Daily Prompt: Communal Life of the Christian

There is a communal belief of the Christian that Jesus was born and died to bring God’s people salvation.  We need to be saved from our selfish nature.  Jesus spent His life teaching and serving others, obedient even unto His death on the cross.  This Christmas I am posting excerpts from the Holy Bible telling the story of the Nativity.

Luke 2

  1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
  2. (And this taxing was the first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
  3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
  4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
  6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
  7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Daily Prompt: Torn Between Two Worlds

The spiritual world and the earthy, material world you now inhabit with your body.  Most of us are torn between the spiritual and the material with all it’s readily available temptations.  More than ever our culture knows no bounds because those in charge are the unGodly.  Sad that most don’t even have it in them to know God, to do the right thing.  Most do what they need to so they can look good, not out of any goodness in their own heart that comes from obeying God.  Jesus was obedient, even unto His crucifixion.

The next excerpt of the conception and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Holy Bible.

Luke 1

  1. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
  2. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
  3. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
  4. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
  5. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
  6. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
  7. The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
  8. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
  9. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
  10. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
  11. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.
  12. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
  13. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  14. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Daily Prompt: The Miraculous Birth of Christ

Please enjoy the following verses regarding the Miraculous start of the “Greatest Story Ever Told” Luke 1:56-66

Luke 1

  1. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
  2. Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
  3. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
  4. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
  5. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
  6. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
  7. And they made signs to his father, how he would have called him.
  8. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
  9. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
  10. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.
  11. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Daily Prompt: Have You Answered Your Calling?

Many Christians feel a “calling” to a higher purpose in life.  Some act on this and others find this difficult for many reasons from feeling foolish or superstitious to putting it off because they are too busy in their current lifestyle.  Find a way to work that calling into your life.  God never meant for us to do drastic things to prove our love to Him.  Many overlook people and things in their own lives that need their attention to go and serve in this higher capacity while neglecting who they were really meant to serve.  Pray on all matters.

Enjoy the next section from the First Chapter of Luke that ushers Lord Jesus the Christ into a world that forsakes Him for the most part.  This part of the Bible blessed me to hear of the babe leaping with joy in the womb of his mother Elizabeth at the sweet sound of Mary’s blessed voice!

Luke 1

  1. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
  2. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
  3. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
  4. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
  5. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
  6. For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
  7. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
  8. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.
  9. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
  10. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
  11. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
  12. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
  13. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
  14. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
  15. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
  16. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
  17. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

Daily Prompt: Relate to This

Christians can all relate to the story of the coming of the Lord.  Enjoy the following excerpts from the Bible, Book of Luke for the next seven days leading us to Christmas and His Holy Birth.

Luke 1

  1. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
  2. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
  3. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
  4. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
  5. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
  6. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.
  7. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
  8. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
  9. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
  10. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  11. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
  12. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
  13. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto to me according to thy word. And the Angel departed from her.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Ascend to the Father

It’s almost Christmas and Jesus is the “Reason 4 the Season.”

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

Born to die for the sins of mankind.  John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus ascending to heaven.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Cheeky or Funky Christmas Decor

But sure not the traditional.  Not sure if this actually qualifies for cheeky, but wanted to show some shots of my current Christmas decor in my apartment.  Won’t break down to get a big tree til I move again, maybe next year.  I’ve been ill most of the time since before Halloween.  It’s been a rough year for all of us I think.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Experimental Fun!

I love playing!  I only wish I had more money to waste on all the creative software out there.  I have not tried animation software but my Microsoft PhotoDraw has a very few animations on it at this time.  Once Microsoft stopped supporting it, the 3-D no longer operates with my newer Windows.

The following are various experimental graphics and animations with PhotoDraw.

Layered storm clouds, headstones and faded flowers called “Forgotten.”
One of my favorite stories from the Bible. It is quoted in a Charlie Brown’s Christmas describing the Birth of Christ. Bust of Angel surrounded by scripture with enhanced corners.
Luke 2:9-11
Used the same cropped flowers with softened edges on either side of another cropped lavender with bee photo over background with french text.
Had a picture of the cropped moon fade and scroll right across sunset for solar eclipse.
Animated “Forgotten.”

Daily Prompt: Mushroom

Found some mushrooms in a beautiful Fairy Garden one evening.  Magic Mushrooms I think they call them.

I just happened to saute some button mushrooms in butter yesterday.  I cook them the same day I purchase them so they are fresh and use them in various things such as sauces, soups or even by themselves.  I like adding them to egg drop soup and pumpkin curry soup as well as to my spaghetti sauces.

After knowing supposed mushroom experts that poisoned themselves when using kinds they picked themselves, I leave it to the markets for mine.  I don’t eat mushrooms all the time nor do I eat the wide variety out there.  Sometimes I don’t eat them for years at a time til they catch my fancy again.  Depends on what I plan on cooking and if any fresh are available.

Onions, Mushroom, Zucchini, chick peas, sauteaud in butter with various Mediterranean Spices of your choice sauteed in olive oil.