Belly Aching

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  True Confessions of a Bellyacher
  
 I complained that I was lonely
 Till it forced me to make friends
 And I griped how big my church was
 Till I saw folks came for Him
 I worried over this and
 I fussed too much on that
 Which I had lost control of
 Till I found God had my back
  
 Then in big ways and in small
 That I never understood
 I found God in every circumstance
 Working all things for my good
 So if He soon calls me homeward
 Or if He gives to me long life
 I am choosing to be thankful
 For His great love in Jesus Christ!

True Confessions of a Bellyacher by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2020 all rights reserved

Though True Confessions of a Bellyacher has appeared in Purpose Magazine as well as on this blog, I included it today for those of us in danger of a grumpy start for 2021. Whatever way elections, lockdowns or our personal situation is, we need to remind ourselves that praise begins with a bit of humility and reminds us that He who is ultimately in charge has our back.

I’m not exactly sure why I started writing poems. For me it has been a bit like making jam from the blackberries we used to pick on hot Summer afternoons. Once those fresh berries were mixed with sugar and sealed in mason jars, their sweetness could be preserved for the long cold days of Winter. For those interested in having some of my poetry on your own shelf, I released a collection in 2020 titled Seasons of Song. It is available in either e-book or print format from Amazon. I am posting the link below or if you prefer you can find the title by searching Amazon by the title – Seasons of Song by Peter Caligiuri – These times ahead we all need to stay close by the side of Jesus and listen to His opinion before hearing the news. May God bless each of you with a season of the sweetness of His presence this morning.

Step by Step into 21

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From milking the cows to following the light of God’s word into 2021; this week’s video shares memories and encouragement for our New Year. Songs included today are God Leads His Dear Children Along and Higher Ground. After all we have been through in 2020 I pray God to help all of us step into 2021 with greater faith and hope for all He has in store in the year ahead.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Binging on God

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The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners;  he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. Psalm 146:8-9

Maybe in the midst of the Corona Virus crisis we have lost hope as a nation because we have looked in all the wrong places. People joke about binge watching Netflix and YouTube; but when was the last time you heard anyone say, “Let’s binge read the Bible this week”? Or “Last night we binged on prayer till midnight.”? We are waiting on checks in the mail from the government, wishing the cruise ships could sail again and cheering on our favorite sports team. But our empty ships and stadiums; and empty public treasury, have yet to turn us as a nation to God who alone is the only true source of hope.

This is the first Sunday of the New Year and the first week of 2021. Why not turn off Netflix, football and the cooking channel and dedicate it as a kind of first fruits offering to binging on Jesus? He is our best hope and our helper forever!