before the new year...

...God lead me to a passage in Psalms. initially i had decided to read Psalm 23 because back in June, it came to mind after Brian and i had spent time with some friends in No. CA and we were heading back to LA -- over the Grapevine to be exact ["the valley of the shadow of death..."]

wanting to revisit this and read it in full, i did. but instead of reading Psalm 23, my eyes were drawn to some verses on the opposing page up in the corner. it was this:

Psalm 21:6,7,13
Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.
Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

what an amazing picture of Brian's new life in heaven. God's victory has brought honor to Brian and he is clothed with splendor and majesty -- eternal blessings and the joy of God's presence... Brian spent Christmas -- Jesus' birthday -- with the King himself! and in church on Sunday we sang "mighty to save" -- a celebration of the fact that Jesus conquered the grave and has offered eternal life and salvation to us all.

speaking of heaven, my uncle, who lost my aunt to a hemorrhagic stroke right after Brian's death this past september, publishes a blog as well and on it, he posted this beautiful poem:

A few days ago my pastor sent me an anonymous poem from the Seattle Times, which resonated with me because of the timing—this is Nancy’s first Christmas in Heaven:

CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven, a glorious, wonderful day.
I stood with the saints of the ages, who found Christ, the truth and the way.
I sang with the heavenly choir, just think—I joined in to sing!
And oh, what celestial music we brought to our Savior and King.

We sang the glad songs of redemption—how Jesus to Bethlehem came;
How they called his name Jesus, so all might be saved through His name.
Again we sang with the angels, the same message they sang that blest morn
When Shepherds first heard the glad story—that Jesus, the Savior, was born.

Oh, I wish you’d have been there, no Christmas on earth could compare.
With all the rapture and glory that I’d witnessed in Heaven so fair.
You know how I always loved Christmas, always such a wonderful day.
With loved ones around me, the children and grandkids “singing all the way.”

But now, I can see why I loved it, and just what a joy it’d be for you,
When you and other loved ones are with me, to share the glories I see too.
And all on earth, follow me—look not for a babe, for our Savior appears
For that greatest Christmas Day awaiting—ending all our fears and tears.
—Author Unknown

my unc has published some other great passages and thoughts, but those will have to be shared later.

Lord God, you are powerful and victorious! i praise you! thank you for the picture of my loved ones praising you and knowing your eternal peace.