Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 106

Sanctity of Life Sunday: Admire the Perfect Creation of God

How can anyone murder the perfect creation of God shown in this video?

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

And before you were born I consecrated you.”

~ Jeremiah 1:5 (NASB)

O GOD, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee on behalf of the unborn babies killed in the womb, and grant us thy help to end the slaughter; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer

Religious Freedom Day 2014

January 16th is Religious Freedom Day. Our religious beliefs are at the very core of our being, so religious freedom is one of our most precious freedoms in the US.

Unfortunately, we see that freedom eroding for Christians as more and more institutions—from the courts to private businesses—fear offending someone. I haven’t read anywhere in the Constitution that we have freedom from offense, but I do read that we have freedom of religion. If we want to continue to enjoy the protection of the First Amendment, we must be vigilant. Speak out when a business decrees that employees can’t wear a cross around their necks. Support companies fighting laws that require them to violate their Christian beliefs. Stand with Christians who lose their jobs or are demonized for expressing Biblical truths. Insist on the right to say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Easter” in season. Study candidates’ positions and vote for candidates for office who support freedom of religion.

Of course, just as we insist on the right to freely practice our Christian faith even if offends others, we must support freedom of religion for those with whom we have profound disagreements. They should be allowed to practice their religion as freely as we want to practice our religion. As long as they don’t attempt to force us to follow their religious rules, they should be able to follow their own religious rules to the extent they don’t violate the rights or safety of others.

While we must stay alert to protect religious freedom in this country, many countries throughout the world do not offer religious freedom. Christians are persecuted and even killed simply for believing the Word of God. We should support organizations that serve the persecuted church, and most importantly, we must pray for persecuted Christians. Imagine being put in prison just because you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! God bless those Christians who risk their life to practice their faith.

That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation, especially those who are persecuted for thy name’s sake;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

~ adapted from 1928 Book of Common Prayer

© Depositphotos.com/jamesgroup

Devotional and Bible Reading Plan for 2014

Do you follow a particular devotional and/or Bible reading plan for the year? I find it very important to spend time with the Lord daily. For years I have read the Bible through each year, but during the later stages of my husband’s illness I wasn’t able to maintain a consistent schedule, then after he died, I couldn’t focus consistently. So for the past two years, I have not completed my Bible reading plan.

This year, I’ve decided to read the New Testament in a year. That will give me more time each day to meditate on what I read as I will be reading shorter passages. Also, if I miss a day for some reason, it will be easier for me to catch up. I’m almost two weeks into the plan, and I’m really enjoying it. If you haven’t read the Bible regularly, this is a good way to get started.

Bible Gateway has a varied selection of Bible reading plans. You can choose among several Bible versions and a number of plans. Some cover the complete Bible in one year; some are for shorter terms; some are selected books in a specific time period. You can select a plan that goes from beginning to end, one that includes readings from both the Old and New Testament each day, and one that is read in chronological order. That is a favorite of mine—for example, it’s enlightening to read the Psalms along with historical passages to see what was happening when particular Psalms were written. If you’re new to following a Bible reading plan, you might want to pick a shorter plan, such as 40 days of readings for personal growth. Whichever plan you choose, you can read the daily passages on the Bible Gateway site or subscribe via email. If you haven’t developed the discipline to read the Bible every day, the email readings can serve as a reminder and make it convenient to stick to your plan.

Along with reading the Bible, I use the Cradle of Prayer and the online Book of Common Prayer for daily devotions. The Cradle of Prayer has recordings of daily Morning and Evening Prayer services read by a priest with a cantor singing the canticles. As I listen to the recordings, I follow along with the service in the online Prayer Book and join in the Psalm, prayers, and responses of the people. Participating in a prayer service is the perfect way to begin and/or end the day.

You may like a devotional that includes Scripture, prayer, and a short message. There are many devotionals available—some with a theme for the year, some for men or women or teens, some for people in particular situations. Browse through your favorite Christian bookstore or search Amazon.comto find one that meets your needs.

Although I admit some bias since my associate Jan and I edited the book, I have a favorite devotional. Message in a Word 2: Inspired Succinct Sermons Uniquely Expressed contains 52 devotions, one for each week of the year. Each devotion is based on a single word that is expressed as an acrostic.  For example, God is Glory On Display; worship is Worthiness Or Reverence Shown Habitually In Practices. A reflections page, including Scripture references, questions to ponder, and prayer, follows the short message from author Margaret Blincoe. You are encouraged to meditate on the devotion daily for a week.

Do you follow a specific Bible reading plan and/or devotional? Share your thoughts in comments below.

May God bless you in the coming year as you spend time with Him and in His Word.

The Epiphany of Our Lord

Matthew 2:1-12 (NASB)

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;

For out of you shall come forth a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that on the Epiphany of Christ, Your star guided the magi to the infant king, manifesting Christ to the Gentiles, grafting all who believe into Your Chosen People. With the wise men, we rejoice with exceeding great joy that Jesus came for all people. None are excluded; all are welcome—all we have to do is accept the gift. We do, Lord, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In His name we pray. Amen.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Isaiah 60:1-3 (NASB)

60 “Arise, shine; for your light has come,

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth

And deep darkness the peoples;

But the Lord will rise upon you

And His glory will appear upon you.

3 “Nations will come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Lord God, Who put the stars in the sky, You created a special star to announce the birth of Jesus to kings from afar. Your glory rose in the star and led the Magi to the young child, bringing all peoples into the Light of the Word. We praise You for Your great glory and for shining Your Light on us. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

Luke 2:39-40 (NASB)

39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Lord, Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents to whom You entrusted Your Only Son, performed everything according to Your Law, then took Jesus home to raise Him as a fully human child. You could have sent Jesus to the world He created in glory and majesty. Instead He came as a baby in a family who obeyed Your laws. Give us a heart to do Your will and serve You as Jesus did. In His name. Amen.

Jack Stories: One Year Later

My late husband, Jack, always loved his birthdays. Usually we got together with family members at a favorite restaurant and enjoyed food, fun, and fellowship.

When he died in September of 2012, we had been planning an 80th birthday party for him. Family and friends shared so many wonderful stories about Jack in the days following his death that I compiled them into a little book: Jack Stories: Favorite Memories of Jack Jordan Ammann Jr. Combining the stories with Jack’s 80th birthday, we celebrated his life and launched the book in a party in our home last year in honor of his birthday.

Although I confess I am just slightly biased, I highly recommend Jack Stories, even to readers who didn’t know Jack. The book includes funny stories and inspiring stories, short stories and long stories, stories Jack told and stories others told about him. I’ve had so many people tell me how much the book means to them, and that means so much to me.

I would also love to get a few reviews of the book on Amazon.com and Goodreads. It’s somewhat ironic that I reviewed 220 books in 2013, but I can’t get reviews of this book of my heart after giving away more than 100 copies.  If you have read and enjoyed Jack Stories, please share your opinions with others. If you haven’t read the book but would like to read and review, please contact me for a review copy.

Last year at this time, we were enjoying the party.

The Tenth Day of Christmas

Luke 2:36-38 36

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Lord, Anna the prophetess recognized Jesus the moment she saw him when he was only a few days old. And when she recognized Him, she began giving thanks and to tell others about Him. We know Jesus is the Savior of the World. Let us give thanks and tell others and praise Him. Thank You, Lord, for our salvation through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

The Ninth Day of Christmas

Luke 2:25-36

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Lord, Simeon recognized the tiny baby as salvation from God, both for the people of Israel and for the Gentiles—those of us who are grafted into Your Chosen People. Even when He was only a few days ago, Jesus was already the Savior of the World. Thank You for sending Him to save us from our sins. In His name we pray. Amen.

Wishing You a Blessed 2014

As a new year—and a new chapter of life—begin may you and those you love be blessed with joy and wonder, God’s provision and care, and, most of all, love. God bless you in the coming year.

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