Faith!!!! (Galatians 3:1-14, Hebrews 11:1-3,11:6, Isaiah 40:31, Zech 4:6)

"Mustard Seed Faith"
Fuji Finepix Camera
St. John, Caribbean 

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I honestly read these verses and feel very afraid because I'm clumsy.  If I moved a mountain who knows who would get hurt?  I don't think that's what Jesus meant.  Sometimes life is full of mountains:  financial, work, family illness, etc.   Paul starts out, "O foolish Galatians!"  I can definitely sense his frustration here.  Isn't faith something we struggle with even today?  The mustard seed story is about faith and not works.  With faith anything is possible.  With despair even getting out of bed is a huge effort.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Galatians 3

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you:  Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
This is a common temptation.  After I became a Christian I dove into the Bible and read every morning.  I wanted to do the right things and not the wrong.  I remember trying out different ministries and then the pride sneaks in.  "Wow, I'm doing great!"

"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.  (Zechariah 4:6)

And then the realization that I wasn't giving God the credit, and I forgot about faith.  It takes awhile to get into the habit of faith and prayer.  And even then we all get distracted.  A few problems send me back to my knees in prayer.  The Holy Spirit helps us when we ask Him too.  He is God's Spirit within us.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
(Hebrews 11:1-3 NKJV)

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? — 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Abraham and his wife, "Sarah," were to have a child that would be named, "Israel."  It was the beginning of the nation.  Ok, ok, so it was his wife, Sarah, that got anxious and figured God needed help with this since it wasn't happening fast enough.  And then stuff happened.  Patience is a virtue and it's always best to have faith and wait on the Lord.  All through the Bible there's a story of someone, male or female, that decided to take things into their own hands and then it's never good.  One of those underlying messages I often forget.  Even my best photos come after I pray.  I see with new eyes.

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31 NASB)

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
Faith!  I can see why the Apostle Paul was so determined to forge faith into the minds of the Galatians.  You see, when I try and do everything alone without God's blessing it never goes very well.  I get tired and frustrated and give up.  BUT!  After I give up, His peace comes.  And then the song comes back to my heart, joy is restored.  He sets me on a new path, the right one.

I'm so glad faith is what God requires.  There's no way I could be perfect enough to obey all the laws, all the time. 

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The good news is we don't have to be crucified to become a Christian or do the most excellent possible things.  We just need to believe.  And on those days when we don't feel faithful or like a Christian.  He carries us, and waits for us to come back to Him in faith.
(Galatians 3:1-14 NKJV)

"I believe in the sun when it's not shining, I believe in love even when I feel it not, I believe in God even when he is silent."  Old Irish saying 


Dear Heavenly Father I lift up Ukraine and Israel to You.  I pray for peace in both nations.  You are God nothing is impossible for You, please let the wrong fail and the right win.

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
10 Set the world right;
Do what's best––
  as above, so below.
11 Keep us alive with three square meals.
12 Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
13 Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
  Yes. Yes. Yes .
(Matthew 6:9-13 Message)

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

This song is from Steven Curtis Chapman, "Glorious Unfolding"(link)

Gray areas Part 1 (Hebrews 11:6, 1 Timothy 2:8-15, Matthew 6:6-7)

"NJ Winter Ice Storm"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I'm 54 now!  My birthday was the best ever.  We went to see my brother in Maryland. When we got home, I got phone calls from all my friends and family.   It sure felt great.  One of my presents was a necklace and bracelet with a sideways cross on them from my niece.  I'll always treasure them because it's from her.   I found the quote below and had to chuckle.

"Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished.  If you're alive, it isn't."
Richard Bach

I'm not done yet!  

When I got home and looked at the cross again, I  wondered what it meant.  I thought of Jesus triumph over death and man's persecution.  The standing cross doesn't hold Him now.  He's in our hearts, praying for us at God's throne.  He conquered death and triumphed over the grave.  So I smiled at the sideways cross, "Yes, Jesus is free.  He is Lord now.  My Savior, Redeemer, Friend."

The cross couldn't keep Him, nor the tomb.  Then my husband came into my workroom and asked, "What does the sideways cross mean?"

I felt uncomfortable, "Jewelry designers got bored and thought it would be cute to make it go sideways?" 

Part of my faith is to represent Him with others.  How much confusion would it cause?  I remembered our testimony is in our hearts and actions.  Am I a quiet and gentle spirit who ministers?  Or just a noisy gong and clanging cymbal out to show off.  Truth is, God looks at our hearts.  That's where He defines us as Christians.  Faith.  

Someone told me once it's horrible to wear a symbol of torture on a necklace.  If it offends maybe It's not that necessary.  So I quit wearing crosses at all.  I'd rather share His love and hear people ask why I would do that.  Besides every single necklace I had with a cross on it got tangled up and knotted in my jewelry box...

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

Am I a light in the darkness?  Or a bucket of water trying to squelch enthusiasm?  I found some verses about how we should dress.  It really can be a gray area.  Styles have changed over time.  If we went grocery shopping today in a hooded cape, I'm thinking we might be sent out the door.  When I worked at The Boeing Company in Seattle, a man said he was hungry.  So I gave him one of my granola bars.  He loudly asked why I would do that.  So...  I got to say, "I am a Christian.  It's what we do."  In front of a whole bunch of engineers and programmers.  It wasn't socially acceptable.  But everyone loved it : )

Timothy said this:

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 
I don't think I've ever seen anyone in public praying like this today.  We do when we sing at Church.  Sadly, I don't think it would be respected. In the days that Jesus walked among us lots of people prayed outside.  Some just wanted to show off their spirituality.  The disciple Matthew, wrote that we should go inside the house to pray.  The key is to pray, looks like any way is good.  God loves to hear our prayers.

Matthew said this:

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
(Matthew 6:6-7 NKJV)

9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 
We do wear jewelry.  I don't know that it is a problem if it's respectable.  We have lots of "bling" in New Jersey.  Some people wear giant gold necklaces and lots of sparkle.  Once at the beach, I saw a woman walking on the sand in a black dress, high heals and gold chains.  I was afraid she might sink in the sand and get stuck.  I also worry about young women.  With cell phone photos and no real boundaries being taught about sex. It's important for them to learn how to be safe. It frightens me to think of teenage boys with no boundaries.  Thankfully there are still some great parents out there.  What girls wear does matter.  I was a teenager in the 70's, I know.  Oy!  The hair though... (blush)

Seriously, I'm sure people have worried about young women since the beginning of time.  And yes modesty on women of any age is always a good thing : )  You do not want to see me in a mini skirt!  Trust me.

10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let  a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self.
Mary Magdalene was the first to tell Peter, Jesus had risen from the dead.  She was the first to see the risen Savior.  So clearly the Lord doesn't want women to never speak.  I think Timothy's concern was in building a new Church with confused new Christians.  Women were separated in the Synagogues.  It would be a difficult transition for men to see them. Also, I am a woman.  I am married.  I do talk more than my husband... 
Enough said : )  I have no desire to be a Pastor.  I believe the Pastoral calling is between God and the individual.  It's not an easy job.  Remember Moses?  
(1 Timothy 2:8-15 NKJV)

Feel free to share your thoughts in Comments too.  I'd love to hear what you think on this stuff.

This is a cute song by Ellie Holcomb, The Broken Beautiful (link)

Jesus, Angels & Pastors (Hebrews 13:1-25)

"Some have unwittingly entertained angels..."
Statue in Central Park, NYC

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I just realized how I could make this blog easier to use.  I feel a little silly.  I never really set out to study the whole Bible- just what stood out to me.  But once I got started I haven't been able to stop, in almost 4 years.  I've always been hungry for God's Word since I became a Christian, in 1976.  I get to use all my skills here : ) And it makes me think.  I've been having a hard time figuring out what verses I went through in the past.  It dawned on me that if I include the Bible verses in the title, it would be easier for all of us. So, I will work on putting the Bible verses in the titles.

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm honored, didn't know if anyone would be interested : )  May the Lord guide us all through His Word.  Feel free to share your thoughts as well in Comments.

Hebrews 13

This section of Hebrews has some of my all-time favorite verses.  If you're like me you'll want to memorize them.

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 
I love this thought.  So, you're sitting on a train riding to New York City.  You keep your purse really close so no one can steal it.  It's hard to ride a train alone.  A woman sits next to you.  She's simple and has a strange beauty in her face.  You feel completely safe.  The train stops at Penn Station and the seat next to you is empty before you stand up.  Could it have been an angel?  Maybe.  Or there's this man.  He seems so ordinary.  He's dressed like all the other workers in a flannel shirt.  He pulls you aside and says, "Something's wrong you're usually so full of light.  Are you ok?"

We won't really know until we are in Heaven.  But isn't it a wonderful thought?  Maybe it's just an elderly man who tips his hat and says, "Have a nice day."  When the rest of us are running in circles shopping.

3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.  NKJV
This challenges me to pray for the leaders in my Church.  It's important to realize when we see someone in the pulpit preaching they aren't perfect.  Pastors and teachers have some of the biggest temptations because satan doesn't want them to succeed.  It would be wise to pray for them, even if it's when I first sit down at Church.   After Sunday I generally move on to other things, except reading some passages of scripture.


10 The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot. 11 In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. 12 It's the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates––that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God's altar to cleanse his people.
This is a case where I switched to The Message version of the Bible.  The NKJV was too confusing.  Jesus was crucified where animals were sacrificed outside the city.  His blood poured out as the final sacrifice for our sin.  His blood was brought to God's altar.

13 So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is––not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. 14 This "insider world" is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. 15 Let's take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus' name.
This is sweet.  It's a call for us to do as Jesus did and go outside to where the people are who need us.  To pour out praises.  A sacrifice of praise to me is when it's not normal to give praise.  Things are not going well at all.  You want to cry but the tears don't come.  When I was trying to put myself through college, it seemed like I'd never finish.  Tuition was too high and I had to get loans and grants.  My future seemed over.  I finally looked up to Heaven and asked, "Why me?"  

Then the thought came to mind, "You have 2 choices either trust God or be miserable."  I chose faith.  I really hate feeling depressed!  So I thanked Him for my opportunities.  I was able to pay off my school loans within a few years.  Things were cheaper then.
(Hebrews 13:10-15 Message)

18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
We all covet prayer don't we?  

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen
(Hebrews 13:18-25 NKJV)

My prayer-
Dear Heavenly Father I lift up Lisa once more to You.  I pray You will heal her body and help her through the chemo treatments.  It must be so hard to do what hurts. You know all about that Jesus.  Lord, I pray You will protect those in the Ukraine and Europe.  Please bless their nations.  I pray for Russia and Syria as well.  We don't know when You're coming back for us, but we wait eagerly.  I pray the angels will guard and protect Israel as well.  Help them to find hope in such a confusing time.  Bless the USA with wisdom in our leadership.  Help them know how to turn things around in our country.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Here's a great song by some Irish folks, Rend Collective, "My Lighthouse" (link)

Author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-11)

God supplies our needs even when it's not so glamorous : )
When it was cold, Frankie stayed warm under the laundry, 
and Jake camped by the heater vent.
Woohoo!  It's warm today.

Hebrews 12

I must admit after reading about the heroes of our faith and then this, it's so beautiful.  Whenever there's a "therefore" in the Bible we're supposed to look close to see what it's there for : )  Therefore...

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reading the Great Hall of Faith, in Hebrews 11, encourages me to move forward and not get caught up in my own faults and mistakes.  Even the great heroes had their share of problems.  I'm just glad God didn't fill the Bible with perfect people.  It would be like when your Mom told your brother how he should be like you.  You knew you'd get it from your brother later.  We don't have to live in dread for our mistakes or other people's actions.  God has made the sacrifice, we just need to accept it.

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 
What happens when I get chastened, is I get this strong memory of what I did wrong.  Then I feel shame, and wish I'd never done such a horrible thing.  God's joy isn't present anymore, the lights go out in my heart and the music stops.  I hate that so I turn to God and ask forgiveness.  Sometimes I go over how mad I am at someone over and over in my mind.  It isn't until I start feeling miserable that I realize how stupid it is to do it.  Being human isn't easy is it?  We can't erase the past or rewind the video.  But we do grow stronger as we learn to press on.  And His joy does return in time.

Here's that verse again. It's not just for raising children but from God to help us grow in our faith.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
(Proverbs 13:24 NKJV)

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
I think this means we aren't exempt from the results of our bad behavior.  As Christians we don't get an easy life.  We get the comfort of the Holy Spirit, His Word, and the ability to confess our sin and repent.  I love that so "we may be partakers of His holiness" and "it yields peaceable fruit."
(Hebrews 12:1-11 NKJV)

My prayer for the world...

Dear Heavenly Father, 
I lift up Russia and the Ukraine to You.  I pray You will bring clarity of mind to all the world leaders.  Help them to gain a right spirit within, and understand what is best for all.  So many times we just hear our own thoughts.  Let Your angels guide those in Syria who are running out of hope, also those who are leaders.  I lift up Pres. Obama to You.  Guide him to honest, trustworthy councilors.  I submit to Your master plan, You are God.  Thank You for that in itself.  I look forward to Your return and know it will be truly awesome!
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Here's a song by Mandisa, Overcomer (link)

Faith in Jesus (Hebrews 9:11-15)

So what's changed with faith in Jesus, is our hearts.  The more I read the Bible and seek the Lord; the more I don't want to get into trouble.  The Holy Spirit works in my heart to help me not to desire bad things.  I still lose my temper and have bad days.  It's nothing like the anger and rage I used to have.  I have joy and peace.  Actually at 53, I find walking to be a great way to handle stress.  Something about putting one foot in front of the other helps me put my thoughts in order...  Too much wine and I fall asleep.  I prefer the joy of the Lord over the stuff in our world.  Walking with my camera and enjoying God's beautiful creation is a good day for me, painting and singing too.

One of my favorite disciples is Peter.  He put his foot in his mouth, quite often.  I can relate to that.  After Jesus was taken captive, Peter denied knowing Him 3 times.  He was always first to speak and fell into the water instead of walking on it.  But after Peter received the Holy Spirit he became awesome!  When you read the book of Acts, Peter is out leading people to Christ all over Israel.  The difference is the Holy Spirit.  Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into the disciples after His body died on the cross.

I was trying to figure out how to move forward in this section of Hebrews without being too repetitive.  This is what I came up with.  The verses below describe the change that happened to Peter.

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
(Acts 2:38-39 NKJV)

He is confident in his faith.  He knows the Holy Spirit is present within him.  There's no shame here.  No wonder Jesus called him the rock, He would build His Church on.  He did.  Then to top it all off, Peter is a descendant of Jonah.  You remember Jonah right?  The one who tried to run away from God's calling.  Jesus called Peter, "Simon Bar-Jonah."  "Bar-Jonah" means son of Jonah. It's kind of cool that things would take this turn in this family. I like this part because it encourages us to remember, with Christ all things are possible.  In Him our history or ancestry does not define who we are.  We are His and that's what matters most.  Each day is a new beginning when we repent and confess our sins. A chance to start over.

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “ But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar- Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
(Matthew 16:13-19 NKJV)

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 
Hebrews 8:10

11 But when the Messiah arrived, high priest of the superior things of this new covenant, he bypassed the old tent and its trappings in this created world and went straight into heaven's "tent" ––the true Holy Place––once and for all. 12 He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all. 13 If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, 14 think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. 15 Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead–end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.
(Hebrews 9:11-15 Message) 

One thing to say, "Hallelujah!  What a Savior!"

Here's a song-
Oceans (where feet may fail), Hillsong United (link)

Anchor of our soul (Hebrews 6:13-18, Genesis 22:1-19)

"Hope is an anchor for our souls"
This is a bronze ship above the Asbury Park Convention Hall, NJ.
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

The more I study Hebrews, the more interesting it becomes.  I wouldn't think of hope as an anchor normally.  But when you think of the opposite, "despair."  It makes sense.  I know the empty, dark feeling of being without hope.  I think we all do in some respect.  We lose family members, and feel the emptiness.  Yet our hope is restored knowing one day we will be together again in a better place.  I've searched for jobs and couldn't find any.  So I volunteered to visit a Nursing Home.  Only to find a much more fulfilling job that paid in joy.  Then when I felt worthwhile, and was happy just serving, the call came with a paying job.  So it makes sense hope is the anchor of our souls, giving up is our enemy.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
(Romans 8:28 NKJV)

Hebrews 6
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 
God is always good on His Word.  He's not like us, err me.  I have best intentions to do something and then wind up doing something else.  He never fails.

It's good to know God has planned to include us even though we are weak at times.  I've never tied this story to Christmas before, but the Holy Spirit and the Bible have led me to this passage.  I am sorry it is long, but if you have time it's quite relevant to the birth of Jesus.  It took place many years before Christ was born in a manger.

Abraham and Isaac-
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
So he said, “Here I am.”
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The- Lord- Will- Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said:“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.
(Genesis 22:1-19 NKJV) 

Back to the passage in Hebrews.  Abraham is described as "patiently enduring the test."  That must have been how God felt while Jesus walked the earth.  It must have been horrible during the crucifixion.  God didn't allow Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but He did allow Jesus to become the sacrifice for all men who change their ways and turn to Him.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
(Hebrews 6:15-18)

My prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I praise You and thank You for bringing us through all the storms we've faced in our nations.  It's been quite a year.  I pray You will be present with us as You've promised.  Please renew a right spirit within us.  We are weary, some of us are broke, and some alone.  Refresh us Father with new hope, faith, and love.  Sing over us the songs of love You long for us to hear.  Thank You so much for Your Word.  Bless us all as we celebrate Jesus' birth.  Thank You for a Savior, we need Him indeed.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Here are definitions of hope and faith from Hebrews.  Love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13.  It's good reading for us all.  These words are very much a part of the American Christmas tradition.  I'll start reposting the true Christmas story on the 20th, may even do some new drawings this year : )  

Hope 

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 6:19-20 NKJV)

Faith 

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

Love 

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
(1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NKJV)

Here I am Lord : ) God bless you!
Comments are always welcome.

Entering His rest (Hebrews story 5) (Hebrews 11:1, Genesis 2:2, Hebrews 4:1-10, Psalms 95:7-11, Exodus 20:3)

"Don't know flowers just seem restful : )
Beauty in being still"
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

Hebrews 4

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
After God created the world, He saw that it was good and rested from His work.  We were actually created to rest.  Hard to believe isn't it?  Today's world is incredibly busy.  But not just take a nap, be a part of His rest.  As I write this I see how our faith has an impact on our ability to rest.  When I listen to the News, I think, "We're doomed."  I don't really know that do I?  So why would I dwell on that?

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
(Genesis 2:2 NKJV)
God knew his work was finished and He rested.  He didn't pick at it, and try to improve it.  He knew He was done.  What a wonderful gift He's given us to know the work is done, so rest. We've added lots of noise in our world.

4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”
It wasn't that God denied rest, it was that the people wandering in the wilderness refused to have faith.  There was always something wrong, they got tired of mana from Heaven.  So God sent them quail.  They got tired of waiting for Moses, so they created and worshiped a bronze calf. 

First of the 10 commandments:
“You shall have no other gods before Me."
(Exodus 20:3 NKJV)
They broke this one before Moses could come down the mountain with the 10 commandments.  Moses got so mad, he threw the tablets on the ground and they broke.  Moses definitely had the very worst job in the Bible.

7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 When your fathers tested Me;
They tried Me, though they saw My work.
10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation,
And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts,
And they do not know My ways. ’
11 So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest.'"
(Psalms 95:7-11 NKJV)
They wandered for forty years... I can't even imagine.

6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”
Just realized we usually think of Sunday as our "worship" day or day to rest.  God said that today is a good day.  When I put aside my fears and trust in God, it's a real faith lift.

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
(Joshua was the one who took Moses' place in the Exodus after Moses died.)   And yeah we still need to wash dishes and do laundry... sigh.

*Note:  The flowers in the photo are from my garden this year.  We had high humidity that day and it created a nice soft photograph.

Faith (Hebrews 11:1-3)

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

My prayer for Egypt:

Dear Heavenly Father I lift up those in Egypt to You.  I pray for Your mercy and grace on these people.  Please help them to turn from violence and seek Your face.  I pray for Christians who are being persecuted, for those who are in fear and those who are lost.  Let Your amazing light shine upon these people that they may be able to find peace instead of destruction.  Please shelter the innocent under Your wings of love. Encourage their faith.  You have shown me Your light is always brightest in darkness Father.  Nothing is impossible for You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sometimes it's hard to know how to pray...  when others are down, we lift them up.

This was scratched into a wall in Auschwitz during the Holocaust in Germany:

"I believe in the sun when it's not shining, I believe in love even when I feel it not, I believe in God even when he is silent."  Unknown

My heart and prayers are with those in Egypt.  It's hard to understand how human's can make this beautiful world so dark.  Sadly it's been our struggle since the beginning of time.  I've always loved the quote above. It reminded me of Hebrews 11 in the Bible.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  
Hebrews 11:1-3 (New King James Version)


The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. 
Hebrews 11:1-3 (The Message)


Our faith is more important than anything on earth.  It's how we can carry on and believe good can happen to anyone, anywhere.

Odds and Ends:
This has been a great summer in New Jersey.  I had so much fun doing my first garden.  The flowers are beautiful : )  Of course, God's a Master Gardener.  He must've thoroughly enjoyed coming up with all the colors and shapes in flowers.  I can see His sense of humor in the snails that carry their homes on their backs.  We also had some giant carpenter bees.  They help the flowers grow of course and tend to freeze in place!!?  I've looked outside a few times to see a frozen bee dangling on a flower...

While I was working in offices, I thought women at home were lucky.  The truth is, they have their own struggles like loneliness and boredom.  I'm having a blast which drives my neighbors crazy at times : )  

As I've been working on these blog posts I've been using PC Study Bible (link) which can be purchased and downloaded online.  It's a great tool, I recommend it.  I can copy Bible verses and paste them into my blog without worrying about messing up Scripture by typing it.  However, I work on a Mac now.  So I was using my Windows laptop to copy Bible verses into the blog, then shutting it down to go back to my Mac and do the artwork or photos.  Doh!  I finally downloaded the OliveTree (link)  software which is available through the Apple App Store for Macs and iPhones. I love it.  I was able to get seven versions of the Bible, study books and maps for a good price.  It will be much easier blogging now 
: )

I'm still trying to decide between reading through Hebrews or studying about Peter in my blog.  Character studies in the Bible are so fun!  Let me know if you'd like something.

God bless and feel free to comment if you like.

Polished chariots and groomed horses

Ps 20:7-8
7 See those people polishing their chariots,
and those others grooming their horses?
But we're making garlands for God our God.
8 The chariots will rust,
those horses pull up lame —
and we'll be on our feet, standing tall.
THE MESSAGE

These verses have always stood out to me.  It seems so strange to be obsessed with polishing chariots.  It always gives me a chuckle; I realize what the verses are really about.  Today we have this same strange obsession with stuff.  I have so much stuff!  The verse might read "polishing our cars" and "grooming ourselves."  It's hard to imagine what it would be like to live without worrying about stuff or how I look.  Imagine being able to focus on God with gratitude and thankfulness at how He provides our needs, "we'll be on our feet, standing tall."  Contentment is a great thing.