feel you’re on solid ground

The Importance of Christians Standing Strong in Their Faith, Acknowledging God’s Promise of Christ’s eventual Return

21 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a child that will grow up, a joyful reminder, a ray of hope, a rosy huea rose hue, a silent wish, a tiny star lights up, add a little punch to our faith, all a dream, all across the land, allowing our lights to shine brightly, an illusion now, as the manner of some is, as ye see the day approaching, be of good courage, caught unawares, Christmas week, Ciro Dammicco, consider one another, dawns a brand new morn, don't focus on material stuff, everyone to everyone's neighbour, exhorting one another, faith, feel you're on solid ground, fellowship, flickers in the sky, focus on christ, for a spell or two, for Jesus' sake, forget to tell each other we care, Fred Jay, gathering together in fellowship, God always keeps His promises, God is trustworthy, happy that they are in the world, hate to love, He is faithful that promised, he shall strengthen thine heart, hold fast the confession of our hope, hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, holy spirit, in God's good time, in the evil darkness of the world, it must come true, Jesus can come back at any time, Jesus Christ, Johnny Mathis, King of Kings, like a chicken with your head cut off, Lord of Lords, LOVE, mercy, misery and suffering, more sensitive to the needs of our fellow man, no one knows, no one seems forlorn, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, our raison d'etre, our reason for living, our responsibilities as people, out bounden duty, reminds us of Christ's birth, resurrecting our salty flavour, running around, sails the seven seas, salvation, settles all around, show our loved ones they are important to us, somehow, sometime soon, stand strong in Faith, substitutionary death, sweet sacrifices of praise, take too much for granted, the birth of a new baby brings joy, the fourth week of Advent, the holidays provide a wonderful opportunity, the living truth, the Spirit of Christmas, the walls of doubt crumble, the winds of change, the world is waiting, this comes to pass, to bind friendships, to encourage each other, to provoke unto love and good works, tossed and torn, trust God and His promises, truth, turn tears to laughter, wait in faith, wait in faith I say on the Lord, wait with patience and perseverance, waiting for one child, war to peace, way up high, what colour child, When a child is born, whisper in the trees, words to be forgotten forever

Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Only 3 more days to get ready friends for that most auspicious occasion; the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Yes, it’s the fourth week of Advent, making it also Christmas week. So, make sure you have everything prepared and ready, so that come the big day on Thursday, you’re not running around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to do what should have already been done. (smile)

And today when we enter the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship with other believers and see all the decorations and stuff, please let’s not focus on that material stuff. Yes, it does look nice, but the important focus should be on Jesus Christ, our raison d’être, our most important reason for living.

Our song of worship this morning is also a beautiful one, based on a child’s birth, and aptly titled, ‘When a Child is Born.’ And it’s strange to note that just like ‘Joy to World’ was not written as a Christian hymn, but became one of the biggest sellers in that genre, so too is today’s song.

The melody and tune were taken from two compositions by Italian composer Ciro Dammicco, with English lyrics written as a Christmas song by Austrian composer Fred Jay, although there’s no specific reference to Christmas in it. But it’s also turned out to be big hit in our Christmas repertoire. And one of the best versions of the song was done by that soulful crooner Johnny Mathis in 1976. So, let’s raise our sweet sacrifices of praise to heaven in a touching, sincere, soulful rendition of this wonderful song When a Child is Born, which so tenderly reminds us of Christ‘s birth.

And we’ll begin, a la Johnny Mathis, with an inspiring monologue, where he exhorts us thus: ‘I believe that we can be more sensitive to the needs of our fellow man, that we can be better neighbours to each other. Sometimes we take too much for granted, and we forget to tell each other we care. I think the holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to bind friendships and to show our LOVED ones they are important to us. That we’re happy they are in the world. It’s something we should do more often. And the spirit of Christmas is a joyful reminder of our responsibilities as people.’

And isn’t that the living truth my fellow believers? It surely is! After that, we hum the first few bars over some quiet music. (Humming: ‘Hn hn hn hn hn, hn hn hn hn…’ Then we break into joyful song: ‘A ray of hope flickers in the sky A tiny star lights up way up high All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born –

A silent wish sails the seven seas The winds of change whisper in the trees And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn This comes to pass when a child is born – A rosy hue settles all around You’ve got the feel you’re on solid ground For a spell or two, no one seems forlorn This comes to pass when a child is born –

( Monologue ) – And all of this happens because the world is waiting, Waiting for one child Black, white, yellow, no one knows But a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter, Hate to LOVE, war to peace and everyone to everyone’s neighbor And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever)

(Singing: – (It’s all a dream, an illusion now It must come true, sometime soon somehow All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born.) All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born.’

And yes, there’s something about the birth of a new baby that brings and spreads joy to all who hear about it. It’s one of the few universally joyful occasions in our crazy, ungodly world. And don’t worry, that dream, which now seems like only an illusion, that too will certainly come to pass my faithful brethren, because the Lord set it all in motion with the birth of Christ, our King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who was born to do just that, all in God’s good time!

Now, although it’s been some two thousand years since Christ was born and gave us salvation through His sacrificial and substitutionary death, and we are still waiting for the final times, we need to be patient, and wait in faith on the Lord, as Bruh David exhorts us to do in Psalm 37: ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith), I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps. 37:14) And that’s what we need to do if we are true believers.

Look how long the Israelites waited for the Messiah; hundreds of years, but He did come. And just like Jesus promised, He will eventually come back and make all things right, but we must stand strong in faith and wait with patience and perseverance. That brings us to these beautiful and inspiring scripture verses in Hebrews.

‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb. 10:23-25)

Oh friends, it sounds simple on paper, but it is indeed difficult to put into practice. However, if we are true believers, we need to trust God and His promises, while gathering together in fellowship, to encourage each other, especially as the day of Jesus’ return can happen anytime, and we certainly don’t want to be caught unawares whenever that happens.

So, this Christmas, let’s add a little punch to our faith nuh, resurrecting our salty flavour and allowing our lights to shine brightly in the current evil darkness of our world, for Jesus’ sake! Why? Because God is trustworthy, unchanging, and will always keep His promises. Furthermore, as Christians, it’s our bounden duty! Much LOVE!

..the birth of Jesus was a momentous occasion…and no other birth…has caused so many numerous ripples and repercussions…which are still being felt all around the world today…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Marvellous Miracle That Happens, When A Child Is Born!

22 Dec 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a child that will grow up, a forgiving God, a loving god, a ray of hope, a rosy hue, a silent wish, a tiny star lights up, Advent, alight with joy, all a dream, all across the land, an illusion, Angel's candle, Bible, came to save us, change our evil ways, Christ died for us, Christ's birth, Christ's Second Coming, Christian, christianity, Ciro Dammicco, contrary, counterproductive, dawns a brand new morn, everyone to everyone's neighbour, faith, feel you're on solid ground, Festivalbar, flickers in the sky, for our children's children, fourth Sunday in advent, Fred Jay, give up our desires, God commendeth his own love toward us, God faithfully keeps his promises, God is LOVE, God sent His only begotten Son, hate to love, he that loveth not knoweth not God, heaven singing along with us, holy spirit, how to practice love each day, in spite of our many sins, indisputable truth, it must come true, Jesus Christ, largesse of heart, LOVE, love is only found in God, love is paradoxical, love is sacrificial, make this world a better place, mercy, misery, no one seems forlorn, prayer of gratitude, sails the seven seas, salvation, settles all around, showed us how to love, Soleado, somehow, sometime soon, suffering, sunny, teach us, the candle of love, the immaculate conception, the walls of doubt crumble, the winds of change, the world is waiting, then love of God toward us, this comes to pass, torn, tossed, truth, turn tears to laughter, waiting for one child, war to peace, way up high, we might live through Him, we serve a compassionate God, what it is to love, When a child is born, while we were yet sinners, whisper in the trees, wisdom, words to be forgotten, you still loved us

Romans 5:8. But God commendeth (demonstrated) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And today’s the fourth Sunday in advent my fellow believers, that season when we wait with great expectations for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, first for His immaculate conception and birth, then His Second Coming to take over the world. So on this most auspicious Sunday, the one right before Christmas Day, let’s light the candle of LOVE, or Angel’s Candle signifying the great LOVE that God showed for us by sending His Only Son to earth to be our Lord and Saviour.

And the words of John’s first epistle bear out all we need to know about LOVE, especially the LOVE of God, as he writes: ‘He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE. In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.’ (1 John 4:8-9)

Wow! What a compassionate and forgiving God we serve! Only a Deity with the utmost largesse of heart could have done such a wonderful thing for undeserving subjects. Consequently, let’s offer up this prayer of gratitude and LOVE for the fourth week in Advent. Please pray with me. ‘Oh Lord, Thank you that in spite of our many sins, you still LOVED us and came to save us. You came and showed us how to LOVE. Teach us what it is to LOVE, and how to practice it each day. Remind us that LOVE is paradoxical, sacrificial, and only found in you. Amen!’

And isn’t all of that the indisputable truth? It surely is! And I especially like that part where we implore Christ to teach us what it is to LOVE, and even more importantly, how to practice it each and every day. For that’s the ONLY way that LOVE will ever become a real and true part of our lives, for it’s both paradoxical, seems contrary and counterproductive, and oh so sacrificial. Yes, that’s the part that turns most of us off of LOVE; having to give up our desires and pursuits for those of others. But if you truly want to show LOVE, then that’s what you need to do.

And the other interesting thing is that LOVE can ONLY be found in Christ; He is the fountain head of the emotion! And having said all of that, let’s turn our hearts to worship, to offering up sweet sacrifices of praise through this beautiful Christmas song, simply titled, ‘When a Child is Born.’

It’s reputed that the melody comes from a Spanish instrumental piece of music called ‘Soleado or Sunny’ written by Ciro Dammicco under the alias “Zacar”, based on his earlier composition “Le rose blu” (1972). The song was recorded in 1974 by Dammicco’s band, the Daniel Sentacruz Ensemble, and presented at that year’s edition of Festivalbar, an Italian summer singing competition that begun some time in the 1960’s in the important Italian squares.

The song became an instant hit, selling millions of copies in Europe. It was then used as a melody for several other songs in other languages, and reputedly the English lyrics were written by Austrian composer Fred Jay as a Christmas song (although the song does not actually make any specific reference to Christmas). And since around 1974, numerous artists have recorded it, possibly the sweetest and most soulful being that by Johnny Mathis, whose version we’re going to do today.

So, Singing: ‘A ray of hope flickers in the sky A tiny star lights up way up high All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born – A silent wish sails the seven seas The winds of change whisper in the trees And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn This comes to pass when a child is born – A rosy hue settles all around You’ve got the feel you’re on solid ground For a spell or two, no one seems forlorn This comes to pass when a child is born –

( Talk – And all of this happens because the world is waiting, Waiting for one child Black, white, yellow, no one knows But a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter, Hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone’s neighbor And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever) – (It’s all a dream, an illusion now It must come true, sometime soon somehow All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born.) (Repeat.)’

Now wasn’t that wonderful! All heaven was singing along with us, and it even brought tears to the Father’s eyes as He remembered that glorious night when His Son was born. Yes friends, that’s exactly what we’re waiting for; the birth of the child Jesus; the one who ‘will grow up and turn tears to laughter, Hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone’s neighbor And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever.’

Right now, rays of hope are flickering in all our hearts, and our souls are alight with joy at the very thought of His coming. And yuh better believe that the winds of change are whispering in the world, while walls of doubt are crumbling at the good news He’s coming to bring. And truly, many of us are forlorn by the state of our world, but we know we’re standing on solid ground, because what seems like a dream to most will eventually come true, because the Lord God, our Creator and Provider has promised it in His Word, and He always faithfully keeps His promises!

And to wrap it all up tightly, here’s one of my favourite scriptures; Bruh Paul’s words to the church at Rome. ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) Wow mih bredrin! Isn’t that a most glorious and LOVING God? He most certainly is! Most other deities would have expected us to change our evil ways first, but our great God LOVED us so much that He didn’t want to wait any longer than He had already done!

So, please, today, let’s open our hearts, souls, bodies and minds to the wonderful LOVE that He’s offering nuh, so that our world can become a much better place for our children’s children! Much LOVE!

…only through…the HOPE, PEACE, LOVE and JOY of Christ…can our world ever become…what it was created to be…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 December 2019 Philippians 2:8.

22 Dec 2019 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a bear hug, a name that's above every name, a ray of hope, a renewal of strength, a rosy hue, a tiny stat, Adam and Eve, all across the land, appearance, as a man, be like the Son, became obedient, came as a servant, cast not away, Christ-like, confidence, dawns a brand new morn, diligence, done the will of god, embarassed look, endurance, Eve of the eve of Christmas Eve, even the death of the cross, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, excellence, feel you're on solid ground, fellowship, found in fashion, Happy Birthday son, he humbled himself, he rewards, humility, Jesus christ is Lord, made himself of no reputation, no one seems forlorn, patience, recompense of reward, sinful disobedience, tears of joy, the the glory of the Father, this comes to pass, those who diligently seek him, turned paradise into hell, unto death, waiting for one child, walls of doubt crumble, When a child is born

Philippians 2:8. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Yes friends, it’s Sunday, that wonderful day of the Lord, and it’s also the Eve of the Eve of Christmas Eve! (smile) Only three more days to the Big One! And all God’s children sang a loud and grateful chorus of ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise and thanksgiving to the Father, for the Son born on that long ago Christmas Day: our Emmanuel, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!’ Oh my people, let’s never forget that that lowly and humble birth in that faraway manger was the BEST THING that ever happened to mankind, after Adam and Eve turned Paradise into hell with their sinful disobedience! And all God’s children said a loud and sincere ‘Amen!’

Anyway, we‘re here in the Lord’s house today to joyfully fellowship with each other, to praise and worship Him, hear His Word and receive a renewal of strength and confidence, so let’s begin as we always do with a song of praise. And I have to chuckle at the Lord’s method of getting my attention for what song He wanted to hear today. For the last few days I’ve found myself singing the last line of the verses in this particular song, the only one I knew anyway, (smile) and I just couldn’t figure out why this song came popping up into my mind and mouth when I didn’t know it very well and hadn’t heard it recently. But it eventually dawned on me that that was the song the Lord wanted us to sing today.

And it’s a rather appropriate one too, titled ‘When a Child is Born.’ So let’s raise the roof of this house and heaven too, with our sweet, soulful and harmonious rendition nuh. Altogether now: ‘A ray of hope flickers in the sky A tiny star lights up way up high All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born – A silent wish sails the seven seas The winds of change whisper in the trees And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn This comes to pass when a child is born – A rosy hue settles all around You’ve got the feel you’re on solid ground For a spell or two, no one seems forlorn This comes to pass when a child is born –

( Talk – And all of this happens because the world is waiting, Waiting for one child Black, white, yellow, no one knows But a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter, Hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone’s neighbor And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever) – (Sing – It’s all a dream, an illusion now It must come true, sometime soon somehow All across the land, dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born.) – (Repeat.) Yes this comes to pass when a child is born….when a child is born…when a child is born…’

Oh friends and fellow believers that was so sweet and touching that it brought tears of joy to all the eyes in heaven, especially Jesus’. He couldn’t have asked for better Birthday song! And what I especially LOVED about Him there is that He didn’t try to stop the tears of joy flowing. He just sat there with a sort of embarrassed look, like most of us have when we’re being serenaded, and let the tears flow freely. Then the Father hugged Him and whispered: ‘Happy Birthday Son! Thank You for all You’ve done.’

And Jesus, humble as always, and never wanting to take away the Father’s glory, quietly replied amidst His tears: ‘That’s okay Father. I was proud and glad to do it, because it was Your Will, and I was the only one who could do it.’ The Father with His tear-filled eyes, released Jesus from the bear-hug, took Him by the shoulders, looked into Jesus’ tear-filled eyes, shook His head in pride and wonder, then embraced Him once more in a tight bear-hug, saying: ‘What a wonderful Son You are, I am so proud of You!’ And all of heaven sang with and for joy at the open display of LOVE between Father and Son!

Wow mih people! Can you imagine that most touching and dramatic scene! I tell you, NOWHERE can put on drama like heaven! (smile) And no, I’m not crazy or under the influence of anything else but the Holy Spirit! (smile) As the ole people would say, ah just selling it how ah buy it! So it’s no wonder that the Father desires all of us be like the Son, to follow in His footsteps, not be perfect, but as Christ-like as is humanly possible.

And friends, I couldn’t find a more appropriate set of scripture to describe Christ’s earthly behaviour than these magnificent and oh so true words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of nor reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made (coming) in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:5-8)

And yuh know mih breddren, that’s all the Lord is asking of us too; to be humble and obedient to His will. And yuh see how He rewarded Jesus: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:9-11) Well friends, the Lord will also reward us if we do His bidding with humility, excellence and diligence.

And if you don’t believe me, hear these encouraging words from Hebrews. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb. 10:35-36) Please think on that friends, and let it motivate us to do God’s work today…and everyday from henceforth! Much LOVE!

…he that comes to God…must believe that He rewards…those who diligently seek Him… (Heb.11:6b)

SCRIP-BITS

The Importance of Christians Standing Strong in Their Faith, Acknowledging God’s Promise of Christ’s eventual Return

The Marvellous Miracle That Happens, When A Child Is Born!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 December 2019 Philippians 2:8.

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