A few years ago I had the privilege of staying with my daughter and her new family after my youngest grandson was born. It was a sudden and very difficult delivery. He was about 5 weeks early and his early days were a bit scary. I was able to stay with them for a couple months, it was WONDERFUL… and exhausting. There’s a reason YOUNG people have babies! I was in my fifties and definitely tired easier than when in my twenties!

I was on the “night watch” and was having trouble getting little Arlo to sleep. For some reason he was always calmer when he could see outside, so I was rocking him near their big picture window. I’d wound up a musical snow globe I had given my daughter. It had a sweet scene inside of an old village with people window shopping and it played “Let it Snow”.

The middle of the night has always been tough for me. As a child I was fearful of the dark. But even as an adult I would often have long wakeful periods, not because of fear, but my mind would grind on and on about a billion things. So looking through the snow globe into the darkness of early morning was a bit depressing.

Arlo and I fell asleep in that rocking chair and I didn’t wake until his daddy got up to go to work.

I laid Arlo down in his crib to get some more sleep. The sun was coming up as I sat back down in the chair in front of the window. As I snapped a picture of the sun lighting the snow globe the verses in Lamentations ran through my head… 3:22-23 “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

I smiled and thanked God for the reminder… then shuffled into the kitchen to make coffee.

Sunrise gives a new perspective to MANY things!!

• Annie Nance

It wasn’t until after I had kids of my own that Christmas took on a deeper meaning. The holiday now conjures up thoughts of how Mary and Joseph felt as expectant parents, new parents and parents learning to let their kids go… Did either of them even have a clue what was in store for Jesus?

When my oldest was a baby, I had a full-length mirror attached to the back of my bedroom door. At first, he would have conversations with the babe in the mirror. When he learned it was himself in the mirror, it was great fun!! About the time he was learning to walk, he fell into the mirror and cracked it. That small crack was enough to cut him as he fell. When he started to bleed, I tried not to panic, but it was his first real wound and it bled like crazy!! As I bandaged him up, God gave me some perspective.

As much as my heart ached to see my son bleed and hurt, it didn’t come close in comparison to the wounds that God’s Son took for us!! I gasped out loud when that thought hit me. Then I had to admit to myself that I could NEVER give my son for someone else! Don’t take this personally, but… I can say I love you and mean it. However, I don’t love you enough to give my son for you. But that’s exactly what God did for us. MIND BENDER!!!

And to bend the mind a bit more, God knew LONG before Jesus was born to Mary that He would die for us!!! THAT is how deep God’s love is for us.

About 16 years after this little “epiphany” of mine, the Christian music group Selah released a Christmas CD that had a song on it that beautifully conveys this whole mind-bending love that God has for us…

Selah – “Mystery”

– Annie

Hi Peace Family, it’s Ann from the Peace 107 Morning Show. I recently read an article by Gina Smith that truly lifted my heart. My kids are all adults now, but I still have doubts about how I did as a parent. I KNOW that most of these worries are just the enemy attempting to mess with me. But even at this stage of being a parent, I needed to read this!!!

(link included)

8 Truths to Cling to When You Feel You’ve Failed as a Parent

1. You did the best you could.

2. We are not perfect parents.

3. If there are areas of failure, you are forgiven.

4. It’s not all up to you!

5. There is not a list or a formula for parenting.

6. God does not fail.

7. You have MUCH to offer the church!

8. The story is not finished yet.

Hi Peace family, this is Ann from the Peace 107 Morning Show. Are you feeling achy, irritable, emotional, tired?!  I read an article recently that said it’s probably not our bodies that are tired, but our souls. It was written from a secular stance but had some very spiritual truths in it. Some remedies suggested for alleviating the tiredness were to avoid negative thoughts and negative self-talk. I am SO guilty of talking negatively to myself!!

Another remedy for the tired soul… REST!!

In John chapters 14 and 15, Jesus encourages His disciples and us. He talks about us being in Him and He is in the Father. I’d say we’re in a safe place to rest and be revived.

Reading the article reminded me about a list of MANY things that are true of us in Christ. It took me a bit of searching through all the places I save links and articles… but I found it!! It’s a list that will help you and me to avoid the negative, emphasize the positive AND bring some rest. I included the link… in case you have places you “safely store” links you want to be able to access later.

Being reminded of truth will help chase away those negative thoughts!
So, find a comfy chair, bring your glass of iced tea and enjoy your mini-vacation…

215 THINGS THAT ARE TRUE OF ME NOW THAT I AM SAVED:

1. My salvation is fully accomplished (John 19:30).
2. I have eternal life as a present possession (John 5:24; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13).
3. I have Jesus Christ as my present possession (1 John 5:12).
4. I know the one, true God (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3; 5:20).
5. I have been saved by His grace (Eph. 2:1-10).
6. I have been justified by His grace (Tit. 3:7).
7. I have passed from death unto life (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14).
8. I have been quickened (made alive) by God (Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13).
9. I have been made fit for heaven (Col. 1:12).
10. I have the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
11. My sins have been taken away (John 1:29; Heb. 9:26; 1 John 3:5).
12. My sins have been completely purged (Heb. 1:3).
13. My sins will never be remembered by God (Heb. 8:12; 10:17).
14. I have been washed (1 Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:5; Rev. 1:5).
15. I will walk with Christ in white (Rev. 3:4-5).
16. I have been healed by His stripes (1 Pet. 2:24).
17. I have been forgiven all trespasses (Col. 2:13; 1 John 2:12).
18. I have been fully justified (Rom. 4:5; 8:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16; Tit. 3:7).
19. I am reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Col. 1:20).
20. I am made nigh by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13).
21. I am redeemed through His blood (1 Pet. 1:18,19; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
22. I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13).
23. I am redeemed from all iniquity or lawlessness (Titus 2:14).
24. I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23).
25. I am delivered from so great a death (2 Cor. 1:10).
26. I have been delivered from this present evil world or age (Gal. 1:4).
27. I have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13).
28. I have been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10).
29. I will not come into condemnation or judgment (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1).
30. I am a child of God (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1,2).
31. I am a son of God (Gal. 4:5-7).
32. I belong to Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:29; 5:24).
33. I have been adopted (Gal. 4:5; Rom. 8:15,23).
34. I am an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17; Tit. 3:7).
35. I am an heir of the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7).
36. All things are mine (1 Cor. 3:21-23).
37. I possess all things (2 Cor. 6:10).
38. I will inherit all things (Rev. 21:7).
39. I am enriched by Christ in everything (1 Cor. 1:5; 2 Cor. 9:11).
40. I am a fellow heir (Eph. 3:6).
41. I am rich because of Christ (2 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 2:9).
42. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).
43. I have obtained an inheritance (Eph. 1:11,14; Heb. 1:14; 9:15; 1 Pet. 1:4).
44. I have been appointed to obtain salvation (1 Thess. 5:9; Heb. 1:14).
45. I am His inheritance (Eph. 1:18).
46. I am a partaker of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:6).
47. I am a new creature (creation) in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Col. 3:10).
48. I have been renewed by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5).
49. I am accepted and highly favored in the Beloved One (Eph. 1:6; cf. Matt. 3:17).
50. I have been seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6).
51. I am to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:6,12).
52. I am light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8).
53. I am a child of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5).
54. I am a “peculiar person,” even God’s special, purchased possession (Tit. 2:14; 1 Pet.2:9).
55. I am a priest who can offer spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10;20:6).
56. I am a king who will reign (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
57. I am privileged to have fellowship with the Father and with the Son (1 John 1:3).
58. I dwell in Christ (John 6:56; 1 John 3:24; 4:13,15,16).
59. Christ dwells in me (John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16).
60. I am in Christ (John 14:20; 2 Cor. 5:17).
61. Christ is in me (John 14:20; Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10; 1 John 4:4).62. The Spirit of God dwells in me (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:21-22).
62. The Spirit of God dwells (John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16).
63. I am not in the flesh but in the Spirit (Rom. 8:9).
64. My “earthen vessel” houses a great Treasure (2 Cor. 4:7).
65. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).
66. I have been blest with the gift and pledge of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Thess. 4:8; Tit. 3:6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13).
67. I have an anointing (unction) from the Holy One (1 John 2:20,27).
68. I am one of the “called” of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:6; 8:28-30; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14).
69. I have been called unto the fellowship of God’s Son (1 Cor. 1:9).
70. I have been called unto eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10).
71. I have been called with a holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9).
72. I am a partaker of the high, heavenly calling (Phil. 3:14; Heb. 3:1).
73. I have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9).
74. God foreknew me (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2).
75. God predestined me to be conformed to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5,11).
76. I have already been glorified according to God’s mind and purpose (Rom. 8:30).
77. I am eternally secure in God’s love (Rom. 8:38-39).
78. I am chosen in Christ (Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 17:14).
79. I have been chosen to salvation (2 Thess. 2:13).
80. I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).
81. I am beloved of God (Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13).
82. I am chastened and disciplined by my Heavenly Father (Heb. 12:6-7).
83. I am part of that group that Christ is not ashamed to call His “brethren” and “friends” (Heb. 2:11; John 15:14-15).
84. I am a child of Abraham (Gal. 3:7).
85. I am Abraham’s seed (Gal. 3:29).
86. I enjoy the blessing of Abraham (Gal. 3:9).
87. I am a child of promise (Gal. 4:28,31).
88. I am faithful (Rev. 17:14).
89. I am a sheep in His flock (Luke 12:32; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25).
90. I am a member of His body (1 Cor. 10:17; 12:27; Eph. 3:6; 4:25; 5:30).
91. I am a stone in His building (Eph. 2:20-22; Heb. 3:6; 1 Pet. 2:5).
92. I am a branch in the Vine (John 15:1-7).
93. I am a child of the kingdom (Matt. 13:38; compare Mark 10:14-15).
94. I am born again into His family (John 1:12-13; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3,23; 2:2; 1 John 5:1).
95. I am one of God’s people because He graciously claims me as His own (1 Pet. 2:10; Rev. 21:7).
96. I am a fellow citizen with the saints (Eph. 2:19).
97. I was baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).
98. I was identified with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:3-6,8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14; Col. 2:12,20; 3:3).
99. I was identified with Christ in His resurrection (Rom. 6:5,8,11; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12; 3:1).
100. I died to sin (Rom. 6:2).
101. My “old man” was crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6).
102. I have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20).
103. I have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24).
104. I am alive unto God (Rom. 6:11,13; Gal. 2:19,20).
105. Christ is my life (Phil. 1:21; Col. 3:4).
106. I can walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
107. I can serve in newness of spirit (Rom. 7:6).
108. I can live unto righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24).
109. I died to the law (Rom. 7:4; Gal. 2:19).
110. I am delivered from the law (Rom. 7:6).
111. I am not under the law but under grace (Rom. 6:14).
112. I have God’s laws written in my heart (Heb. 10:16).
113. I am married to Jesus Christ (Rom. 7:4).
114. I am a partaker of Christ (Heb. 3:14).
115. I am identified with Christ in His suffering (2 Tim. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:20; 4:12-13; 1 Thess. 3:3; Rom. 8:18; Col. 1:24).
116. The knowledge of God is made known by me (2 Cor. 2:14).
117. The savor (aroma) of Christ is made known by me (2 Cor. 2:15-16).
118. I am an epistle of Christ (2 Cor. 3:3).
119. I am being changed into Christ’s glorious image (2 Cor. 3:18).
120. I am being perfected (Phil. 1:6).
121. My inward man is being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16).
122. I have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27).
123. I am not of the world (John 17:14,16).
124. The world is crucified unto me (Gal. 6:14).
125. I am crucified unto the world (Gal. 6:14).
126. I am separated unto the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1).
127. I am set apart and sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 10:10; Jude 1).
128. I am holy (Col. 3:12; Heb. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 20:6).
129. I am clothed in His righteousness (Rev. 19:8).
130. I am a saint (1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; Rom. 1:7).
131. I am faultless in Christ (Eph. 5:27; Col. 1:22; Jude 24).
132. I am perfected forever (Heb. 10:14).
133. I am not my own (1 Cor. 6:19).
134. I am called unto holiness (1 Thess. 4:7).
135. I am a citizen of heaven (Phil. 3:20).
136. I am a stranger and pilgrim who is not at home in this world (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11).
137. I have been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13).
138. I am circumcised in my heart (Col. 2:11; Phil 3:3; compare Deut. 10:16).
139. My faithful God will sanctify me wholly (1 Thess. 5:23-24).
140. My faithful God will keep me from evil (2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 4:18).
141. Christ has made me free, free indeed (John 8:32-36; Gal. 5:1; 1 Cor. 7:22).
142. Jesus Christ is my Deliverer (Rom. 7:24-25).
143. I am free from sin (Rom. 6:7,18,22).
144. The law of the Spirit of Life has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).
145. I am God’s servant or slave (Rom. 6:22).
146. I am Christ’s servant or slave (1 Cor. 7:22).
147. I am a servant or slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).
148. I have been called unto liberty (Gal. 5:13).
149. I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
150. I have a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).
151. Christ has given me an understanding (1 John 5:20).
152. I have the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
153. I have all sufficiency in all things (2 Cor. 9:8).
154. I have all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).
155. I can ever be content for I have Christ (Heb. 13:5).
156. I have all the armor and weapons I need (2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:10-17).
157. I have God’s all-sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9).
158. I have grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
159. I have God’s power (Eph. 1:19; 3:20).
160. I have access to the Father (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 4:16).
161. I have a great High Priest (Heb. 2:17-18; 3:1; 4:14-16; 8:1; 10:21).
162. I have an unfailing Intercessor (Heb. 7:25; 9:24; Rom. 8:34).
163. I have a righteous Advocate with the Father for times when I sin (1 John 2:1).
164. I have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
165. Christ is my peace (Eph. 2:14).
166. I have rest for my soul (Matt. 11:28-29; Heb. 4:9).
167. I am led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14).
168. I am enabled during trials and temptations (1 Cor. 10:13).
169. I am given assurance by the Spirit (Rom. 8:16; Heb. 6:18).
170. I am given comfort by God (2 Cor. 1:3-7).
171. I am tranquilized by His peace (Phil. 4:7).
172. I am freely given truth and knowledge by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12).
173. I am not distressed (2 Cor. 4:8).
174. I am not in despair (2 Cor. 4:8).
175. I am not forsaken (2 Cor. 4:9).
176. I am not in darkness (1 Thess. 5:4).
177. God is my Sufficiency (2 Cor. 3:5).
178. God is my Strength (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:13).
179. God is my Helper (Heb. 13:6).
180. I belong to a Sovereign God who works all things together for my good (Rom. 8:28).
181. All things are for my sake (2 Cor. 4:15).
182. My God is for me (Rom. 8:31).
183. My every need is supplied (Phil. 4:19).
184. I am a laborer together with Christ (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1).
185. I am His workmanship (Eph. 2:10).
186. God works in me (Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21).
187. God’s Word works in me (1 Thess. 2:13).
188. I am sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13).
189. I am on the Rock, Christ Jesus (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11).
190. I am established securely in Christ (2 Cor. 1:21; 2 Thess. 3:3).
191. I am kept by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:5).
192. I am preserved in Jesus Christ (Jude 1).
193. I am kept from falling (Jude 24).
194. I have a building of God eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1).
195. My name is forever written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
196. I am more than a conqueror, even a super-conqueror (Rom. 8:37).
197. I have victory through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).
198. I have overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5).
199. I always triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).
200. I am indwelt by the victorious Christ who is greater than Satan (1 John 4:4).
201. Satan cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).
202. I have a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3).
203. I have a glorious future (Rom. 8:18; 2 Thess. 2:14).
204. I have been given eternal encouragement and good hope through grace (2 Thess. 2:16).
205. I will be preserved unto His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18).
206. I am receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved (Heb. 12:28).
207. I have a place reserved in heaven for me (John 14:2,3; 1 Pet. 1:4).
208. I will eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).
209. I will not be hurt of the second death (Rev. 2:11; 20:6).
210. I will have a new name (Rev. 2:17; 3:12).
211. I will have power over the nations (Rev. 2:26; 5:10).
212. I will not have my name blotted out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5).
213. I will be a pillar in God’s temple (Rev. 3:12).
214. I will sit with Christ in His throne (Rev. 3:21).
215. I will be with my God forever (Rev. 21:3-4).

Meet Trump the Longhorn!

This beautiful fur-baby became famous this week when his “mom” posted a picture of Trump the Longhorn enjoying some Blue Bell Ice Cream! Unlike a certain person who put some ice cream back in the store freezer after sampling, Trump’s creamy treat was paid for before he sampled it and gave his lip-smacking approval!

Brian and Ann from the Peace 107 Morning Show, had the opportunity to talk with Kristy Walker, Trump the Longhorn’s mom. Take a listen to what she had to say about Trump being a social media celebrity:

The friends we make when we’re young never stop being friends even when life takes them far away. I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and am still friends with so many from the early years of school through high school. One such family was the Conrow family. The 3 oldest kids were all fairly close to my age and we went to school, church and Sunday School together. When their little brother came along, it felt like having a baby brother.

I reconnected with these friends almost 15 years ago. After about 3 decades of “separation” we took up as if we had never parted! Then in 2015 I moved to El Paso to live with and help care for their mother who had Alzheimer’s. The arrangement was orchestrated by God to not only take care of Sandra, but me as well. I was at a point in my life that I needed the connection with these friends to help heal ME! This was the year after my husband had left me, my father had passed, I’d developed some health issues and then was without a job. Being able to spend time with a family that had been an important part of my upbringing… it was truly as if God had turned the clock back and was remaking my future!

Sandra LOVED her family… nothing brought a smile to her face like family!!

I lived with Sandra for almost 2 and half years and went back to school to get some healthcare certifications. I so enjoyed my time with her. We had many great days… wandering around Home Depot looking for something, but not quite sure what it was… taking trips to her favorite plant nursery and stuffing my little Jeep full of plants and items she needed for her many rose bushes. Sandra loved her kids, grandkids and greatgrandkids, fiercely! As she started slipping further into Alzheimer’s, we did have hard days too.  Those were almost always because she was very independent and very stubborn. Being stubborn isn’t always bad! I hope some of her stubbornness rubbed off on me during my time there. Her stubbornness carried her through MANY things in life. The confusion Alzheimer’s brought her made it impossible for her to be as independent as she was accustomed. I feel privileged to have been able to spend so much time with Sandra and help keep her healthy, safe and in her home as long as possible!

Sandra lovingly coaxed roses to bloom in the desert

Sandra recently developed some more serious health issues and within a couple weeks God said “Come HOME my child”. One of her daughters kept singing to her that morning… I Can Only Imagine. We can only imagine what it was like for her open her eyes in Heaven… welcomed in by her Savior, with a clear mind and healthy body… able to sing with a voice strong and clear. The first thing she did may truly have been to sing one of her favorite songs, “How Great Thou Art”!

• Thankful,
  Annie Nance