On the Sixth Day of Christmas. Well, how about the Six Days of Creation. Geese laying eggs represents the creation of all life, earth, sun, moon and stars. 
Only God can do something so amazing in the matter of minutes. When God created the heavens and the earth, He created something from nothing. Science had produced many theories on how everything was created but still cannot explain one thing: If the Big Bang was caused by a rushing of hydrogen into a source of other matter, where di all of those components come from if there was nothing to begin with. The best way to explain it is that someone  or something came into being, breathed out and the rush of the hands coming together to clap brought together all the elements, atoms, etc. and the moment the hands connected, there is the Big Bang.    
Someone with a moment of hilarity could say that God sneezed everything into exitence because when He prepared to do so the Word said "ah-choo" and the Spirit came forth with all the elements. but we won't really go there.
Ever since the creation of mankind we have been able to create in our own way by making something by using other things that already exist. It is not really creating but manipulating or utilizing what God created in order for us to either survive or enjoy life. We make things to cultivate the earth, move from point A to point B, sit on, live in, and more. God is the only being who creates, we just make use of the materials given. The unfortunate thing is that we also make things to destroy other things.
What we can produce in others is the emotional responses by making things from what God has created. We do not create this either but the response of joyfulness comes from a thing made by our hands. For example, I work with wood and stone to make things that create emotional responses in the individuals for whom the product is designed for. I make someone happy. God created in us the ability to make others have emotional responses by our actions. The problem is that because of the Fall we also have the capability to make someone angry, sad, or disappointed.
This coming year let us make people happy by sharing the joy within us which is Christ. Let's correct and forgive the mistakes of the past (because that is what God does) and look towards a brighter future in Christ. Every day we live for Him is another day closer to sitting with Him at the biggest feast in the known and unknown heavens. May God grant many blessings in this coming year as we await His return.  

NO not the Olympics. These Five Golden Rings are very significant or they would not have the emphasis in the song that they do. It is not the center but these rings speak the truth and the start of the whole Bible. I am talking of the first five books, the Pentateuch. These are the Five Scrolls of Moses. Genesis provides us with the Creation Story, the Fall, the Flood, the Patriarchs, Joseph and the move to Egypt. That is just the beginning.
The other books tell of the shaping of the Israelite nation and the relationship they had with God. Out of these come The Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, and the lessons learned along the journey into the Promised Land of which Moses never steps foot in. The laws and statutes that govern moral behavior, feasts, sacrifices for sins, and other rituals are found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Numbers is just that, probably the largest census ever on record that we still have today.   
We are out of the Festivals and are focused on learning of Jesus and the New Testament Instruction. Yes I know it is a short time but so was the time that Jesus had to spread the Word. His ministry began after He was Baptized and spent the 40 days in the desert and lasted for three years.
What do we do now? We continue in His Commission to us, spreading the Word of God to all nations.
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The 4 calling birds are the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These sing the Song of Salvation. We are up to four in the song and have reached the Gospels. Notice something else about the song so far? The first four are birds of some sort. Not sure the significance there but I am sure there is something.
The four calling birds could also mark the four presenters of the Gospel as well. Even though two were not Apostles they all present the Gospel in a unique fashion especially John. Each one does take a different type of approach in the presentation though many similarities are found. Matthew was the tax collector turned champion for Christ. He went in front of the Sanhedrin to present Jesus to them. Matthew had an inside track on many things and detailed the sermons and parables. His recording of the Gospel is where we get the Beatitudes, the Last Supper, and the Great Commission, just to name a few important details. They did not kill him like they did Stephen, guess he was protected and spoke many truths to them and probably had enough dirt on them to keep him alive.
Mark, also known as John Mark was a student/follower/scribe of Paul. Rumor has it that Mark actually wrote the Gospel first and it was used by Matthew for writing purposes. Not much is known about him except that he journeyed with Paul.
Another who worked with Paul was Luke. Luke was a Physician which explains why his telling was of great detail and possibly somewhat embellished. His writing is where we get the birth story which is read every Christmas. Luke also details more of the parables and also wrote the Acts of the Apostles.
John, oh John the Beloved. John focused on the Spiritualism and Deity of Jesus. The Gospel According to John is where we learn that Jesus is the Word made flesh who was with God at the Creation. We also find the reason Jesus was sent to us. I got my life verse from John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than he who would lay his life down for his friends. John’s Gospel concentrates of God’s Love for us through Jesus.
Today is also the Christian Feast of the Innocents. It is this day our Christian ancestors remembered the Innocent Blood of the boys killed by King Herod to try and kill Jesus. He was unsuccessful but completed his mark in history as one of the most ruthless of governor/kings ever to rule over Judea. 

On the Third Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me: Three French Hens
Besides the Trinity what would be a good significance for the third day? How about the three gifts of the Spirit or three Theological Virtues? These are Faith Hope and Love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
But for now, three things last —trust, hope, love; and the greatest of these is love (CJB)
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (KJV)
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)
These three virtues are the most important in a Christians Character. Though not the only characteristics, these three are the ones that Christians should emulate the most. In our Faith we put our whole Trust in Jesus as our Savior. Our Hope is in Jesus that He will return again. Our Love is shown through the acts of Christian Charity, how we treat others, the unconditionally conditional love of God which shines through us. We are to share God’s love with all people (unconditional). Sometimes we need to show tough love (God’s Conditions) not a hatred or condemning but sharing the truth of it so they convict themselves of their sins.
The verse written above is at the end of the “Love Chapter”. It spells out God’s Love for without it we are nothing. It states we should love all without pointing out people’s wrongs. In other words, if we have God’s Love within us, we do not judge others. If the person(s) life is sinful and they boast or take pride in their sins, we are not to become part of the sin by acknowledging it and boosting it for that makes us just as guilty of that sin. Remember the Bible does not say, “love the sinner hate the sin”, but it does tell us to treat others as we would have others treat us.
Having faith (trust), is having the confidence that God will watch over us, guide us through the Holy Spirit, so we can live out our lives as Jesus taught us. This faith cannot be inactive and say that I got Jesus so He will take care of me while you do nothing. Faith gives us the confidence so that we can complete the mission that Christ gave us in Matthew 28:18-20. Without doing things for Christ and only doing them for our own gratification is not putting our faith in Him. There is a difference between believing in Christ and being in Christ.   
This also happens to be the ancient Feast of St. John the Beloved. John held onto these virtues and was the only Apostle not to die a martyrs death. They celebrated John because he shared God’s love peacefully and suffered greatly until his natural death from old age. The perfect example of how to live like Christ.
If our full faith (trust) is in God then we have the hope that our love will be that as close to godly as we can be. Do not judge another in their sin but show the truth through God’s Love.      

The Second Day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, Two Turtle Doves. This should be an easy one since there are very few things that come in twos in accordance with the faith.
 The Old And New Testament, God’s instruction book to mankind. These two combined create the Bible, God’s Story which is to be told to the world. Many today do not think the Old Testament is important because of the age of the text and the fact that they cannot see Jesus in it.
Well guess what, Jesus is all over the Old Testament. He was there from the beginning as the Word which spoke creation into existence. He is known in the Old Testament as the Angel of God (notice the capitalization) even though there were many angelic visitors the manifestation of Christ can be seen when Angel is capitalized. The Old Testament contains the basics of living a good moral life and teaches values and characteristics which we need to live long and healthy lives for God. It speaks of the fall and why we do the things we do and how the Hebrews tried to fix it by appeasing God. The Old Testament gives us God’s Rules. These rules are not guidelines to be altered by man. It also tells us our true purpose on being on this earth. All these things are spoken and taught by Jesus in the New Testament.
The New Testament tells the story of forgiveness and love. We finally see the Angel of God in the flesh because with all the appeasing the Hebrews tried, nothing that man can do could heal the sin of the world. The New Testament shares the teachings of Jesus who is the Great High Priest, the Messiah, Saviour, SON OF GOD. It tells us about the reaching out to the Gentiles (non-Jewish folk) and how the Apostles were either accepted or condemned.
Speaking of which, did you know that today is the Feast of Stephen? You know, Stephen, the guy who was stoned for telling the Sanhedrin the whole story of Jesus and how they basically screwed up even though they were instrumental in completing the mission by having Jesus crucified. Yeah that guy. The one that Saul of Tarsus supervised the stoning of. Yeah you know him as Paul, the great Roman Jewish teacher to the Gentiles.
Stephen is known as the first martyr. His feast revolves around taking care of the poor and homeless. So the first mission after Christmas is to share the leftovers and unwanted gifts with those in need. It is not about returning gifts and getting what you really wanted or get the money to do with as you please. It is about visiting those who are homebound, in a nursing home, an orphanage, pet adoption center, you know, doing things that Jesus wants us to do.
So, while you are reading this, prepare your hearts to do the right thing this day, this season, this coming year. Do not be an idle (lukewarm) Christian. Make a change in someone’s life. God told us to do it so get off your donkey and help your fellow man.     
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In the 20th century, secular society poked fun at the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas” by modernizing it to the times. Little did they realize that it was originally written as a teaching tool, instructing the youth about the Christian faith. Each gift is actually religiously significant. Do you remember each gift?
 “A partridge in a pear tree"
"two turtle doves"
"three French hens"
"four calling birds"
"five golden rings"
"six geese a-laying"
"seven swans a swimming"
"eight maids a milking".
"nine ladies dancing"
"ten lords a-leaping"
"eleven pipers piping".
"twelve drummers drumming"
 Those are the gifts but what is their meaning? To understand this we actually have to look at the opening line of the song, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...". Is this a guy giving these gifts to a girl and the girl is singing this as a thank you? Not quite. The "true love" represents God and the "me" who receives these presents is the Christian. These are the gifts of God the Father and it teaches us the meaning and content of the faith.
Also, did you know the twelve days lead up to the next event on the Christian calendar? The last day is the day before Epiphany. Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. It is the moment where the Divine being waited for by the Jews is now known as the Savior of the World.     
Today is the first day of Christmas, the partridge on the tree signifies Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God. Christ is represented as a mother partridge protecting her young by being a decoy when predators are about. Jesus is our Saviour. When He died, He took on death itself and covers us so we no longer have to suffer the torment due us because of our sins. Believers are no longer left in the dark but can see the light of God. We are to pronounce Him as Lord and Savior to the world so that no one is left in the dark anymore.
 

When looking for the right someone, where do you look first? Is it their eyes, figure, bank or soul?
God desires the right man or woman for you, if it’s His plan, so looking to Him is the first step. When you don’t seek God for your heart direction, is He really involved?​
The godly man is one who follows the biblical direction of leadership described in I Timothy 3:1-7 “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money’s. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he care for God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgement as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”
Proverbs 31:10-31 describes a wife of noble character. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence I her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
When God prepares you for your life-mate, don’t be afraid to look for the qualities mentioned in the verses above. Although most women don’t make linens or plant vineyards nowadays, the concept is that a noble woman is respectful and independent. She does not bring disrespect to the household. Likewise, the husband is honorable and respected. God will provide a mate that brings out and expands the qualities of both people.
Many people use Ruth and Boaz as examples for a relationship. However, Mary and Joseph seem to epitomize a truer heart foundation. When Mary was approached by the Angel, she wondered how she could bear a child as she had never lain with a man. She also knew that if she was pregnant without being married, her life would be forfeit. The traditions of the land did not allow for premarital pregnancy, except if the child’s father was the woman’s betrothed. For Mary, since she was a virgin, being pregnant would have allowed Joseph to “divorce” her and she could have been stoned. Although I’m confident that Mary was scared, she trusted in God that Joseph would not take that route. Joseph may have thought of that option, but he also trusted in God. Mary’s heart was full of God’s love and she, in my mind, held deep affection and respect for Joseph. Although Joseph had every right to end the betrothal and have Mary punished, I feel that he cared deeply for Mary. This affection made a big difference. Both Mary and Joseph followed their heart direction to fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament.
When speaking with my husband the other day, we discussed this in length. Joseph had been married before and had children. Being married to Mary would have given him a mother for them and mate for himself. We agreed that Joseph’s heart direction was focused on God. Having that focus allowed his heart to have care and compassion for Mary. This heart direction gave us the ability to follow our hearts to our Savior.
Are you still seeking the right mate and wondering when the right man or woman will come along? Don’t despair, God is preparing both of you. Place your heart direction towards Him and He will not fail. There will be heartaches and trials and hurt, but God will provide the one for you.
A little background on me. My husband and I met in 1991. We got engaged early 1992. Broke up in 1993, and married in 1997. We have been married now for over 20 years. When we broke up, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Over the years, I discovered that neither of us were ready for the relationship that God wanted us to have. Both of us had to grow in faith and be willing to submit to Christ. We’ve had our struggles and both of us have returned to our old ways at some point. However, it is only by God’s grace and divine love that we are still together. We have had to re-focus our heart directions back on God to be able to focus on the plans that He has for us.
 

It was December 7th, 1914. Pope Benedict XV wanted the war to temporarily stop for the soldiers to celebrate Christmas. Though the leaders said no, the word got to the soldiers from two nations so they declared their own unofficial Christmas Truce. German and British Soldiers greeted one another and actually got out of the trenches shook hands sang together and exchanged gifts of what they had with them. 
Why did this happen? Was it the fact that Jesus was in the hearts of all the warriors? My guess is yes. Was it because the soldiers desired a celebration, though short lived, and wanted to share it even with the enemy because Jesus said to love thine enemy? Yes. Did they understand the true meaning for the season? My guess once again is yes. For a brief moment, hardened hearts became soft, God’s love and compassion filled the air.
We are reminded of the Word according to Luke 2:
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 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 Judaea, 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. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Christmas 2001, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Camp Butmir, a multinational force met for a Christmas celebration. We did not segregate ourselves by country, ethnicity, creed, or gender. We sang Christmas Carols in 6 different languages then the American Army Chaplain gave the message and the Christmas Story seen above. We then shared in Communion with one another in a circle drinking from the same cup and breaking bread together. This was a Christmas to remember. I will never forget that day because I was there. Though we have all lost contact, we remember that one moment where Christ brought us together in complete peace and harmony.  
Today we celebrate the earthly birth of our eternal Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We celebrate on this day because of it being the day that Emperor Constantine decided to be the right time of the calendar year to commemorate His birth.. This day is the central point of the season which officially ends on Epiphany. But, the Spirit of sharing, giving, and loving one another, is an everyday lifelong thing not just around the Christmas season.
What to say on Christmas but to be joyful, caring, and concerned about your fellow man.
MERRY CHRISTMAS

​THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION
 
John 14:27
What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened. (CJB)
This week we prepare the way to Bethlehem. It was a time of peace but there was not a peaceful attitude between the Jews and the Romans who occupied the Holy Land. The Emperor demanded a census be taken of his whole empire. Now we al know what happens when a census is demanded, Just ask King David when he did that against God’s will. This one however, would be used to fulfill prophesy and God’s Will.
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (ESV)
Our Ancestors prepared for the birth with anticipation but yet misunderstood what the purpose of the Messiah would truly be. They were looking for an earthly king who would save them from Roman occupation even though God gave Isaiah to prophesy of the Suffering Servant who saves souls. He also gave the prophesy of preparation that would begin with John the Baptist.  

Isaiah 40:3-5
3 A voice cries out: “Clear a road through the desert for Adonai! Level a highway in the ‘Aravah (willow branch/wilderness) for our God! 4 Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill lowered, the bumpy places made level and the crags become a plain. 5 Then the glory of Adonai will be revealed; all humankind together will see it, for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.” (CJB)
They saw but did not understand still. So John would continue crying in the desert wilderness of the Jordan and gave them fulfilled Isaiah again which says:
Isaiah 40:9-11
9 You who bring good news to Tziyon, get yourself up on a high mountain; you who bring good news to Yerushalayim, cry out at the top of your voice!
Don’t be afraid to shout out loud! Say to the cities of Y’hudah, “Here is your God!
10 Here comes Adonai Elohim with power, and his arm will rule for him.
Look! His reward is with him, and his recompense is before him.
11 He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering his lambs with his arm, carrying them against his chest, gently leading the mother sheep.” (CJB)
John was constantly preparing the way for Jesus knowing that his flesh and blood cousin was more than that, He is the Son of God.

Jesus came to John so that His ministry could begin. The Suffering Servant has arrived. Jesus was anointed with the water but then the miracle of God came with a thunderous voice and a gentle dove. “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. With that, the flesh became anointed and His ministry began.
Jesus prepared and became the way for our salvation. He fulfills the prophesy of Isaiah and the Will of God. His Mission, spread the Word of God, save mankind from eternal damnation, prepare a place for us in heaven, return and rule God’s Kingdom in the new creation.
So this Advent Sunday let us reflect on the peace that surpasses human understanding. This peace which is inherently within us but clouded by sin will be released once again when Jesus returns. There is an indescribable peace that comes over us when we accept Jesus as Savior but that is only a taste of what the peace of God will provide in us. We pray, “Come Lord Jesus” almost daily but He is already here. He is within each of us through the power of the Holy Spirit and is preparing our hearts for the Glorious Appearing where He will reveal His Kingdom to us.
Prepare for the Prince of Peace, born of God in a lowly manger, murdered by man, raised by God, who dwells within us, and rules us eternal.

Isaiah 9:2 The people living in darkness have seen a great light; upon those living in the land that lies in the shadow of death, light has dawned. 
What is the light in the darkness or rather who? The light will come as a humble Babe and will rule the nations. This is what they were told but what they did not realize is that the Kingdom is of the Spirit and that Kingdom is the Eternal Kingdom of God. 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
The hope of finding and relishing in the light which is only found through belief, hope, and trust in the Savior, Messiah, Emmanuel. This is the Sunday where we light candle of Prophetic Promise. The candle of Hope for Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. How did God provide the right direction to this Hope?
After creation, God had a close relationship with Adam and Eve. They disobeyed one simple instruction from God and the relationship was cut and separation occurred. Because of this, Adam and Eve were thrown from the protection of Eden, the place of full communion with God. They hoped to reconnect their relationship with God.
The Hebrew Nation is God’s Chosen who were tasked with spreading the Knowledge of God to the world. This did not work out so well as they often left God for other gods and belief systems and only returned when life got rough. Sound familiar? Some people were chosen specifically by God to share or wake the nation up but it wasn’t until Isaiah that God finally let His ultimate plan come to light. Through Isaiah, God spoke of Jesus, the Suffering Servant. He would do what Israel could not. This brought hope to Israel as they awaited the Messiah whom they envisioned would be a fully righteous earthly king who would rule them forever. They hoped for a king.
Every book in the Old Testament has pointed to the one who would be the Savior from our sins. The one who would set things right in this world and correct Adam and Eve’s mistake. This is the hope of being saved from eternal damnation.   
This same Savior spoken of would be the instrument of change destroying the old creation and building the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. This time it will be done right. God did this already and kept one faithful family and it would have worked except that sin still existed because the we’re still fully human. We have hope for a sinless world full of peace, joy, and ahava (God’s ultimate most powerful complete) love, in which we will live forever.   
The hope of all this coming to be lays with a promise from God. He sent us His Son who became flesh and do the mission God had for His people Israel, to make the ultimate sacrifice and defeat death once and for all, and to lay the groundwork for the Kingdom of God that will be eternal. His Son came not with the pomp and circumstance as an earthly prince but as a child of a humble carpenter and his young wife. He was born amongst God’s Creation and laid in a wooden trough filled with hay to keep Him warm.
Yeshua answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty. Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will certainly not turn away. For I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me. And this is the will of the One who sent me: that I should not lose any of all those he has given me but should raise them up on the Last Day. Yes, this is the will of my Father: that all who see the Son and trust in him should have eternal life, and that I should raise them up on the Last Day.” - John 6:34-35,37-40 CJB
We, as humans have a tendency to put our faith and trust in the world for material things. The truth is, if we put our hope, faith, and trust in God, the material things we need for living here take second place and our life in the Spirit will guide, protect, feed, and cloth us.
Have hope that Jesus keeps His promise and returns again to take us home.