Happy New Year!!

Didn't make it to midnight last night, but it looks like I survived to the next day, inspite of that.  Last night my back began to hurt.  The doctors do not know exactly what the problem is.  They thought it was a degenerated disk problem, but the MRI does not show enough degeneration to bring on loss of balance, loss of feeling and lower back pain.  The doctor now suspects it is pinched nerves, after ruling out moving joints with another x-ray.   So, therapy soon.  

Every once in a while my lower back will get pinched, or whatever,  and cause a very sharp pain and a lot of swelling, which makes it impossible to get comfortable or to ease the pain.  A couple of Advil early this morning finally took the swelling away so I could get on with the day.   So, on New Years Eve I went to bed early.  I missed my glass of grape juice that we had to toast the New Years coming in.  Kat, Andy and Chris made it to midnight and then they too went to bed, as today is a busy day for all.  Today, New Year's Day, the heater and defrost went out on my car. (???)  It was working yesterday, so hopefully it is just a glitch.

The New Years may have come in a little rough, but my New Year's resolution has already started.  This year I am going to do all those projects that I started but never finished--the picture album books on the computer.  I look forward to the year. 

My children are in new beginnings in their lives--new roads--new paths--new lives!  God bless you all.  May your walk with the Lord bring you happiness and joy in the coming year.

Do Not Be Afraid

That we could be so blessed as to be in the presence of God! The Almighty Lord, who sculpted this world in all its wonders, created a world that continues on in an everlasting cycle. This Lord of All, Our Creator, the great and awesome God, designer of all, loves us, each and every one of us.

An angel told Zacharias,  "Do not be afraid" that he and his wife would have a son.  The baby  was conceived and was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb.  That baby would become John the Baptist.  After the baby was born, Zacharias named the baby "John".    Zacharias was then filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied of the fulfillment of the promise to their fathers, by the holy prophets, of the coming of a savior.

Joseph received a visit from an angel in a dream, and was told:  "do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20, in part)

Mary was told : "Luke 1: 30 Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.'"

An angel, announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds were told to not be afraid:  "Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

When Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, found Jesus teaching the multitudes, he begged him to heal his daughter, who was near death. Then some came from Jairus' house and told him to not bother the teacher, his daughter was dead. Jesus told the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” He then went with him and brought back to life and healed his twelve year old daughter.

When the disciples were straining to row their boat into a strong wind on the lake, Jesus walked out to them, on the water, and told them, "do not be afraid.” He then caused the wind to cease.

The Lord spoke to Paul:  "Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."

In Revelation John has a vision and sees Jesus:  "Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

Do not be afraid, have faith! What a great Lord we have that we, as sinners, completely undeserving of any mercy, are able to come to Him and to not be afraid. Whatever lies ahead, we need not be afraid, the Lord is with us.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to All. 

Sharing Alan Jackson's song Let It Be Christmas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFDwkKKxO2Q&feature=related