Pleasant Stone Devotional Meditation: January 1

Many years ago, Share My Pleasant Stones by Eugenia Price was gifted to me. It was written in 1957 and my copy notes it was in the 24th printing as of 1976. I had loaned my copy and mid year was looking for it. It was never returned. But Christ gives us what we need, and I was able to pick it up, on my first stop, at a used bookstore for only a dollar. I hope, as I go back through her devotional meditations this year, you'll be inspired, encouraged, uplifted and blessed. May all those who are His have ears to hear, hear and may those who do not yet know Him awake and be found. We are all precious to Him. We are his treasures. We are turning, tumbling, and being refined to shine and reflect His light brothers and sisters. Travel with me through this fine book and peace be with you. ~ The Albatross

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." ~ John 1:1, 14a

There is only one place to begin. And that is in the beginning. And let our hearts rejoice that "In the beginning was the Word" and that Word became flesh... became a Man, in the person of Jesus Christ. This is the greatest relief I know. This is the greatest fact in all history. There is no other place to begin except to rest the central confidence of our lives in the fact that God did reveal Himself in Jesus and that He is alive now. When we begin at any other point, we get lost. More accurately, we realize we are already lost. Only He is a Redeemer. Only He offers forgiveness. Only He offers a way out of temptation. Only He offers a way to make use of suffering. Only Jesus Christ offers eternal Life, because only He is eternal Life. We are beginning and there is no other place to begin except with the glorious fact of Jesus Christ, who Himself is the beginning and the end. Cutting through all our confusion as to where this year may end, is the "water-white" flawless fact of Jesus Christ, who will be there when it ends as He is here now in the beginning!

I, am He that liveth, and was dead; and... am alive for evermore. I am the beginning and the end.

I danced in the morning when the world was young. I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun. I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth. At Bethlehem I had my birth. Dance, dance, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the dance, said He and I lead you all, wherever you may be. And I lead you all in the dance, said He. I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees. They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me. I danced for the fishermen James and John they came with me so the dance went on. Dance, dance, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the dance, said He and I lead you all, wherever you may be. And I lead you all in the dance, said He. I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame. The holy people said it was a shame. They ripped, they stripped, they hung me high; left me there on the cross to die. Dance, dance, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the dance, said He and I lead you all, wherever you may be. And I lead you all in the dance, said He. I danced on a Friday when the world turned black. It's hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body, they thought I was gone but I am the dance, and the dance goes on. Dance, dance, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the dance, said He and I lead you all, wherever you may be. And I lead you all in the dance, said He. They cut me down and I leapt up high. I am the Life that will never, never die. I'll live in you if you'll live in me, I am the Lord of the dance, said He. Dance, dance, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the dance, said He and I lead you all, wherever you may be. And I lead you all in the dance, said He. [Lord of the Dance by Sidney Carter]