Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

wise men

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We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him


When going through John’s Aunt Marie’s home after her passing, I found this embroidery. I had made for her for Christmas when we were early married and she kept if all of these years. I had long forgotten about it and was so pleased to see it again. It was a 1976 Paragon kit called The Three Kings, etchings in filo on linen. 
(The term filo is the Italian word for floss or thread, similar to the Spanish hilo)
Does anyone recognize it from years ago?

Ever wonder who these wise men were, where they came from and if there were really three of them? Over time, many beliefs with little to no Biblical basis have crept into common Christian thinking.

Some Misconceptions about the Wise Men written by Tim Chaffey gives insight to these historical characters.

The book of Matthew contains the account of the wise men:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1–2) The original meaning of mάgoi is likely in view here—wise men who interpreted special signs. There are at least three reasons for this identification. First, they acknowledged that they were interested in signs in the heavens. Second, the Bible states that they were from “the East,” which would be in the direction of Babylon and ancient Persia. Third, of all the peoples of “the East,” the Babylonians had many opportunities to learn of the Jewish Scriptures, which contain multiple promises of the coming Messiah. Daniel was an influential government official in Babylon about 600 years earlier, and he foretold the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:24–26). Also, tens of thousands of Jews lived in Babylon during the time of the Exile (605–536 BC), and they maintained a large presence there for the following centuries. (source)
Curious how they learned of Jesus, when and where they saw him, click Answers in genesis 

“We Three Kings”, also known as “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi”, is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It remains one of the most popular and most frequently sung Christmas carols today (Wikipedia)

We Three Kings
John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Peals through the earth and skies.

Banana Oat Bars and Winter Days

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I take lots of photos.  I keep the best and organize them into various file folders for easy retrieval should I want to find something in the future.  The others I delete.  Usually I keep up, but inevitably fall behind in this task each fall when I get extra busy with projects.
That’s what I have been working on these crazy weather days.  After the new year we had an eight-inch snowstorm.  A few days ago there were -30 wind-chills. Then is warmed up and all the snow melted. This morning is was freezing, icy rain that caused accidents everywhere and even a salt truck overturning.  Tomorrow it is going up to 60 degrees F.  
Like the random weather, I am sharing unrelated photos and throwing in a recipe that I spontaneously made when I saw the recipe posted on facebook.

 This adorable photo is of our youngest grandchild, Jethro.  His mama took the picture and I couldn’t resist sharing.  I didn’t make the hat – it was in a hand-me-down container of clothes he received.

 Icy precipitation covered these lilac branches yesterday.
So I didn’t expect to see this robin land on a branch as icy raindrops fell.  
Almost through a cord of wood already as we stay warm in frigid temperatures.  For the first time I had frost on the inside of my windows.  Noah and Silas bundled up and braved the chill long enough to build a dapper snowman
 Cambrie asked if she could make her favorite Silly faces as I snapped photos.
Our oldest grandson was nominated for Student of the month and his mom received a certificate for National Criminal Justice Honor Society from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia

We worked very hard liquidating Aunt Marie’s sweet little Sears Kit house bungalow and readied to sell.
A fun selfie pic of John and I enjoying a stay-at-home date-night of wine and pizza while we watched the old movie classic, Roman Holiday
My sister and I at her daughters birthday party
My favorite pup
 I couldn’t share this patchwork quilt prior to Christmas because it was a surprise for our daughter, Jill who is providing foster care for a dear baby boy.  With the extra fabric I made the soft cube toy for him as well.
I didn’t know this photo was taken until I saw it on our churches website.  Baby Jethro in the glow of candlelight as we sang Silent Night on Christmas Eve. Abbey is in the foreground with Caleb, Chloe and Jamie in the background.
 And finally, no sooner did I see a recipe on my facebook feed, I went straightway to the kitchen and gave this Banana Oat Bar a try.  It caught my attention because it was suggested as an alternative to wrongful cravings (which I was having).  The original recipe contains no sugar, butter or eggs and since I had ripe bananas on the counter, I whipped it together and popped it into the toaster oven in little time.
The recipe wasn’t detailed so I wasn’t sure if it would bake up like a bar or be more like baked oatmeal.  I sprayed the dish prior to spreading the mixture and was happy that it came out easily and cut neatly. 
I can’t say that my sweet tooth didn’t think of spreading the bars with peanut butter and (heaven forbid) pipe some melted chocolate on top but I subdued that impulse and found them to taste, well, healthy.  They had a pleasant banana flavor, hint of sweetness from the raisins and a soft, chewy texture.  I got 12 4-inch x 1-inch bars and with my substitutions, I figured each to be about 70 calories.  A good, healthy alternative to curb a snack attack. If calories aren’t a concern, stirring in some mini chocolate chips and/or nuts would be a nice addition.
Banana Oat Bars
PRINT RECIPE
3 ripe bananas, mashed (I used 1 cup)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used 1/2 cup since I didn’t have 3 bananas)
2 cups oats
1/4 cup almond milk (I used 2% milk)
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
optional (I added 1 Tbs Splenda)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
lightly spray an 8-inch square dish
In mixing bowl, Stir together all of the ingredients until well combined.  Pour into prepared dish and spread evenly.  Bake about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Cut into bars.
Yield: 12 1-inch x 4-inch bars

updated foyer

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We have lots going on right now but last night I did a small foyer change.  It was an impromptu change brought about as we are readying the patio for winter. I like the change for now.
 I just pulled a few things from nearby places
  bringing together the chartreuse green in the flowers and apples 

this is how it looks this morning
and i still like it
(it is hard to see, but Raider is lying in a sunbeam under the living room coffee table)
John’s 96 year old Aunt Marie passed away yesterday.  We have been visiting with her in the hospital making the hour drive each way for the past couple of weeks.  Aunt Marie never had children. She has one niece who lives in Indiana, John and his brother.  We will all be making funeral arrangements and working together to liquidate her home.
Our Jamie is scheduled to have her baby tomorrow!
Life can get so full and this is one of those times.

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