An Ancient Irish Hymn Relevant Still

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.

~ Ancient Irish Hymn (circa 700 AD)
~ Translation: Mary Byrne, 1905
~ Versified: Eleanor Hull, 1912

God in the Storm

While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community,
they looked toward the desert,
and there was the glory of the LORD
appearing in the cloud.
[Ex 16:10]

Who looks forward to a desert? But there was the glory of the Lord. In the midst of the cloud, no less! He is in our dark clouds. Often it is precisely there that we can see His glory most clearly. For in the very center of life's storms we tend to shift our focus unto Him.

That day when evening came,

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat,

so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern,

sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him,

"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,

"Quiet! Be still!"

Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

[Mk 4:35, 37-39]

The storm that arose, terrifying Jesus' disciples, came when He was right there with them. In the middle of that stormy sea they saw His glory. Witness to His power and sovereignty added to their faith.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul,
the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road
as you were coming here—has sent me so that
you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
[Ac 9:8-9, 15-17]

In the darkness of Saul's blindness, God was working through Ananias for his healing. When he was lost, confused, and unable to see, God had a plan for his transformation. This perceived tragedy the beginning of a phenomenal life in Christ. Clarity oftentimes comes after-the-fact (if ever).

Early on the first day of the week,

while it was still dark,

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb

and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

[Jn 20:1]

"While it was still dark", Mary faithfully went to anoint her Savior. In her mourning, she arose early to dutifully tend to the difficult task at hand. She witnessed the brilliance of Jesus' glory in a state of loss and confusion.

At midnight the cry rang out:

'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

[Mt 25:5]

It could very well be in the middle of the darkest night, when our Bridegroom returns. Until that glorious day, He is a thought away -- a prayer's breath away -- for you to go meet Him right where you are.

where morning dawns and evening fades

you call forth songs of joy.

[Ps 65:8]

He brings calm in both the day and the night. Stay with God in the storm, waiting patiently in prayer; safe in His arms. Remain in His Word and He will speak peace to calm the storm raging within. Sing His praise til the night fades.

There's an encouraging phrase; "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain" (source unknown). God teaches us to dance and provides for our joy from the unspeakable hope we have in Him. A sweet walk with Him lightens the lift of your feet trudging forward -- toward the Dawn.

Sovereign Lord; Hidden here in the cleft of the Rock, You are my hope, my strength, and my song.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea;
and the LORD
swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night
and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.
[Ex 14:21 NASB]

Edited Post from the Archives

In the Middle

The pillar of cloud also moved
from in front and stood behind them,
coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.
Throughout the night
the cloud brought darkness to the one side
and light to the other side;
so neither went near the other all night long.
[Ex 14:19b-20 emph added]

Trouble-filled clouds billow in, casting shadows far and wide.

Concern lingers like a thick blanket covering outlook.

Cares of this world in hot pursuit.

Camping itself between worry and faith --

Egypt and Israel.



Stuck in the middle --

Darkness on one side, light on the other,

Kept apart by forces within.

Forces of the Presence of God dwelling within.

Throughout all watches of the night.



Keep the enemy of my hope at bay, Lord. Through this night, bring light.

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud
to guide them on their way
and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,
so that they could travel by day or night.

Neither the pillar of cloud by day
nor the pillar of fire by night
left its place in front of the people.
[Ex 13:21-22]

Day or night, the Lord is present.

When clouds block God from view,

Be reminded,

His Presence is with His people.



Guiding by day,

Giving light by night,

Travel on, pilgrim.



Lead on, Lord, day or night. Thank you for being more visible in the night -- when Light is most needed. Father of all mercy, help me to see You in this cloud, in times when night falls heavy around me.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"
made his light shine in our hearts
to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God
in the face of Christ.
[2 Cor 4:6]

As Jesus, the Holy One of God, trod this earthen sod

He sought out and entered those dark places,

Opting not to lounge in sunlight.

Rather, giving the light of the knowledge of God's glory

Reflected in His world-weathered face.



Reflecting light upon those in darkness;

Desperate for healing,

Demon-possessed,

Blind, suffering, lost, and oppressed.



He communed with Father God in the dark of early morning,

He waged holy war of temptations in desert darkness,

He despaired in the dark of the garden,

He walked in the dark of the shadow of His Cross.



He redeemed life from darkness to light --

Making us Daughters of Light.

Leaving the light of His love in our hearts,

In the middle of His treasured creation and the world.

Opposing forces --

Egypt and Israel.



May Your Light within cast out any darkness I might add to this world. Thank You for entering those dark places and shining Your Glorious Light. I'm ever thankful to be stuck in the middle of Your Light within creating a barrier and protective diversion from the dark in the world without.

Creation Song ~ Fernando Ortega

Glory!

Praise the greatness of our God --

His splendor forevermore!

Fernando Ortega is one of my all-time faves - this song in particular. It's pure worship.

(Video very nicely done, coolram52!)

Click Pause Button

on Side Bar Music Player

to silence background music

Remember to extol his work,
which men have praised in song.
[Job 36:24]

Picture Perfect

We laughed; we sang; we . . . . painted. Girl's Night for daughter and I. We chose painting as our evening activity. We stationed ourselves at opposite ends of the table and set brush to blank canvas.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that we were both painting the same thing. A sunrise. And it wasn’t much longer before we started muttering our frustration. “God makes it look so easy,” I said. “He speaks and paints the sky with incredible beauty and here we try so hard to copy it.”

She was committed to hers and would stay on track to completion. I, on the other hand, repeatedly experimented with various techniques. I tried making adjustments and corrections to get the visual image out of my head and onto the surface. The harder I labored the bigger the mess.

It wasn’t really the end product I was shooting for anyway. The main intent was time well spent. I painted over the entire surface with sky blue paint. Artist daughter had another idea. She took my place before the rejected work and set to make a new creation.

She made something beautiful from my mistake.

“Isn’t that just like God? He takes the ugly and turns to lovely. He salvages our errant attempts and recreates for better use.”

It makes for a neat modern-day parable that can possibly be applied in life. First, leave God-things to the Master. And, stop my miserable attempts to fix my messes and ask God to step in (I usually just make it worse). Remember, He always creates something lovely from our messes and takes the hideous and makes it beautiful.

He got us out of the mess we're in

and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.

And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

[Rm 3:21 Msg]

Thank you, Father, that You don't abandon the work of Your Hands and leave us in our messes. Thank You for the beauty, more than skin deep, that You create from my self-made ugliness. Amen.

To God's Threshing Floor

Where dare I go to receive God's blessing?
To the Threshing Floor!

A place built upon the Rock;
The foundation of His Temple;
An altar for sacrifice and worship.

A place for cleansing,
To separate chaff from grain,
Winnowing away all impurities.

The time of harvest has come;
Sled out potential, my God,
From tiny kernels of faith.

Blow, Holy Spirit, blow;
Sift out voices of lies;
'Til pure seed remains in Thy Hand.

Lord, meet me on the threshing floor, as I lay my spirit down. Gather, as sheaves to the floor, those impure things in need of threshing; before that Winnowing Fork is grasped. Tread out and smooth the tares; clear away the chaff, that pure grain may sprout and grow. Bring the increase of the threshing floor -- the blessing -- to Your storehouse. All for Your glory. Amen.

Eye-Opening Prayer

Then God opened her eyes
and she saw a well of water.
So she went and filled the skin with water
and gave the boy a drink.
[Gen 21:19]

Sometimes we just need to pray for God to open our eyes to see the solution already before us (and I'm "preachin' to the choir," folks!).

Do not be discouraged, dear one, God hears your cries of distress. He has a plan.

Granted, kept in the context of this passage, there is so much more going on with Hagar in this situation than we will ever fully grasp, but can you at least consider, in your own life experience, that God knows and that He has an answer to your situation?

Hagar was experiencing troubles inflicted by others but that did not negate God's intervention. Hagar cried out to God in desperation. She had lost all hope for her son's survival. Yet, God had a plan she did not see. Is that possible for you? He may have a plan for blessing before you that your distress blocks from view.

May you find encouragement in these words spoken by Isaiah:

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
[Is 30:18]

Open our eyes, dear God, to see Your plan for us. A plan for blessing and not destruction. A plan with hope and a future. Amen.

The Difference God Makes in a Day

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
[Ps 46:1]

The phone rings with news of the shocking and unexpected, sending one's heart and mind into overload. Emotions flood at the realization one you love is hurting.

A brief 40 hour period of time framed with bookends of tears. On one end, tears of pain, sorrow, and disappointment. On the other, tears of profound joy.

And in-between?

God. Nothing but God! Waiting in Him. Praying desperately to Him. Leaning on Him.

The void of space and time suspended in prayer and concern.

The well-being of a friend lay delicately in balance. All the while knowing and trusting in God's goodness -- regardless of outcome.

Times like these places life in perspective. Menial annoyances fall into proper place. God realigns proclivity.

And He shows His glory! His answer an immediate "Yes!" and, again, "Yes!"

A mind still reeling, a heart still racing, yet the matter already completely settled in the heavenlies. It all happened so fast our reality tries to catch up, process what has occured. From one day to the next, what a difference a day makes. What a difference God makes in a day!

You amaze beyond all words, Sovereign, Ever-Present Lord. From start to finish, You were there and we give thanks with great rejoicing.

He Hears the Cry of Your Heart

Evening, morning
and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
[Ps 55:17]

The silent thief came in the night, robbing spunk and freedom from sweet Ruthie.

Difficult days marched on as she struggled with the most common tasks of daily living. On a particularly good day, when her unique personality seemed temporarily in place and she seemed a bit more aware and alert, I knelt before her wheelchair and simply asked; "How you feelin', Ruthie?"

"I'll just be glad when I'm free."

Such few words to convey her profound belief. Her frustration evident and understood. Her hope had not been stolen that fateful night. Nor was her faith. She clung -- to something far greater than that chair.

She awaits the Day. The Glorious Day. The Day of her Emancipation. When her body will no longer fail her and hold her captive.

My only response; "He hears you, Ruthie. He hears the cry of your heart."

Father, our faith clings to the knowledge that You hear the distress calls of the suffering. Whisper to their hearts that You hear, that You are near. Encourage hope and comfort Your children. Amen.

Light ~ A History

Earth, newly created, basked in glorious light. Shadows were born with forbidden fruit plucked in rebellion. They grew longer and darker and robbed earth of its Makers’ light.

Times of darkness marched on through this valley. The Light shone on, watching from above. Waiting to fulfill a promise to restore light; the subsiding light in the hearts of men.

The night grew dark. The night grew long. Waiting. The eyes of our hearts longing for light. Desperate for a hint of its coming. Hoping the forefathers message handed down was true.

Listen! I hear a word. A whisper in the distance. Heavenly heralds spark a flicker of light in announcements of impending births. The faint glow twinkles far off in the distance, growing slowly brighter. I strain eyes, and patience, and faith to wait its approach.

The most exquisite Light shines in a Bethlehem manger, lighting dark night skies as never before.

The heaven's blaze as God parts the skies, angels descend over a shepherd’s pasture. The glory of the Lord shines around those in the field as God comes near.

A star of wonder grows brighter. Capturing the attention of sky-gazers in the east. It’s a sign. THE sign. The long night has passed. The King of Glory has finally come!

The purest light pours forth from God’s perfect love -- illuminating all of history. Lighting the path onward and upward to God, our Father.

History's darkest hour came when the Light of Life was extinguished on a rugged cross on Calvary's hill. Three disconsolate days of blackness. Then Jerusalem's grave glowed with radiant Resurrected Life.

Shining now through our lives into a world starved for light. A world lost without The Light. A world made more brilliant with each remembrance of the Eternal Light of God. Streaming across horizons. Pressing continually outward. Reaching far beyond all space and time.

"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
~Jesus~
[Jn 8:12]

In His Grace...

How would you tell God’s story?

We challenged our students to tell The Story. To provide an example, the teachers delivered a personalized rendition. I chose to tell it from the combined perspective of grace and faith. Even in summary form, it's still an amazing story. Gets me choked up everytime.

I was asked to post it here; so here goes…



From the deep dark of eternity the Trinity existed. God spoke and created all things, as written in His inerrant Word. On the 6th day He created man and woman in His own image and breathed in them His very own breath of life. He walked with them in the garden until the day they chose not to obey His one command. They sinned against a holy God and broke fellowship with Him. In His grace, He did not destroy them. While they suffered the consequences of their sin – along with the earth, the animals, and all mankind – He clothed them and continued to provide for them.

Adam and Eve had children. Their 1st two sons were Cain and Abel. Because sin had entered God’s creation, Cain became envious of Abel and murdered him. When confronted by God, Cain tried to deny it. God disciplined Him but, in His grace, continued to provide protection for Cain.

Adam and Eve had more children and the earth’s population grew and grew. Lawlessness and sin also grew along with the population. Man behaved atrociously and God was terribly grieved.

He found Noah to be a righteous man that walked with God. In His grace, God used Noah to give man another chance. He gave Noah specific instructions and, in faith, Noah obeyed and so was saved – along with his family and the animals housed on the ark.

After the flood there were three nations with one language. The inhabitants decided to build a huge city with a tower that would reach heaven. Because of their arrogance, God frustrated their language therefore making communication difficult.

God had a plan from the beginning to restore His relationship with mankind and save them from their sins that they may be reunited to live with Him eternally. In His great grace He faithfully brought about the fulfillment of that plan.

He chose Abram to father a nation and a people for Himself. He made a covenant with Abram to give him a son and bless all peoples through his descendants. In faith Abram believed and God blessed him with a son. Isaac inherited this covenant and his firstborn sons were twins. Jacob, the younger, deceived his father into receiving his father’s blessing but God, in His grace, blessed Jacob also and eventually changed his name to Israel. Jacob fathered many sons. His sons and grandsons would become the 12 tribes of the nation of Israel.

One of Jacob’s sons was Joseph. Again, sin wreaked havoc on a family and Joseph was disposed of by his brothers. He was sold off and taken to Egypt but lived a remarkable life of faith, enduring many trials. Many years later Joseph was reunited with his family and they settled in this foreign land.

Long after his death he was forgotten and his people were enslaved by the Egyptians. They cried out to God and, in His grace, He chose Moses and his brother, Aaron, to lead them to freedom and a land of promise -- a land flowing with milk and honey. After God’s display of power and sovereignty through many plagues the hard-hearted Pharaoh finally released the Hebrews. In his grace, God protected them from death by the blood of the lamb. He went with them and aided their escape by miraculously parting the Red Sea. He led them by cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He provided for them in their journey. Many times they grieved Him and suffered consequences due to their bad attitudes and lack of faith. Eventually God brought them to the land He promised. He toppled Jericho, defeated armies and nations, and gave them a land of their own; He would be their God and they would be His people. They were to live differently – separate from the world – and were to worship Him alone and obey His laws, that they might receive blessing and be the instruments of His plan of promise and salvation.

As the nation grew and prospered they forgot their God and fell away. He would rescue them and provide leaders in the Judges but they would repeatedly turn from Him.

The time came when they no longer wanted God as their King. They wanted a king like the other countries. In God’s grace, He granted their request.

Their 1st king was Saul. He soon became wicked and sinned against God. God then chose David, a shepherd boy, to succeed Saul as king. David loved God. He was imperfect and sinned many times but he had a heart for God and, in God’s grace, He blessed him and made a covenant with him; from the line of David a Savior would come.

David’s son Solomon succeeded him as king. God have him great wisdom and riches and Solomon built a Temple for God in the city of Jerusalem. Israel grew and prospered and the people enjoyed a time of peace.

In the centuries that followed, Israel knew many wicked kings. The country split into two kingdoms and fell away from God. God allowed other nations to carry them off to captivity. God first used the Babylonians then, later the Assyrians, to bring them back to Him. But God, in His grace, never abandoned His people or forgot His promise. He continued to encourage them and warn them through messages by His many prophets.

Centuries of silence passed but there remained a remnant of His people that faithfully believed and watched and waited for their Deliverer.

To Zechariah and Elizabeth an angel delivered a message and a promise. They would have a son that would prepare the way for the coming Messiah.

Just months later angels delivered messages to Mary and Joseph. Mary, a virgin, would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit and this baby would be the Son of God that would save people from their sins.

The time came for the baby to be born in Bethlehem. A host of angels announced his birth to nearby shepherds and in the sky God shone the most incredible light. One the star gazers of eastern lands – known as Magi – would recognize and follow to bring gifts to honor this newborn king.

At the time, Israel was occupied by hostile Romans and corrupt religious leaders. The times were hard for the Jewish nation. This boy Jesus, both fully God and fully man, grew in favor with God and man. At the age of 30, He was publicly baptized by his cousin, John, and then began a ministry that would last only three short years.

Jesus performed many miracles and taught of the kingdom of God in parables. He fulfilled 425 prophecies recorded in the foretelling of the Messiah. When the time had come, God – in His grace – would institute a new covenant, a covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. Jesus would complete God’s perfect plan of redemption for mankind but He would have to suffer and die to do it. He chose to sacrifice his own life to save us.

Jesus was wrongly accused, endured an unjust trial, and found guilty of blasphemy. He was mocked, tortured, ridiculed, and nailed on a cross to die; shedding the cleansing blood of the Perfect Lamb of God. He was buried in a secured, stone-covered tomb and was resurrected on the third day. He appeared to his 11 disciples and over 500 for a period of 40 days, teaching His followers of God’s plan for His kingdom – the Church. He ascended to heaven where He now prepares a place for His faithful followers. In God’s grace, 10 days later He sent the Holy Spirit to those with faith to believe and obey. These new Christians spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the region. They were jailed, persecuted, and killed for preaching; but, God’s plan can not – will not – fail.

Saul, a devout Jew, was miraculously converted; renamed Paul; and traveled on treacherous mission journeys that would plant churches all over Asia. His many letters to these churches became part of what we now call the New Testament.

Over 2000 years have passed in the history of the Church; but God, in His grace, has not forgotten His promise nor abandoned His people. By our faith and His grace we are forgiven, empowered to live holy lives, and boldly serve and proclaim His message. More believers are being added to His ever-expanding family as we await the promised return of His Son.

When Jesus returns, he will defeat His enemies, issue final judgment, and usher in a new heaven and a new earth where His disciples will live with Him for all eternity.

The Beginning

Now, you try.

Thick Plots

“See if you can spot the villain,” I provoked my kids during Family Movie Night. “Every movie has one. Watch for clues, certain characteristics that will give him away.”

My own statement struck a familiar chord; reminiscent of my childhood days. I remembered my dad did that. “He’s the guy wearing the black hat,” echoed in the voice of my memory.

But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
[Mt 12:14]

There’s certainly a villain in the “Jesus Story.” At first glance we think it’s the Pharisees and Sadducees. Students in my Bible class have no qualms bashing and blaming. How often we're wrong. Oh, so very wrong! Accusations fly -- awry.

“Them” is a comfortable response. So often we easily – and conveniently – reach the conclusion to blame the religious leaders of the day. Look closer. Which character would you finger as suspect?

The prominent candidate isn’t even mentioned in the narrative!

It’s ME! Fingers should point solely to self.

I remember when that conviction first cut deep. I never really “felt” like I was a “bad” person. What a lie that was! (Now I battle the voice stuck repeatedly on; “I’m not good enough!”)

In my early years I deduced that Jesus was unfairly and unjustly tried, convicted, tortured, and executed. As I matured and gained a smidgen of understanding, I reasoned it was part of God’s plan and that He was still in control. It wasn’t until I truly humbled myself and surrendered to His Lordship that I came to the reality that I was part of the plot. It was me -- my sin -- that drove those nails and hung Him high. As I discovered His unconditional love, I realized it was His love that spread those arms wide and chose to give up that Omnipotent Spirit to breathe Its last. I'm slowly learning that the obvious isn't always all that obvious.

Yes, dramas have their “bad guys.” Makes for good entertainment. Sometimes the plot is quite complicated and a difficult mystery to solve. Sometimes it’s a rather messy affair. The Good News is that dramas starring villains, whether fiction or non, can have happy, hopeful endings.

The Visible Christ

January 6th - the 12th Day of Christmas. Today the oldest festival in the church is celebrated. Ephiphany began in the 2nd century in Asia Minor. The name is derived from the greek Epiphainein, a verb meaning "to show forth, display." As a passive verb it means "to come into light, to come suddenly into view, to present oneself, to appear."

In closing the Advent season, I was reflecting upon this year's experience. I can honestly say that in drawing near to Christ and preparing my heart with His Word, in the watching and waiting for Christmas, He did come into view, into the light.

Observance of the Incarnation has an inexplainable way of doing just that. Jesus has a way of doing just that.

No, not face to face or in a vision. But He was very much a part of our holiday observance and celebration. A part of our lives and home and heart. He was faithful to show Himself as only He can -- and does. Visible through eyes of faith.

Like God peeled back heavens floor that the shepherds might see into heaven itself, He peels back the veil to our inner spiritual eyes to get glimpses of Him. His character in His dealings with man. Isn't that a part of what Christmas is all about? Him making Himself visible? Him, in the flesh, that we might see; believe?

He came near that we might also. And when we do, He shows Himself in the most remarkable ways.

Don't wait until next Christmas to make Him visible in your daily life. Leave that Christ-child out of the manger, out of the storage boxes, and place in Him on the throne of your heart. Help Him come into view in your surroundings in Twenty-Ten.

Lord Jesus; Show Yourself in fresh new ways this year. Ways we can be more like you.


Painting by: Carol Bloch

Celebrate The Name

..."you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
[Mt 1:21b]


* * * * *

On the eighth day,
when it was time to circumcise him,
he was named Jesus,
the name the angel had given him
before he had been conceived.
[Lk 2:21]

Today - January 1st - the 8th day. Most of the world's population is celebrating the birth of a new year. Celebrations of the birth of Christ have quickly passed. Desiring to remain in the spirit of my Christmas Advent with a daily focus on Jesus, I consider celebrating the naming of Jesus. Celebrating Him and all His name represents.

Jesus = Yehoshuah = YAHWEH Will Save

In the gospel passages alone I've read this Christmas of the Christ Child's birth (Luke 1-2:40; Matthew 1-2), I counted 20 names used to refer to God's Son. Each merely snippets into a high and holy attribute of His character and purpose.

He is Lord; Jesus; Son of the Most High; Holy One; Son of God; Horn of Salvation; Savior; Christ the Lord; Consolation of Israel; The Lord's Christ; a light for revelation to the Gentiles (Lk 1:17,31,32,35,69; 2:11,25,26,32); Jesus Christ; Son of David; Son of Abraham; the Christ; Immanuel; King of the Jews; Ruler; Shepherd; a Nazarene (Mt 1:1,17,23; 2:2,6,23).

By which do you call Him? By which do you know Him best?

A name for every season and reason under the sun. A name for every occasion; to fit every need. He is all these...and more. So much more!

Jesus - a Name by which many will both rise and fall.

Jesus - there is no other Name by which we are saved.

Jesus - Name Above All Names.

Jesus - a name to call upon throughout the year.

Celebrate the naming of Jesus today. Celebrate the Name, the Person Jesus Christ and all He is. All He has become to you.

Jesus; You are Lord, Ruler, and King. You are Jesus. You are. May Your Blessed Name be feared, revered, praised. Celebrated at the birth of this new year -- and everyday that follows.