Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
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Posted in Uncategorized
Posting for WP ✝️ 🇺🇸 🙏 Make America GOSPEL’d Again! 👍 🙏
Amen 🕊💕
Mornin’ Dear Garrison
A belated Merry Christmas to you and sweet Tink.
We just got home after a very long, but memorable day with the “kids,” grands, and best of all 2 great grandchildren – ages 2 1/2 and 1.
After feeding our 12 fur kids and the granddoggie who we are babysitting, I settled in to finally devour the Christmas thread. But…..lo and behold – it is Christmas Day plus one!
I wanted to thank you all for your wonderful posts that had me laughing, sighing, singing, and even brushing away a stray tear or two.
You Treepers are a very special wonderful, unique, and treasured folk. Love to you all.
Now off to bed – last night there were 4 cats on the bed and 3 doggos on their dog beds – absolutely treacherous to get up to use the loo (a nod to dear Bets!)
Sweet dreams. 😴
Our granddoggy. Calvin.
Afternoon, dear lady. My Christmas was memorable, if a bit unconventional. Two of my very best friends are also my next door neighbors. These are friends of 20 and 40 years respectively. Since I don’t have much family, none nearby, also knew my friends—one is now in a wheelchair—were also going to spend Christmas alone. I didn’t want that to happen—either to me or to them. So, all I had to do was ask and I was promptly invited to join them. Some relationships are strong enough that “friendships” are more like “family” and this easily defines us.
As a result, Our Christmas dinner could not have been better. We enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Day together. The Texas afternoon weather was perfect—a delightful Texas alternative to the traditional snowy scenes I like to post on our thread. If you can’t have snow, then a bright, warm outside under a big oak tree is hard to beat. We enjoyed a fine meal, great wine, amid the kind of wonderful conversation you only get from long-term relationships.
Oh Garrison
I am so very happy for you and your friends! Truly my heart is singing for you. We have friends who I surely count as family. Such a blessing.
Christmas Eve, one of our kitties got out. He has never been outside in his life. (My daughter rescued him at 2 weeks old and we took him). We spent hours calling – I’m sorry to say, I lost faith and started bawling like a baby. He finally came, oh thank you, Lord. So…I was thankful for getting Winston back. And, I kept that thankfulness in my heart throughout the day and beyond.
I am also that thankful that you are my friend, and I wanted you to know that. ❤️
…again…thank you, Garrison.
You are most welcome “we”. Hope you enjoyed a very blessed Christmas. 🙂
Howdy Garrison!
Howdy Gramps!
Greetings Treepers! ✝️
Good morning!
Goooood morning.
✝️
Morning bro!
For the cradle Catholics who ponder Marian devotions…The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary Agreda, had been approved, by many popes, for Catholics’ reading. Long ago, it had been a forbidden book(s). There are 4 very lengthy volumes. The writing style is sometimes, very hard to follow.
And long ago, I read within, a small portion, that stayed with me….I forget which volume…but the author was told by Our Lady, that when she and Joseph were with Simeon, who gave his prophesy and blessings…the baby Jesus shrunk in her arms and cuddled closer to His mother as if fully understanding of what was to come.
The prophecy of Simeon, with mention of Anna:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A21-39&version=NIV
Oh Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.
Dear Aggie and Treepers,
I hope you all had a great Christmas celebrated in the right Spirit.
My Friday offering is somewhat personal but hopefully will resonate with many on here.
I make no excuses for my lifelong faith.
A CATHOLIC
Why am I still a Catholic
When all around seems doom and gloom,
Because I am am optimist
Believe in life beyond the tomb;
Saw the Sun arise this morning
Peeling back darkness from the sky,
I could not view this miracle
And God’s creation then deny,
I love the sense of permanence
Being accepted warts and all,
With God’s eternal covenant
To pick me up each time I fall;
A speck in God’s community
Which I believe that He will save,
If I just love my fellow man
And am to evil not a slave.
Thank God for my sainted parents
Who bequeathed to me the Holy Name.
I regret that I have failed them
By mine not turning out the same;
When I stumble with temptation
All the vicissitudes of life,
With Repentance I’m forgiven
Supported by a loving wife.
I rejoice in the Red Rubrics
Listening to God’s own Word revealed,
In the singing and the music
The burning light of God concealed;
When the smell of burning incense
Attracts me like a pheromone,
I believe I’m in God’s presence
Before the Cross I’m not alone.
When invited to the Supper
I feel connected to the past,
With a sense of Elevation
I believe it won’t be the last;
Thank God for faithful Celebrants
Who help and guide me through the maze,
I pray for more to Shepherd me
Right to the end of earthly days.
Patrick Healy
Nor should you, Patrick. Your facility with language and ability to express your views is most impressive. I always look forward to “seeing” you in the Treehouse. Hope Christmas lived up to your anticipation!
Heartfelt words, Patrick. And very well received in our little space. A best friend is Catholic and often invites me to mass. Although I am a strong believer, I am also intentionally unchurched, I am nonetheless always welcomed by her congregation—a small, quite local, neighborhood church. The last time I accompanied my friends to church, their priest smiled and welcomed me by name to their service. That small gesture was very touching. Be blessed and be well, friend.
I’m going to say to you what I say to the Duchess – when is your book coming?
Well I have one printed another ‘in the print’ together with a sort of a life story which balloond to over 30,000 words – I just cannot stop!
They are just for (selected) family and friends as they are quite subversive – I am told.
But you never know
And…wakey wakey, interesting radio traffic from Thanksgiving and the Barker barks at 02:46 and on the Missouri, at the end, Frosty:
one more…I think the crew enjoy having someone to wave at!
An afterthought…am wondering how many somali’s work outside, there…
#Seagull goes shopping in London
Seagull walks into a store and comes out with a sandwich
PSA: tonight was the 5th time in 2025 that I had an illegitimate Amazon Digital Order charge removed.
Pattern was Apple TV subscription, Prime Commercial Free subscription, lesbian movie purchase, Apple TV subscription, Prime Commercial Free subscription spaced out over April to tonight.
These charges convieniently appear in a different catagory than purchases.
RE 47Fuzzy (was OT in 25th Potus thread) Orpingtons, and numbers not names. (Naming dinner is a bad idea.)
Orpingtons are amazingly sweet intelligent birds, except when #2 rooster attacked Grandma yesterday. That left a mark.
Killer chickens ?!?!
That’s preposterous…next you’ll be telling us that there are killer rabbits…
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TSulYGKyvFQ?feature=share
Well, there is always this.
This reminds me of my daughter’s final day of high school before graduation.
One of the guys in her class brought three chickens to school. The chickens had a piece of cloth with a number written on it somehow secured to them.
The numbers on the three chickens?
#1, #2, and…..#4!!!
#1 he kept on a leash (yes, a leash) and the other two he just set loose to roam…..
And they DID!
Down the halls, and in and out of classrooms. The kids loved it. The teachers, for the most part, were amused.
The kids were told about the “missing” chicken #3 but they all kept it quiet from the teachers.
One of the teachers attempted to chew the kid out for having a chicken on a leash at school but said chicken apparently decided to peck the guy on the leg (he was wearing shorts) and the more the guy jumped the more the chicken wanted to peck. Apparently the guy tapped out and decided he needed to get out of range of the “attack” chicken, asap, and trotted off to the principal’s office. In a huff.
Shortly afterwards The Great Chicken Chase of 2017 began as school staff were given their orders.
Numbers 1, 2, and 4 were finally captured but no small amount of dismay went on regarding the non-existent chicken #3.
You gotta admire the creativity!!!
Chickens LOVE meat. If your flock is picking pecking one to death just throw some meat in there and they’ll forget about the one they’ve been picking on.
I think we romanticize farm life and our elders failed to tell us some truths about life on the farm. Like maybe grandpa went to pick some eggs and fell or had a mild stroke and the chickens finished him off before anyone realized what was happening.
We had chickens and one of my dogs herded them and one time a baby escaped the baby pen and my very special dog held that baby in her mouth for hours so that the adults (that weren’t the parents) wouldn’t peck that baby to death. Poor baby chick was traumatized but after I washed all the dog slime off – seemed to totally forget about it and did fine.
They are farm animals NOT pets. Sorry. I love animals but that’s what I learned.
26 December
Just a reminder to get your guest saying in the basement for the season a gift this year.
You don’t want them to feel left out.
it uses the lotion
26 December
Thomas Bolyn Smothers III
February 2, 1937 – December 26, 2023
was an American comedian, actor, composer, and musician, best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick.
Smothers and John Lennon played acoustic guitar during the live recording of Lennon’s 1969 song “Give Peace a Chance”.
.
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Thomas Bolyn Smothers III was born on February 2, 1937, at the Fort Jay army post hospital on Governors Island in New York City, the son of Ruth (née Remick), a homemaker; and Major Thomas B. Smothers, a U.S. army officer who died a POW of the Japanese in April 1945.[3] After moving to California, he graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach.[3] He was a competitive unicyclist, and a state champion gymnast in the parallel bars.
Red River Valley
Tommy Carson
26 December 2019 Jerry Herman, American musical theater composer (Hello, Dolly!; Mame; La Cage aux Folles), dies at 88
Jerry Herman’s Broadway – Hollywood Bowl [1993]
26 December 2012 Fontella Bass, American R&B and soul singer and songwriter (Rescue Me), dies from a heart attack at 72
Fontella Bass – Rescue Me
26 December 2010 Teena Marie, American singer and composer (b. 1956)
Teena Marie – Lovergirl
Lady Teena Marie Serenades Smokey Robinson (ooh Baby Baby)
26 December 2006 Enrique Antonio “Tony” Silvester, Panamanian-American R&B singer-songwriter (The Main Ingredient – “Everybody Plays the Fool”), dies at 65
Main Ingredient – Everybody plays the fool (sub for a terminated account Foreign subs)
26 December 1999 Curtis Mayfield, American singer-songwriter and soul musician (“Freddie’s Dead”; “Superfly”), dies from complications of type 2 diabetes at 57
Superfly
Replacement for copywrite, not editable either.
Superfly
26 December
Heinrich Schliemann
(1822-1890)
German archaeologist who rediscovered Troy, dies of cholesteatoma at 86
Biography: A successful German businessman, Heinrich Schliemann turned his eye toward the prehistorical archaeological sites of the classical world in the 1860s and was the first, with Frank Calvert, to identify the likely site of Troy (Hissarlik) then widely still considered just a myth.
Schliemann’s famous finds include Priam’s Treasure, a cache of gold jewellery discovered in 1873. Schliemann is criticized today for his archaeological methods, he used dynamite to excavate and dug hastily through what was probably the actual layers of Homer’s Troy to reach the city’s earliest archaeological layers.
Schliemann was also the excavator of the bronze age site of Mycenae in North Greece, where he found the so-called “Mask of Agamemnon” in 1876.
Although his legacy is problematic, Schliemann’s findings and publications did much to popularise and establish the field of archaeology.
IDK what happened to Heinrich, not editable to correct
26 December
Jack Benny
(1894-1974)
American comedian (The Jack Benny Program), dies of pancreatic cancer at 80
Biography: Jack Benny was one of the most popular American comedians of the 20th century. He was known for his radio and later TV show, “The Jack Benny Program”, which aired for more than 30 years. He was also known for his appearances in films and on television.
Benny began his career in vaudeville and later transitioned to radio. His radio show became one of the most popular programs of the 1930s and 1940s. Benny also appeared in a number of films, including “To Be or Not to Be” (1942) and “The Sunshine Boys” (1975).
Benny died of cancer in 1974 and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.
Thank you for what you do here every night, Wand !! Hope you & yours had a Blessed & Merry Christmas !!
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word:
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
to be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning,
it is now and ever shall be:
world without end.
Amen
The EU:
“The numbers expose the catastrophe. Since 2008, the US economy has surged by 87%. The EU? A pathetic 13.5%. The gap in GDP per capita has widened from the EU being at 76% of US levels in 2008 to just 50% today. They have regulated themselves into irrelevance. Europe produces red tape while America produces innovation. The “Brussels effect” is a suicide pact that strangles European industry to “protect” it from the future.”
Don’t celebrate too much. Our Europhiles are racing to strangle us with Red Tape too.
Trump cut some his first term, but so much was created under the AutoPen that Trump had to spend the first year of his second term just to undo that.
I am not celebrating. The EU is a thief stealing a bunch of chain and swimming across the lake. They are not going to make it. Don’t want them to take us down with them. Our chance of survival isn’t all that great either. We at least have a chance. The EU is doubling down on what has already catastrophically failed.
He is with us today
In some Christian churches is practiced the exercise of prayer and contemplation for the Twelve Days of Christmas; which is that period from December 26 to January 6, Epiphany. Each year I like to find prayers and such from different Christian groups that do these exercises. This year found one used by a Christian group in Australia and thought to share here as there are people from all different practices that visit the Treehouse so might find these worthy of consideration.
Day 1, the Bible verse is
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.
The prayer for Day 1:
“O Lamb of God, You relinquished the greatness and splendor of who you were, in order that I might discover the greatness and splendor of who I might become. Grant me, at this time, to perceive all the limitations in my life so that I may empty myself and in that emptiness discover the fullness of Your presence. In the name of Christ, Amen.”
The contemplation: This is a time of reflection on what has gone before and a releasing of old ideas and ways of approaching situations that have been holding us back and if we allow this releasing of the old to happen in these days before the new year we may fully embrace the new expression of the Word given at Epiphany.
Does that mean we have to keep giving even after Christmas?
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… ?
I guess it depends on what you give.
I’ll repost this since I don’t think everyone quite “got” it.
🎶A Cartridge in a bare tree🎶
Oh, I got it the first time and thought it was GREAT!
I called it a Redneck Christmas Tree and suggested we needed more “ornaments”.
I sent it to buddies who loved it!
Thanks for posting it!
Thank you for reposting – I didn’t get it.
It’s the period from the birth of Jesus to the Epiphany – the visitation of the Magi, which for some Christians represents the worldly acknowledgement of that the true King, true ruler of the world, the Son of God, was now here on earth:
https://info.thecrossingchurch.com/blog/epiphany-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters
It is for others a time where they embrace the child, the birth of new life which the birth of Christ on earth promises for the redemption of souls, to remember that it is a process for the individual to grow toward the fuller understanding, and embrace, of Christ in all their lives, to embrace the innocence of what this childhood represents.
speaking of the visit of the Magi – I find this post over at The Ethical Skeptic worth reading each year to remind us that this mystery of the birth of Christ was indeed a worldly recognizable event for all mankind:
https://theethicalskeptic.com/2022/02/24/a-curious-ancient-astrological-confluence/
In Catholicism there is the concept of the Octave of Christmas from Feast of the Nativity on Christmas day through the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Jan 1. Used to be an obligation in the US but I guess they relaxed that.
Bach wrote the Christmas Oratorio with six separate cantatas for the primary feast days.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio brings back wonderful memories. Great reminder, found this which is for days 1-3:
Well, Jim
There Is Boxing Day!
https://i.postimg.cc/Pr3G2W79/Boxind-Day-Meme-4.webp
FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ALL IN NEED OF PRAYER
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Divine Intervention Prayer PSALM 91 & 23 | December 25 | Miracles Today
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Deep Soaking Worship Instrumental for Prayer, Devotion With Nature Sounds
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EACH DAY WE TAKE UP THE OFFENSIVE WEAPON OF THE WORD OF GOD – THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT – ONE VERSE OPENS THE DOOR TO THE CONTEXT OF THE CHAPTER MESSAGE
Verse of the Day for Friday, December 26, 2025
✟
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
COMMENTARY FOR ECCLESIASTES 3
The changes of human affairs. (1-10) The Divine counsels unchangeable. (11-15) The vanity of worldly power. (16-22)1-10 To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, must end in disappointment. To bring ourselves to our state in life, is our duty and wisdom in this world. God’s whole plan for the government of the world will be found altogether wise, just, and good. Then let us seize the favourable opportunity for every good purpose and work. The time to die is fast approaching. Thus labour and sorrow fill the world. This is given us, that we may always have something to do; none were sent into the world to be idle.
11-15 Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God’s hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God’s works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain; we have but little time to be doing good, therefore we should redeem time. Satisfaction with Divine Providence, is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him. The world, as it has been, is, and will be. There has no change befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.
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Verse of the Day – December 26, 2025 (Morning Prayer)
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Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered !!!
WE ARE FIGHTING A SPIRITUAL WAR OF GOOD VERSUS EVIL
PRAYING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD
Father God, I now follow your command to put on the full armor of God, because my battle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the unseen world.
I first pray on the Belt of Truth that it may be buckled around my waist, may I be centered and encircled by your truth dear Lord. Hem me inside all that is true and right, and may I be protected and held up by the truth of your living word, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Breastplate of righteousness, please protect my vital organs and my inner man, cover my integrity, my spirit, and my soul. Guard my heart for it is the wellspring of life, please strengthen and guard the most vulnerable places in my life with that which is right, good, and noble that I might not receive a fatal blow from the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Gospel Shoes of Peace. I choose to stand in the shoes of your good news, and on the firm foundation of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the solid eternal rock. All other ground is sinking sand, I pray that I will not slip or fall, but that my feet would be firmly fitted on your lordship, my Lord Jesus. I choose to stand on you, so that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, the eternal Rock of Ages. I receive your holy peace now my Lord, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray the Shield of Faith into my hand now. As I take up the shield of faith, I ask that you might extinguish every dart and arrow that is launched from the enemy to take me down spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and every attempt of the enemy to destroy my joy. I ask that my faith in you would make it flame out. Extinguish every flaming arrow that would come against me, my life, my family, my home, or my ministry. May my faith always be out in front of me like a shield. Give me the courage to “faith my fears” by choosing to walk by faith and not by sight, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Helmet of Salvation, that you might protect my mind from the thoughts that can lead me astray. I choose to take every thought captive, and arrest all intentioned ideas and motives that would harm others, or distract me from your holy will for me. I submit every captured thought to the Lordship of my Lord Jesus Christ, and ask that you would imprison those thoughts that are not of you my Lord. Transform my mind and renew my thinking that I may think God thoughts, and have a sober mind that is focused on your glory. Please protect me from being double minded that I may allow my mind, I reject to live an earthly life, because I choose to live a holy one, governed by you My Lord Jesus, the prince of peace, please have my mind to be saturated with the holy mind of Christ, in my Lord Jesus name.
Finally, I take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the holy word of God, I pray this powerful offensive weapon into my hand, and ask that your holy word would be fitting for every encounter I face. As the enemy gets close to me, please give me the insight, wisdom, and skill to wield the word of God to drive away the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.
May the enemy and his team flee from me, upon hearing the word of God spoken by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Give me the sword of the spirit to cut through the wiles of the devil, so that I may discern the schemes of the enemy when he is near.
With all kinds of prayers, supplication, and intercession I pray to you my Lord God as the one who fights my battles. Now that I’m in your holy powerful armor, I walk away covered and ready to face my day as you go before me, and please protect me in the midst of the spiritual warfare in this unseen world, in my Lord Jesus name.
Thank you my Lord, for the spiritual weapons of armor and prayer that you have given me. It is written no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses me.
Thank you Father God, my Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that I am more than a conqueror in my Lord Jesus. I pray all of this in the mighty name of my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ABUSED, MISSING, AND TRAFFICKED CHILDREN
BE MY VOICE
CHILD NOT CHOICE
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
MAPA = MAKE AMERICA PRAY AGAIN
TURN! TURN! TURN! (Lyrics) – THE BYRDS
About the song:“Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)”, often abbreviated to “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, is a song adapted entirely from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible (with the exception of the last line) and put to music by Pete Seeger in 1959. Seeger waited until 1962 to record his own version of it, releasing the song on his The Bitter and the Sweet album on Columbia Records.“Turn! Turn! Turn!” was the third single by the American folk rock band The Byrds and was released on October 1, 1965 by Columbia Records (see 1965 in music). The song was also included on the band’s second album, Turn! Turn! Turn!, which was released on December 6, 1965. The Byrds’ single (b/w “She Don’t Care About Time”) is the most successful recorded version of the song, having reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts and #26 on the UK Singles Chart. The Byrds’ version distinguishes the song as the #1 pop hit with the oldest lyrics, dating back to the Book of Ecclesiastes. Many biblical scholars believe Ecclesiastes 1:1 implies King Solomon as the book’s author; thus, if true, giving Solomon (born c. 1011 BC) lyrical credit for a number one hit.For additional info/text, please refer to;Turn! Turn! Turn!at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia______________________________________________
REASON FOR THE SEASON
In private affairs there is a reason
In worldly affairs there is a season
Circles and cycles and high holy days
Scattered and shattered in a dizzy daze
We cannot discount the whirlwind we’re in
To untangle the turmoil where do we begin
We know it is not for the good of all
That evil has escalated its pall
It is not their time or so we’ve been told
Many of their ploys are getting quite old
The timeline does not belong to them
It is God’s timing or naught ahem
God promised to deliver us for sure
If we turned and were willing to endure
If we put our trust entirely in Him
We’d not be fearful of each evil whim
If we acknowledge Him in all we do
Have faith in His power to subdue
If we do not lose hope in His sovereignty
Over all that might bring catastrophe
Have we reached the point of no return
Will we attain the peace for which we yearn
Do we believe God can reverse the curse
Or do we believe it will only get worse
There is a reason for every season
And God knows who is guilty of treason
What has been stolen from us over years
He’ll restore sevenfold with debt He clears
D01: 09/25/2023
Went down for lunch to my local restaurant situated on the coast, around 1 1,5 clicks as the crow flies from where I live. Actually the site of the running aground of a Portuguese galleon back in 16 40 something. The restaurant is decked out pretty much to theme, displaying cannon (1 of, possibly a salvaged original – huge thing), walls decked with swords, and various “ye olde” 1600’s Portuguese naval memorabilia. No TV, friendly staff and pretty decent on the pocket.
Anyway, being as it’s “in season” it’s their busiest, so service is stretched, which affords one to “check out” one’s fellow humanity. To be honest, I ranged from despair to mildly hopeful – at least everyone was well behaved, huddled into family (I’m guessing) circles. No bad vibes, or raised voices, but to me something almost worse.
Nobody, but nobody radiated the “spirit”, nobody said boo to anybody other than their “clan”. It could have been any Sunday lunch you were dragged to at 17 (because granny liked it there), defeated by the “you may never see her again” guilt trip. Half the table/s are taking turns checking phones, while the other half gazes at the walls and ceiling for the 50th time. (I’m in the latter half)
People, I don’t have the answer, but if we (decent) people don’t begin to wake up, and begin to LIVE what we preach, frankly it (the future) both scares and depresses me as to where we are heading.
I felt like plugging this into the place’s music player – just to get some “vibe” into the people. (kinda sea-side-ish)
And if anybody thinks of asking why didn’t I “show the love”, I can assure you, based on the “common” mood (including my own), I faced 2 possible (so I imagined) scenarios – 1 kept in “safe” custody until local old age homes can be checked for escapees, or 2 frog marched out by the (out of town) locals for disturbing their “celebration”. Seeing it’s also my local, I’m reluctant to blow my position.
you paint a good picture of the restaurant.
I agree with your decision to not blow your cover 🙂
sad about the ‘mood’ / spirit of the patrons; especially because this time of year everyone should be at their most festive.
begs the question of what would the spirit be when not this time of year.
“…but to me something almost worse…scares and depresses me as to where we are heading.”
In a word, cellphones.
They have taken away all ability to socialize.
And not just when in a moment of being in a social situation. I’m talking generational inability. Young people dont even have social skills anymore, let alone ability to laugh.
Yo, Oldspeak . . . A gentle suggestion. Consider a move to Texas. In my part of Texas, the prevailing demographic is at least 50% Hispanic. I live in a neighborhood that is blessed with several family owned tarueria restaurants.
Taquerias are traditional to this part of the country. Often family owned and oparated, loval staffs. often including neighborhood ladies doing the cooking. With their largely local clientele, I am quite often the only anglo in the place.
My daily experiences during these holidays is one of polite interest. I’ve observed that greetings on entering or on leaving are so commonplace as to be a part of daily life. Perhaps the cause is my being an old (white) guy, but I was so often given a kindly greeting that I came to understand that, although cultural, they were also well intended.
Since I tend to frequent the same taquerias, I decided to start replying in kind. Now, please understand, I don’t come from a background where these kinds of greetings even if politely intended, were ever a part of my taken-for-granted reality. I started with simple, have-a-good-day greetings.
The response was pretty amazing. Whole tables would each respond to me. Since I often had people wishing me a “blessed day” I soon began including this in my responses on entering or leaving “my” taquerias. I now have people—local strangers usually—smiling in recognition when I pass their tables.
After I had become accustomed to greeting restaurant patrons in this way a curious thing happened. One Easter, I wished a table of neighborhood ladies a “very blessed day”. As expected, they kindly responded in kind. But when I went to pay from my lunch . . . much to my surprise I found that someone had paid for my lunch! This has now become an occasional but also much appreciated gesture of goodwill.
At the places I frequent, just saying a good, well intended, “good day” to total strangers is something that obviously adds a level of civility that is much appreciated. Have a blessed day, Treeper friends. 🙂
Psalm 91. The most powerful prayer from the Bible. God’s protection, healing
#psalm91 #psalms #prayer
Pray Everyday
https://rumble.com/v57jz8d-psalm-91.the-most-powerful-prayer-from-the-bible.-gods-protection-healing-p.html
Sleep Well with Psalms. Psalm 91, Psalm 121, Psalm 3, Psalm 4, Psalm 139.
#faith #god #psalms
prayeveryday777
https://rumble.com/v57jvfg-sleep-well-with-psalms.-psalm-91-psalm-121-psalm-3-psalm-4-psalm-139.faith-.html
______________________________
HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY !!! ❤️❤️❤️
well – what does that say about my week?
Today is Friday, not that i mind sharing it with cats, you understand
Enywhoo
Happy Friday, the Day After Christmas
Mornin’ Dear Idaho
Hope Christmas was wonderful for you. In keeping with the kitty theme:
Dear Soaz
mine was not nearly as fun as yours
❤️💕❤️
Love Love the animals marching with our President
Please pray for all affected by the flash floods and mud slides in California
https://www.accuweather.com/en/videos/southern-california-devastated-with-flash-flooding-and-mudslides/09ce5a64-996f-4179-8ff1-c25f01004510
View of Terracina and Monte Circeo, 1833 Friedrich von Nerly
☘
The Our Father ☘
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice, 1842 Friedrich von Nerly
☘
Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17 ☘
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
The Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice, 1842 Friedrich von Nerly
☘
Matthew 10:17-22 ☘
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Takes One of the Strongest Pro-Life Stands in the U.S.: Why the Island’s Legal Recognition of the Unborn Matters
Excerpt:
The new measure, formally known as Law 183-2025, amends Puerto Rico’s Civil Code to recognize the fetus, or nasciturus, as a natural person from conception. The law addresses civil concepts such as dignity, inheritance, and legal recognition. It does not independently rewrite criminal statutes or impose new abortion prohibitions.
https://republica.com/usa/internacional/puerto-rico-takes-one-of-the-strongest-pro-life-stands-in-the-u-s-why-the-island-s-legal-recognition-of-the-unborn-matters-2025122415110
Venice: Canal Grande, Palazzo Cavallo Franchetti, Santa Maria della Salute and Dogana del Mar, c.1838/39 by Friedrich von Nerly
☘
Matthew West -Day after Christmas
Evenin’ Dear Peace
These really are lovely. Never been to Venice, but these paintings surely come close to capturing the essence. Many thanks. ❤️
Evenin corny
The Palazzo Foscari on the Grand Canal, Venice, n.d. Friedrich von Nerly
☘
King of Kings – Hillsong Worship
A Moonlit View of the Piazza San Marco towards San Giorgio Maggiore, 1849 Friedrich von Nerly
☘
We The Kingdom – Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)
So glad I’ve been to venice.
You couldnt pay me to go there now.
But on the non-cynical side, those are all beautiful paintings.
Thanks for posting, my friend!
Glory, c.1551/54 Tiziano Vecellio Titian
☘
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
EVENING PRAYERS
Healing Prayers
Prayer for Restorative Rest
Healing Hand, as I lay in my bed this evening, I pray for Your restorative power to touch my life. Mend what has been broken, soothe what has been hurt, and heal what has been wounded. May I find in sleep the healing that my body and spirit need and wake to a day of renewed health and vitality. Amen.
Evening Prayer for Wholeness
Gentle Healer, with the night’s calm, I seek Your healing for my body, mind, and soul. Where there is pain, bring relief; where there is fatigue, bring restoration; where there is distress, bring tranquility. Wrap me in Your peace as I trust in Your loving care to make me whole. Amen.
Prayer for Comfort in Illness
Lord of Comfort, as I face the trials of illness, I pray for Your healing touch. Ease my discomfort, calm my anxiety, and deliver me from my afflictions. In Your mercy, may I find the comfort that leads to a peaceful rest, knowing that You are with me, sustaining and healing me. Amen.
Nighttime Blessing for Healing
Divine Physician, under the canopy of the night sky, I pray for Your healing blessings. Let Your life-giving energy flow through every cell, every nerve, every aspect of my being. May my rest be deep, my healing complete, and my faith in Your power absolute. Bless me with the gift of health, and let my gratitude be a testament to Your mercy. Amen.
Serene Prayer for Recovery
Merciful Restorer, as I seek repose in the stillness of this night, I ask for Your healing hand upon my life. Guide the hands of those who care for me, provide wisdom for the paths of recovery, and grant patience for the journey. In this serene hour, let Your comfort envelop me, as I place my trust in Your plan for a full recovery. Amen.
https://enlightio.com/evening-prayers-for-today
Duchess
Thank you for these evening prayers. I’m so appreciative. ❤️
British Tank That Opened D-Day Beaches #shorts.
Pleasant European girl visits America, puts too much tabasco on her hash browns (at 7:10)
My First Time in Florida as a European (culture shock!!!)
Merry Christmas Sundance and staff
Thanks for all you do
☘️☘️☘️
KEEP PRAYING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP
Amen.
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen.
Plus extra prayers for Tina Peters in Colorado jail. Lord please protect and watch over her
Amen.
Amen
Amen
The Case of the Christmas Diamond | Hallmark Movie | Hallmark Christmas Movie Full length
Dec 21, 2025
✝️ Lord, thank You for the day. Amen.