Fathers beam when they look down into the face of their children. They do not need to pass out cigars to announce the arrival of a baby; their expression delivers the message to all the family and friends who have been counting the days. No longer must he wait but now nervously holds the bundle and peers into the face of flesh of his flesh.

The Lord also looks down upon His children. “The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace (Numbers 6:25-26 KJV).” A father’s love is essential to a child in their formative years. God, our Father expects us to mature in the faith and when he looks down into our faces, I want him to beam.    

Toys have changed so much since the 1950’s when I grew up, yet some seem to be timeless and resurface with a new look or new and improved label. Do you remember the old punching bag toys that children would knock over only to bounce right back? It seems Bozo the Clown had a big seller. I wish we bounced back as easily after blows.

We can you know… “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes (Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV).” Satan might briefly knock us off balance but we will bounce back and resume our stand against him and his deceptive attacks.

[Creation of New Blog Award: The Candle Lighter Award

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Kate Kresse

http://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/creation-of-new-blog-award-the-candle-lighter-award/i

Through Jeanne Webster I was nominated and humbly accept! We all need to keep the light burning and keep “Winging His Words!”

I cannot comprehend why some children fight baths or showers with the tenacity of a snapping turtle. My times soaking in either a tub or being drenched during a shower are times to relax tense muscles, unwind after stressful situations or feel energized for the day ahead. Washing my hair is the closing act. I apply a generous amount of fragrant shampoo, work it to lather and rinse the suds away until my hair is squeaky clean.

I’m clueless as to who coined the phrase squeaky clean but it appropriately describes how God has washed away my sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NAS).” He removes guilt stains from my conscience, wraps me in a robe of righteousness and holds me securely giving everlasting life. I may begin a daily routine of singing praises in the shower!

Pam Ford Davis

Wives and mothers frequently voice a command, “Wipe your feet, before coming in!” It takes only one time of neglect to follow her instructions and a beautiful waxed floor or steam-cleaned carpet instantly reveals dirty footprints. It may be a nuisance to take the extra time to wipe our feet before entering a house but we should remove the dirt of the day as a common courtesy. Wipe your feet before coming inside the house.

Jesus wiped the feet of His disciples. “Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded (John 13:5 RSV).” It was a menial job on the “to do list” of a common slave; as servants of the savior they should have humbled themselves and offered to wash his feet. Instead, the awe struck assembly saw him not only wash their feet but also tenderly wipe them dry.

Pam Ford Davis

Sheep were resting in green pastures as Bethlehem’s baby lamb squirmed in a bed of straw.  Residents of the small city were oblivious to the significance of a stable birth and blind to the baby’s future role as sacrificial lamb. Mary bound Him with swaddling clothes not sensing that in the future grave cloths would bind His lifeless body; yes, as God has always provided for faithful followers, He had provided the lamb.

“Isaac said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering my son (Genesis 22:7b-8a HCS).” Abraham, as father of future generations of faithful followers of God, spoke of the reality of God’s current power to meet his desperate need yet also prophetically proclaimed Jehovah as provider of the supreme sacrifice, His Son. Behold the Lamb! (John 1:29-34)

Pam Ford Davis

As a writer, I sometimes see or hear something and feel compelled to turn the truths into personal testimony. A painter wants to capture those emotions with brush and canvas; I turn to my computer keyboard and let my fingers paint the picture. Simple phrases or song titles are key ingredients for an article and I can hardly wait to stir them up.

An inspired writer shared that Home is where the heart is. A sentimentalist believed Wherever you hang your hat is home. We visualize a dad hanging his hat up as he enters the house after a hard day’s work. We can never escape the cries of fearful Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She tearfully said, “There’s no place like home.”

Oh, There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays.  Perry Como’s rendition still wrings my heart each Christmas and I know I am not alone. We remember the old houses where we grew up, family, friends and the fun times we shared. Years and miles cannot separate us from home; they only serve to tighten the bonds.

“Home is always home.” A cousin penned this perception on my Christmas card and I instantly wowed! She is also a writer and we grew up in very small neighborhoods only a few miles apart. Both of us no longer live in those nestled areas; New York State is now only a state of mind. I will not plagiarize her statement; instead, I say, “Martha, you don’t know how right you are!”

Pam Ford Davis

“And what are your intentions, young man?” In days of old, a stern father met the beau of his daughter in a quaint parlor and quizzed him on his plans to provide for a wife. The younger male figure swallowed the lump in his throat and marked out a path of proper provision and a secure future for his betrothed. He stated his intentions and waited for word of the father’s blessings on the proposed marriage.

The joyous woman in Song of Solomon could not restrain her emotions as she revealed the intentions of the man of her dreams. “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention toward me was love (Song of Solomon 2:4 NRS).” He intended to express his lavish love for her as he provided a feast. She knew where he placed his affections and she delighted to be in his presence. His intentions were clear and she saw her own reflection as she gazed in his eyes.

Pam Ford Davis

Say cheese and pose for a Christmas snapshot; pucker up and stand beneath mistletoe with your sweetheart! The greenery gives us extra incentive to express our affection and create new Christmas memories.

I’m glad I don’t need to wait until December rolls around to smooch with my sweetie. It would be sad to have to depend on something found hanging from trees to create a romantic mood. We can steal kisses anytime.

Christmas is a time of great celebration! Why not share a few holy kisses? “Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ (1 Peter 5:14 NAS).” We are one big happy family and we are free to sprinkle kisses on those we hold dear.

Pam Ford Davis

Optimism is a rare characteristic in our world of stark reality and disappointments. We become cynical and dark clouds conceal the possibilities that lay before us. I am the proud wife of a man whose favorite phrase may be, “It has potential.” Together we view a rundown shack; I see devastation but he sees a dream.

I proudly serve a God who looks beyond our failures to potential. Peter talked the talk but tripped over his faltering feet as he failed to walk the walk. The man who boasted of never deserting his Lord blundered and betrayed him. Jesus saw past the Big Fisherman’s upcoming pitiful performance to potential. The Holy Spirit would transform Peter from deserter to devotee. He would return to encourage and lead others.

“I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me (Luke 22:31 NCV).” Jesus prayed for Peter, shining rays of mercy and grace revealed potential beneath a man who would soon cower in fear. The Lord would call Peter to serve as caretaker of the flock. He proved his love for the Master through service and ministry and faithfully fed the lambs and sheep. Jesus is an eternal optimist….