Only thru the Blood Of Jesus

What If by: Maxine M We're waiting for Jesus to come back, as He said in His final decree Excitedly thinking!!, Soon His glorious face we'll see But "what if"!! He sent His angels in disguise just to see what our response would be St. Frances of Assisi met a leper, back in the days when leprosy wasn't rare He walked by, then went back to hug him...God's love to share But moments later, when he looked back, there was no one there Tired and weary, 2 disciples met a stranger on the dusty Emmaus Road They didn't recognize the face as Jesus, but welcomed Him into their abode "What if" they had simply let Him go on His way...they still would have had a heavy load The Inn-keeper didn't realize the King of Glory he had just turned away Lot was concerned about what would happen to "Strangers" at the end of the day Peter thought he was dreaming when angels opened the prison door, said "leave without delay" Neither can we recognize G

HERMAN by: Maxine M Life outside the sheepfold must be wonderful, the little lamb determined A young "adventurous" lamb...for this story's sake, let's just call him Herman Born into a flock with a loving shepherd, who spoke fluent German The flock fed on rolling green hills. "Come, Investigate!!", to Herman they seemed to call Calling, beckoning, alluring of better things beyond the restraining wall He wondered, pondered what was missing? Now, the others didn't seem discontent at all They blindly obeyed the voice of the shepherd , this one they came to know They stayed by his side...which ever way he turned, there they would go Following him to green pastures and cold clear mountain streams, running slow BUT Herman thought, surely beyond these hills there's something more So he harbored secret desires to leave the flock and go explore Someday I'll go see it all!, was the vow he firmly swore One day, Herman lagged behind when the shepherd was lea

Hope vs. Certainty by: Maxine M Hope: Webster defines as the feeling of what we want will happen, our desire we'll see Also as the person or thing from which this expectation will come to be Now each person's hope varies to an individual degree Certainty: fixed, settled, sure, positive....that which we can not doubt Thy Word, oh Lord, forever settled in Heaven!!, a certainty we can shout North is always north, truth is always true...not matter what else comes about Mary and Martha HOPED Jesus would come, so brother Lazarus wouldn't have to die Disappointed & let down...tears of sorrow they would cry But the CERTAINTY was, Jesus IS the Lord of Life, death's victory He could deny The disciples HOPED the Messiah would free them from Roman domination, in their day That Israel would be exaulted...all enemies made to pay The CERTAINTY was, He came to free us from sin, Salvation had just come their way David clung to HOPE, that God would relent...his child He would spare

ALL FAMILY by: Maxine M. .....(in memory of a family friend who went HOME to the Father and left behind a huge family array of "steps" "adopteds" "in-laws " (and some OUT-laws! ha) "just like family" etc etc. behind. All family... Family!! Doesn't just mean parents, children, sisters, and brothers Because there's also extended families & blended families, which include many others And then there's God's family, ALL those who love Him and one another Family can mean ALL those with similar memories to share That special Christmas, a wild card game, a picnic at a lake somewhere Even ancestors in the photo album with high-button collars to wear Mid-summer reunions, gatherings at the park, fabulous "potluck" cuisine New baby pictures, passed around by all to be seen Mother's keeping a watchful eye, admonishing "Please stay clean" Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, can fill chil