God’s Indescribable Gift

December 18, 2023 Gracie

God’s Indescribable Gift – Merry Christmas 2023

In Christ alone my Hope is found

Here at Delight in God, we want to wish you and your loved ones Joy and Happiness this Christmas, and throughout the New Year.

God’s indescribable gift to us is Jesus!

He is timeless – not just for one celebrated day, but a precious and historical truth whom we can embrace throughout the new year.

For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6, (NASB).

Glory to God in the highest!

May we always reflect His glory to a lost world.

Poet M.S Lowndes expresses this beautifully in the following Christmas poem.

The Lord’s Light Within

Lord, we reflect with thankful hearts
On the wonder of your birth
The love you expressed when you left
Your glory to come to earth

For your life was like a beacon, Lord
Shining brightly in the night
Filling the world with the radiance of
The Father’s glorious light

And we, too, long to have inside
Your light for others to see
The beautiful reflection of your grace
And the wonder of your majesty

For as your life indwells our hearts,
We can shine wherever we are
And arise to take hold of each new day
With your light ablaze in our hearts

So rekindle the flame within us, Lord
So it will not flicker nor dim
Ignite us with the light of your love,
So you will shine brightly within

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!

# # #

²Poetry courtesy of M.S. Lowndes. “The Lord’s Light Within.” [online post]. From Heavensinspirations.com, ©M.S. Lowndes, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, n.d. Web. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://www.heavensinspirations.com/lords-light-within.html

The Real Joy of Christmas

December 4, 2023 Gracie

Celebrating the Real Joy of Christmas

'Tis the season

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, often the real reason for celebrating Christmas gets lost in the shuffle.

Gifts may be piling up under Christmas trees everywhere, but the only “gift” that really matters is the gift of Jesus.

Immanuel – God with us.

Jesus is God’s gift to our broken world to save us from our sins.

It’s through our belief in His saving grace alone that we can have eternal life.

What will that look like?

How about celebrating the real joy of Christmas every day and for the rest of our lives in the presence of our Lord?!

The immense step from the Babe at Bethlehem to the living, reigning triumphant Lord Jesus, returning to earth for His own people – that is the glorious truth proclaimed throughout Scripture. As the bells ring out the joys of Christmas, may we also be alert for the final trumpet that will announce His return, when we shall always be with Him.

– Alan Redpath, pastor, author, and theologian.¹

What is the Real Joy of Christmas?

One of my favorite online Bible teachers, who also has a flair for writing wonderful Christian poetry, is Jill Briscoe.

Here, she encourages all of us to focus on the real “reason for the season.”

Joy Is Jesus
by Jill Briscoe

Joy is Jesus wrapped in swaddling bands,
Joy is Jesus in Mary’s loving hands.
Joy is Jesus making sorrow sing,
Mending deepest heartaches – what a gift to bring!

For from the highest heavens, knowing well His plan,
God laid Him in our hostile arms, the Precious Son of Man.
Knowing all before Him – the crib, the cross, the cost –
He came to die at Calvary and seek and save the lost.

That’s you and me and everyone who’s living on this earth,
That’s men and women, black and white, who need and want new birth,
That’s those of us with broken hearts, and those who celebrate,
It’s those of us who love and laugh, and those of us who hate.

If empty was the manger, and empty was the cross,
If Jesus’ tomb was occupied, then all of us are lost.
But here lies heaven’s treasure, God’s precious, dearest prize,
In Him will all our future hopes and dreams be realized.
So may His joy now fill you, and the peace of God be known
Till we celebrate our Christ-masses around our Savior’s throne.

The real Joy of Christmas

Joy to the World, indeed!

¹Quotation from Alan Redpath, former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, as quoted from Christian quotes.info.

²Poetry courtesy of author and Bible teacher, Jill Briscoe. “Joy Is Jesus.” [online post]. From Christmas poems © 1995. Posted November 30, 2017, Web. Accessed December 2, 2023 from Telling The Truth.org.

Christian Spoken Word Poetry

May 23, 2023 Gracie

Christian Spoken Word Poetry For The Generations

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time (thank you, by the way) then you know I’m a big fan of other Christian writers, including poets.

It’s been my pleasure to share several christian poems over the years that have inspired me and I hope have inspired you as well.

Recently, I discovered something pretty amazing.

Christian spoken word poetry

Have you ever listened to Christian spoken word poetry?

Christian spoken word poetry is just like it sounds – a passionate faith message shared before an audience in a creative poetry format.

Primarily, the performances take place before youth groups, but I actually find it inspirational for all ages.

I’ve listened to a few Christian spoken word artists online.

There are a few searchable treasures like this one.

Here’s From My Generation To Yours – one of my favorites.

Well done!

I love that this young lady through her heartfelt message speaks an important reminder about the pressures the younger generation is facing in our rapidly-changing world.

It is essential for students to face those pressures with continued parental support and honest conversations about why their faith matters.

# # #

God – The Great Designer

March 14, 2023 Gracie

God, The Great Designer – From the Stars to the Sea

From the Hubble Space Telescope – Westerlund 2

Sometimes I look at the stars above and wonder in amazement at how big and beautiful the night sky is.

That’s a lot of stars up there!

Do you ever wonder how many stars there really are?

No one knows exactly, except our Sovereign God who created them.

¹⁴Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years; ¹⁵and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. – Genesis 1:14-15, (NASB).²

Here’s an interesting estimate that I saw recently:

Just in our Milky Way alone, astronomers estimate there are about 100 billion stars. (Imagine the Universe, 2015)³

100,000,000,000.

That’s eleven zero’s!

The Great Designer Knows You By Name

We are so blessed that our all-powerful, merciful, loving, and righteous God not only created us and every thing, but He loves us and knows each of us by name – just like the stars in the sky.

He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them. – Psalm 147:4, (NASB).⁴

From the stars to land and sea, we can appreciate God’s handiwork all around us.

Australian poet, Maurice Dyson, captures this reminder beautifully in his poem, “The Eternal Spring.”

Please enjoy.

The Eternal Spring

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding. When the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy? – Job 38:4,7.

Before God made His creatures,
Or earth received its form,
It rested with the Mighty One
To formulate the norm.
The universal features,
As much as we can see,
Are so designed to satisfy
A role in history.

The circular attractions,
Of matter large and small,
Are evident by telescope
Or in the science hall.
We marvel at the actions,
Which keep them in their paths,
And from their stable characters
We standardise our maths.

There is a great Designer
Controlling everything:
The many constellations
Or the sparrow on the wing;
The largest ocean liner
That ever put to sea,
Would never reach its port of call
If facts did not agree.

The law of gravitation
That holds us in our place;
The measureless dimensions
That we commonly call space;
All form a grand equation
That echoes and coheres;
Maintaining checks and balances
Throughout the passing years.

This wonderful creation
And marvellous expanse
Was brought into existence
By the Master’s strict commands;
We share the exultation
That angels once portrayed,
The day they sang that joyful song
When earth and sky were made.

# # #

¹“Star Cluster Westerlund 2 and Starforming Nebula Gum 29” by HubbleColor {Zolt}. Public Domain Mark 1.0. Web. Accessed 13 March, 2023.

³From the The Milky Way Galaxy | Imagine The Universe! (2015). 100 billion stars reference.

⁵Dyson, Maurice. “The Eternal Spring” – Christian Poems About Creation, n.d. Web. Used with permission. Accessed March 6, 2023. Courtesy of freechristianillustrations.com.

A Christian Poem From Australia

February 7, 2023 Gracie

From The Land Down Under: Christian Poem From Australia

One of the many reasons that I delight in God is because, sometimes, He brings special people into my life – even if it’s just for a brief time.

And, it’s always a thrill to connect with Christians across the globe!

Imagine my delight when I heard back from a lovely couple from The Land Down Under – beautiful, sunny Australia.

Recently, I got in touch with them about sharing an excellent poem that was on their website.

This doesn’t always happen, but they responded!

They know the poet personally and called him to let him know about my request.

It turns out that this talented poet is a 90-year-old Christian man.

My humble request was enthusiastically granted.

So, I want to give a huge shout-out, all the way from the Lone Star State to sweet Maurice Dyson in the Land Down Under.

He’s a man blessed by God.

I love his passion for using his gift of writing to share his faith and love for Jesus Christ.

This poem is all about reverence for God and His Holy Works.

I have a feeling his poetry will continue to inspire others for years to come.

Psalm 19

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:31

The heavens are telling God’s glory from high;
His handiwork vividly etched in the sky;
From day unto day they are uttering speech;
And night unto night with the knowledge they teach.

No language occurs where their voice is not heard;
Throughout all the earth goes their eloquent word;
Their message has reached to the end of the world;
Resplendent above like a banner unfurled.

In them He has set up a tent for the sun,
That goes like a bridegroom whose day has begun;
Rejoicing as one who is running a race;
A circuit described by its circular trace.

The law of the Lord is effective and whole;
Its witness is simple converting the soul;
Its statutes are noble rejoicing the heart,
Establishing truth for our innermost part.

His holy commandments are gracious and pure;
Enlightening the eyes that our sight may be sure;
The fear of the Lord is enduring and clean;
His judgments are righteous and wholly pristine.

More are they desired than the finest of gold;
And sweeter than honey for youngest or old;
Moreover by them is Thy bondservant warned,
And keeping them favours a lifestyle adorned.

For who understands his erroneous ways?
Acquit me of faults that are hid from my gaze;
And keep back Thy servant from sins born of pride,
And let them not rule me nor hinder my stride.

Then I shall be clear from their grievous excess,
And innocent whereof I’d greatly transgress;
Let all my intentions by day or by night,
Be counted acceptable, Lord, in Thy sight.

# # #

¹Dyson, Maurice. “Psalm 19” 100 Poems of Praise – Christian Poetry to Praise God, edited by Ossie Amato, Self-published, 2019, p.18., Copyright © 2019 Maurice Dyson. Courtesy of freechristianillustrations.com.

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