15:1 reads: After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, �Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.�
In today�s world we have many things to cause fear in our lives. Just as Jesus said in John 16:33, �In this world you will have trouble.� But before that He said, �I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.�
This gives us hope that just as the Bible states, we will someday know peace. No God, no peace � Know God, know peace.
The choir sang an anthem a few weeks back, �Unexpected and mysterious.� Here are the words worth hearing again.
Unexpected and mysterious is the gentle Word of grace.
Everloving and sustaining is the peace of God�s embrace.
If we falter in our courage and we doubt what we have known,
God is faithful to console us as a mother tends he own.
In momentary meeting of eternity and time,
Mary learned that she would carry both the mortal and divine.
Then she learned of God�s compassion, of Elizabeth�s great joy,
And she ran to greet the woman who could recognize her boy.
We are called to ponder mystery and await the coming Christ,
to embody God�s compassion for each fragile human life.
God is with us in our longing to bring healing to the earth,
While we watch with joy and wonder for the promised Savior�s birth.
Psalm 147:7 says, �Sing our your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God.�
Psalm 149:1 says, �Sing to the Lord a new song.�
Carla and I have been in choir more years that we can count. it is such a joy to sing praises to God, that we cannot imagine not singing. Just being with the other choir members on Thursday and Sunday is a blessing and joy to us.
I invite you to come and share in the blessing and joy.
John Traxler