<![CDATA[Marsha's Musings - Blog]]>Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:54:16 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[A Time for Christmas Tea]]>Sat, 14 Dec 2024 03:28:54 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/a-time-for-christmas-teaThis blog post is an old post (December 2007), but well worth reviving if you are in need of a good laugh. The photos that go with this post are at the end in a slideshow that you can let scroll or you can fast forward through. I hope you get a giggle or two..  Picture
I've been entrusted with a special gift. I'm a Keeper of Christmas. I'll be writing more on what that means in another post this week. But for now, just know that's my position here on earth - A Keeper of Christmas. Part of the responsibility of being a Keeper of Christmas is to create memories that point people to the One we celebrate at Christmas.

In Keeping Christmas this year, I decided I wanted to have a Christmas Tea at our cozy little cabin in the woods with my lady friends from church. I've been planning, praying and envisioning this moment for months. I've been like a child in a candy shop. I wanted this to be a wonderful occasion that would create memories that would not only knit our hearts together, but also create memories that would point us to the Savior. 

So the thought occurred to me, make it a Currier and Ives/Thomas Kincaide moment. Keep Christmas by reflecting memories from a simpler time. Have the women come the mile and a half up the mountain in a sleigh that's being drawn by 2 galloping horses . . . you know, over the river (creek) and through the woods to Marsha's house we'll go type thing.

Thus began the search for horses and sleigh.

Now I think romantically about almost every aspect of life. I see the silver lining in every cloud that looms. My husband calls me Pollyanna. Well, this Pollyanna was going to Keep Christmas this year by using horses and a sleigh and I managed to pull my husband into the silver lined cloud with me. He has lots of contacts, so his part of being the husband of a Keeper of Christmas was to find me horses and sleigh.

You know your husband truly loves you when he joins you in a quest such as this. In no time at all he delivered! He came home so excited. But it wouldn't be able to be a sleigh because there has to be snow and if there's that much snow people around here are not coming out for a sleigh ride. He found instead a wagon. I called it a carriage to the ladies, sounds more "tea-ish" don't you think? This fella Mike works with has a brother and father who enter parades occasionally with their team and wagon. I knew the style of wagon because I've seen them in the parades in the summer months here in the mountains. They have a roof and open sides. so you can see out. PERFECT for this memory making ride. I couldn't wait. The excitement was building with the ladies. Ahh, this Keeper of Christmas has outdone herself I thought to myself.

Two weeks ago, Mike informs me that the "team" is NOT actually a team of horses, but rather a team of mules. The fantasy came down a notch. Well, at least they do this all the time, pulling a wagon full of people. And then he adds, oh, and by the way, mules don't gallop, they just plod along doing their job, that means it will take too long to get them to go 1 -1/2 miles up the mountain - as in 30 minutes! So, we changed it up and arranged for the ride to begin half way up the mountain by the mailboxes...down another notch the fantasy slid. Gulp, well, okay...at least they have four legs, a tail and sleigh bells that will jingle through the woods. It's still going to be so Currier and Ives-ish!

The time was fast approaching for the Christmas Tea. I sent out a little email to the 14 ladies coming and reminded them to dress warmly and to wear comfortable shoes because we would be taking a short little walk to my elderly neighbors cabin and singing Christmas carols to her. I assured them I wasn't going to make mountain goats out of them, the terrain here in the hollow is relatively even. Going Christmas Caroling is a good thing to do when you are a Keeper of Christmas you know.

Saturday morning, December 8 finally arrived. I could hardly sleep the night before. I was SO excited! "Lord, thank you for giving me the Gift of being a Keeper of Christmas. Lord, may all of our hearts be knit together in love through this tea. May they see You through your creation as they meander through the woods on their carriage ride. May they come feeling refreshed and relaxed as they reach our little cabin in the woods."

Mike went down to the end of the road to help his friend load the ladies into the carriage. His job was to take LOTS of pictures for me since I needed to stay at the house. The ladies were coming in 2 trips because of the lack of space on the carriage. He was going to bring their car up to the house so they would have it when it was time to leave.

Mike gets to the end of the road and finds the mules hitched to the . . . okay, so now it truly is NOT a carriage, it's NOT even an open wagon...it's a "Little House on the Prairie-ish" wagon!

Well, at least the ladies are smiling and they can see either where they've been or where they're going. It will be fine.

Have you ever heard the expression "stubborn as a mule"? There's a reason for that expression. These mules went MAYBE 100 yards and quit, just flat out quit! They REFUSED to go anywhere, no matter WHAT this well trained mule and wagon owner did to these mules!

He was SO embarrassed. He told the ladies the mules just "stubbed out"! When a mule decides it's not going, it's NOT going.

There was nothing else they could do. They had to disembark from the wagon and walk the rest of the way (1/2 a mile UP the mountain). Yes, there you see them in the picture heading UP the mountain while the mules head DOWN the mountain to get group #2! Oh Lord, help us!

Bless these ladies hearts, upon arriving, they look up and see they have to climb 19 stairs to the front door!

Poor Susie had never been to our cozy little cabin in the woods before. She's standing there, looking UP in disbelief knowing she has to climb the stairs! And Linda took me literally when I said dress warmly. She's wearing a beautiful, red, full length, might I add - heavy coat. I was standing on the porch laughing and crying at the same time. Now I was embarrassed! I had promised these ladies when I told them to wear comfy shoes that I wasn't turning them into mountain goats!

Now, back to the second group of women yet to arrive. The mules and wagon were turned back around, facing toward climbing UP the mountain. They got loaded up and . . . 
the mules just stood there! At that point the older gentleman (the father) came and said the mules were teamed up incorrectly. So they undid them and moved them around. There . . . now they'll move. NOT!!! They just stood there! Totally "STUBBED OUT"! At this point the driver had enough of this nonsense. He said he knew how he'd get those dadburn mules to move. So he got out and he . . . .  tied them to his 4x4 diesel truck (that's 4 wheel drive) and pulled the 4x4 mules (one mule with 4 legs and another mule with 4 legs - 4x4) that pulled the wagon with 4 wheels that carried my precious friends and the only hope for me (and the poor mule driver!) to retain any sense of dignity and honor . . . both necessary traits for one who is gifted as a Keeper of Christmas.

And his idea worked. Honor and dignity preserved! The truck was able to pull the mules that pulled the wagon, that held my friends, that held my future as a Keeper of Christmas in tact.

They went up, and up and up the mountain.

When alas they finally arrived at "The Hollow of His Hand" (the name we call our little cabin in the woods) with just a faint smell of diesel fuel and mule manure waifing in their hair. And did I mention they were very pale looking?

At this point you are probably wondering if these dear ladies still call me friend. Yes, as a matter of fact they do!

Despite the stubborn mules who tried to thwart the plans of the Keeper of Christmas, God was faithful and answered my prayer request. Some of these women are new to our church. God did indeed knit hearts together as they encouraged the more out of shape ones up the mountain. They watched after the one who may have a heart condition, they laughed together along the way. The ladies in the wagon knit their hearts together as they sat huddled close together, white knuckles showing, silently praying for their safety as the mules walked right on the edge of the road that drops off. They all saw the Savior that day in a very unique way. They all saw a place of beauty at a slower pace than they would normally take, thus able to appreciate His creation. A Christmas memory was made that will long be told to others that may come and worship with us in the future.

And at the end of the afternoon, when we all went and sang Christmas Carols to my elderly neighbor, the presence of the Lord could be felt. A Capella voices in three parts singing "O Come let us adore Him, O Come let us adore Him, O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord" were lifted to the highest point of her cathedral ceiling. The joy, the peace, the hearts knit together as one, the presence of Christ Himself were evidenced by my neighbor. Christmas was placed within the hearts of all of us to Keep within our own hearts and homes.

Mike asked me that evening what I was going to do next year to Keep Christmas. I thought a moment and said, "I think I'll have a drop in". "Oh, that sounds great!", he exclaimed. At some point I need to let him know what I meant by that. He's gonna need to cut some more trees. I'm thinking like . . . parachutes.
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]]><![CDATA[A December Kind of Grief: Living with Loss]]>Sat, 14 Dec 2024 03:14:26 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/a-december-kind-of-grief-living-with-lossPicture
Many I know are hurting with broken  hearts, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I’m thinking about all the expectations that come with what's supposed to be a 'happy' holiday while their hearts are laid open, raw, and exposed. Streams of salty tears continue to sting the wounded heart—feeling like everything is imploding around them.
The raw reality is this—life is hard at times. We can't change those hard times just because the calendar says we should be happy right now. But this one thing I know, God is with us - His name is Emmanuel. It’s the Name I whisper in the ear of each one I pray for. It’s the Name that tells us we’re not alone in our brokenness. It’s the Name that wraps us in comfort, the Name we can cling to when life’s sorrows are too raw to put up a tree or go through the motions of all the trappings of this season.

When life is whirling around us, and it just doesn't seem to make sense, when life is broken, and our hearts are exposed raw to the elements, all the "Happy Holiday" greetings only make the heart hurt worse. Through the eyes of the brokenhearted, life for everyone else goes on as “normal,” which can be a bitter cup to swallow.

The hurting and brokenhearted realize, often much sooner than most, that all the trappings that engulf Christmas aren’t the true meaning of Christmas and won’t heal wounded hearts. The true meaning is Jesus and His humble coming to be with us--Emmanuel, God is with us. He came to ransom, redeem, and deliver us. He alone can turn darkness into light because He is the Light of the world (John 8:12). He alone turns condemnation into acceptance and death into life. He alone brings hope, healing, love, peace, and even joy - not happiness - true joy. The joy of knowing the nearness of God is our good (Psalm 73:28). The joy of knowing He understands brokenness, separation, and grief. Joy isn’t, "Yippee! I feel great!" Joy comes as a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is rooted in grace. Joy is being aware of His presence and grace in our lives (God is with us).  Joy and sorrow are strange bedfellows, and it is possible, even normal, to experience them simultaneously.

This. . . this is the message beating in my heart this season. If you've never experienced it, a December kind of grief is magnified grief. Our grieving friends and family need our prayers. More than our words of advice, they need "Some One" to touch the wounds of their heart. Pray, hold their hand, give warm hugs that say, "I love you. I care. I'm sorry you're hurting. I'm here for you." If their grief is due to the loss of a loved one, it’s important to speak the loved one's name, talk about him/her, share memories, and let them know you haven't forgotten their loved one. No matter what has broken your friend or loved one’s heart, call or text. Let them know you are praying for them. Bring them a freezer meal.
To all my precious hurting friends and loved ones, don’t worry about holding to the traditions of the past. Don’t rely on drugs or alcohol to heal your wounded heart or to “get through the holidays.” There’s only One that can bring healing; His Name is Emmanuel, God is with us. He can do more than just “get you through the holidays.” This year, just be held.

Struggling with praying? This may capture the prayer of your heart during this December kind of grief.
"God, I’m not asking for miracles throughout this season. I’m asking to recognize Your movements in my life. I’m asking to catch Your whispers. I’m asking to sense Your presence in what I think are my darkest moments, when I think I can’t go on. God, I’m asking for moments when I can see Your grace as clearly as footprints in fresh-fallen snow or wet sand along a beach. God, I’m asking that You be with my family and friends and somehow see us through.”

Prayer quote:
Smith, Harold Ivan (2011-01-04). A December Grief: Living with Loss While Others are Celebrating (Kindle Locations 124-127). Beacon Hill Press. Kindle Edition.
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]]><![CDATA[For Those Who Are Hurting on Mother's Day]]>Sun, 14 May 2023 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/for-those-who-are-hurting-on-mothers-day
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Mother's Day is extremely difficult for many of us. The pain in our hearts seems to be magnified on days that the world tells us we're to be happy and celebratory.

You may be missing your own mother terribly. On days like Mother's Day, the longing to hear her voice, give her a hug and tell her "I love you" linger in your thoughts. To be honest, she lingers in your thoughts everyday. 

Maybe your Mother is still living but you are estranged. She wounded you deeply as a child and you find it difficult to find an appropriate card for her or to show her honor. I understand how you feel, only for me, it was a difficult relationship with my abusive father and Father's Day was always difficult. 

I know Mothers who are heartbroken on this day because their children have turned away from God and have also separated themselves from their parents, some saying horrible things about the ones who spent years loving and nurturing them.

Some of you have had to go through a Mother's worst nightmare, you've buried your child and a piece of your heart has been ripped from your chest. My heart hurts for you. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I pray those close to you will share a memory of your child with you today. 

The world elevates and celebrates Motherhood, and there you are, so wanting to be a Mommy but you are unable to conceive, your heart aches and your arms yearn to hold a child of your own.

I know your heart aches and hurts deeply. You're brokenhearted and may be feeling as though it can never be mended again. Let me encourage you to rest completely in Him. Give Him your heart ache. And don't be afraid to ask Him why this has happened to you; just remember to ask with open hands and not clinched fists. 

I don't know the answer to your why question, but I know the Who, and He loves you and wants to walk with you through this pain.

Dr. Joe Stowell said in his book, The Upside of Down: Finding Hope When It Hurts, "If we are to find hope and help when it hurts, we must begin with the Who of it all. We must hope in the certainty of what is true about God. If we choose not to cultivate our hope in Him, where will we place our hope? Is there anything greater, more just, more equitable, more powerful, more reliable, and truer than God?"

When waves of grief swell to unimaginable heights, then crash and pin you to the floor, it’s hard to imagine ever being able to stand and breathe again. You may feel as though you will never stop crying, never stop grieving, but this I know. . . God is faithful. He will not leave you to walk through this dark place alone. Over time–and it’s different for everyone–the swelling waves will lessen in intensity and frequency. Rest assured that based upon the promises of God, I know you will get through this by the grace of God.

“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help you will get through this.” 
​― Max Lucado, You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times

You will breathe again and find yourself standing in the middle of the intersection known as Joy and Sorrow. That place where you are able to rest in the steady flow of Hope, the healing salve that heals the wound and enables you to remember and mourn your loved one with a mix of joy and sorrow.
For the one who has lost a mother,
For the mother who has lost a child,
For the one who longs to be a mom…
You are not forgotten this Mother’s Day.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
How may I pray for you today? Please send me a message by clicking on this link. I'd be honored to pray with and for you as you walk through this valley. 
]]><![CDATA[Gravy? On My Thanksgiving Tablecloth?]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2022 19:51:37 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/pour-grace-like-gravy     The grace of our God was poured out on me abundantly,    
        along with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.          1 Timothy 1:`14 (NIV) Picture


During this time of Thanksgiving, in the midst of all the food and festivities, be sure to pour grace like gravy over everything and everyone - including yourself. I'm sure there will be spills, yes, gravy may end up on your Thanksgiving tablecloth, the turkey may take longer than expected to cook, and that pan of dressing may be overdone. Maybe Debbie Downer is coming and she's known for her negative conversation or talking politics over dinner. 

We will all have times in our journey when we find ourselves broken and feeling worthless. Maybe life is spinning out of control and the last thing you want to do is give thanks. When that greasy gravy spills and leaves a stain of feeling like we're no longer useful, we try to hide the stains of imperfection. Dear one, remember, you always have a place at the table.  God welcomes all to His Table of Grace. Take as many helpings of mercy and grace as you may need. And then, pour grace like gravy over yourself and all who are gathered around your table. Thank Him for not only loving you as you are but for loving you enough to not let you stay in the doldrums. 
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Seasons of life change, but He does not. He meets us in the newness of every season, even when it's a difficult season with many changes and challenges. What a blessing to know God is at work in us in every season, pouring His grace like gravy over our messy brokenness. Don't fret over the "stuff" of life. This world is not our home. Thank Him for the table set before you, those He's called to gather with you, and then pour grace like gravy over everything and everyone. 
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;                                       for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.                                                           
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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]]><![CDATA[Maundy Thursday]]>Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:46:20 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/maundy-thursdayPicture
​Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday. It commemorates Jesus Christ's institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper. The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, commandment, from the words of Christ: Mandātum  novum dō vōbīs. Translated: A new commandment give I unto you. 
But what is its significance today? What all is entailed in this new commandment? 

On the night that He was betrayed, that Last Supper, He gave thanks, broke the bread, and then reminded them to remember Him. 

In all you do today, even if life is broken and crumbling around you, give thanks and remember Him. It's hard to feel fully alive when life is full of hurt. But the giving of thanks is to be in all things. The loss of a loved one, a child, really? Give thanks? He's not asking you to give thanks for the death of your loved one, your marriage, your job, your home, this awful war in Ukraine, whatever your loss. He's reminding each of us that in our pain and loss and grief, to remember to remember that His body was broken for you. He paid the price and redeemed you through His brokenness and shed blood. He brings hope and His healing grace to your brokenness.
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Broken bread . . . broken body . . . broken lives . . . broken hearts. . . shattered dreams . . . are meant to bring us together in a community of remembrance and life-giving hope. It's in those broken and shattered places, lived out with other broken people, that we are most near the very broken heart of Christ Himself . . . sacrificially given bringing us life and hope.
Today, remember to share your brokenness with other broken people as an act of loving kindness, not asking for anything in return. Choose to give thanks. Remember His sacrifice for you and you will fully live.
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]]><![CDATA[The Parable of the Bamboo]]>Mon, 28 Mar 2022 05:12:10 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/the-parable-of-the-bambooPicturePhoto by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Once upon a time in the heart of a certain kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. Of all the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved to the master of the garden was a splendid and noble Bamboo. Year after year, Bamboo grew yet more beautiful and gracious. He was conscious of his master's love, yet he was modest and in all things gentle. Often when Wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would dance and sway merrily, tossing and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon. He delighted his master's heart.
One day the master spoke: "Bamboo, I would use you."
Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day in which he would find his completion and destiny had come! His voice came low: "Master, I am ready, use me as you want."
Bamboo," the master's voice was grave, "I would be obliged to take you and cut you down."​

A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo. "Cut..me..down? Me whom you, master, have made the most beautiful in all your garden? Cut me down? Ah, not that, not that. Use me for your joy, oh master, but don't cut me down."
Beloved Bamboo," the master's voice grew graver still. "If I do not cut you down, I cannot use you."
Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. Then came a whisper. "Master, if you cannot use me unless you cut me down, then do your will and cut."
"Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also."
"Master, master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust, but would you take from me my leaves and branches also?"
"Bamboo alas! If I do not cut them away, I cannot use you."
Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low. "Master, cut away."
"Bamboo, Bamboo. I would divide you in two and cut out your heart, for if I do not cut so, I cannot use you."
"Master, master, then cut and divide."
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So the master of the garden took Bamboo and cut him down and hacked off his branches and stripped his leaves and divided him in two and cut out his heart, and lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of the master's dry fields. Then putting down one end of broken Bamboo into the spring and the other end into the water channel in the field, the master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo. The clear sparkling water raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo's torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted and the days went by. The shoots grew. The harvest came. In that day was Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant. But in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his master's world.  (Author Unknown. I first used this on an old blog of mine April 27, 2008)

Lord, Cut away, break me. Use me as a channel of abundant life and for Your glory.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” 
​Psalm 51:17

Want to know how to identify a heart that God revives? Head over to Free Downloads at Creative Musings. You will find it here. 
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]]><![CDATA[I Arise Today]]>Thu, 17 Mar 2022 20:47:13 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/i-arise-today
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In 1999, Mike and I took a trip to Ireland for our 25th wedding anniversary. Its green rolling meadows lined with ancient stone fences mesmerized us. We fell in love with the people, the culture, and the food.

One of the places we visited was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is believed that at this location St. Patrick baptized early converts to Christianity. (His approximate dates were 385-461 AD.) There is an amazing stone cover over what they think was his baptismal pool. Of course, the large, majestic stone cathedral is not the original building. It was a meager wooden church at that time. It has long since been replaced.

Over the years I've researched the life of St. Patrick trying to sort out the true stories and the legends. The truth is an amazing story of a young man stolen from his home in Roman Britain by slave pirates, who was then forced to serve as a slave of a Druid Chieftain for six years before he escaped back to his family in Britain. The call of God upon his life to return as a missionary to the heathens of Ireland, to the very ones who enslaved him, and the phenomenal founding and growth of the church is an amazing testament of God's grace upon His life. I have great admiration for his life and ancient writings.
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One of the most famous writings that is attributed to him is now called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate”. Whether or not he actually wrote it is debated today. Some believe monks influenced by St. Patrick's words wrote it. That is more than likely the case and explains why you will find variations of the prayer. Apparently, the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians had an influence on the writing of "The Breastplate" as well. There are undertones of the book throughout the prayer. Either way, I'm inspired every time I read it. This is the translation I enjoy meditating on. Its words are a beautiful prayer of protection to pray for ourselves and our loved ones. It actually reminds me of Ephesians 6:13-17. It makes me ask myself, "Is your armor on?"

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.

I arise today
By the power of faith and
Through the strength of Christ’s birth,
His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection
and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all His power to stand
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words and heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the hear’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death-wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poison’d shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ in breadth,
Christ in length,
Christ in height,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
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I arise today
Through a mighty name,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By belief and confession of
The Three in One, and the One in Three,
The Creator of creation.
Eternal Father,
Spirit Word,
Praise to the Lord of my salvation:
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
O Lord, be ever with me.

Amen
Also, Five Lessons We Can Learn From Saint Patrick is an article and quick read by Faith McDonnell. I especially appreciate love her last point which is actually #1:
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"And the #1 lesson we can learn from Saint Patrick about spiritual warfare is:
There is no High King but King Jesus.

In a devotional on their website, Irish Christian band Rend Collective retells the story of Patrick facing off against the High King of Tara. Like many of the Irish High Kings and other warlords in Patrick’s time, the High King of Tara, says Rend Collective, “surrendered his armies and surrendered his heart, in awe of St. Patrick’s God” when the King’s troops were not able to extinguish Patrick’s Easter Vigil bonfire, burning at the same time as the pagan King’s druid festival bonfire.

In the same way, today, we fear the evil that threatens people all over the world in forms such as Vladimir Putin, the Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram, Fulani jihadists, North Korea, Iran, the CCP regime, and others. But we must remember that no power of hell can stand against Christ’s kingdom. There is no Caliph, no jihadi, no Dear Leader, no President, no Congressperson, no Big Tech mogul, no lying media, no pharmaceutical company or its stockholders, no self-proclaimed intellectual elite, no creepy soulless billionaire or his cabal, and no king, who can overcome our High King of Heaven, Jesus Christ.

High King of Heaven, my victory won.
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Son.
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall.
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all."
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​If you would like to print a copy of St. Patrick's Breastplate, I've created a printable pdf located here. 
]]><![CDATA[A Sabbath Doxology of Praise]]>Sun, 13 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/a-sabbath-doxology-of-praise

​Doxology - Praise to God

"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
For who has known the mind of the LORD, or who became His counselor?
Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever. Amen."
Romans 11:33-36

But God . . . 

Sometimes it's easy to sing praise to God. Then there are the "But God" moments. Those moments when we question and doubt that what's going on in our life could even remotely be from a God we've been told is good and kind, gracious, and merciful. "But God, why? But God, how? But God, who? But God, where? But God, what? But God, when? But God, how long?"

​Trust and Obey

The good and the bad come so that we might know Him more intimately. When we bow the knee and acknowledge that both come from the hand of our merciful, all-wise God, we can trust His unfathomable ways. We can trust He will be with us through the valleys and on the mountain tops. We can obediently give praise to God with the broken hallelujahs of our life.

​Sabbath Blessing

May you know the depth of the riches He has for you. May you plumb the depths of His wisdom, and bow your knee to the unfathomable ways you don't understand. May you seek after God and His will for you and accept the good and the bad. May you see all you have comes from His hand, for it is from Him and through Him and to Him that everything came into being and is. May you be able to say with praise, even if through tears . . .
"to Him be the glory forever. Amen."
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]]><![CDATA[Peace When Life is Uncertain]]>Tue, 01 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/peace-when-life-is-uncertain
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The world seems to be spinning out of control lately, especially with what is going on with Ukraine being attacked by Russia. War is harsh and extremely difficult to navigate life through. Sleep patterns change and it becomes increasingly more difficult to process thoughts. Change can be harsh and create mounting tensions. I believe there will continue to be hard days ahead for the inhabitants of this old world.

But this one thing I know for sure: Because Jesus overcame the world, the troubles of this world will not destroy us. Our "normal" ways of life may be over, but He's making all things new. As my friend, Ann Voskamp, once reminded me, we have unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.

Today, I choose to trust. I choose peace. I choose joy. And tomorrow when I wake up, it will be another today, and I will choose to trust. I will choose peace. I will choose joy. My life is in His hands. I will trust in knowing He is carrying me through and lead me every step of the way. I have hope in my faithful, unchanging God. 

”I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

PS My freebie download this month is called Five Psalms to Help Ease Anxiety. You will find it under the Downloads section which is part of the Creative Musings tab. 
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]]><![CDATA[Jehovah Shalom]]>Sun, 27 Feb 2022 13:33:24 GMThttp://www.marshasmusings.com/blog/jehovah-shalom
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God is Jehovah-shalom---“the God of peace.” God gives unfailing peace because He is perfect, unfailing peace. Judges 6:16-24; Ephesians 2:14

Harmony, Wholeness, Completeness, Well-being, Tranquility. Just some of the meanings of Peace. The God of Peace is Peace and He is with you always.

Is anyone feeling anxious or fearful about the days we are living in right now?
Let me encourage you with these words. Peace is the antithesis of fear. It provides perspective, encourages hope, builds confidence, inspires courage, and affirms trust in the power of God.

In a world where people are increasingly overwhelmed by stress, conflict, depression, anxiety, and financial, emotional, and physical uncertainty, the presence of Jehovah Shalom provides a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). This is why those who are consistently immersed in the presence of God and rely on Him for strength bear the fruit of peace in their own lives, which further ministers to those around them (Galatians 5:22).
All who are filled with fear, anxiety, doubt, stress, or uncertainty can trust that Jehovah Shalom cares for them and will never leave them. As it is written in 2 Thessalonians,“now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
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We cannot control the uncertainties and circumstances of life, but in the presence of Jehovah Shalom, we can find hope, joy, strength, and peace to face each day.
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