The Light Has Come

Isa 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; they who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, on them the Light has shined.

Isa 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Derek Loux

Please pray for the family of Derek Loux.



Here are Randy's thoughts as we process this tragedy.

This n' That

This is the tree that graces the lobby of our apartment building. It has remained in place for over two weeks now...an amazing fact since last year someone stole the tree within a day. Those folks must have moved out.

Kind of nice to see , since these last several years I do not bother with any Christmas festivities or decorations since there is just myself and my dog and so I am not interested any longer.

Moving right along.....

Due to the fact that the cold is bitter these days, much to Zoey's chagrin it becomes necessary to bundle her up for outings, even brief ones.



She does look disgusted with the whole deal I have to admit.



But it does keep that cute little butt moving and warm and protected from the ice and sidewalk salt.

Jon Thurlow

Just in the nick of time, you can get this lovely album of Christmas hymns and carols in mp3 format at ihop

Advent Images Of Hope

These lovely images are courtesy of Richard Lyall.
Pilgrims Progress and Engage Worship.

God Came Near

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. God became a man.

While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived.
Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.

The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable.
He who had been spirit became pierceable.

He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.

God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created.
God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother.

God had come near.

It all happened in a moment. In one moment … a most remarkable moment.

The Word became flesh. Oh what a Savior !

(Max Lucado)

How Did We Do That?

In a small apartment with three computers, each doing something different...this is how we did that!

One child chose this place.



Anneka loves to chat and play games with her cousin Sammie who lives in South Carolina.
There is a camera in her mom's computer and Anneka even let Sammie visit with Zoe through the web cam.

As well the girls were able to watch movies together, and seriously this is where they wanted to sit.


I set Aila up here in the chair.

In the meantime, Gramma and Zoe had the best place .


Just having fun.



As for Miss Zoe, she has taken to sweetly trying to distract me and obstruct my view of the prayer room web stream. Pretty much works I must admit.

So Sweet

Aila drew this picture on her way back home after the weekend with me. It says I miss Gramma...just so lovely to this heart.

How Time Flies

This weekend the grandchildren are in the house....would you believe there are three computers on the go around here? This is definitely the tech generation.

I may be a Gramma, but I am not too old to share the fun of internet communication. In fact, I am definitely internet dependent...and it was in 2002 that the journey began. Saved my money and bought my very own computer.


Aila ...grade one, six years old.

Anneka...grade four , nine years old.
In 2000 Anneka was born, and my heart lept with joy when I first held her in my arms. She was barely a few minutes old.

Memories of dancing to the worship music of David Ruis at the Vineyard with Anneka and later with Aila, with her daddy leading us into the Presence of the Lord.

Sweet memories !

He Lives Within You

The virgin birth is more, much more, than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on his itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer.

Better still, look deep within yourself. What he did with Mary, he offers to us! He issues a Mary-level invitation to all his children. "If you'll let me, I'll move in!"

Proliferating throughout the scriptures is a preposition that leaves no doubt- the preposition in. Jesus lives in his children.

John was clear, "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them" (I John 3:24 NIV, emphasis mine).

Christ grew in Mary until he had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world.

God in us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise?

God was with Adam and Eve. God was with Abraham. God was with Moses and the children of Israel. God was with the apostles.

But he is in you. You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but he is a force in you. He will do what you cannot.

Can't stop drinking? Christ can. And he lives within you.

Can't stop worrying? Christ can. And he lives within you.

Can't forgive the jerk, forget the past, or forsake your bad habits? Christ can! And he lives within you.

From Next Door Savior

Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2003) Max Lucado

Safely Home

My lovely Aunt Anna.....home in heaven Nov.30, 2009.

Waiting Room

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her by the Lord. Luke 1/45

And it came to pass....

Misty has been singing a new lyric lately...one of the many new songs the Lord is breathing forth....in this time of Spiritual Awakening.



"I'm here in the waiting room...of unanswered prayer
Still in the waiting room, I'm still in the waiting room...of unanswered prayer.

Keep on askin', keep on seekin', keep on believin',

Prayer... prayer... prayer... prayer's all I've got here
and time... time...time... seems to taunt me... sometimes it haunts me

I know You are God, and Your ways are wonderful
Oh God, and sometimes they're terrible

I'm still in the waiting room ,stuck in the waiting room
still here in the waiting room, of unanswered prayer.

You make all things beautiful ....just in time."

Recently I have felt prompted to 'remember how the Lord has led you'...kind of like the way Moses reminded the people of Israel of the Faithfulness of the Lord during their wilderness journey.

Looking back in my journals....is always a good thing for me...since I haven't seemed able to write for a long time.

Back in 2007, working in Lakefield....

And there I was moaning to the Lord about my living conditions. Will I ever be able to move out of this room and have my own place ???

Mourning the loss of my beloved pet Sam ...will I ever have another puppy to hold and pour my love upon ?? Will the pain ever ease ?

The longing in the heart of this woman to share life with someone....comes straight from the heart of God , who also longs for this.

God is essential ! He wants us to need Him desperately!

So in His love He leads us to the wilderness....

when I think about prayer, when I think about silence, I feel a great painful scream inside of me . Hear me scream Jesus, see my pain, my broken and contrite heart , meet me there, hold my heart, and understand. (Jan.08)

Kind of intense looking at it now....but maybe it was more real then, maybe I was raw, but at least I could write it down then.

So...Nancy...consider what God has done.... who can straighten what He has made crooked?

He changes times and seasons....you anoint my dying with your beauty and myrrh is my gift. The Fragrance of Christ on my life.

Last night gentle whispers reminded me...'who is here in your arms ?'
My puppy Zoey! Did I ever imagine I would ever have her ? No.

'Look around you ... you have your own place...did you ever imagine it ?'
No...not through the veil of my pain...no....but now ?

Actually when I really think on things past...I never thought I would ever have my very own car, never thought I would find freedom, never imagined my dream would come true of spending eight months of my life at the International House of Prayer and my destiny.

One day as my time there was drawing to a close...I was so sad to leave...there was a day in the prayer room, the Lord seemed to be sitting right beside me, and almost audibly spoke to me and said.

"Nancy, do you believe I am able to keep you ?"

Naturally I responded..'of course Lord I believe'....easy to say when there was money in the bank, and I was there in His Presence never wanting to leave.

So there has been a testing in the years since then....he has taken me through the fire, the rain, the pain, the trials, the refining....like the gold...whatever it takes to be one who carries Him everywhere I go.

Today, the season has changed ! The Winds of the Spirit are blowing with renewed hope empowering us with life and joy.



Even though I may still be in that waiting room of unanswered prayer for some issues I have been longing for I will surrender my heart and step into the swirl of the Wind and Fire.



Have your way Lord. Let my life be a Fragrance. The Fragrance of Christ as I give up my life....let it rise before You.

You're Still Smiling

While tuned into the Prayer Room yesterday, Tim Reimher was doing the noon set and as always the lyrics to a song struck my heart.

"After all of these years, after all of this time.
How can it be ?

That Someone like You would love someone like me.

You're still with me....You're still smiling....You're still smiling."

Just picture it....Jesus smiling at you, Jesus smiling at me....

I grew up in a troubled home, where I don't remember many smiles. Life was difficult for my parents especially my mother, and as an adult , I came to understand why her life was tough and why she seemed to take it out on us.
Since I was the first born, somehow I thought all the unhappiness was my fault.

I also seemed drawn into relationships with some people where smiling was withheld as a punishment. Maybe I was even drawn into not smiling as well.
I regret it if this was the result of learned behavior.

There is something wonderful that happens when someone smiles at us. There seems to be an acceptance, sometimes a loving, sometimes just a kindness, or a joy, but when someone smiles at me it's a blessing and causes an immediate response of returning the smile.

I have been caught up in the Spiritual Awakening happening with students and faculty at IHOP-U . Jesus is so present in the midst of the youth, healing, setting free, doing miracles delivering from all sorts of affliction. It's wonderful to see and be part of , even on the web stream.

Freedom....freedom...freedom ...is the declaration, over and over.

Last evening I had the image in my minds eye of The Father embracing the whole body present there and even experienced the feeling of being embraced by Love myself right here at my computer.

I can see Jesus smiling triumphantly as His children are set free and healed.
His smile is beautiful to behold, especially the victory in his face.

Sometimes we don't realize how deep our sadness goes, and how much we need Him to lift our chin to meet His gaze and see His smile of loving acceptance.

again and again and again and again !!

So...here are some smiles that I treasure..... others that I would like to post I am restrained.