Not Just Any Star

December 15, 2025 Gracie

Not Just Any Star, “The” Star

How bright was the Star of Bethlehem?

Have you ever thought about that?

Sometimes I wonder what could come close to it in our modern times.

The first thing that came to mind was a supermoon.

In fact, my husband and I were driving home recently and a supermoon was rising above the horizon.

We couldn’t help but notice.

It was beautiful and full.

It was so big it looked like you could stand out in that field and touch it.

Photo from Pixabay, loggawiggler

. . . which brings me back to the Star of Bethlehem.

On that blessed night, a multitude of angels praising God announced to the lowly shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born. The shepherds immediately headed to the City of David to see God’s miracle for themselves.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” – Luke 2:15, (ESV).¹

In another account, the Book of Matthew describes the magi from the east planning their own long journey to Bethlehem, hundreds of miles away.

The appearance of the Christmas Star rising up in the sky was unlike anything they had ever seen before. This was not just any star, but “the” star.

They spoke with King Herod.

²saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:2, (ESV).²

We know from the biblical account that God warned them that the jealous and evil King Herod intended to kill the Christ Child.

They decided to make the trip but reject the king’s request for an exact location of the child upon their return.

After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. – Matthew 2:9, (NASB).³

Did you catch that?

“. . . and behold, the star. . . . ”

Not just any star, but “The” Star.

This star from God led them to the exact location where they could find the Christ Child.

Not Just Any Star: God’s Star

The Star of Bethlehem was set into place by God Our Creator to lead the magi to Jesus.

Once they arrived, they celebrated.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. – Matthew 2:10, (NASB)⁴

Just as the Star of Bethlehem – God’s star – led the magi to the Christ Child, Jesus leads believers in our fallen world to eternity with Him.

Like the magi in ancient Biblical times, we too have reason to rejoice with great joy.

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Our Exceptional God

The Divine Trust-Fall

December 8, 2025 Gracie

Faith Over Fear: The Divine Trust-Fall

Have you ever participated in a “trust-fall” at your place of work?

A “trust-fall” is when you stand with your back towards a group of coworkers. At the designated time, you blindly fall backwards into the safe and secure arms of your teammates who are ready to catch you.

At least, you hope they are ready to catch you.

Some companies offer a trust-fall experience to promote teamwork within their organizations.

Fortunately, I’ve never had to do it.

That’s a lot of trust to put into a coworker who you know stole your turkey sandwich from the employee refrigerator. 🙂

No doubt, a trust-fall is all about surrendering control and trusting someone else.

If you think about it, our very lives are like a trust-fall.

Our fellow humans will fail us, but by our Sovereign God’s grace, He never will.

This is what faith is all about.

We can trust God completely.

The Divine Trust-Fall

In the challenging days ahead, it’s a comfort to know that God is just a prayer away.

He will be there to guide and lead us, just as a shepherd does his sheep.

God is always with us.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). – Matthew 1:23, NASB).¹

Courageous Faith: The Divine Trust-Fall

How comforting it is to know that God knows every detail of our lives and wants us with Him for eternity.

Trust Him

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.

Trust Him, He is ever faithful,
Trust Him, for his will is best,
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
Is the only place of rest.

Author Unknown²

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² Author Unknown, Trust Him,. 2020, Bible.org, reprinted with permission.

Our Exceptional God

God’s Grand Design

December 2, 2025 Gracie

God’s Grand Design Included You

Consider this question:

What do you have in common with the moon and the stars?

The answer to that is the most fantastic news imaginable – God’s Grand Design . . . included you and me.

To think that our Creator God, who fashioned the sun, the moon and the stars, trillions of galaxies, the animals – and in every sense – all of creation, would care about us!

Mind-blowing and humbling to say the least.

A thank you to Deborah Ann Belka for writing the following poem that brilliantly captures the essence of God’s gift.

Every day that we have breath in our bodies, we have reason to praise the One who gave us life.

I Stand In Awe

Father, when I think of the things,
with Your fingers You have done
I stand in complete awe . . .
over each and every one.

When I ponder the heavens,
the vastness of the space above
I stand in total awe . . .
by the magnitude of Your love.

When I peer into the sky,
gaze upon the stars and moon
I stand in awaiting awe . . .
Jesus will come again soon.

When I reflect on the universe,
how endless it seems to be
I am in utter awe . . .
You even thought to create me.

Oh, Father when I consider,
all the things You have done
I stand in everlasting awe . . .
for the gift of Your Son!

Psalm 8:3-4

“When I consider thy heavens,
the work of thy fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art
mindful of him?
and the son of man,
that thou visitest him?”

King James Version Public Domain
Copyright 2025 Deborah Ann Belka
~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

¹Poetry courtesy of Deborah Ann Belka, “I Stand In Awe.” [online post], September 18, 2025, Web. Accessed November 15, 2025. Retrieved from I Stand In Awe.

Happy Thanksgiving 2025

November 24, 2025 Gracie

A Delightful Time of Year – Happy Thanksgiving 2025!

Thanksgiving 2025 A big holiday is coming up and the hustle bustle has begun.

Thanksgiving 2025 is just days away. 🙂

There are a few things that I find especially “delightful” about this time of year.

Heavy, heavy traffic

Long lines at the grocery store

An extra long to-do list

Of course, I am kidding – I LOVE Thanksgiving!!

Combined with Christmas – these are my favorite times of the year.

Let’s start that “delightful” list again . . . but seriously this time.

Leaves changing color

A fire in the fireplace

Gatherings with friends

All of the holiday celebrations around town

Thanksgiving food

Blue Bell’s “Peppermint Bark Ice Cream”

Couldn’t leave out that last one!

For me, even the traditional menu planning is exciting.

There are also the historical aspects to Thanksgiving but, most importantly, it’s a time of deep gratitude for God’s blessings.

In actuality, we should thank God every day.

In the following verse, the apostle Paul’s words to the Thessalonians ring true for us today as we await our Lord’s return.

¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, (NASB).¹

Thanksgiving 2025: Celebrate and Give Thanks

One Thanksgiving many years ago I remember telling my Mom and Dad that I had written a Thanksgiving blessing to read at the table. It wasn’t the usual blessing I was taught as a child and that we would say at every meal.

That little homemade prayer (I wish I still had it) was the first time I had ever written down my own heartfelt words to God.

The Heavenly Father’s call on my heart was drawing me closer, even way back then.

It was the beginning of a long faith journey for me, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Thank You Visitors

During this time of gratitude I would also like thank all of you who read this little blog of mine.

It means a lot that you take time out of your busy schedules to spend a little time here. It also warms my heart when some of you reach out from time to time to say keep it up!

God bless you and may your Thanksgiving celebration be filled with love and joy.

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Our Exceptional God

Jesus Left Heaven For You

November 17, 2025 Gracie

Jesus Left Heaven For You

Have you ever visited a place so beautiful that you never wanted to leave?

I can think of several.

Just to name a few . . .

The Hawaiian Islands

snorkeling in Hawaii

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Freezing husband!

Alaska

Alaska Those were memorable getaways.

So much so, that I never wanted to leave.

Kicking and screaming didn’t work. I tried. 🙂

But, like all vacations, eventually they come to an end, and it’s time to get back home.

Imagine this . . .

What if there is a place so breathtaking and, not only that, it can become your permanent home?

Here’s the good news: there is.

There is no place more perfect and beautiful than God’s dwelling place – Heaven.

More importantly, the real joy awaiting us in our heavenly home is not its beauty, but Who is waiting for us there.

Meeting Jesus face-to-face will be immeasurably greater than anything we could possibly imagine.

In the following Psalm, David prophetically knew the joy that lay ahead.

You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. – Psalm 16:11, (NASB).

As current day believers, we have the Bible – God’s inspired word to us, full of His promises.

Putting our trust in salvation through His Son, that same joy in our promised eternal home is ours forever.

No Greater Love: Jesus Left Heaven For You

We lament leaving our favorite vacation spots (guilty!), but Jesus left the most perfect place imaginable – Heaven – for you and for me to save us from our sins.

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Our Exceptional God

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