Calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, [Jesus] said to them, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it.”

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever.  May the Lord give strength to His people!  May the Lord bless His people with peace!

  What kind of gift would you give to a little boy under two years of age?  --Perhaps some toy especially engineered with safety in mind?  --Maybe some article of clothing?  --or perhaps an educational toy of some sort?  When we choose a gift for someone, we usually go to great lengths to select something that is appropriate--something that expresses our thoughts and feelings about that person.  When choosing a gift for a small child the task can become even more difficult.  We want to give something which will let that child know that we love him and that we want him to be happy, and yet at the same time we are also careful to give him something that he can use and appreciate.