Remembering Betty White (1922-2021)

 

A true American icon passed away this morning.

Betty White wearing the uniform of the American Voluntary Services
during World War II
(Picture courtesy U.S. Army/Released)

 Before Betty White began her long and outstanding career as a comedic television
 actress, appearing on  "The Carol Burnett Show"   "The Mary Tyler Moore Show",
  "Mama's Family" "The Golden Girls" and as a guest  host of "Saturday Night Live"
she put her Hollywood dreams on hold to become a volunteer
 for the American Women's Voluntary Services (AWVS)
 during World War II.

  Betty showed her patriotism by helping with truck supplies 
 for the war effort and participating in staged send-offs for 
soldiers being deployed overseas.

While appearing on Password in 1963,  Betty met the love of her life,
game show host Allen Ludden.  They married soon afterwards and were 
together until 1981 when Ludden died after a battle with stomach cancer.

Betty once said in an interview that she never remarried again because
"I had the love of my life. If you've had the best, who needs the rest?"

Betty White died peacefully this morning
 at her home in Brentwood, California at the age of 99.

May she rest in peace.

Les Feldick Bible Study: Christ As The Rock Of Scripture

 

"Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A shelter in the time of storm."

Christ As The Rock In Scripture/Part One

Les Feldick Bible Study

(2008)

Christ As The Rock Of Scripture/Part Two
Les Feldick Bible Study
(2008)

Christ As The Rock In Scripture/Part Three
Les Feldick Bible Study
(2008)

Christ As The Rock In Scripture/Part Four
Les Feldick Bible Study
(2008)

"Oh Jesus  is a Rock in a weary land"
 The refrain  from the song,
 "A Shelter In The Time Of Storm"
(1880)
Vernon J. Charlesworth
(1839-1915)
English pastor and hymn writer

In Memoriam (Ring Out, Wild Bells)

 

"He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."
(Daniel 2:21)

The Liberty Bell

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light:

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind

For those that here we see no more;

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

"In Memoriam"
(Ring Out, Wild Bells)
(1850)
Alfred Lord Tennyson
(1809-1892)
Victorian era English poet

Living In Apostasy

 

Christine Darg of the Jerusalem Channel takes a look at end times
  signs in light of the Bible's teachings and cancel culture.

Jesus warned that the main characteristics of the 
 end times will be deception.

Living In The Apostasy

Jerusalem Channel

(October 8, 2021)

What Stage Are You In? Messianic Rabbi Porat Preaches

 

"For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace."
(Isaiah 62:1)

What Stage Are You In?

Messianic Rabbi Porat Preaches

Messiah ofisrael

(December 30, 2021)

Faith Foundations: What Is The Holiness Of God?

 

"Extol the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill,
for the Lord our God is holy."
(Psalm 99:9)

Faith Foundations: What Is The Holiness Of God?
Our Jewish Roots
(December 30, 2021)

There's A Voice In The Wilderness Crying

 

 "Prepare the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
make a straight highway for our God in the desert."
(Isaiah 40:3)

The Judean Desert near St. George Monastery outside Jerusalem

Photo credit: AP/Dusan Vranic

There's a voice in the wilderness crying,

A call from the ways untrod:

Prepare in the desert a highway,

A highway for our God!

The valleys shall be exalted,

The lofty hills brought low;

Make straight all the crooked places,

Where the Lord our God may go!

O Zion, that bringest good tidings,

Get thee up to the heights and sing!

Proclaim to a desolate people

The coming of their King.

Like the flower of the field they perish,

The works of men decay,

The power and pomp of nations

Shall pass like a dream away.

But the Word of our God endureth,

The arm of the Lord is strong;

He stands in the midst of nations,

And He will right the wrong.

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd,

And fold the lambs to His breast;

In pastures of peace He'll lead them

And give to the weary rest.

There's a voice in the wilderness crying,

A call from the ways untrod:

Prepare in the desert a highway,

A highway for our God!

The valleys shall be exalted,

The lofty hills brought low;

Make straight all the crooked places,

Where the Lord our God may go!

"There's A Voice Crying In The Wilderness"
(1925)
James Lewis Milligan
(1876-1961)
Canadian hymn writer

The Cassandra Effect

 

In another inspirational message from Israel,
beloved sister in the Lord and Jerusalem Channel host
 Christine Darg explains the "Cassandra Effect" in today's world.

The Cassandra Effect

 Jerusalem Channel

(April 9, 2021)

For Thy Mercy And Thy Grace

 

"...to the praise of the gory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
(Ephesians 1:6)

A painting by Kathryn Andrews Fincher

For Thy mercy and Thy grace,

Faithful through another year,

Hear our song of thankfulness;

Father and Redeemer, hear.

Keep us faithful, keep us pure,

Keep us evermore Thine own;

Help, O help us to endure;

Fit us for the promised crown.

Amen.

"For Thy Mercy And Thy Grace"
(1841)
Reverend H. Downton
(1818-1885)
English clergyman and hymn writer

God's Errand Girls and Messenger Boys

 

An inspiring message concerning the spiritual authority of believers.

God's Errand Girls & Messenger Boys

The Jerusalem Channel

(November 19, 2021)

The Jerusalem Channel: Days Of Deception

 

Host Christine Darg of The Jerusalem Channel discusses
 why it's no coincidence that tattoos have become 
a major worldwide trend in these last of the last days.

Days Of Deception

The Jerusalem Channel

(September 24, 2021)

God Is Working His Purpose Out

 

"Awaiting and looking for the fulfillment of our blessed hope,
even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior
Jesus Christ the Messiah."
(Titus 2:13)

Photograph courtesy/Public Domain Pictures

God is working His purpose out, 

as year succeeds to year;

God is working His purpose out,

and the time is drawing near-

Nearer and nearer draws the time,

the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled

with the glory of God,

as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost East to utmost West,

where-e'er man's foot hath trod,

By the mouth of many messengers

goes forth the voice of God:

Give ear to Me, ye continents, ye isles,

give ear to Me,

That the earth shall be filled

with the glory of God,

as the waters cover the sea.

March we forth 

in the strength of God,

with banner of Christ unfurled,

That the light

of the glorious gospel of truth

may shine throughout the world;

Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin,

to set their captives free.

That the earth shall be filled

with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth,

unless God blesses the deed;

Vainly hope for the harvest tide,

till God gives life to the seed;

Yet nearer and nearer draws the time,

the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled

with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.

"God Is Working His Purpose Out"
(1894)
Arthur Campbell Ainger
(1841-1919)
English hymn writer

All Eyes Riveted On The Temple Mount

 

Jerusalem Channel's Christine Darg discusses the controversy
surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and how Jesus
warned His followers concerning "the abomination standing
in the holy place" as mentioned by the prophet Daniel.

All Eyes Riveted On The Temple Mount

Jerusalem Channel

(December 22, 2021)

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

 

"And suddenly, there appeared with the angel a great multitude
of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth,
 peace to men on whom His favor rest!"
(Luke 2:13-14)

Annunciation To The Shepherds

15th century Flemish miniature 

Hark! The herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th' angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest Heav'n adored;

Christ the everlasting Lord;

Late in time, behold Him come,

Offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail th' incarnate Deity,

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'nly Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings,

Ris'n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by,

Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Come, Desire of nations, come,

Fix in us Thy humble home;

Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed,

Bruise in us the serpent's head.

Now display Thy saving power,

Ruined nature now restore;

Now in mystic union join

Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface,

Stamp Thine image in its place:

Second Adam from above,

Reinstate us in Thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain,

Thee, the Life, the inner man:

O, to all Thyself impart,

Formed in each believing heart.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!"
(1739)
Charles Wesley
(1707-1788)
English leader of the Methodist Movement
Prolific Hymn writer

May He live in each believing heart!

Merry Christmas to all!

Such Magic There Is In Christmas

 

"O Christmas tree...O Christmas tree...

How lovely are thy branches!"

Bringing Home The Tree

(2014)

Sherri Crabtree

Courtesy/Fine Art America

"Such magic there is in Christmas to draw the absent ones home,

and if unable to go in the body, the thoughts will hover there!

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred,

and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit,

become a child again at Christmastime."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Trusting God - Messianic Rabbi Zev Porat Preaches

 

A special Christmas Eve message of hope and encouragement
from beloved brother Rabbi Zev Porat in Israel.

Do Not Miss This Message/Trusting God

messiah ofisrael

(December 24, 2021)

Amir Tsarfati: Where it All Began

 "He will be called a Nazarene."
(Matthew 2:23)

Father and Son

Corbert Gauthier

Picture courtesy/Wayfair.com

A special Christmas message from beloved Bible teacher
 Amir Tsarfati  on location in Nazareth, Israel.

Amir Tsarfati: Where It All Began

Behold Israel With Amir Tsarfati

(December 23, 2021)

Roses In December

 

God gave His children memory

That in life's garden there might be

June roses in December.

But sin the Father's goodness scorns,

And weaves of them a crown of thorns,

That wounds when they remember.

Mary Rose

Picture courtesy David Austin Roses

Sharp, stabbing points of vain regret

Around my soul forever set,

Turn June into December.

Ah, Christ, Who wore my crown of thorns,

Have mercy on the heart that mourns,

Forgive, when I remember.

"Roses In December"
Reverend Geoffrey Anketell Studdert-Kennedy
(1883-1929)
Anglican clergyman and poet

Merry Christmas From The White House...40 years Ago

A beautiful and heart-warming Christmas message 
from one of America's greatest leaders
President Ronald Reagan.

How I miss the Gipper these days!
 

President Ronald Reagan's Christmas Address

(December 23, 1981)

 

Sweet Savior Once Again This Year

 

"The Mighty God...the Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6)

Prince of Peace

(2017)

Andrea Phillips

Fine Art America

Sweet Savior, once again this year

Brings to the happy earth

The season held forever dear

One which we hail Thy birth!

We think of Thee as once a child

Who sought a mother's face,

An infant innocent and mild,

Who grew in years and grace.

Our wills and tempers, Lord, control,

And give us eyes to see,

The tender heart, and loving soul,

The mind that was in Thee.

"Sweet Savior Once Again This Year"
(1913)
Author unknown

Gingerbread: Medicine Or Christmas Cookies?

A delicious recipe for 18th century gingerbread

 from Jon at Townsends.

Gingerbread: Medicine Or Christmas Cookie?

Townsends

(December 20, 2021)

Mountain Of The Lord

"In the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established
as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills,
and the peoples will stream to it."
(Micah 4:1)

The Dawning of a New Day
(2017)
Lucie Bilodeau
Fine Art America

Yes! a brighter morn is breaking,

Better days are coming on;

All the world will be a-waking

In a new and golden dawn.

And many nations shall come and say,

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!

And He will teach us, will teach us of His ways,

And we will walk in His paths.

In the day of coming glory,

Men will show fraternal hand;

Each will tell to each the story

Till it spreads to ev-'ry land.

And many nations shall come and say,

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!

And He will teach us, will teach us of His ways

And we will walk in His paths.

On the top of Zion's mountain

God prepares His house a-gain;

And its threshold springs a fountain,

Flowing for the souls of men.

And many nations shall come and say,

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!

And He will teach us, will teach us of His ways

And we will walk in His paths.

From the earth's remotest stations,

Men will come to hear the word;

And, in all the world, the nations,

Shall be nations of the Lord.

And many nations shall come and say,

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!

And He will teach us, will teach us of His ways

And we will walk in His paths.

"Mountain Of The Lord"
(1871)
Robert Lowry
(1826-1899)
American Baptist minister
and hymn writer

What Does It Mean All Israel Shall Be Saved? Messianic Rabbi Zev Porat Preaches

 

Who are "all of Israel"?

Beloved brother Rabbi Zev Porat explains!

Controversial: What Does It Mean All Israel Shall Be Saved?

Messianic Rabbi Zev Porat Preaches

messiah ofisrael

(December 20, 2021)

Christmas Blues

 

Christmas is often called, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year".
However, at the same time during this festive season, many people
and this includes many believers, suffer from depression.

You might be feeling lonely or forgotten. Or, be driven by an
anxious need to find the "perfect gift" for someone. You may 
 be missing family members or friends who are no longer here.

"Our Blessed Hope"

"Come to Me and I will give you, rest." is Jesus' promise to
the believer.  May you find true peace and joy in Him, 
 during this Christmas season and always.

Jesus Comforts The Mourning

(2021)

Melani Pyke

Picture courtesy/Fine Art America

Come to Me, when shadows darkly gather,

When the sad heart is weary and distressed;

Seeking comfort from your Heavenly Father,

Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.

Large are the mansions in thy Father's dwelling;

Glad are the homes that sorrows never dim;

Sweet are the harps in holy music swelling;

Soft are the tones which raise the heavenly hymn.

There, like an Eden blossoming in gladness,

Bloom the fair flowers that earth too rudely pressed;

Come unto Me, all ye who droop in sadness

Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.

Amen.

"Come Unto Me"
(1839)
Catherine H. Esling
(1812-1897)
American author and hymn writer

Love Came Down At Christmas

 

Love came down at Christmas

Love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

Madonna With The Christ Child

(Early 17th century)

Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

(1609-1685)

Italian Baroque painter

Worship we the Godhead

Love Incarnate, Love Divine;

Worship we our Jesus:

But where-with for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine.

Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign.

Amen.

"Love Came Down At Christmas"
(1885)
Christina Rosetti
(1830-1894)
 English Pre-Raphaelite writer
 and poetess

Sunday Night Sounds Of The Season

 

Classic Christmas songs that never go out of style!

White Christmas

(1945)

Bing Crosby

Pretty Paper
(1964)
Roy Orbison

Do You Hear What I Hear
(1998)
Martina McBride

Snoopy's Christmas
(1967)

The Royal Guardsmen

Here Comes Santa Claus
(1957)
Elvis Presley

The Chipmunk Song 
(1962)
David Seville-The Chipmunks

Holly Jolly Christmas
(1964)
Burl Ives

The Little Drummer Boy
(1965)
Harry Simeone Chorale

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
(1963)
Frank Sinatra

Santa Claus Is Watching You
(1985)
Ray Stevens

Away In A Manger/Silent Night
(1975)
Connie Smith

We Need A Little Christmas
(1971)
Percy Faith & His Orchestra

Merry Christmas Darling
(1970)
The Carpenters

O Little Town Of Bethlehem
(1960)
Nat King Cole

Let It Snow
(1959)
Dean Martin

Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer
(1949)
Gene Autry

Silver Bells
(1963)
Jim Reeves

Smoky Mountain Christmas
(1986)
Dolly Parton

Jingle Bells
(1959)
Ray Coniff Singers

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays
(1950)
Perry Como

In A World That Seems Not Only To Be Changing...

 

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and family of David.  To be enrolled with Mary,
his wife, who was great with child."
(Luke 2:4-5)

Journey To Bethlehem

Joseph Brickey

 Picture courtesy/ Altus Fine Art

In a world that seems not only to be changing, but even to

be dissolving, there are some tens of millions of us who want

Christmas to be the same...

with the same old greeting "Merry Christmas" and no other.

We long for the abiding love among men of good will 

 which the season brings...

believing in the ancient miracle of Christmas with its softening,

sweetening influence to tug at our heart strings once again.

We want to hold on to the old customs and traditions 

  because they strengthen our family ties,

bind us to our friends,

make us one with all mankind

for whom the Child was born,

and bring us back again to God Who gave

His only begotten Son, that "whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish, but have everlasting life."

So we will not "spend" Christmas

nor "observe" Christmas.

We will "keep" Christmas-keep it as it is...

in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions.

May we keep it in our hearts,

that we may be kept in its hope.

Reverend Peter Marshall Sr.
(1902-1949)
Scottish American pastor
Twice-appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate