Gentle Reminders

From www.businessgreetingcards.com

"Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin?

"Do not forget the comforting words that Wisdom addresses to you as children: My son, pay attention when the Lord corrects you and do not be discouraged when he punishes you. For the Lord corrects those He loves and chastises everyone He accepts as a son.

"What you endure is in order to correct you. God treats you like sons and what son is not corrected by his father?

"All correction is painful at the moment, rather than pleasant; later it brings the fruit of peace, that is, holiness to those who have been trained by it.

"Lift up, then, your drooping hands, and strengthen your trembling knees; make level the ways for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but healed.

"Strive for peace with all and strive to be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord.

"See that no one falls from the grace of God, lest a bitter plant spring up and its poison corrupt many among you."

HEBREWS 12:4-7,11-15

"Jesus, my Savior, make straight what I have made crooked
and allow me not to sin again."

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Why Are You Where You Are?

Canon S45

"What a cloud of innumerable witnesses surround us! So let us be rid of every encumbrance, and especially of sin, to persevere in running the race marked out before us.

"Let us look to Jesus the founder of our faith, who will bring it to completion. For the sake of the joy reserved for him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and then sat at the right of the throne of God. Think of Jesus who suffered so many contradictions from evil people, and you will not be discouraged or grow weary. Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin?"

HEBREWS 12:1-4

"Lord, help me to know Your purpose
for bringing me to this point in my life,
and grant me the grace to carry it out."

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What You Say I Am

"Do I need to say more? There is not enough time to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, as well as Samuel and the prophets. Through faith they fought and conquered nations, established justice, saw the fulfillment of God's promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the sword, were healed of their sicknesses, were valiant in battle, repulsed foreign invaders.

"Some women recovered their dead by resurrection but there were others--persecuted and tortured believers--who, for the sake of a better resurrection, refused to do what would have saved them. Others suffered chains and prison. They were stoned, sawn in two, killed by the word. They feld from place to place with no other clothing than the skins of sheep and goats, lacking everything, afflicted, ill-treated. These people of whom the world was not worthy had to wander through wastelands and mountains, and take refuge in the dens of the land.

"However, although all of them were praised because of their faith, they did not enjoy the promise because God had us in mind and saw beyond. And he did not want them to reach this end ahead of us."

HEBREWS 11:32-40

"Whatever others may say, Lord,
let me hear only what You say that I am."

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What On Earth Am I Here For?

Canon EOS 350D, f/1.8, 1/10 sec

"A word of Yahweh came to me, 'Even before I formed you in the womb I have known you; even before you were born I had set you apart, and appointed you a prophet to the nations!'

"But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you. Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence!

"See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue you--it is Yahweh who speaks."

JEREMIAH 1:4-5,17-19

"Reveal to me as I search within myself,
what it is that You have created me for."

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My True Passion

From various websites

"Faith is the way of holding onto what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see. Because of their fatih our ancestors were approved.

"It was by faith that Abraham, called by God, set out for a country that would be given to him as an inheritance; for he parted without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a stranger in that promised land. There he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, beneficiaries of the same promise. Indeed, he looked forward to that city of solid foundation of which God is the architect and builder.

"By faith Sarah herself received power to become a mother, in spite of her advanced age; since she believed that he who had made the promise would be faithful. Therefore, from an almost impotent man were born descendants as numerous as the stars of heavens, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore.

"Death found all these people strong in their faith. They had not received what was promised, but they had looked ahead and had rejoiced in it from afar, saying that they were foreigners and travelers on earth."

HEBREWS 11:1-2,8-19

"My Lord and Creator, help me to discern
Your true desire for my life, and may my own desire meet Yours."

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Finding Timothy

Canon S45

"From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of his promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus, to my dear son Timothy.

"May grace, mercy and peace be with you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

"I give thanks to God whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly, day and night, in my prayers. I recall your tears and I long to see you that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, so like the faith of your grandmother Lois and of your mother Eunice, which I am sure you have inherited.

"For this reason I invite you to fan into a flame the gift of God you received through the laying on of my hands. For God did not confer on us a spirit of bashfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment. Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord, nor of seeing me in chains. On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the Gospel with the strength of God."

2 TIMOTHY 1:1-8

"Thank You, Lord, for our Timothies."

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The Gospel According To You

"Meanwhile Saul considered nothing but violence and death for the disciples of the Lord. He went to the High Priest and asked him fo rletters to the synagogues of Damascus that would authorize him to arrest and bring to Jerusalem anyone he might find, man or woman, belonging to the Way.

"As he traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' And he asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The voice replied, 'I am Jesus whom you persecute. NOw get up and go into the city; there you will be told what you are to do.'

"The men who were traveling with him stood there speechless: they had heard the sound, but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground and, opening his eyes, he could not see. They took him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. He was blind and he did not eat or drink for three days.

"There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, to whom the Lord called in a vision, 'Ananias!' He answered, 'Here I am, Lord!' Then the Lord said to him, 'Go at once to Straight Street and ask, at the house of Judas, for a man of Tarsus named Sau. You will find him praying, for he has just seen in a vision that a man named Ananias has come in and placed his hands upon him, to restore his sight.'

"Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and now he is here with authority from the High Priest to arrest all who call upon you name.' But the Lord said to him, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to bring my name to the pagan nations and their kings, and the people of Israel as well. I myself will show him how much he will have to suffer for my name.'

"So Ananias left and went to the house. He laid his hands upon Saul and said, 'Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me to you so that you may receive your sight and be filled with Holy Spirit.' Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see; he got up and was baptized. Then he took food and was strengthened.

"For several days Saul stayed with the disciples of Damascus, and he soon began to proclaim in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. All who heard were astonished and said, 'Is this not the one who cast out in Jerusalem all those calling upon his Name? Did he not come here to bring them bound before the chief priests?'

"But Saul grew more and more powerful, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus when proved that Jesus was the Messiah."

ACTS 9:1-22

"Lord, use me and my life to bring Your love into the world.
Let my love for You mold my every thought,
every word and every deed, that the world may see
that You are alive in me."

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Truth Stays

"Again Jesus began to teach by the lake, but such a large crowd gathered about him that he got into a boat and sat in it on the lake while the crowd stood on the shore. He taught them many things through stories or parables. In his teaching he said,

"'Listen! The sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some of the seed fell along a path and the birds came and ate it up. Some of the seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil; it sprang up immediately because it had no depth; but when the sun rose and burned it, it withered because it had no roots. Other seed fell among thornbushes and the thorns grew and choked it, so it didn't produce any grain. But some seed fell on good soil, grew and increased and yielded grain; some produced thirty times as much, others sixty and others one hundred times as much.' And Jesus added, 'Listen then, if you have ears.'

"When the crowd went away, some who were around him with the Twelve asked about the parables.

"He answered them, 'The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you. For those outside, everything comes in parables, so that the more they see, they don't perceive; the more they hear, they don't understand; otherwise they would be converted and pardoned.'

"Jesus said to them, 'Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables?

"'What the sower is sowing is the word. Those along the path where the seed fell are people who hear the word, but as soon as they do, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

"'Other people receive the rod like rocky ground. As soon as they hear the word, they accept it with joy, but they have no roots so it lasts only a little while. No sooner does trouble or persecution come because of the word, than they fall.

"'Others receive the seed as among thorns. After they hear the word, they are caught up in the worries of this life, false hopes of riches and other desires. All these come in and choke the word so that finally it produces nothing.

"'And there are others who receive the word as good soil. They hear the word, take it to heart and produce: some thirty, some sixty and some one hundred times as much.'"

MARK 4:1-20

"Even if telling the truth may cost me a loss,
help me stick to it and to You."

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God's Best

Canon EOS 350D, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec

"The religion of the Law is only a shadow of the good things to come; it has the patterns but not the realities. So, year after year, the same sacrifices are offered without bringing the worshipers to what is he end. If they had been cleansed once and for all, they would
no longer have felt guilt and would have stopped offering the same sacrifices. But no, year after year their sacrifices witness to their sins and never will the blood of bulls and goats take away these sins.

"This is why on entering the world, Christ says: 'You did not desire sacrifice and offering; you were not pleased with burn offerings and sin offerings. Then I said: "Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God."

"'First he says: Sacrifice, offerings, burn offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them--although they were required by the Law. Then he says: Here I am to do your will.

"'The is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified at once by the sacrifice of the body of Christ Jesus.'"

HEBREWS 10:1-10

"I want the best, Lord. I choose You."

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Rock The Boat?

Canon EOS 350D, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec

"Meanwhile, the teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem said, 'He is in the power of Beelzebul: the chief of the demons helps him to drive out demons.'

"Jesus called them to him and began teaching them by means of stories or parables, 'How can Satan drive out Satan? If a nation is divided by civil war, that nation cannot stand. If a family divides itself into groups, that family will not survive. In the same way, if Satan has risen against himself and is divided, he will not stand; he is finished. No one can break into the house of the Strong one in order to plunder his goods, unless he first ties up the Strong one. Then indeed, he can plunder his house.

"Truly, I say to you, every sin will be forgiven humankind, even insults to God, however numerous. But whoever slanders the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven: he carries the guilt of his sin forever.

"'This was their sin when they said, "He has an evil spirit in him."'"

MARK 3:22-30

"Teach me the difference, Lord, when it is unwise to rock the boat,
and when to stand up for what I believe in."

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Special to God

Pentax Optio S50

"Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord,
who in Christ has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing.
God chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and without sin in his presence.

"From eternity he destined us in love
to be his sons and daughters through Christ Jesus,
thus fulfilling his free and generous will.
This goal suited him:
that his loving-kindness which he granted us in his Beloved
might finally receive all glory and praise.

"I have been told of your faith and your affection towards all the believers, so I always give thanks to God, remembering you in my prayers.

"May the God of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Father of Glory, reveal himself to you and give you a spirit of wisdom, that you may know him.

"May he enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by God.

"May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory; God sets apart for his saints."

EPHESIANS 1:3-6,15-18

"Lord, reveal Yourself to me
even through the painful circumstances of my life."

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Survivor vs. Savior

"They went home. The crowd began to gather again and they couldn't even have a meal. Knowing what was happening his relatives came to take charge of him: 'He is out of his mind,' they said."

MARK 3:20-21

"Dear Jesus, thanks for loving me so dearly
despite my sinfulness."

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Appointed Servants

From www.holycrossseminary.com

"Then Jesus went up into the hill country and called those he wanted and they came to him. So he appointed twelve to be with him; and he called them apostles. He wanted to send them out to preach, and he gave them authority to drive out demons.

"These are the Twelve: Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John his brother, to whom he gave the name Boanerges, which means 'men of thunder'; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him."

MARK 3:13-19

"I accept Your commission, Lord, but rely on Your grace
to be able to complete it."

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Angel?

From www.stanford.edu

"Consequently he is able to save for all time those who approach God through him. He always lives to intercede on their behalf.

"It was fitting that our High Priest be holy, undefiled, set apart from sinners and exalted above the heavens; a priest who does not first need to offer sacrifice for himself before offering for the sins of the people, as high priests do. He offered himself in sacrifice once and for all. And whereas the Law elected weak men as high priests, now, after the Law, the word of God with an oath appointed the Son, made perfect forever.

"The main point of what we are saying is that we have a high priest. He is seated at the right hand of the diving majesty in heaven, where he serves as minister of the true temple and sanctuary, set up not by any mortal but by the Lord.

"And high priest is appointed to offer to God gifts and sacrifices, and Jesus also has to offer some sacrifice. Had he remained on earth, he would not be a priest, since others offer the gifts according to the Law. In fact the ritual celebrated by those priests is only an imitation and shadow of the supernatural ritual. We know th e word of God to Moses with regard to the construction of the holy tent. He said: You are to make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.

"Now, however, Jesus enjoys a much higher ministry in being the mediator of a better covenant, founded on better promises."

HEBREWS 7:25-8:6

"Thank You, Father, for the people who have sacrificed
to make me a better person."

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God's Spouse

From www.bbc.co.uk

"The Lord said to my Lord,
'Sit at my right hand
till I make your foes your footstool.'

"From Zion the Lord will extend your mighty scepter
and you will rule in the midst of your enemies.

"Yours is royal dignity
from the day you were born in holy majesty.
Like dew from the womb of the dawn,
I have begotten you.

"The Lord has sworn,
and he will not take back his word;
'You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek.'"

PSALM 110:1-4

"Jesus, through the intercession of Mary,
bless all priests and religious.
Give them the grace to remain faithful to You to the very end."

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Worth More

Pentax Optio S50

"One sabbath he was walking through grainfields. As his disciples walked along with him, they began to pick the heads of grain and crush them in their hands. Then the Pharisees said to Jesus, 'Look! they are doing what is forbidden on the sabbath!'

"And he said to them, 'Have you never read what David did in his time of need, when he and his men were very hungry? He went into the house of God when Abiathar was High Priest and ate the bread of offering, which only the priests are allowed to eat, and he also gave some to the men who were with him.' Then Jesus said to them, 'The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. So the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.'"

MARK 2:23-28

"Guide me in bringing the Good News to others, Lord."

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Understanding Weakness

Pentax Optio S50

"Every High Priest is taken from among mortals and appointed to be their representatives before God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. He is able to understand the ignorant and erring for he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices for his sins as well as for the sins of the people. Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by God, as Aaron was.

"Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son, I have begotten you today. And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

"Christ, in the days of his mortal life, offered his sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to him who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his humble submission. Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him. This is how God proclaimed him Priest in the order of Melchizedek."

HEBREWS 5:1-10

"Lord, may I understand and be tolerant of others' weaknesses."

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When Did You Begin?

Pentax Optio S50

"Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invite to the wedding with his disciples. When all the wine provided for the celebration had been served and they had run out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus replied, 'Woman, your thoughts are not mine! My hour has not come.'

"However his mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'

"Nearby were six stone water jars meant for the ritual washing as practiced by the Jews; each jar could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' And they filled them to the brim. Then Jesus said, 'Now draw some out and take it to the steward.' So they did.

"The steward tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing from where it had come; for only the servants who had drawn the water knew. So, he called the bridegroom to tell him, 'Everyone serves the best wine first and when people have drunk enough, he serves that which is ordinary. Instead you have kept the best wine until the end.'

"This miraculous sign was the first, and Jesus performed it at Cana in Galilee. In this way he let his Glory appear and his disciples believed in him."

JOHN 2:1-11

"When hardships come my way, let me see that
You will see me through them because You love me."

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Emotional Adultery

"For the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart. All creation is transparent to Him; everything is uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we render account.

"We have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, who has entered heaven. Let us, then, hold fast to the faith we profess. Our high priest is not indifferent to our weaknesses, for he was tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sinning. Let us, then, with confidence approach God, the giver of grace; we will obtain mercy and, through his favor, help in due time."

HEBREWS 4:12-16

"Lord, open my spiritual eyes that I may see things the way You do."

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Have Faith Believe In Me

Pentax Optio S50

"After some days Jesus returned to Capernaum. As the news spread that he was at home, so many people gathered tht there was no longer room even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the Word to them, some people brought a paralyzed man to him.

"The four men who carried him couldn't get near Jesus because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the room where Jesus was and, through the hole, lowered the man on his mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralytic, 'My son, your sins are forgiven.'

"Now, some teachers of the Law who were sitting there wondered within themselves, 'How can he speak like this insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?'

"At once Jesus knew through his spirit what they were thinking and asked, 'Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man: "Your sins are forgiven," or to say: "Rise, take up your mat and walk?" But now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.'

"And he said to the paralytic, 'Stand up, take up your mat and go home.' The man rose and, in the sight of all those people, he took up his mat and went out. All of them were astonished and praised God saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!'"

MARK 2:1-12

"Lord, strengthen my faith and belief in You
so that I may live happily ever after."

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No Day But Today

"Listen to what the Holy Spirit says: If only you would hear God's voice today! Do not be stubborn, as they were in the place called Rebellion, when your ancestors challenged me in the desert, although they had seen my deeds, for forty years. That is why I was angry with those people and said: Their hearts are always going astray and they do not understand my ways. I was angry and made a solemn vow: They will never enter my rest.

"So, brothers, be careful lest some of you come to have an evil and unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Encourage one another, day by day, as long as it is called today. Let no one become hardened in the deceitful way of sin. We are associated with Christ provided we hold steadfastly to our initial hope until the end."

HEBREWS 3:7-14

"Let me enjoy Your blessings today, Lord.
Let me count and see what they are,
knowing that You will take care of my tomorrow."

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"Been There, Done That"

Pentax Optio S50

"And because all those children share one same nature of flesh and blood, Jesus likewise had to share this nature. This is why his death destroyed the one holding the power of death, that is the devil, and freed those who remained in bondage all their lifetime because of the fear of death.

"Jesus came to take by the hand not the angels but the human race. So he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every respect, in order to be the High Priest faithful to God and merciful to them, a priest able to ask pradon and atone for their sins. Having been tested through suffering, he is able to help those who are tested."

HEBREWS 2:14-18

"Lord, You know my inner wounds.
Let me bare them all to You
and trust that You will understand and heal me. Amen."

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Cherished Possession

Canon S45

"They went into the town of Capernaum and Jesus began to teach in the synagogue during the sabbath assemblies. The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers of the Law.

"It happened that a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue and he shouted, 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: You are the Holy One of God.' Then Jesus faced him and said with authority, 'Be silent and come out of this man!' The evil spirit shook the man violently and, with a loud shriek, came out of him.

"All the people were astonished and they wondered, 'What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even orders evil spirits and they obey him!' And Jesus' fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee."

MARK 1:21-28

"Father, may I know when and what to hold on to.
Help me to realize that everything I possess right now
is only temporary.
I pray that I may be detached from material things
and instead be content with what I have."

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Whose Smile?

"The people were wondering about John's identity, 'Could he be the Messiah?' Then John answered them, 'I baptize you with water, but the one who is coming will do much more: he will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. As for me, I am not worthy to untie his sandal.'

"Now, with all the people who came to be baptized, Jesus too was baptized. Then, while he was praying, the heavens opened: the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the bodily form of a dove and a voice from heaven was heard, 'You are my Son, this day I have begotten you.'"

LUKE 3:15-16, 21-22

"We live for the day that You will say,
'This is the son/daughter with whom I am well pleased.'"

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Star in God's Biz

From various websites

"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the east and have come to honor him.'

"When Herod heard this he was greatly disturbed and with him all Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and those who taught the people of God his Law, and asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

"'In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,' they told him, 'for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel.'

"Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with the instruction, 'Go and get precise information about the child. As soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I too may go and honor him.'

"After the meeting with the king, they set out. The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

"In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way."

MATTHEW 2:1-12

"O Lord, send forth Your light and Your truth.
Let them be my guide..."

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The Real Big Brother

Canon EOS 350D, f/5.6, 1/200 sec

"He preached to the people saying, 'After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. As for me, I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandals.'

"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth, a town of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And the moment he came up out of the water, heaven opened before him and he saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. And these words were heard from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.'"

MARK 1:7-11

"Cast upon me Your loving gaze
and I will grow in Your beauty. Amen."

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The Glow Of Love

Canon EOS 350D, f/13, 4 sec

"For this is the message taught to you from the beginning: we must love one another. Do not imitate Cain who killed his brother, for he belonged to the Evil One. Why did he kill him? Because he himself did evil and his brother did good.

"So be not surprised, brothers if the world hates us; we love our brothers and sisters, and with this we know that we have passed from death to life. The one who does not love remains in death.

"The one who hates his brother is a murderer, and, as you know, eternal life does not remin in the murderer.

"This is how we have known what love is: he gave his life for use. We, too, ought to give our life for our brothers and sisters.

"If anyone enjoys the riches of this world, but closes his heart when he sees his brother or sister in need, how will the love of God reamin in him. My dear children, let us love not only with words and with our lips, but in truth and in deed.

"Then we shall know that we are of the truth and we may calm our conscience in his presence. Every time it reproaches us, let us say: God is greater than our conscience, and he knows everything.

"When our conscience does not condemn us, dear friends, we may have complete confidence in God."

1 JOHN 3:11-21

"Lord, make me more loving this year.
Reveal to me the areas in my relationships
where I have been selfish, proud, or cold.
Give me a new heart. Grant me that glow of love.
In Jesus' name, Amen."

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Come And See

Canon EOS 350D, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec

"On the following day John was standing there again with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, 'There is the Lamb of God.' On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. He turned and saw them following, and he said to them, 'What are you looking for?' They answered, 'Rabbi (which means Master), where are you staying?' Jesus said, 'Come and see.' So they went and saw where he stayed and spent the rest of the day with him. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.

"Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard what John had said and followed Jesus. Early the next morning he found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which means the Christ), and he brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon, son of John, but you shall be called "Cephas" (which means Rock).'"

JOHN 1:35-42

"Lord, help me see the right path which is You."

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Grateful For The Lamb

From biblia.com

"The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, 'There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. It is he of whom I said: A man comes after me who is already ahead of me, for he was before me. I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing to prepare for him, so that he might be revealed in Israel.'

"And John also gave this testimony, 'I saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove from heaven and resting on him. I myself did not know him but God who sent me to baptize told me: "You will see the Spirit coming down and resting on the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." Yes, I have seen! and I declare that this is the Chosen One of God.'"

JOHN 1:29-34

"Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might be to the Lamb of God!"

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Led To The Truth

Canon EOS 350D, f/4, 1/3 sec

"Who is the liar?

"The one who denies that Jesus is the Christ.

"This is an antichrist, who denies both the Father and the Son. The one who denies the Son is without the Father, and those who acknowledge th Son also have the Father.

"Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If waht you heard from teh beginning remains in you, you, too, will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise he himself gave us: eternal life.

"I write this to you thinking of those who try to lead you astray.

"You received from him an anointing, and it remains in you, so you do not need someone to teach you. His anointing teaches you all things, it speaks the truth and does not lie to you; so remain in him, and keep what he has taught you.

"And now, my children, live in him, so that when he appears in his glory, we may be confident and not ashamed before him when he comes."

1 JOHN 2:22-28

"Lord, let me worship You in Spirit and in truth."

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Are You A Reflective Person?

Canon EOS 350D, f/5.6, 1/640 sec

"So they cam hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger. On seeing this they related what they had been told about the child, and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds.

"As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them.

"The shepherds then returned giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them.

"On the eighth day the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived."

LUKE 2:16-21

"Lord, teach me to think through my past blessings.
And see Your handwriting in my life each day."

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