Meeting at the Feet of JESUS ~ Anticipation ~ 2025

Frankly Speaking,


ANTICIPATION ~ 2025! For most of us 2024, is just a memory now. Christmas already seems long ago. It has only been a little over a week, but the year is starting over! Life begins anew in January. The calendar resets. All that we have done, good or bad, has a sort of reset. In some jobs, you must prove yourself all over again. In some circles, you just want to break free of the seemingly endless cycle. To paraphrase Dr. Suess’ Oh the Places You’ll Go: we have bills to pay, doctors to see, work to do, kids to raise, trials to encounter, unimagined joys to share, and terribly difficult moments to navigate. How will we do it all? Amy Grant wrote wonderful lyrics about being too busy at Christmas, but it applies to the whole year! Do you agree?

I know I have shared this before, and will do it again (LORD willing). We need QUIET TIME! There are four things we need: a Time, a Place, and a Plan.

First, we need to make a special time to spend with JESUS every day. Some of us are morning people, others are mourning people (we hate to hear the alarm sound).😊 Pick a time that works for you and stick to it ~ day or night!

Second, we need a place. No, the LORD does not wait to meet you at church. Find a place that is special to meet with the LORD alone, and be consistent!

Third, you need a plan. Something that leads you in your time with the LORD as you inhale His Word and exhale your prayers to Him! It is your daily plan!

Finally, if you were paying attention, then you say, “what about the fourth thing?” 😉 It is embedded throughout this writing! It is consistency. If you want a better year, then follow this biblical prescription. It will work! 😊

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.


Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I PETER 3:15

A SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTMAS

SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
(40 Christ-centered songs you may not know)

If you’re struggling to find your CHRISTMAS spirit, I pray this might help you. Here are 40 songs that may move you closer to the CHILD born on CHRISTMAS morning WHO lived a perfect life, and then died on a cross for you and me. You may not like them all, but if you are still, quiet, and listening GOD will speak to you in the these moments. May you and your family find the hope, peace, joy, and love of this blessed season of the first ADVENT or coming of our SAVIOR and MESSIAH. HE is coming again! Be still and know that HE is GOD!

EMMANUEL
Amy Grant (1983)

ALL IS WELL
Michael W. Smith (1997)

NOW THAT I’VE HELD HIM IN MY ARMS
Michael Card (1983)

JOSEPH’S SONG
Michael Card (1987)

BREATHE OF HEAVEN
Amy Grant (1992)

YOU’RE HERE
Francesca Battistelli (2012)

SWEET LITTLE JESUS BOY
Rebecca St. James (1997)

MOVE ME CLOSER
Evie (1987)

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR
Third Day (2006)

THIS CHRISTMAS
Toby Mac (2010)

MANGER THRONE
Third Day (2002)

GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST
Amy Grant (2008)

EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US
Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith (1992)

HALLELUJAH, LIGHT HAS COME
Barlow Girl (2008)

OFFERING ~ CHRISTMAS VERSION
Paul Baloche (2005)

THIS BABY
Steven Curtis Chapman (1995)

CHRISTMAS IS ALL IN THE HEART
Steven Curtis Chapman (1995)

ONE SMALL CHILD
David Meece (1990)

HOPE WAS BORN THAT NIGHT
Sidewalk Prophets (2012)

CHRISTMAS HALLELUH
Cloverton (2012)

STRANGE WAY YO SAVE THE WORLD
4 Him (1993)

MARY DID YOU KNOW
Mark Lowery (2001)

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
For King & Country (2017)

SING MARY SING
Jennifer Knapp (2002)

I HEARD THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS DAY
Casting Crowns (2008)

GOD IS WITH US
Casting Crowns (2008)

WHILE YOU SLEEPING
Casting Crowns (2008)

HOW MANY KINGS
Downhere (2008)

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
For King & Country (2017)

BE BORN IN ME (MARY’S SONG)
Francesca Battistelli (2012)

BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Third Day (2006)

EMMANUEL GOD WITH US
Chris Tomlin (2021)

HERE WITH US
Joy Williams (2005)

LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Lauren Daigle (2016)

NOEL
Lauren Daigle (2015)

THIS IS CHRISTMAS
Kutlass (2011)

WE ARE THE REASON
David Meece (1980)

WHEN LOVE WAS BORN
Mark Shultz (2016)

Way to go! If you tried each one, then I hope you are closer to JESUS than when you began. These songs have moved me closer to JESUS’ birth. His life, and His death. May the presence of the Savior make this the best Christmas ever. Oh yeah! I come back here throughout the year to be encouraged and to draw near to Christ. He is listening and saving souls today.