Worship is the highest expression of holy ground: Reverence and worship are the most sublime expressions of fellowship with God. For Andrew Murray, "the truest, fullest, and nearest approach to God is worship" in spirit and truth, a state only possible on holy ground." Andrew Murray (1828-1917), a South African writer, teacher and Christian pastor.

Good morning to one and all, wherever you happen to be tuning in from. That's right. I don't understand all the reasons behind it, but, I do have readers from all over the world. It is a good day, October 28, 2025, to rise and shine and give God the glory. I quickly add how that every day is a day where we should give honor and glory to God. This next Sunday, Lord willing, I will be teaching from the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. This is the recorded high priestly, intercessory prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ and He uttered the preserved words just hours before He would hang on the Cross. Let me say this about this passage: It is beyond my comprehension, above my pay grade in understanding, and, if Moses was still here, he would be the first one to take off his sandals because it is truly Holy Ground. Many jump to the portion where Jesus prays for future believers, and, what a blessing it is to know that He did just that. However, at times this preoccupation with me, myself, and I, well, we might miss the essence of who His Father is, and, who He is as revealed in this passage. I think it takes around three minutes to read and prayerfully consider the imponderable. God the very God in human flesh, second Person of the Godhead, submitting Himself to His Father's will so that men, women, boys, and girls can be made right with God. Okay, Bro., explain it to me please. I have a family group that I share verses with each day. Here's the one I shared for this day: II Corinthians 4:18 ~ Legacy Standard Bible, "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." Here's one to contemplate: the unseen things are more real than what we can see, touch, and feel. I believe the Word of God and I accept the truth claims it presents and I do so by faith. By faith, Hebrews 11:1 New International Version (NIV) ~ "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." It is not a blind faith, it is a faith based on the witness of God the Holy Spirit as I study and more importantly exemplify the Truths He reveals. I told one of my teacher friends that when I get up to teach I might just roll up my trouser legs, pull off my socks and shoes, because studying this prayer is a breathtaking Holy Ground experience.

 

One of the arrangement songs we are doing for our upcoming Christmas presentation at Mims Baptist in Conroe, (December 6 and 7),  has this sentiment: Christmas is in the Air. We are one week away from our first session as Santa and Mrs. Claus. If you are going to do this portrayal well, having a Christmas spirit is very important. I know. It is early and people do complain about the Christmas related products being on sale here and there. However, for us, many people desire to have photos to make their annual Christmas cards or to have a reason for their family clan to get together. People have asked often over the years how we reconcile the True Meaning of Christmas with Santa Claus. We don't try to reconcile the difference. We both recognize and believe in the Baby born and placed in a feeding trough. At the same time we enjoy bringing joy and smiles to children of all ages. That's it. Nothing more than that. I'll let the critics sort it out better than we can. Have a great rest of the day and be blessed, in Jesus Name. Amen.