Let the Little Children Come

Let the Little Children Come

Let the Little Children Come – Photograph by Jennifer Spangler

Let the Little Children Come – Words for Worship

“People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.  When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'”  — Luke 18:15-17 NIV

Let the little children come – There is a certain innocence that can only be found in children.  As a helpless baby enters into the world, there is little she can do but trust in her parents to take care of and love her.  As she grows, she doesn’t need to ask to be fed or to be given a bath and fresh clothes each day; those necessities are always provided.  She doesn’t spend time worrying whether she is safe when she lies her head down to sleep each night, because that sense of security is always there.  When she faces challenges and needs sound advice, she seeks the wisdom of her parents without hesitation.

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…'”

The childlike innocence that I’ve mentioned above is not something that can only be experienced on an earthly level.  When Jesus admonished the disciples to “let the little children come to me,” in Luke 18, he implied that it is with the simplistic trust of a child that we should approach our Heavenly Father.  In another passage,1 John 3:1, Jesus describes just how much God loves us,

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!”

Indeed, when we humble ourselves before the Lord, approaching him with a childlike faith, we also become his children!  We can come before him as our Heavenly Father and trust that he will always be there for us, and provide all that we need.  When we come to him, the relationship between God and his beloved children runs deeper than one between a human father and child ever can.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  –Matthew 7:9-11

On Father’s Day, we celebrate the commitment and goodness that our earthly fathers have demonstrated towards us.  Let us also rejoice in the love that our Heavenly Father pours out to us.

Peace and love,

Felecia

I dedicate this post to my own dear, earthly father who is now resides with our Heavenly Father.

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You get what you give?

You get what you give?

Photograph by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Words for Worship – You get what you give?

”Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  —Like 6:38

You get what you give? …and more!  You may have heard it said, “give and you shall receive.”  Well according to the rest of the passage, giving certainly reaps grand rewards…

”Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  —Like 6:38

When it comes to giving, it would be disingenuous to expect something in return…certainly our motives have a lot to do with giving and receiving.  Surely, when we give to others in an attitude of love, what we receive in return is immeasurable. We get that “warm and fuzzy” feeling when we’ve made someone smile by surprising them with a gift, “just because.”  Or we get a satisfying night’s sleep after spending the day cooking, cleaning and running errands for a sick friend or relative…(I know what that feels like!).

I am sure you would agree, nothing can warm our hearts more than knowing that our efforts to help someone else can never be returned…but are genuinely appreciated.

We can’t place a value on certain things in life…and what we from others when we give out of love, is one of them.  In fact, when we give in this way, we receive so much more than we give.  Try giving of yourself today…but be sure to prepare your heart for the love you’ll receive in return!

Peace and love,

Felecia

*The text was adapted from the “Did You Know” series, used by permission from North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA , www.northcoastcf.com

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Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder

Words for Worship - Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Photograph by Linh Le on Unsplash

Words for Worship – Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

”Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” — Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – As an artist, I’ve certainly learned this to be true.  What one person views as a masterpiece can be an atrocity in the eyes of another.  Today’s society certainly has an opinion on what beauty is and what it is not.  And the focus is overwhelmingly placed on outward appearance.  The problem is, in many cases, the beauty we see on the outside does not reflect what is on the inside.

In fact, when we place such a fierce emphasis on outward beauty, it may signal that we are hiding something not so beautiful inside.

Like a painting after awhile, the vibrancy of the pigments tends to fade and we rely on our initial impression, (our vision of what the image looked like before), for the true beauty that attracted our eye in the first place.  At that point, we can honestly say that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  The Bible tells us,

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” —1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Isn’t it far better to direct our efforts on beauty that doesn’t fade, but is only enhanced by the flaws of life?  Indeed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  When God looks upon us, the beauty of an obedient heart is a work of art whose value is priceless.  To him, it is a treasure worth dying for.

Peace and love,

Felecia

*The text was adapted from the “Did You Know” series, used by permission form North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA, www.northcoastcf.com

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The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

Words for Worship - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

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Words for Worship – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

”Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

—John 15:13 

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told – God loves us!  There are few truer statements.  In the Bible, Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this:  to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13).  Can you think of any deeper love than that?  Certainly, there were plenty of romance movies circulating on television and social media this week in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  Those stories depict the most natural and committed love shared between two individuals.

No matter how devoted the characters are to one another, in real life or in the movies, it takes a very special kind of love to sacrifice one’s own life for.

But that’s exactly what God did for us…

”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16

God made it possible for all of mankind to be saved from death and have eternal life, through his uncompromising and sacrificial love, when he gave up his only Son, Jesus Christ.  Indeed, the greatest love story ever told was written when Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the grave.  For he gave up his life for us.

Would you like to play a part in this love story?

You can…go ahead!  The script has already been written, and no audition is required.  All you need to do is invite Jesus into your heart.

Peace and Love,

Felecia

*The text was adapted from the “Did You Know” series, used by permission from North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA, www.northcoastcf.comwww.northcoastcf.com

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Words for Worship – God’s timing is perfect

God’s Timing is Perfect

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Words for Worship – God’s timing is perfect

”At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready.’” —Luke 14:17 

God’s timing is perfect – Although David was anointed at a young ages, he would wait several years before taking over as King of Israel.  God knew David’s heart and selected him over all his brothers to lead his people as king. Even though David was chosen by God, he was subject to God’s perfect timing before what was promised to him would be fulfilled.

Sometimes God requires us to wait before he allows those things that he has already intended for us to actually happen.

When we enter into those times of waiting, it can be  discouraging and we are tempted to “help God speed things up.” We must remember that God’s timing is perfect and his purpose is always sure. Instead of giving into frustration, use those times of anticipation wisely…trust in God and rest in knowing that he’s always right on time.

How do you spend your time when God requires you to wait?

Peace and love.,

Felecia

The text was adapted from the “Did You Know “ series, courtesy of North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA, http://www.northcoastcf.com

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When Faith Shines Through the Darkness

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness – Photograph property of www.onthewingofadove.com

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness – all that is hidden is revealed…

”The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” —J.M. Barrie

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness

When faith shines through the darkness,

All that is hidden is revealed.

We don’t know what’s beneath the shadows…

Pain and grief can be buried deep and tightly sealed.

When faith shines through the darkness,

Not everything is clear.

Sometimes steps can lead down a spiral…

A glimmer of hope flickers, surrounded by fear.

When faith shines through the darkness,

A choice has to be made.

Light and darkness cannot coexist…

There is only one voice that must be obeyed.

When faith shines through the darkness,

There is no reason to despair.

For Jesus, has all the help you need…

His eternal light will guide you…your faith in Him will get you there.

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.onthewingofadove.com

Entrusting anything, your well-being, your loved ones, your material possessions, to the care of someone else can be scary.

No matter how well you think you know someone, when it comes to something that is important to you, you may feel that you are better off taking care of it yourself.  But what about when circumstances are such that you have no choice but to let others get involved?  Those times can feel like a dark veil has covered your eyes and all you can do is watch behind the scenes.  Faith can be described like that…when we believe in and trust in someone to such a degree that we are willing to give up control over our circumstances to them.  The important thing about faith is who we put our trust in.

”Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” —John 8:12 NIV

When faith shines through the darkness – there is only one person that comes to mind when reciting these words – Jesus!

As He tells us in the above verse from the Bible, Jesus is the light of the world.  Given that light and darkness cannot coexist, when we put our faith in Jesus, darkness is obliterated.  But, moreover, when we place our trust in Him, His light also gives us life…eternally.

Do you have doubts about who to trust; who to put your faith in?

When the darkness of life’s overwhelming circumstances over shadow you, consider the one who not only gives light, but is the light. Then your faith truly will shine through any darkness.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Memorial Day – What’s in a word?

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day – Photograph by Samuel Branch/Unsplash

Memorial Day – What’s in a word?

”And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword.  Ready to do what a hero can.”  —Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Memorial Day – What’s in a word?

Remembering what others have done.

The sacrifices they’ve made, all of the battles won.

For the sake of our freedoms, you and me,

They did what they could, even though the results they did not see.

Let us pay homage to those who bravely won the victory;

May they live on and be respected, throughout history!

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.onthewingofadove.com

To honor someone means to respect and recognize them for some exceptional task they have performed.  I doubt that anyone would argue that the most noble act that anyone can do for another is to lay down his life for them.  So many of our brave members of our Armed Forces committed themselves to doing just that every time they took up their weapons and entered into battle.  As we set aside time for honoring others on this Memorial Day, there is no escaping the solemnity of the ultimate sacrifice that so many willingly gave.  Freedom comes with a price, and the price that so many of our military men and women paid can never be fully recognized.

Won’t you join me in honoring others on this Memorial Day by pausing and giving thanks for what they gave up for you and me?

(Taken from “On Honoring Others”  www.onthewingofadove.com)

Remember the brave, remember you are free…remember what they all did for you and me…

Memorial Day – What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me please do!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Ambiguous – What’s in a word?

Ambiguous

Ambiguous – Photograph by Adam Przeniewski/Unsplash

Ambiguous – What’s in a word?

”When the solution is simple, God is answering.” —Albert Einstein

Ambiguous – What’s in a word?

Doubtful, uncertain, indistinct, obscure,

Something whose meaning, we never know for sure.

The capacity to be understood in more than one way…

Or even, not be tomorrow, what it was today!

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.onthewingofadove.com

Ambiguous – It’s not a word you hear every day.  In fact, I had to look up its meaning  when I heard it recently.  When something is unclear, when it can mean more than one thing, or can be interpreted in a different way than originally intended…you guessed it, it’s ambiguous.

 I’ll admit, when it comes to making decisions, more often than not, the right choice often seems ambiguous to me.

Whenever I have to decide what direction to take, sometimes even when I am being guided by GPS, making the wrong turn can be a little scary.  And when it comes to making big, life-changing decisions, I am sure I am not alone when I say that it’s hard to do.  What if I do this and I fail?  What if I do this and I am stuck having to live with a BIG mistake?  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that big decisions should be given a good amount of thought and planning.  But there is a way that can make the decision-making process less ambiguous…

When you place your decision in God’s hands, through prayer and directing our spiritual eyes and ears towards Him, you can rest assured that he’ll make the way clear. There is no ambiguity when God is at the helm.  He’ll not only lead you in the right direction, he’ll help navigate your way through to shore.

Unclear, perhaps mysterious, non-explicit, something so hidden…we haven’t a clue!

Ambiguous – What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me please do!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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