faith

Look to the Horizon

January 16, 2026 By Annette1 5 Comments

Miss Kate chose the word horizon for this week’s word prompt. Look to the Horizon seems apropos for the day. One needs to keep the future in mind you know? It’s helps a person to keep their perspective in the correct spot if you keep your eye where it should be.

Look to the Horizon

Yesterday a letter came from
friends. A circle letter we
started back in Covid times. A thing
to look forward to that, honestly,
has slacked a time or two, but always
a resurgence makes.

Anyways, a friend asked why a hard
thing was hard last year, and an
explanation made, and how now, when
the same decision is made, it is
no longer a hard thing.

You see, we’ve had a year to
look to the horizon. A goal in mind,
helped youth learn better adulting,
and so, a time to move forward
happens easier, with less stress.
So a momma’s heart is eased and so
helpful encouragement is given quickly.

At work I struggled today, a
fall last night left me with a banged
up knee, but I – looked to the horizon –
and had a plan in place. No putting things
away that required me to go down on my
knees. I needed no additional pain.
I SO looked forward to getting off work
today, no 10 minutes working overtime. 🙂

A struggle also because, a co-worker has
been crowing about getting additional hours,
while many of us have been getting hours
cut without a boss giving any back,
except to this one dude. And I overheard
dude asking for an extra half-hour today
and getting it, and … I felt resentful.
Why does this dude get what is wanted?
Even at the expense of others?

But I need to look to the horizon.
I’ve been tired lately. Working more
hours isn’t going to help my tiredness,
and God, somehow I know this to be true,
knows what is best and I need to trust
the process and not stress about it.
No resentment, but thankfulness required.

John the Baptist is Born

January 12, 2026 By Annette1 1 Comment

It’s funny, I keep thinking of how Elizabeth’s baby leapt in the womb when Mary came in. How amazing it was to really catch his excitement. And today we get to see who that baby is to be. John the Baptist is born as seen in Luke 1: 57-66. Sorta following along with Unexplainable Jesus bible study.

Luke 1:57-66

⁵⁷Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. ⁵⁸And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” ⁶¹And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” ⁶²And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.

⁶³And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. ⁶⁴And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. ⁶⁵And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, ⁶⁶and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

John the Baptist is born

⁵⁷Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.

We already knew that Elizabeth was going to have a boy. The angel had told Zechariah this right? So this starting line is SO not a surprise eh? But what would they call him?!?! It should be Zechariah after his dad right? So let’s go forward with that eh? But then his momma steps in and days NO! That’s not his name!!

⁵⁸And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”

They Argued

This is the part that I think is so odd. Her neighbours and relatives argued with her! It’s like why would you argue with a parent about what they call their child? Their reasoning? None of their relatives have that name, so why would you use that? It made no sense to them. Defying tradition and all that.

Admittedly that would be hard to do at times right? I watch this lady on YouTube that helps people learn how to express and hold to a boundary WHILE understanding why you might get pushback. Some of the stories she tells I find hard to hear. I can’t really understand vitriol people spew at those who should be loved ones. For instance a MIL who gets cut off from one part of her family because she wildly upset that a grandchild wasn’t named after her. And then treats DIL badly because of it. Son steps in and says “Mom, enough, you can’t do this, you won’t stop. So done with it all.”.

⁶¹And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.”

So, since they lived in a patriarchal family, they asked Zechariah what the babes name should be. He confirmed it was to be John.

⁶²And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.”

Zechariah’s Obedience

Zechariah did what he was supposed to. His silence, the consequence of his actions earlier, was finally broken. And I bet all the neighbours and relatives had even more questions. More wonder! And Zechariah praising God after all that had happened.

I so love that eh? That Zechariah endured the whole of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in silence. Unable to talk. Being reminded everyday to keep firm to his faith in God. And in the end, he praises God. We so need to do that eh? After discipline, to be grateful and able to praise God above.

And they all wondered. ⁶⁴And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

And yes, the neighbours and relatives had a reaction. They were afraid. They talked so much about what had happened and wondered what would become of John.

I’d have done the same. After seeing Zechariah become mute, affirm John’s name, and then immediately become unmute! It’s a wow and how can it be situation and would certainly have my brain and emotions whirling. Doesn’t it do the same for you?

God Made a Path

⁶⁵And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, ⁶⁶and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

This isn’t just a vague story. This is actual history. A story of God at work in the lives of his people. It should send us all into a time of praising God. John’s story is part of the fabric of our faith history. We need to see the wonder and the fear in it. God’s spread the news of John. He prepared the way for this man to speak of his Son, to prepare the way for the Lord. Rather awesome eh?

Follow Along

I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.

Mary Sings a Song

January 5, 2026 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

Today we get to see Mary and her joy. Mary sings a song showcasing her trust in the Lord God and how she sees him. It’s a lovely picture that we find in Luke 1:46-56. Let’s take a look at how Mary sees the God that we love and serve eh? A continuing look through Unexplainable Jesus.

⁴⁶And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
⁵⁰And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵²he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Mary Sings a Song

Now remember how the baby leapt for joy while yet in the womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit? This is Mary’s response to Elizabeth calling her blessed among women because of her faith.

⁴⁶And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Oh, such a statement eh? “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”. Such a deep statement you know? To have that joy in the Lord. I watch my MIL and my own Mom as they are aging, and their steadfast love of God. When I read these words of Mary, it is their faces I see, their joy in the Lord that is so evident. They bring these words to vivid life.

⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

Mary sees it you know? She knows who and what she is. A girl from a simple family. Humble in estate. And yet, God chose her. God looked upon her and said “this girl will have my boy”. The end result is people know of her. Her name is revered in the Roman Catholic church. Everyone knows who gave birth to Jesus and who helped raise him up. Mary is well-thought of the world over.

⁴⁹for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

Mary gives all the glory to God. It is his might who does great things for her. She sees his holiness.

I have to stop here for a moment. I often see God’s hand in my life. But I rarely pause to consider God’s holiness in the matter. I see his mercy and his care, I just rarely think of his holiness overarching it all. I should you know? God’s holiness is a foundational part of him.

Mary Continues her praise

⁵⁰And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

I wonder if Mary saw, in this moment, how God moved through the life of her extended family. How his mercy was pivotal in the lives of her people who feared him. Not in a scared way (though maybe that’s a part) but in a reverential, God is holy, way.

⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵²he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.

Mary goes on to show God’s holiness in a variety of ways. His strength, His scattering of the proud, how God brings down the mighty and then lifts up the humble. God is the one who feeds the hungry with good things, and send away the rich empty. The humble, weak, and hungry need not fear the Holy God.

I do wonder sometimes about the use of the words rich and mighty though. Can one be rich pr mighty and still hungry or humble? Does one condition supersede the other? Can a mighty person still hunger and thirst for more, and seek not for recognition? We need to remember that for all of God’s holiness he is still our God, our Father, and he cares for us like a parent does a child. So it’s the hungry God feeds. It’s the humble that he exalts. The proud and focused on wealth folk he corrects.

God as Father

We really see this in the rest of Mary’s song.

⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

According to The Working Preacher the word servant comes from the Greek Pais, which can also be translated child. So where it says He has helped his servant Israel, it is actually saying he has helped his child Israel. God helps his children. Why? Because he remembers his mercy to their ancestors. He remembers his promise to Abraham and his offspring for all time. Mary saw God’s mercy as she saw his holiness. Both are clear as can be for this young lady. And she knows how blessed she is by the one she can call Father.

Read the Passage Carefully

Oh, have you ever read and reread a passage with a thought in your brain and then you read it again? Mary (and I KNOW THIS) didn’t stay with Elizabeth til her baby was born. I should not have been surprised to read that should I? She only stayed for three months. Three months of solace away. Not a total refuge, but a break from the stares and whisperings. Another way for God to show care eh?

⁵⁶And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Follow Along

I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.

Let it Snow

January 3, 2026 By Annette1 2 Comments

The other day on the radio at work the song came on “let it snow let it snow let it snow”. But the weather at the time wasn’t conducive to snow. So as it played I sang “let it rain let it rain let it rain”. Mind, I did so quietly (almost under my breath) as as not to annoy a certain co-worker. Anyways, Andrew’s prompt made me think of that and I smiled. So now you can share that smile with me!

Shall we get on with the poem of the week? Let it SNOW!!!!

Let it Snow

Let it snow, the cold winter blast
screams my name in the quiet of the
night, reminding me I’m Canadian.
I have grit, soft-spoken that I am,
I can survive what Ontario can throw
at me year after year.
God tells me in Psalm 147
“He spreads the snow like wool and
scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?”

But God sees us clearly, and
knows just how much we can take.
Scouring the landscape so that in time
we can see the whiteness and clarity
that a blanket of snow provides.
For Isaiah would have us know
“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.”

More snow references

SW Ontario has been hit hard by
snow squalls this past week.
Closed roads, cars stuck in ditches,
wind blowing so fiercely you can’t
see across the road, the snow so thick.
Yet all that snow does so much good.
55 of Isaiah gives this line:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for
the sower and bread for the eater.”

Before the snow came, or at least,
that was the goal. Winter came a
bit early this year, but I convinced
my guys to help with porch clean up,
driveway edging, rabbitry roofing,
gardening turning, and so much more.
Not all gone down, but most did.
We fought hard, and battled at the end.
The truth in Proverbs 31 revealed:
“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.”

Jesus is Coming!

December 29, 2025 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

Today’s passage is from Luke 1. I’ve called this devotional Jesus is Coming! And yeah, I know, the timing isn’t great because Christmas is just past. A season where we most celebrate the coming of our Lord into the world. Do we still have that excitement? Would we, if just a babe in the womb, leap for joy at the news? Jesus is coming!!!

Luke 1:39-45

³⁹In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴²and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Jesus is Coming!

So Mary is pregnant right? At least I would assume she was at this point because “she went with haste into the hill country“. Kinda sounds like a euphemism for something doesn’t it? It wasn’t done back in the day for young women to get pregnant without the benefit of marriage. People would talk. It would be a shame to the family. So here, let’s pack you off to spend time with distant family.

Who did she go visit? None other than Zechariah and Elizabeth!

And get this excitement level. Mary comes into the house and Elizabeth’s baby leaps for joy in her womb. I can just imagine the oomph from Elizabeth her baby’s antics. But her baby leapt for joy just from being in the presence of Jesus. All Mary did was walk in the door.

How many of us have lost that joy? That immediacy of deep satisfaction/love/inner peace when we are in God’s presence? Is going to church a joy? Is opening up your bible a joy? Do you long to just be with him? I know I struggle with this. Working actively to fix it, to notice that small things of God that make my heart smile. Also to make meaningful connections between God’s word and the world that I live. It isn’t always an easy road walking. But oh, seeing the joy that John had while YET IN THE WOMB of the close presence of his Lord and Saviour… that is so inspiring isn’t it?

But Elizabeth..

John leapt for joy but Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. When she saw Mary she cried out “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Do you see it? Do you see how the Holy Spirit helped Elizabeth to understand what was going on with Mary? How she could see the blessing that was upon her (Mary)?!?! She knew that Mary was going to have God’s child. The knowledge was given to her that this child would be her Lord.

She added this though “blessed is she who believed“. Mary wasn’t forced to believe. She chose to believe. For her belief she is blessed. Believing that God will have a child through her. Her belief, it’s a great thing indeed. And Elizabeth saw it.

Think about it

Isn’t that neat? Like seriously, just think about it for a bit.

This young relative comes to you “in all haste” and you know that can’t be good. But when she arrives you just KNOW. The Holy Spirit abundantly lets you know who the child is that she is bearing. And it’s good. It’s beyond good. You know what a blessing this is. Her belief and the situation that Mary is in. It’s a good thing, not shameful or horrible, but good.

I’m betting that Mary had a good stay with Elizabeth and Zechariah. You see, the Holy Spirit let Elizabeth know what a good thing is was, how blessed Mary was for her believing. Isn’t it fantastic?

God worked it all out eh?

From choosing who would bear his child. The child who would foretell his boy when he grew up. That child recognizing who his Saviour was while yet a babe in the womb. The Holy Spirit moving in Elizabeth’s heart. God made it all work together perfectly.

All the little pieces of the puzzle fit together making it all work out for our good. A good working eh?

Follow along with Studies from Unexplainable Jesus

Come along with me as we continue to go through the study Unexplainable Jesus.

It Seems Rather Stable

December 28, 2025 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

It seems rather stable was born as I sat under my shoulder warmer fighting a rather nasty cold. Hubsters fought with it last week (fights it still). He thought sharing it a rather good idea (though I disagree). Gave me time to ponder about one born in a stable. How there is more to the story than what the commercials and stories might tell. Falseness pervades everything and we need to seek out the truth diligently.

It Seems Rather Stable

It seems rather stable
to believe in the stable.
A child born a fair while back
Without whom the world would surely lack.

It’s black and white
And I’m not at all contrite.
To know the importance of belief
better than experiencing grief.

Now we know a few things
Not of which the caroler sings
No snow on the ground, no wisemen
at the cradle, traditions strikes again.

No in December, January or March
a birth for Christ not under an arch
shepherds and animals this we know true
a donkey, a stable, and the manger a clue.

Learning more to the scriptures one should turn
In Matthew and Luke the story does burn
making hearts see truth
So don’t be uncouth!

Seek ever always to know what should be
how to be eternally free
knowing the start and the ending you know
it’s starts from beginning, it’s a flow.

The beginning, the end, truth be told
may always be ever bold
Forever and forever always to reign
His birth doesn’t start the refrain.

Instead the refrain runs throughout history
telling the tale of his family tree.
Creating, restoring, saving us all,
He’s stopped the repercussions of the fall.

Rejoice and be glad, be of good cheer
sing the story loud and clear.
Seek out the truth in that all you do
Don’t let it be true just in the pew.

Advantage of a Sale

December 13, 2025 By Annette1 4 Comments

Taking advantage of a sale, hubsters and I went to London today. We had a lovely afternoon out together, we chatted and got needed supplies, bought some things perhaps we shouldn’t, but stockings are getting fuller! 🙂 Then tonight on Amazon I took advantage of a couple of sales and thought I’d round out my hubby’s gift just a little bit. I found him a keto snack he hasn’t been able to locate in quite a while so I’m hoping it will be a great surprise!

Advantage of a sale

Today I had a conversation
with a friend that I hold dear.
A weekly conversation with
laughter and so much cheer.

She asked me what we had in
mind for Christmas this year
and wondered if we gift-exchanged
and what plans we had.

I mentioned that I had two
desires for Christmas this year and
found them on sale during the Prime Days
and Black Friday events on Amazon.

But are no longer on sale but
still sit in my cart as I learn
if I’ll need to buy them after
the Christmas season.

Will a price reduction be again
in my future? Or will one of my
loved ones spare me the trouble?
I’ll know more in a couple of weeks.

ReceiptHog where I share receipts
from items purchased. They have a
contest of sorts going on right now.
We’re to video ourselves talking

About sales and purchases made
not over the Christmas season.
Speaking about the why and how
of gift-giving over the year.

I thought it was an interesting
approach. But really have no ideas
to present as I don’t buy many
gifts over the year. 🙂

I have to admit though, that
when I did shop more often for toys,
taking advantage of a sale is
an added side benefit and often a
boost to making the sale!

Continued thoughts

I sat here after writing the above and wondered if I could find a way to continue faith to the idea of a sale. I failed miserably. 🙂 The only thing I could think of is how often people love to find a bargain. How often we fail to see the bargain right in front of us. The bargain of eternal life and eternal hope all for the bargain price of acceptance of who God is. it’s the best bargain out there you know? Asks for just a little, and in return we get everything most important. Have you taken advantage of the sale of faith yet? (that’s not supposed to sound as awkward as perhaps that reads). 🙂 I hope you get the idea meant!

Just ask questions if you never taken God seriously before. It’s eternally important. And literally the best gift you can give yourself!

faith

Look to the Horizon

Look to the Horizon