had a plan for Noah, oh it wasn’t pleasant at times and down right stinky, but God knew … vs. 16 “God said to Noah, Come out …”  Or perhaps our scenario  is more like David’s, has to wait to see a promise fulfilled.  Fulfilled.  Or Job … loss, troubles, poor health.  Restored.

For some, our stay in the Ark may be longer, don’t jump ship yet … there may be some poo to trudge through, but keep sending those doves, and take heart, God is just allowing us a dry place (hm, could this be a desert?)   He is preparing our coming out. Look for those olive branches, they are there.  Our ‘this time’ is coming!

What are YOU waiting for? 
 
Pain turning to hope … ‘hope does not disappoint … because God’ 

In Him, DeDe (Ps. 92:4 “You thrill me, LORD!)

* Quote from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (LOVE those geeky books!)

Summer. A season of beautiful lawns, luscious productive gardens, colorful blooming flowers, and sitting on the back deck in the cooling evening breeze. With these long awaited benefits comes … responsibility. I know, ick. (Stop reading NOW, and you won’t be held accountable ~ kidding)

Most benefits require responsibility. The garden needs watering, and weeding. We water the flowers, know the plant well, giving it correct placement in the yard, shade, or full/partial sun. Then, for a healthy continuing blooming process comes, ‘dead heading.’  No, this does not mean slapping your neighbor along side the head, no matter how obnoxious they are!

The Gardener’s Network, defines dead heading as “Snipping, pruning, pinching, cutting or using any other means to remove spent blooms.” There are great benefits of this process, or might I say, menial task. It promotes new flower growth, extends the reproductive life cycle of the plant, and prevents the plant from wasting valuable energy on a stem that will no longer blooms, energy is then spent on the health of the plant and new blooms (or fruit). Ever ‘feel’ any of these action words done on YOU … snipping, pruning, pinching and cutting?

My mom and Gardener, Aunt Mona (everyone should have an Aunt Mona) taught me how to dead head. Mona owned and puttered around in a plant nursery. She could NOT walk through one of her green houses without touching the plants, and they were beautiful!

There are two plants I dislike dealing with, those are marigolds (they stink). When pinching the marigold the seeds found in the old blooms often go scattering about, before you know it, you have baby marigolds dancing around your feet. The other is the petunia they are STICKY! It has a defense system of a sap that flows from the stem to the petals. You may want to wear gloves for this little gem, your fingers will get sticky. Yet, stinky and sticky, both these plants have the potential to be FULL of bright colored blooms and can last the whole summer.

Jesus shares in John 15, He is the vine, the Father is the Gardener. “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even MORE fruitful” (verse 2, emphasis mine) God the Father, the Gardener of our lives.

He is not bothered by the stinky or sappy sticky defense systems we have set up, or the crunchy ugly spots here or there. He enjoys the hands on, must touch approach! The Gardener desires to have us fruitful, luscious, beautiful and healthy. To be and do so, takes snipping, pruning, pinching, cutting or any other means to remove the spent blooms.  Who knows, that snip here, cut there, although painful at times, may cause a scattering of seeds, that in turn causes a new birth in and around you. 

May we all have a God’s sticky fingers all over us, week!
 
In Him,  DeDe   (Ps. 92:4 “You thrill me, LORD…”)

Happy Birthday America! “O say can you see by the dawns early light…” (sing it with me!) The United States of America is officially 233 years old today. Just like any nationally declared holiday, it has slipped from it’s original meaning to the commercialized display of self centered wonder.

Christmas, the birth of Jesus to Santa Claus and presents. Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus to the bunny and candy filled baskets. Thanksgiving, the sharing of thanks and friendship, to turkey, football and over eating.

 Today, Independence Day, the birthing of a nation with God Almighty’s favor upon it, to fireworks, beer and the backyard BBQ.

O we may not agree with all that our nation stands for in this current era, or be proud of the decisions made in the name of democracy. But may we not forget the years rolled out behind us of those who followed whole heartedly their convictions, standing up for freedom, for justice. Mostly for the ability to read our Bibles, pray, and say the name of Jesus without the fear of a gun shot ringing out.

This nation has STRONG roots in God. Just like the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, we too have wandered away and NEED the loving yet firm words of the Lord over and to us “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 emphasis mine) Our nation is not known for ‘humility’ by any means, however each heart rendered individually is God’s desire. Our pride of our country should not over write our humility before God.

Today, as we celebrate, let us not criticize our country (perhaps rightly so on some issues) but share about the favor of God, about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, about our fore fathers who loved and believed in this country. When we see the ‘ole red, white and blue’ waving in the breeze, see in our minds eye the uniforms worn, lemonade stands in front yards, Chevrolets and parades of soldiers coming home from battles, wearing bands on their arms of fallen friends. Picture children in school with their hand over their heart reciting “… one nation under God …”

If we humble ourselves … God bless America!

 ~ DeDe

We are happy to announce that we now offer different language translations; English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.  Please feel free to click on the links to the lower right.  Share with your friends and family who may benefit from our heart and writings.

Be Blessed ~

I  am amazed at what can be found on the Internet, and at the same time horrified.  However, it is an awesome tool if used with wisdom and discretion.  One of my favorites to feed my geeky side, is the Greek Interlinear Bible.  Oh, now THERE is a fun place to park it for awhile. 

With this electronic door, the world seems just a bit smaller, connection  bit closer and knowledge a bit more accessible.

I have found through personal experience, folks are ‘googling God’  like never before.  This week my own website has hit the 10,000 visits mark.  To me this is exciting!  Many come to my site by googling a topic I have written about with intent to read articles like The Tabernacle of Moses, or the Names of God.  Yet, there are a few who have entered the site not really sure how they landed there.  For those too I am grateful and you are so welcome.

Googling God … good Godly guidance.

~ DeDe

Check out the new page added to this site. (click  on the above tab) Yes, it’s true ~ the geeky side of me got the best of me.  I LOVE  Hebrew and Greek words, they are so full of imagery.  A new word.  See also my new site, “Dancing Literary Art” (click on the blog roll to the  right of this screen)