In Excelsis Deo

Just think about the blessing and privilege it is to know God, to have access to Him, because of His Son. Jesus, who was born for us, died for us and lives again for us! This is spectacular! The celebration of Jesus commands our attention every day as we seek to live for Him.

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Gloria in Excelsis Deo. ​​ Glory to God in the Highest!

I’m just about done decorating our home for the best birthday party ever! ​​ I love the holiday season. ​​ Open doors to sharing what​​ is truly important abound. ​​ God has been so gracious this year to provide a way for all of our extended family to gather in one place from around the country. ​​ My 91 year old Mom, her four children with their spouses, 9 grandchildren with their spouses, and 10 great-grandchildren. ​​ 36 total! This will be a party to remember. ​​ All about Jesus. ​​ All because of Jesus. ​​ 

Just think about the blessing and privilege it is to know God, to have access to Him, because of His Son. ​​ Jesus, who was born for us, died for us and lives again for us! ​​ This is spectacular! ​​ The celebration of Jesus commands our attention every day as we seek to live for Him. ​​ 

While I’ve been decorating, of course the Christmas music​​ has been playing over Pandora​​ (I do remember when we used​​ to change the cassette tapes)! ​​ Often I just have to stop and think about the words as I sing along with familiar songs. ​​ In Excelsis Deo. ​​ Hard to say, right? ​​ But what does it mean? ​​ Glory to God in the highest. ​​ Words that are so full of meaning, so rich, so appropriate to worship our Heavenly Father.

glory <doxa> dignity, glory, honor, praise, worship

glory: 1. a state of high honor; 2. brilliant radiant beauty.​​ WordWeb

highest <hupsistos> highest, the Supreme, the heavens: most high

highest: 1. greater than normal in degree, intensity or amount; 2. being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation of upward extension; 3. standing above others in quality or position.​​ WordWeb

These words of praise and position of honor go to God alone. ​​ God, who is​​ Light​​ (Isa 60:19); God, who is​​ Love​​ (1 John 4:8); God, who is​​ Invisible​​ (Col 1:15); God, who is​​ Unsearchable​​ (Job11:7); God, who is​​ Incorruptible​​ (Ro 1:23); God, who is​​ Eternal​​ (Ps 90:2); God, who is​​ Immortal​​ (1 Ti 1:17); God, who​​ Knows All Things​​ (Ps​​ 139:1-6); God, who is​​ Everywhere At All Times​​ (Ps 139:7); God, who is​​ Unchanging​​ (Ja 1:17); God, who is​​ Perfect​​ (Mt 5:48); God, who is​​ Holy​​ (Ps 99:9); God, who is​​ Just​​ (De 32:4); God, who is the​​ True​​ God (John 17:3); God, who is​​ Gracious and Merciful​​ (Ex​​ 34:6); God, who is​​ Faithful (1 Cor 10:13); and God, who is​​ Patient​​ (Nu 14:18). ​​ 

This is the God to whom we sing Gloria, in Excelsis Deo.​​ 

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Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.