Return to Me,

   and I will return to you,

       says the LORD of hosts.

                  Malachi 3. 7

(God always has the light on.

There is always a way back.

Seek Him,

and He will reveal Himself to you

in all things,

in all ways,

even in what appears 

   the most ordinary of days).

And He who sat 

upon the throne said,

"Behold,

I make all things new."

                  Revelation 21. 5

(You are never stuck.

Walk with Jesus

       through this.

What is the path

     of His glory in this?

God may not pluck you

out of your hard place,

but He assuredly 

     makes all things new,

               heart included).

... for the fine linen

is the righteous deeds 

                 of the saints.

                 Revelation 19. 8

(And that would mean

       each and every one of us.

Nothing that is good and right,

kind and gracious, 

loving and selfless,

              is ever insignificant,

but seamlessly woven into eternity

                   for His glory).

He determines the number

               of the stars,

He gives to all of them

                    their names.

                  Psalm 147. 4

(Stand outside in the majesty

     of a starry starry night

      and gaze upward in total awe.

And realize 

        God created each one,

              He knows them by name,

and He loves you even more).

      

I will praise the LORD

        as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God

                while I have being.

                  Psalm 146. 2

(Praise is not just a reaction

           to what we deem favorable,

but a deep abiding response to God

       in all that is before us.

Praise is not thinking good thoughts,

       but acknowledging Him by name 

                                           out loud.

Praising God changes you).

...for like jewels of a crown,

they shall shine on His land.

                       Zechariah 9. 16

(Live as differently as that

      bringing grace and hope,

reflecting His glory

  where there is only despair).

              

           

And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,
     full of grace and truth;
we have beheld His glory,
glory as of the only Son
from the Father.

                       John 1. 14

For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son,
that whoever
     believes in Him
should not perish
but have eternal life.
For God sent His Son
            into the world,
not to condemn the world,
but that the world
    might be saved through Him.

                        John 3. 16-17

(Open that gift of grace first.
This is not just another worldview.
    You are greatly loved).

Merry Christmas, my friend!