The people who meet my mom say: “Oh, that explains your energy and personality, Debbie, now that I’ve met your mom!” The leaf doesn’t fall far from the tree, nor does the seed, so the leaf and the seed can study the successful growth of the tree. They can also remember they came from THAT starting point, way up there.

The lots in life… well, I am thankful for my family. Yes, us “leaves” from the tree SHOULD be talking about how we learned to live our lives, from where we were dropped or placed by our trees. Yes, we can choose to look up to the tree, maybe catch the wind and fly around, or look down to the ground and become mud. Some seeds are carried far far away – some are sheltered too much if they stay. Us “seeds” from the tree should be thankful for the growth we gained and where we are going and what we can do as trees now. I am thankful I fell from THIS tree – I am thankful for the Lord’s growth in me. And thankful to notice how He planted my roots into His stream.

Best statement of the day – my mom saw a book on “writing you life story” at the used booksale for a quarter – a cute little book – and when I asked: ‘Are you going to write your life story?’ She said: “If anyone wants to know they can just ask me – I would say; ‘It’s been fun!’, end of story”… yup.

It’s been fun – always fun with my mom….  BLESSED!

Appreciate the trees of our lives and learn how they root their lives. One of the commandments of the Law is Honor your mother and father – love them – listen – respect. God knows!

Amen

---

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1_1-3

You know TGIF! “Thank God it’s Friday!” – That applies when you like your job as well as when you don’t, because it’s the feeling of Friday with anticipation of Saturday, that motivates and encourages you, an opportunity to have a day or off, an opportunity to do “different hard work” like in the garden or around the house. (and WOW what a feeling if it is a 3 day weekend!) – It can be like TGIF is anticipation of any day before a day off, of vacation, of mental health repair, of sleeping in – or getting up early for adventure.  TGIF is TGFTO is Thanking God for the Opportunity. 

Ah, what about TGFJ, Thank God for Jesus. Or TGFF, Thank God for Forever.  Or simply TGFCm, Thank God for Covering me. TGFPS, Thank God for Paths Straight.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Cover, coverage, containment and courage, those all come from freedom within God’s control. It’s like we can venture out to the world but appreciate God’s going ahead into our situations (making our paths straight) and carving out a safe space of His guidance out there. It’s mentally knowing that we may hit life rough spots, but they only give us traction to climb back into His embrace, His peace. His plan is planning for our next step forward, or simply to sit tight for a while and let the world change around us. Wisdom is waiting for God’s Go.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place…

It’s like last night I was overheated in 90 degrees, but too tired to care, went to sleep 10pm with a light sheet just to feel that comfort of cover. Then, with the window open overnight, the room has cooled comfortably even maybe chilly as the outside changed to 56 degrees. I have the warm fuzzy blanket as warmth and cover and I don’t feel like budging yet. That’s like God’s embrace in miniature, that’s when you know He has enveloped you more and more with the THICKNESS of His Love and Comfort, comfort in your mindset, warmth around you for safe rest. I think we need sleep because we need it from exhaustion plus we need it for overnight body repairs and mental care, and because we need to learn to get ourselves into a mental peace allowing sleep, we need to trust God. Best yet we have that warm fuzzy blanket close nearby for the change in the world (drop in the temperature), for life changes around us – but God never changes. We just know to draw closer. Best feeling ever.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. … have no fear of sudden disasters…

Best feeling ever: know God, know His Love, and draw ever closer to Him. Thank You Lord for this warm blanketed love I can take out into the world. 

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

God is infinity more than a blanket, more than a good pair of shoes or overcoat to venture out into the world. God’s Hope is infinity more than an overnight rest, God’s Love is perfect and applied regardless of the state of the person. Rain falls on the just and the unjust, so today we have the opportunity to say to God “Thank You Lord for the warmth” – “Thanks for the umbrella of embrace” – “Thank You Lord for Your Love.” BEST FEELING EVER. 

Best feeling ever.

Amen

…

*And please read Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. [and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child]

Blessed are those who find wisdom,  those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason – when they have done you no harm.

Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

Wisdom is precious to Know,

A GIFT from God to help us Grow.

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When wisdom, like hidden treasure, is sought,

It is an easier path through life that is wrought.

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Be God’s and fear Him, Awesomely,

Desire Understanding, Wholeheartedly.

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The Righteous walk with the Lord, not the human flatterer, 

How God deals with them is a whole other matter.

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Hide commandments in your heart.

Quiet Discretion will make you appear SMART.

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Side step all evil ways,

Instead Lord, only YOU we Praise.

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Worthy IS Your Word,

Wisdom calls out to be heard.

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WISDOM CALLS OUT TO BE HEARD.

Amen

…

Proverbs 2 KJV

My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments within thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity, yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee, to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from men that speaketh froward things, who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice to do evil and delight in the frowardness of the wicked, whose ways are crooked and who are froward in their paths.

Wisdom will deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger, who flattereth with her words, who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God; for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. Thus thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it; but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Wisdom. 

I fell into a habit of leaning on my ears and eyes to discern God’s instructions on/in my life. But God doesn’t give like humans give, like the world gives. God gives in Godly Ways – and more immense in majesty. We need NOT to rely on our own senses but RELY ON OUR FAITH. We need to make prayers for discernment and apply the wisdom within. God opens the eyes and the ears OF THE HEART and THE HEAD to savoring His WISDOM.

It’s fitting after the Psalms to have the book of Proverbs. It’s instruction in PRAISE and PRAYER in Psalms, then more of praise and prayer plus BASIC LIVING INSTRUCTIONS in Proverbs.

Praise, then put praise and patience into practice.

We are to be looking to God first, living wisely thereafter.  

Father David in many Psalms then Son Solomon in many Proverbs: Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Looking to God’s wisdom, not the world, still while living in the world, Proverbs give instruction for Faith over Folly, Wisdom over Worldliness, and Fear of God over Forgetting God. 

Solomon asked for the most important thing he could really use, WISDOM, not riches or long life. God gave generously all these to Solomon.  Was Solomon perfect, not at all. Not at all. And after Solomon came the fractured kingdom of Israel, yet God continued to secure a remnant of the family line through hard years. Prophets made notes of God’s Word until THE WORD in Jesus came. All told, the world still needs wisdom now.

Our wisdom should tell us that God has instilled instructions inside of us, a Holy Spirit center in us pointing to Jesus growing, if we simply follow Him over the human heartaches of this world. 

Down Down Down are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.  … “but whoever listens to me [God’s Wisdom] will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Keep walking my friends, God’s got this. Keep listening to God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God is working in us to REUNITE our Heart (guarded in love) and Head ( filled with knowledge of the Word). Let us know God’s assembly of these is for us to glorify Him.

Amen and please read 

Proverbs 1

Purpose and Theme

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple [gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil], knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance – for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [morally deficient] despise wisdom and instruction.

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot” – my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

Wisdom’s Rebuke

Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you – when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

There is NO compromise with God.

NONE.

Sure we try to balance things of His wishes and ours. Just like we try to balance work and home. We try to balance vacation and work time, we try to balance our budgets, we try to balance our actions. We don’t balance ourselves well enough, in our diets, our health, our time. So why would we be even better at balancing us and God, than God is with us. We compromise. And that’s what God gets from us too often: us in compromising situations that He did not ask for. He receives us trying to balance our relationship with Him – But God says NO. God says NO compromise, “NO CO”, because compromise is co-promise and God says “NO GO” – “No Co”. We compromise. God Completes. What God builds will stand, NOT what we make by ourselves. God wants us to kneel anyway, and that’s part of our PRAISE, to watch Him Work.

There’s only one Promise, not co-promises, no compromises, not give and take on our terms. There is One Promise, that’s Jesus. Life is in Jesus Himself. 

There’s only ONE Word. Not words but The Word, that’s Jesus. Truth is Jesus Himself. 

Life with wordy and worldly ways has less substance – sub-stance – a sub lower stance than standing on the Word. No meditation other than mediation IN the Word. There are no ways, only The Way, that’s Jesus. The Way is the Way of Jesus. 

God created the world and He will crumble it, no compromise.

God formed the people and He will preserve His Children who look to Him, fear Him in awe and knowledge, and cling to Him over the World.

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

God made the Law for the people of Moses, then He fulfilled it by Jesus and Jesus alone as sufficient sacrifice. God listens, and in His Name He grants not wishes as much as simply and sacredly continued walking with Him.

“No Co” means NO: no co-incidence with His Intention, no co-operation with His Operation. Our co-operation is not required for Him to get the job done. We are NOT Co-dependant upon each other, we are dependent upon Him. Co-existence is not required either, we exist because of Him, not vice versa. NO CO.

In all this, God DOES want us to be His Children, His Flock, His Flicker of Hope in His Light within us. His Gift of a Son Jesus, within His Own Will, is a Covenant and Promise, remembering our fragility of our humanness. Making a Way. Grace and Mercy are given freely and with FAITH, our faith in Him. Our FAITH is our FAMILY TRAIT to trust Him COMPLETELY,  because in His Hands, we COMPLETE His Love for us. 

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

God is Love, Be His.

He already Won, Let us Praise His Victory. 

Amen 

—-

God closes the book of Psalms (147, 148, 149, 150) with reminders of His Power and Our Praise. Please read and Praise these songs of the Word of God with His Own Praise. 

Amen

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Psalm 147

Praise the Lord.

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How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

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The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

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The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

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Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.

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He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

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His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

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Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

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He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.

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Praise the Lord.

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Psalm 148

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

Praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels;

Praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon;

Praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

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Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever – He issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.

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Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

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Praise the Lord.

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Psalm 149

Praise the Lord

Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

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Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

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May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them— this is the glory of all his faithful people.

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Praise the Lord.

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Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

Praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

Praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

Praise him with the harp and lyre,

Praise him with timbrel and dancing,

Praise him with the strings and pipe,

Praise him with the clash of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath PRAISE the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

—–

AMEN!!!!!

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He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them…

To look at the box or not?

Why make a puzzle harder than it is?

I always look at the picture on the puzzle box but my mom does not. I like to know where to go – but she goes with the flow – Yes, the little colorful sections she does well – and I can’t say I do any better by looking at the box – but I think I do!

But life? Who envisioned this puzzle? I never want to go it alone. I know that God knows the box, the pieces and the fix. God looks at the Box – because He made it.

I want to be led by God – Why make life’s puzzle harder than it is!

Puzzle the Box, NOT. Listen to God.

Amen

—

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.

I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
    the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord reigns forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

*

Life may find us weathered, 

Weary enough, the rest is appreciatively endeavored, 

Especially when our nest is feathered. 

*

Life may make us understand that we are totally tethered,

Especially when we count our days as surely measured.

Our existence is from being lovingly Fathered. 

*

In God’s Love, we are safe-harbored.

In Holy Spirit fashion, we are compassionately covered.

Into Jesus’s folds, we are forever gathered.

*

Life should not be flouted.

That life is a gift never doubted. 

Sanctioned days is how life is structured. 

*

Give thanks for when our lives are tested.

Give thanks for when our fate is rested.

Give thanks for Jesus made our salvation vested.

*

Life vested.

Life is Vested. 

Live it.

AMEN

—-

David was pursued and tested, but God had his life-line vested. Beloved David was preserved, his family line forever-ed. because He praised and trusted God.

***** Psalm 145: PRAISE by David:

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

---

See Psalms 140-144, David is pursued and calls out. God is faithful. “Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.” Psalms 140-144 link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+140-144&version=KJV;NIV

Lord, we ARE You people, the sheep of Your Pen. Thank You Lord for sending Your Holy Spirit to both awaken us and to open the ears of many many peoples, even of other flocks.

Your faithfulness does endure for generations, and we carry on Your Work, sharing the Good News that You came to save.

By Your Word, We share of You, not just because we love to hear You, and we do, we share because Your Spirit is alive, is True in our Light from Your Fire. Your Spirit enables the lighting and re-lighting of a Holy Fire within us to shine You, be more like You in humble servitude.

Jesus, strengthen us as we carry out Our Father’s Command to make Your sacrifice known, known to us and all thru this advocate upon which we rely. He, the Holy Spirit always testifies to You, Jesus, as Truth. May the people trust in You, Jesus, by Faith. 

And may we remember dear Lord, our fallen brothers and sisters of all the ages, in Memorial Day style this weekend, by celebrating life bought at a cost. Yes, may we also remember that You Yourself laid down Your life for all your friends, for us, for eternal Freedom. In Faith Lord, we humbly ask Your forgiveness and blessings. 

God Bless us Lord and God Bless America and God bless our Work FOR You.

Amen

Where do I go from Your Spirit?

My daughter was very very young, 21 years ago now, when I stopped to visit at my aunt and uncle’s house. They were thrilled to see her and me and it was WONDERFUL to spend the afternoon with them. Of course when it was time for a feeding, I asked my aunt: “Do you mind if I nurse her in the living room?” (As opposed to leaving for a back room) My aunt said so freely: “Go ahead. It ain’t nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before.” I still laugh at that, I can still hear her tone, her reassurance and her approval that nursing was of course natural and needed and everybody will adjust… not nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before. 

Truly we do see stuff, normal and not, ALL the time. Private, privileged, personal or whatever. We choose to be shocked or not. Nursing shouldn’t shock anyone.

Recently, I was driving around my hometown with my grown-up son. We were on the college campus and I mentioned this building area and that, like a tour guide… Went down one road by the grass quad, then I remembered a day, a COLD day maybe 30 years ago now, when I was walking and there came a running: a STREAKER !!! A running bare-naked streaker! Whew! SHOCKING and we observers laughed and laughed and laughed. And it WAS COLD. Disbelief but not unheard of, not something we hadn’t seen on TV, but in person? Shockingly funny. STREAKING should shock, that’s why they do it. Maybe not nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before, but still surprising!

Many of us do like to remain anonymous for our foibles and follies. It’s kinda like buying unmentionables at the local store,  there’s just embarrassing stuff. Unmentionable and wouldn’t you know it is the one time that an attendant wanted to check my stuff out when I wanted to use self checkout… geez.    Or how about those drivers stopping by the side of the road… Or someone at the beach changing out of their suit “inconspicuously”… Oh well, shouldn’t be too shocking, not nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before. For us or them.

Attached is a screenshot of an amusing story: “Passengers traveling 1st class on British airways Boeing 747 were worried about a redesign which means some lavatories have windows. A woman traveling to New York complained there were no blinds. She was told by the stewardess: “Madam, if some pervert is clinging to the side of the aircraft at thirty five thousand feet they deserve to see everything.”… ” HAHA…

Well Who Whom, at 35,000 feet or as close as the inside of your own brain waves can look in to all your private stuff? Who Whom DOES see. Well, Who folded those brain folds – to write your story in anyway? Who made you? There is One to Whom you CAN NOT HIDE, nor should you. 

Whose the One who DOES see everything? GOD!

Whose the One who KNOWS everything? GOD!

Whose not shocked by anything? GOD!

Who knows the unmentionables, and could mention them, but maybe doesn’t? GOD! 

To Whom should we tell everything, anything or even nothing, because He knows it all anyway? GOD!

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

We should be open and authentic to God. He cares. He knows. Psalm 139 of David is our prayer to share. The key “ask” is for Him to lead us ‘in the way everlasting’.

Precious to Him is each of us.

Precious to us are His thoughts, more than the number of grains of sand. That IS shockingly Share Worthy.

GOD’S SEEN IT ALL, AND LOVES US ANYWAY. God sees it all and loves us ESPECIALLY.

 All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

AMEN and Thank You

…

Thank You Lord, for telling us that You care,

                and can not be anything but aware. 

Flee from You? We do not dare,

                 of Your Majesty we MUST SHARE!

Amen

…

(PLEASE read Psalm 139 and know His Love)

…

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me close.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

One frustrating thing about living in the world is the constant distraction from focusing on things above.  Then again, FOCUSING ON ABOVE puts us INTO the world because Jesus needs us here, God needs us sharing giving loving and showing all HIS LOVE. God says let go of the steering wheel and get off the side of the road. Get back to staying in the lanes. And don’t be afraid if the new roads God is taking you on haven’t been paved. Hold tight. 

Focus on things above and you will see those God tethered electricity wires, like what trolleys or converted street cars have. Focus on running things inside off those sources of His Power, knowing where the engine has been put: under the hood, our hood. Focus on the road ahead and let the past go. Let go. Actually just go.

Focus on things above and find that peace only Jesus gives, because the world, however wonderful in friends and also fraught in frustration, won’t give you peace. It won’t. 

Why groan and gripe and grip to ungodly grief? Return to remembering Who’s Running the show, Who’s Ruling the Roost, Whose Recording the Rules, Who’s Rendering the Rulings. God is.

God’s Righteous is by blood not by boast. He gave His All, we can add only our praise. 

David knew this – “when I called, You answered” – saw God answer his grief, griping, groaning. They say if it’s tough going, then at least you are going. God didn’t promise you an earthly rose garden, but He promises to stick with you thru the thorns.

Keep going. 

God, keep us going.

Amen

---

Psalm 138 Of David.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

dam and Eve

Cain and Abel

Seth

Noah

Abraham 

Issac 

Jacob.Judah.Joseph…Israel 

Moses

Samuel 

Saul

David 

Solomon

Isaiah 

Jonah

Micah

And more…

History is real and God is telling us HIS-STORY. Endless times the Old Testament, especially the Psalms, written as songs, remind us of History and HIS-story, because the topics return to David, Moses, Jacob, and always to God’s faithfulness, throughout time. The Psalms speak of Jesus so much that it’s understandable that the people were thinking ahead. They were sharing past faithfulness and sharing future faithfulness… God was actively talking to the people through prophets and angels, as well as burning bushes and quiet whispers. Jesus was prophesied by His Own Word. The people needed saving and so God made a Way, Jesus’s Way. The people needed praising, so God made songs, the Psalms Way.

His Love Endures Forever. Why Love HIS STORY? Because HOPE lies in Jesus. His Love Endures Forever. 

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!!

AMEN 

---

Psalm 132

Lord, remember David and all his self-denial. He swore an oath to the Lord,  he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: “I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar: “Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying, ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.’”

For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.

The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit n your throne for ever and ever.”

For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

“Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”

Psalm 134 NIV

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 135

Praise the Lord.

Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord, you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.

I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of people and animals. He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings — Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan—and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.

Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

All you Israelites, praise the Lord; house of Aaron, praise the Lord; house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord. Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.

—-

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,

His love endures forever.

who by his understanding made the heavens,

His love endures forever.

who spread out the earth upon the waters,

His love endures forever.

who made the great lights—

His love endures forever.

the sun to govern the day,

His love endures forever.

the moon and stars to govern the night;

His love endures forever.

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt

His love endures forever.

and brought Israel out from among them

His love endures forever.

with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

His love endures forever.

to him who divided the Red Sea asunder

His love endures forever.

and brought Israel through the midst of it,

His love endures forever.

but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;

His love endures forever.

to him who led his people through the wilderness;

His love endures forever.

to him who struck down great kings,

His love endures forever.

and killed mighty kings—

His love endures forever.

Sihon king of the Amorites

His love endures forever.

and Og king of Bashan—

His love endures forever.

and gave their land as an inheritance,

His love endures forever.

an inheritance to his servant Israel.

His love endures forever.

He remembered us in our low estate

His love endures forever.

and freed us from our enemies.

His love endures forever.

He gives food to every creature.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His love endures forever.

POWER IN THE BLOOD, POWER IN THE BLOOD…

FORGIVENESS power – by the walk of Jesus. POWER IN FORGIVENESS

LIGHT power – by the Light of Jesus. POWER IN THE LIGHT

HEALING power – by the blood of Jesus. POWER IN THE HEALING

HOPE power – in the return of Jesus. POWER IN THE HOPE

.

POWER IN THE WORD, POWER IN THE WORD

Great PROMISE power – for the Healing of the Nations. POWER IN THE PROMISE

Great MOTIVATION power – for Heaven’s Hope. POWER IN THE POWER

HEAVEN’S HOPE is HELD WHOLEHEARTEDLY. POWER IN HEAVEN

Nothing is withheld by Jesus – the curtain is torn – our lives are reborn.  POWER IN JESUS

.

POWER IN THE WALK, POWER IN THE WALK

WALK IN LOVE

WALK IN LOVE

WALK IN LOVE

WALK IN LOVE

.

POWER IN THE LORD

Amen

---

Paul to the Ephesians 5:1-21

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let them not once be named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not befitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know: that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, for it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Therefore He saith: “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” 

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

…

Uncloggedness is my term today for the mental ability to see things CLEARLY, even if they haven’t happened yet, or at least realize “God’s got this!”… Maybe I can’t see the clarity, but feel it HAS to come from God. 

GOD”S GOT THIS!!!!!! CLOG CLEARING!!!!!!

I had some dreams of processing events that haven’t happened yet, might not happen. I invented my own stress of something I saw and PROJECTED stress forward – well I shouldn’t have.  Be prepared for the future but not pre-determine it. Like the strong drain cleaner bottle says – it unclogs. Well, my dreams pre-processed events and helped get the worry out of my system – helped unclog a clearer path of KNOWING peace from perceived pain, knowing that “professional strength” of God will handle it and will handle me. We all need to be weaned of our “I’ll figure it out myself” self-dependent mental states, step back of any unwarranted freaking out, and allow ourselves to be calmed, to be contemplative if not content. Weaned babies won’t run to mom as 5 year olds to nurse into comfort, we shouldn’t be dependent upon others to take care of our needs in that way, but let God Himself show us big picture power. We need to sit quietly humble. . . 

God takes care of the clogs. David saw moments of harmony and prosperity, for himself and for Israel, even if things went wrong again for Israel. but the forevermore will be unclogged someday. We ourselves can see clarity and uncloggedness in at least small windows of our lives today, brought on by trusting God. We must be realizing God helps us and our futures. David reminds: the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Well, let us unclog and weaned ourselves of self-worry. God’s got this, and as yesterday’s “Jesus Calling” book entry so perfectly described: ‘your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.’

Be contemplative

Be calmed

Be contented

Be cleared

Be unclogged

Hope in the Lord – FOREVER!.

Amen

———

Psalm 131 of David KJV

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.

—-

Psalm 133 NIV of David.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,

running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

—

Jesus Calling book May 21, Sarah Young – written as if Jesus is speaking: 

I, the Creator of the universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need? When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level. I offer ABUNDANT LIFE; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything. It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about these events. Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence. Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord! 

My Facebook page memory photos reminded me of visiting, few years ago, with a group of church ladies who formed a Forward Look class long long time ago, some vintage aged then, some now 90ish, were movers and shakers in the church for years and years and their work paid for important things like roof repairs and refrigerators, dishes for funeral luncheons, and (for my benefit preveniently) a CD burner system for recording church services and concerts. These Forward Look ladies studied the Bible and shared the scriptures and prayed the people into blessings. The CDs could be shared with the homebound. I found that they found me – I was able to get sermons I had missed while busy with sunday school – get the crucial older sermons from a now friend when my ears started to open up (by God’s actions) and when my appetite for Him went thru the roof, 8 years ago now. I was able to gather some guidance – PREVIENIENTLY PLACED – at my fingertips… I still have my cds – music, sermons, SPIRIT… subsequently I copied these for others too… even put them up on Facebook, YouTube, etc… SHARE THE SPIRIT…

Amazing Previenient Grace. How sweet the prerecorded sound…

I also have another connection, I think in a tiny way I helped those many years prior to purchase it, in just a small way, with discussions with the ones who worked with them. I remember email chains, and well, I held some of the electronics magazines in my hands in that time period.  Cool… Previenient. AND EVEN MAYBE simply purchasing cookies at their rummage sales helped – yeah cookies!

People often tell me: “well, I don’t need to get into a church building – I’m fine worshipping out in nature or in my own readings”… well, how can you Previeniently help others (or yourself) if you don’t go to where the people are? How can you get AND GIVE congregational benefits at home? Even homebound recieved visitors with the CDs and made the visitors feel fulfilled and needed… (and how can you eat church cookies if you don’t go?!!!) If you don’t like one set of cookies, try another, try some pie, there’s got to be a slice for you somewhere. 

Well, I know these Forward Look ladies, through cookies, pies, sandwiches, rummage sales etc, used vintage things and recipes for gathering new money for new things, like that CD burner and oh yeah the roof. What’s more vintage old than PREVIENIENT GRACE? NOTHING. God put Himself into our lives on purpose. He came first. PREVIENIENT Grace is God getting us golden even before He starts polishing us.

GOD BLESSES. Pick up His Help.

Thanks ladies of Forward Look. 

Amen, thank you Lord and Amen

…

One of my favorites: Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

I wrote this last year, it pertains to theme song a friend sent: “wondering in my wandering”…,  if we focus on God, then the devil can’t get a foothold. I was thinking about this as I looked at the dashed road dividing line on the highway… If we follow Jesus, walk on the line, narrow walking, then the devil will fall off the side and can’t get a foothold into our lives…

This is edited from August:

A BIBLE STUDY LESSON I APPRECIATE: JESUS SAID MAN CAN RESIST THE TEMPTATION, CAN RESIST THE DEVIL. MAN CAN RESIST..  IT DOESN’T TAKE ONLY A GOD TO RESIST, BUT IT TAKES MAN LISTENING TO GOD TO RESIST. 

We are specifically told to learn from the schemes of the devil to know how to resist him, by LISTENING to the Lord, being filled by His Spirit, then crediting the Lord with direction and our prosperity. Time and time again the devil wants you to rely on your knowledge, not depend upon the Lord. If you depend upon yourself, you will NEVER be satisfied. If you depend upon the Lord, the devil gets no foothold, and eventually will even have a hard time bending your ear. The devil makes you question even God. Remember, The Lord provides everything, food and direction, as He provided them to the Israelites in Moses’s time and to us, and God gets the credit. 

Jesus said to the Devil (and of course to us), that man should live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”. This was a direct quote from what was spoken to Moses. And Jesus being the Word, those are His Words. Jesus quoted often from Deuteronomy, written by Moses, the fifth book, of God’s Word. 

Moses wrote: He [God] humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, [so] that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

If we cast our fears to the Lord, even in the midst of stress, we will catch onto what the Lord gives us as His direction, which is His Word. The more we read the Word, the more resources we have in our arsenal to resist the temptations, the more knowledge we have of His TRUTH. 

It will eventually come down to us choosing the Lord or relying on ourselves to see us thru troubles and triumphs. Someone once said to me: “I wouldn’t want to be a sheep.” I wish then I had thought of this witty reply: “With a Shephard like Jesus, I wouldn’t want to be anything but His sheep in His Flock.”

Live by His Word. Step by step. Bite by bite. Breath by breath. 

Amen

—-

Jesus and the devil 

Matthew 4:1-11 (also in Luke 4)

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

—-

God speaking to Moses 

Deuteronomy 8 NKJV

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.

“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;  who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%208&version=NKJV;KJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4&version=NIV

There’s another aspect of Hannah’s story that I want to explore, the childlessness was bad enough emotionally, because culturally having children was important, not just personally. And economically and practically it was important for an aging parent to have children to take care of them. There’s another woman in the beginning of this story, a woman who taunts Hannah for not having children, and this is a sinful GLOAT. That woman has many children, but the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb (for the time being). Hannah wept from the taunting – and did not eat. If we take another take home message from this story, it is not to GLOAT over any gift God has given you. We should not GLOAT over our gifts, we should be thankful. Like our salvation, we should remember that ALL good things are from the Lord – even sleep – even children – not from us – a gift… the other wife taunted even though she did have the gift of children… so sad…

Psalm 127 reminds us:

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

---

1 Samuel 1 – New King James Version
The Family of Elkanah
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.

Hannah’s Vow
Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord.  And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Samuel Is Born and Dedicated
Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”

Still Here, Still Protected, Still the Lord’s people…

“so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”

After I have series of serious busyness and travel and whatever, it’s so good to rest, and especially return to the Word. This day’s Psalms 124, 125, 126. Whenever it speaks of Israel, we too can think of us ourselves as a remnant of Israel, a scattered flock, Gentiles and Jews alike, still being held by God’s Hands. 

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,…

My friend gave me the identification of a new plant I bought just from the description, a plant which I’ve had before, maybe 30 years ago, succulent like but easy growing, purple and green, he reminded me that it was a “wandering jew” – oh yeah – and my latest greenhouse visit confirmed that, I had bought a plant that I was comfortable with from past experience – and the name wandering jew is fitting for we all wander and wander until we realize that we should WONDER and WONDER at God’s ability and eagerness and proven track record to bring us through our own wilderness ESCAPE. Wandering, like the plant, can be too easy to fall back into. WONDERING has to be our norm. Wandering jew plants need watering, WONDERING people ARE watered.. 

Ancient Jews/Israelites had attacks by external enemies and downtimes caused by their internal folly, the Psalms were songs to remind them that God got them thru,  gets them thru, will get them thru. We have to read these Psalms in future tense too – past, current and future. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Springtime is a great reminder for Rebirth and rework and rewards. I often wonder how amazing I am still here, counting blessings in the present, that I got past the painful aspects of the past gratefully, and that I am thankfully looking forward to the future. In all God was both present and preparing me for my journeys, and keeping me STILL HERE. Wherever we are, let us remember we are ALWAYS in Your Love 

THANKS LORD!

LESS WANDERING, MORE WONDERING!

AMEN

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Psalm 124

If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.

Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

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Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.

Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

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Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

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After sending this to a friend, she sent me a link to a song (I had never heard) – so perfect for this devotion – “I Wonder as I Wander” – which her mom used to sing to her – it was a sweet memory for her – I am so glad the Lord does that -connect on many levels that are not of our doing – the Lord does that and He IS a wonder – a marvelous wonder…. here is the song link with lyrics: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=iJO6nH7fL2A

Blessed to share my Mother’s Day sermon

(Sermon brief: Hannah cried out to God – and Samuel was a gift from God whom Hannah gave back over TO God – and continued to visit him – love him… And other mothers and all of us can also know that reaching to God and praying to God and dedicating our desires to God is best – He is a loving God – Jesus also a loving God to Him Mom and to all of us.)

I had such a busy week and this sermon was flying around my head and even though I couldn’t write it down in entirety until recently, I felt God had me covered.  Covered in topic and direction. Covered in peace and love. Covered in His scriptures for sharing – because His Word is Him. So Lord – please help me make these Your Words and not mine – open our ears and help us all see the love You have for us – and help us in our praise to love You for Your direction in our lives.

I praise God for my Mom – and my Dad of course – and I have to remember how my Mom always did (and still does) “cover me” – first in her womb – and she has covered me with love and dedication – covered for me when I needed extra cash – covered for me when I needed childcare – even driving 5 hours with my dad to see their new grandson for just an hour and later routinely for a couple nights of staying with her grandkids – and she always has Christmas “covered” by pre-wrapping gifts and sending them with me at thanksgiving time so that Christmas morning is “covered” in extra wow and extra love…  covered…

My dad always and especially before He passed would say: “Take care of your mother.” And I am sure that the Lord has always said that to us too. And I want to give compassion today to those who have lost their mothers from the earth but not from their hearts – as their moms will always be with them with us – hugs also to those who have had static or non-existent relationships with their moms – and those moms separated from their children in any way – I pray them all and you all some peace this mother’s day. I pray God has double portioned up extra love for you with grandma’s and aunt’s, grandpa’s and uncles, and family friends and others who love on you (and for you to love).

We in God are covered under double portion (and more) of LOVE. Double portion was a term used in the story of Hannah – the mother of very crucially important Samuel, who grew up in the temple to go out to the world as a prophet and man of God. God covered Hannah with love even as she had to wait to experience motherhood. See, God knew how it would work out, He initially had “closed Hannah’s womb”, she was so sad and yet so beloved, that her husband would give her double portion of food. She was actually taunted for being childless, like when people pick on you for your one most lacking thing because they know it hurts you… not taunted by her husband, but by her husband’s other wife (yes, that was just how that family was) – taunted by this woman who had many children –  and this made Hannah so sad that she refused to eat – she cried out to the Lord “in bitterness of soul”, (isn’t that a real feeling – of real pain that God allows us to feel and hopes that we turn to Him and not retaliation or worse) – and [Hannah] prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life,”  

We too can ask the Lord for what we are lacking – and we too can find solace in our Lord’s love and peace, His faithfulness and forgiveness, His plan and purpose.  Hannah’s motherhood WAS being saved for special timing and purpose in mothering a baby boy that she then promised and did give up – more like give over to God. So we learn in the scripture readings that Hannah prayed to God, went to the high temple, prayed in front of Eli the priest (who thought she was crazy drunk seeing her lips moving without sound), but we know she pledged to dedicate her son to God if she was able to bear him. Eli essentially said “I hope you get what honors God” – she did.

Hannah did get to be a mother and she did get to keep Samuel until he was weaned, which was probably until he was 5 years old or so. She dedicated him, brought him up to the temple where the priest Eli then was charged by God to raise young Samuel in the house of the Lord. Samuel was so very much chosen by God – to be the prophet child of God that told Eli of his family’s future – to tell of the Kingdom’s future – to later pick and unpick leaders in King Saul and King David – and to reconcile Saul, who had gone wrong, reconcile him to God after God “unpicked him” as the lineage for the Kingdom which was given over to King David – a lineage that led to Jesus as forever King. (I encourage you to look at the Old Testament scriptures that tell a great story of Abraham to Jacob to Moses to David to Jesus. Which were told to Samuel)

Let us listen to some of Hannah’s song prayer: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.”

Hannah was a mother and she had a mothering spirit – giving up of her own desires and walking with the Lord – keeping her promise. Acknowledging her mission, she didn’t walk away from the hardship of leaving her son – and NO, she did not abandon her son, no, she loved him so very much and she visited him each year when their family made the annual pilgrimage for sacrifice. Hannah made and brought Samuel a new robe to cover him. Oh, how I often wonder did Samuel remember his mom, her smell, her love, by touching the robe that his mom made – and how often did Samuel remember that he was a gift to the Lord. – His Mother had him covered both materially – and maternally – and majestically – and Samuel surely learned the love of God from his mother –  that God was blessing them – that God Almighty covered them in purpose.

God Almighty also heard Priest Eli’s prayers about Hannah’s devotional act, on one of those many trips up to worship and to bring Samuel a new robe. Eli asked God to bless Hannah and her husband – and God provided more than a double portion with more children, actually 5 more!  Eli said to Hannah’s husband: “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord.” ,,, The Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

This statement struck me: The loan that was given to the Lord – but in truth aren’t all our children a loan FROM the Lord? Our blessing and privilege to raise them – or help raise – like my aunts and uncles did – our teachers – our neighbors – our friends – and we can do these loving acts for others – be mothering and fathering figures….  That is truly when you bless but do not expect something in return – you have to let that child be themselves and live their lives not yours. And don’t we also need to remember to turn our worries about our children over to the Lord? If there is something that I can cover my children with – better than warm jacket for my college kid or a safe Subaru for my new driver – better even than my hugs (or my money) – better than anything else: I can cover them with prayers – and ask for them to be covered with God’s grace and mercy and love.

This is a side story – but relevant –  I remember one day I went to traffic court – to appeal a traffic ticket – (don’t judge me – and really the light was green to yellow as I went around that corner – NOT red but barely starting yellow) – well – even the police officer seemed to encourage me going to court to fight the ticket – to not get points and only pay money – (its only money right?)  Well so at court the police officer weirdly bargained that bargain for me – and while I was waiting I was humbled to complain less, humbled for my placement because God had a plan for me that day – a small one but I totally saw God’s hand in it – totally – I was waiting for my turn with the judge and there was a whole family there – grandpa, mom and dad and other siblings – and there was a 4 year old and he and I struck up a conversation about all the superhero toys he had – old and new – like for 10 minutes or more – I was the substitute babysitter mom of the moment and I saw (and can still see) this family circling their wagons –  pulling themselves into a deep conversation about their teenager driver who may have had an alcohol-related driving incident – I couldn’t really know – totally not my place to know – but I knew God for these few minutes had a plan for me as “a mom educated in superheroes “ – to be in the moment to simply play with these action figures and distract and interact with this little boy in a crowded stress-filled waiting room where no one wanted to be – me neither until that very moment. I wouldn’t have traded that ticket for freedom as I thought of Batman as my example of God’s tools given to us to work on a situation – Batman was not a super hero with powers but with tools and a mission – and that is how we should be – so I paid my fine and I had to be fine with that – it is not my intent to speak of “my good deed of the day” but of God’s provisions of my time – Yes, for Him to put me where He needed me. Really God is our superhero with no need for a cape but He covered that situation in supreme fashion. Really, our blessings of opportunities to interact and pray for God’s collective children. We are to carry a mothering or fathering spirit wherever and whenever God needs us – because each and every person (young and old) is God’s child.

Back to finishing the story of Hannah – for her dedication to God – this dedication must have been on the minds of 2 particular women whom we have often learned about – especially at Christmas – more examples for this Mother’s Day from scripture of dedicated moms – we have Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist and her cousin Mary – the teenager mother of our Lord Jesus. I love to hear of their dedication – knowing that God did not chose an easy path for them as moms but a certain one for all of us – and they knew their sons’ lives had to be dedicated to The Lord. Revealed especially because the Lord God had already chosen them to be in His Plan. Listen to this statement by Mary, a good life-verse to aspire to: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Mary sang – recorded later by Luke – and isn’t this so very similar to Hannah’s song:

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things,..”

How we appreciate mothers – Jesus did too – Jesus was first known to any human – revealed inside His Mom….   Mary felt Him grow in her as a baby and as her Lord – Mary learned about the Holy Spirit thru her carrying our Lord – she was greeted by her cousin Elizabeth and the second and third people to know Jesus in the flesh were Elizabeth and John as a babe inside her whom leaped in excitement. These mothers had to both rejoice and take the pre-told opportunity to devote themselves and their sons to the Lord.

Elizabeth spoke:   Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

We know Elizabeth and Mary as mothers who also had to endure hardship and loss – and so sad for mothers around us whom also do – we pray them God’s peace. We remember Mary and Jesus’s brothers also thought they lost Jesus to some crazy movement – thought Jesus was going rouge speaking about Himself and the kingdom and asking Him to leave a volatile environment.  We remember Mary was there when Jesus was taken away – and when he was crucified – such unfathomable pain pre-told to Mary by Simeon in the temple when Jesus was only days old. Mary held that in her heart until it really happened.

Jesus as God – understood and understands – Jesus said of Jerusalem:  how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…  yes Jesus came to earth for such a short time and had to leave all of His whole set of disciples, His brothers and sisters and His mother to the immediate future on earth without Him right there in the flesh – but He had them “covered” and instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit…. They were covered as we could be and are covered with the Spirit.    

and Jesus knew His biggest cloaking and covering forever was bigger than anything anyone could imagine – in that in His blood, His righteousness did and would cloak over our sins. Samuel grew and needed and received a new robe each year – made by His mother. Jesus by His love covers us anew and FOREVER – not just for each year but each day – each moment. Covered in Forgiveness and LOVE.

On the cross When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He said unto His mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then said He to the disciple, John, “Behold thy mother!” And from that hour, John took her unto his own home. Yes – Jesus gave His mother over to John and John to His mother – reassigned (temporarily reassigned since earth is temporary anyway) the physicalness of the earthly mothering and being a son to her mothering. Jesus made sure they were both covered – able to be physically reassuring each other.  Jesus is the cover of LOVE that God intended for us too – and did God have to give up something too? – Well, yes – imagine that He could console Hannah giving over Samuel because God understood and MADE the plan – a plan to give OVER His own Son for all our sins – to allow Him and us to spend eternity together – God and all the rest of His children.

Let us pray: Lord – we are so aware that Mothers are so important in our own lives and in our scriptural history – God Almighty you chose to give Your children a survival mechanism by making us within our mothers and into a family’s love –

You God Almighty created our inmost beings – knit us together in our mother’s wombs – we praise you as we are fearfully and wonderfully made; as Psalm 139 reminds us – Your works are wonderful, all the days ordained for us were written in your book before one of them came to be

God You Are Love and You chose to surround all Your children in love – we praise Mothers and always we THANK YOU and praise Your Precious Love.

Amen

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1 Samuel 1 – New King James Version

The Family of Elkanah

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.

Hannah’s Vow

Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord.  And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Samuel Is Born and Dedicated

Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”

Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever.” So Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the Lord establish His word.” Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.

…

1 Samuel 2  excerpts New King James Version

Hannah’s Prayer

And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.

“The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.

“The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust

And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.

“For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.”  Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.

…

Samuel’s Childhood Ministry

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord.” Then they would go to their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

.

For Him

For ME? No, For HIM.

For expectations? No, For HIM.

For experience? No, For Him.

For LOVE? Ahh, yes, For Him.

For money? No, For Him.

For them? No, For Him. 

For therapy? No, For Him.

For fun, yeah For fun! Well, For Him.

For something, Ahh, yeah, For Him. 

For Example, Ahh, For Him. 

For someone, maybe? Ahh, For Him.

For more? Only if – For Him.

For EVER? Oh yes – For Sure For Him.

For LOVE. 

For LOVE.

For Him.

Amen

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Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. 

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123

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The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 121:5-8

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Churning for Him…

My opportunity to take a trip allowed me to see new sights, but what caught my eye the most were the flowers, the people, the opportunity to simply “be”… There are many moments too that I was trying to fill my own agenda, but prayed: Oh Lord, let me follow Yours.  It’s difficult to explain the level of pride we (I) experience living our lives… Really I am ranking myself as still having times of worst pride of my expectations of what I think I should know, of what I think I should be getting out of a situation, of what my take home message would be of myself, of what I should be able to see as my lemonade moments even if it wasn’t even given lemons or wasn’t given sugar.

Yes, often I do have a high expectation of the results that comes from MY direction of MY time, and that can get me in trouble feeling defeated without MY results, because I forgot my time is God’s time. It may not appear always that I struggle with my “pride stride”, or maybe it is super clear that I do, but either way, what I do know is that we all do. We don’t always visually experience or appreciate God’s purpose over ours but that’s nothing new, God knows people are people. (Imagine if we took His Stride, over ours, imagine the length of distance we would travel!!!!) Jesus wants to be our DIRECTOR – moment by moment in a sometimes slow churn – not with an instant quick result.

Really, here’s the question: how does ego/pride balance with humbleness and obeying? I don’t have a “pat” answer, but I know it is better to give God the Glory.  How often do we keep letting pride get in the way, like “SHOW me, Lord” – demanding: “Show ME!” of my purpose and my results – “Show ME” because I DESERVE to understand my purpose – well, NO… We need to let God be God. He knows. 

I saw some cool old butter churns, collected by my friend on her windowsill. How we often forget that it IS best to be part of a slow churn of God’s cream into His best butter – get into a deliberate churching and learning and being lead and often swirled by the paddles of His Churn. We (I especially) have to remember that sometimes God needs me (us) to slow down to a steady pace and let Him get His results out of our lives. Sometimes God whips our lives into fluffy whipped cream and sometimes into salty butter, whichever fits the moment. Yes, it is up to what God wants to serve at that moment. Remember God IS the bread of life, broken and shared with us.

God can let us see more of His purpose in each moment, or not. God “spreads us” in His Way. That’s my “pat” answer, be His butter on the bread of life, warm, salty, and sweet. 

Let’s be churning in life with Him.

Amen

…

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Psalm 128:1-2

We are to fear the Lord by choice,

But as His faithful, the Lord does not scare.

We are to listen for His Voice,

And for His trumpet which will blare.

In His Salvation we can rejoice,

His joy is our snare.

The JOY of music is HOPE

I’m copiously reading a lot of scriptures about the Lord protecting us – there ARE a lot of scriptures reminding us how He will protect us… about all HIS ways to comfort us so that we can comfort others…

As ALWAYS, I’m ALWAYS singing… in the car, in the store, in the church, in the nursing home, and especially in my head – with or without the earbuds – music that comes out of your ears provides your mental tabernacle of sanctuary, an ever-expanding sanctuary to feel the PEACE of the Lord. After singing in band on Sunday my memory will resonate like a bell those very special catchy verses that the Lord has laid on my heart. These verses are for the past and surely they are for the present and they definitely are for the future when we will continue to walk with the Lord.

I think music is one of the biggest gifts ever –  even when people are physically or emotionally in the deepest worst places, there still can be a song in our heads bursting or seeping out of our hearts… It doesn’t matter the depth of human intelligence or the languages that we speak, because music is universal… We have soothing songs in our dreams when we sleep, we have songs of heartache to keep us company in bad times, and we have songs of sheer JOY…

If God has taken care of the littlest birds with songs of joy, sorrow, and warning, then surely He will take care of us! (Matthew 6)

We have songs to sing about mercy, love and SALVATION…

With all the hardships thru the ages, thousands and thousands of years, music has continued to delight and direct us – and it must be because the Lord wants to hear us in a state of trying to find BLISS – to be in an active state of BEING STILL – and to be soothing ourselves (psalm 131) calming and quieting ourselves by trusting the Lord – knowing He is present – to be content in ourselves…

This state of looking for comfort is so that we are able to be comforting others (2 Corinthians 1)… and when we look at others we can be grateful for our blessings…

It all means we believe in HOPE…

There’s a TRUE JOY, that we have HOPE…

The JOY of music is the JOY of Hope…

“Put your hope in the Lord now and forever more”…

Amen

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Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, Lord,    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.

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Psalm 136:7-8

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever

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Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you,Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

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P.S.  I Bow My Heart to Sing, 19JAN

Of the praise songs we sing in church, this is probably one of the best lines – from this Paul Baloche song Your Mercy: “I bow my heart to sing” – bow my heart – how could I not?

God gives us Mercy and He blesses us. We are called by God to know we have received God’s mercy. We are called by that and know that He loves us!

Beautiful song…

Beautiful feeling to be loved.

“God Does Not Have Grandchildren”

Two by Two the Lord sends us out to minister and to witness and to have someone who sees what happens when we work in Jesus’s name and love, we are sent together to have someone who confirms our story.

Thru YouTube, I met singer and dynamic spiritual-cajoler Keith Green. I knew a couple of his early 80s songs for praise band,  I didn’t know his story. I learned. YouTube. Now that’s a blessing!!! Keith’s story is both very different and very similar –  a gift of mental pairing for me. The story is different in his upbringing – the story is the same in God’s “SNAP” call.

Independently, the Lord calls on each of us to realize our status as children of God. Keith Green says God has children,  not Grandchildren – meaning that young folks – each person – will have to hear their own call, understand for themselves, not ride in on coat-tails…

Yes, our jobs are to keep encouraging new children of God to find Jesus.

Keith and I have shared experiences of questioning, learning, knowing. Yes, Jesus is patiently waiting for us to follow Him. Receive Him AND Follow Him, two stages.  Keith is a pair to my witness, Keith would understand me, understand that SNAP of when we knew and acknowledged Jesus as Savior AND Lord. Yes, in this interview Keith states that he knew Jesus but then later when he acknowledged JESUS AS LORD, OH SNAP, it all came together… God wants commitment…

Keith’s testimony (discussed in this 1st YouTube video) and mine are 40 years separated by time, but God crosses all distances and medias. I understand that testimony.

Keith talks about Jesus to the viewing audience kids in his 1982 appearance on the television boob tube (those are his words in the second video link) that he knows how 70’s crazy he looks to mainstream American people, that he knows what becoming a fool for Christ looks like. And so with Keith’s charismatic ways, naturally, God found a use for him and his style.  God crosses all distances and media to reach people.

I’m blessed to know that when you know the Lord and WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH,  the Lord will snap you in. Born again. I pray that you know Him too. To give up your life to the Lord is to gain His life for you.

Keith Green would understand me and I him, oh that conversation, oh that SNAP.   Just before the 10 minute mark on the first video, Keith speaks of how it was 2 years of Him praying to Jesus before he actually worshiped and followed Jesus – you have to be led and accept Jesus’s lead in order to be saved… at the 12minute 45 sec mark, Keith said he knew Jesus was real because He was the one God changed – a mountain could have skipped into the sea – but if God changed him then wow, that is how he knew.

Love these 2 videos – it’s the unplugged speaking at the piano testimony which is more important than the music…. I’m thankful for YouTube history… I’m so thankful to the Lord for being true thru the ages. Calling His Children.

Amen

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“Keith Green   1982 100 Huntley Street TV 01 Keith’s Testimony” on YouTube

Keith message and a song https://youtu.be/zwkrchALHG8

What’s God’s Music?

What kind of music is God playing for your theme song at this moment?…

Perhaps He’s playing the Rocky theme and you need to get-up-and-get back in the game knowing He is giving you the strength.

Perhaps He’s playing that calliope instrument and life is bubbly and fun and filled with joy.

Perhaps it’s a great organ playing Count Dracula scary suspense music and Lord knows where the dark shadows lie in your life…

Perhaps He’s playing the Jeopardy theme song and is waiting for you to make a decision of the answer you’re going to give Him.

Perhaps it’s a Weird Al parody – and your life is seemingly filled with goofballs, but you still have to deal with it all…

Perhaps it’s a vast Broadway chorus and you are in the show-stopper biggest most intense moment of your life…

Perhaps it’s quiet – but you still hear the clock ticking… Perhaps God is telling you to stop marking time… perhaps God is telling you to start making time…

Perhaps God is singing you a lullaby, gently telling you to rest in Him…

Perhaps it’s time for you to be quiet and not hear music, just hear Peace…

Listen to God to hear Peace….

Just Peace….

Peace…

Peace…

Peace…

God’s Music surely is hearing PRAISES for PEACE…

Amen

In the plaques at a local 911 memorial, I noticed the AGES for the fallen firemen, police, and Port Authority officers… nearly all these ages were my age or younger… So many people not even in their prime… Wow this made me the most sad to know these lives were lost so young…  I know they served so bravely and did so much in their short time on earth… God bless their souls…

And I pray that God took all 3000 up into heaven, no questions asked… I KNOW it doesn’t work that way but I prayed anyway that God found a loophole for the non-believers too, that He convinced them last minute, and let them in… Maybe, just maybe…

So this song is cool – I heard the lyrics about singing and since I was REALLY thinking about the people on 911 and I pray that each “found the savior” as the buildings collapsed, I appreciated these lyrics: “And as the chorus grew – A thousand hearts beat true – Then like a glowing beacon in the dark – Hope came shining through”

and l love the lyrics that touch my story too  – “and choirs sung high – grant her new life – make me a vessel – of conquerous grace -music has shown her the way – she lived today”

cool cool cool – God is good in harmonizing my thoughts and times – and I praise that “I LIVED TODAY”

Hymn of A Thousand Voices
Dream Theater

Out of the shadows
One by one they came
To shed their light upon his moment
Of doubt and pain

A thousand voices
Ring out through the night
A symphony of mercy for their savior
Too tired to fight

And as the chorus grew
A thousand hearts beat true
Then like a glowing beacon in the dark
Hope came shining through
Shining through
Shining through

Amazingly
The savior found his voice
And all together they rejoiced

Glorious sound
Guide her tonight
Out of the darkness
Into the light

Merciful song
Set her soul free
Unbind the chains
Of endless sleep

Choirs sung high
Grant her new life

Make me a vessel
Of conquerous grace
Music has shown her the way
She lived today

I was driving listening to one of my favorite artists, Steven Wilson, an old band of his, Blackfield, and next up was “End of the World.” Love the song no matter the lyrics, half of which I don’t know. I listened and thought about the goal of my sharing God’s praises is to explain that we are going to the end of the world – and then continue… yeah, no one doesn’t continue, it is more about what we will do when we get there. Eternal with? Or Eternal without? Choose Jesus,  my friends. Eternal with…

Next car license plate in traffic was eerie timing: “EOTW”… how could I not spell that out… “End of the World”. Freaky Freakish timing, while I sang End of the World… freaky except we ALWAYS have the option and opportunity to ask God: “What’s up with that???!!!”- sometimes the answer is “stop being distracted by the world, it’s going to end anyway!”

Maybe people use ‘the end of the world’ as a scare tactic, but God wouldn’t… Maybe God would use a ‘snare’ tactic instead of a scare tactic.  God’s snare makes us aware, able to go over the “end” of the world and into what comes next…  And (reading Revelation) won’t we get to watch 1000 years millennium of the world from the non-cheap seats? Yeah…  We get to praise forever… Yeah, we are not to fear EOTW but hear: POTL Praise of the Lord, and know: TOTLEFE Truth of the Lord endureth for ever…

Psalm 117 is short and to the point: “O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.”  Psalm 118 is longer. And Psalm 119 is the longest! But the long and short of our lives is we’ve got more days to praise ahead of us than we had behind… for EVER.

So don’t fear the end of the world, but do warn, teach, cajole, love and explore with people all their options, asking them to Go With Jesus. GWJ.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for His Mercy Endureth For Ever.”

HMEFE yes!

Amen

AMEN! 

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…

Psalm 118-119

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
¹⁶     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷ I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
¹⁸ The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
²³ the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Psalm 119

א Aleph

¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the Lord.
² Blessed are those who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart—
³ they do no wrong
    but follow his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth

⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live,
    that I may obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
    do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
    for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
    those who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

²⁵ I am laid low in the dust;
    preserve my life according to your word.
²⁶ I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.
²⁷ Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways;
    be gracious to me and teach me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I have set my heart on your laws.
³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

³³ Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.
³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.

ו Waw

⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;
⁴² then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.
⁴⁸ I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate on your decrees.

ז Zayin

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.
⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
    but I do not turn from your law.
⁵² I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.
⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song
    wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵ In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
    that I may keep your law.
⁵⁶ This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.

ח Heth

⁵⁷ You are my portion, Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.
⁵⁸ I have sought your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I have considered my ways
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.
⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget your law.
⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.
⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you,
    to all who follow your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.

ט Teth

⁶⁵ Do good to your servant
    according to your word, Lord.
⁶⁶ Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I obey your word.
⁶⁸ You are good, and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.
⁶⁹ Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted
    so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷² The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

י Yodh

⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.
⁸⁰ May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame.

כ Kaph

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love preserve my life,
    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

⁸⁹ Your word, Lord, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
    you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
    for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
    but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.

מ Mem

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
    I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
    for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.

נ Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
    and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
    I will not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me,
    but I have not strayed from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.

ס Samekh

¹¹³ I hate double-minded people,
    but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!
¹¹⁶ Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
    I will always have regard for your decrees.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your decrees,
    for their delusions come to nothing.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
    therefore I love your statutes.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you;
    I stand in awe of your laws.

ע Ayin

¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Ensure your servant’s well-being;
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
    looking for your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love
    and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.
¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.
¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
    more than gold, more than pure gold,
¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
    I hate every wrong path.

פ Pe

¹²⁹ Your statutes are wonderful;
    therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
    longing for your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from human oppression,
    that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.

צ Tsadhe

¹³⁷ You are righteous, Lord,
    and your laws are right.
¹³⁸ The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
    they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
    and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹ Though I am lowly and despised,
    I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding that I may live.

ק Qoph

¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me
    and I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promises.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
¹⁵⁰ Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
    but they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, Lord,
    and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your statutes
    that you established them to last forever.

ר Resh

¹⁵³ Look on my suffering and deliver me,
    for I have not forgotten your law.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me;
    preserve my life according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Your compassion, Lord, is great;
    preserve my life according to your laws.
¹⁵⁷ Many are the foes who persecute me,
    but I have not turned from your statutes.
¹⁵⁸ I look on the faithless with loathing,
    for they do not obey your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
¹⁶⁰ All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

ש Sin and Shin

¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
    but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest falsehood
    but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
    for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
    for all my ways are known to you.

ת Taw

¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
    deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
    for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

Last night was a decent rain storm, dark clouds but not too bad to be feared, I’ve seen those dark clouds, before in retrospect, and wow the most VIVID rainbow, full and doubled. WOW!!! Oh how BRIGHT especially against the dark cloud moving away… LIGHT overcame that dark, BRILLIANTLY and VIVIDLY noticed. 

In our lives too… I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

How many times have we been in small anguish of annoyances and those BIG anguishes that squished us to sadness? On the flipside, how many times we actually don’t even know that we have been the verge of disaster (in human sense) but rescued? How many mini praises do we have – like thankful for another day… Let us be BRILLIANTLY thankful. 

Often we have to get exhausted to appreciate being rested.  We have to be broken to appreciate being repaired. We have to have something as real as a Monday to appreciate the Friday. We have to have enough of a memory to know we got from there to here… and then know Whom to praise in all, PRAISE OUR GOD WHO OUR SUSTAINER. OUR UN-SQUISHER.

…

Anguish will squish us.

The Lord’s Love will kiss us.

Rainbows will distract us. GOOD.

God will remember us.

Forgiveness will un-squish us.

The cup of salvation does save us.

The Lord has blessed us.

No one can praise enough. 

Let’s PRAISE the One to Whom all praises are due. (I know I need to!)

Amen

—

Psalm 116

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears,.my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

I trusted in the Lord when I said: “I am greatly afflicted”; in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord – in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.

I was blessed to see our CEO yesterday, it’s been a few years and I appreciate that he appreciates us. I appreciate that with SO MANY employees that he doesn’t need to remember my name, but I hope he remembers my smile. And it’s ok if he doesn’t because a smile is new each time it is given. He remembered my smile. 

It’s being a fan that’s fun. And recognizing that encouragement is encouraging all around. Smiles are welcoming in the best of times, even in the worst of times. Smiles are more infectious than anything else. 

Faith. Faith is not infectious but faithful witness.  Wisdom helps in knowing the difference between an idol and fandom, and also not to put faith in humanity.  Knowing God is God is a witness and commitment to looking for truth, finding the Rock in a sea of fluff, even trusting in the hard times in a ‘God and us’ relationship that maybe some others don’t understand. We know that our faith sustains. And we know that Sustainer. Faith is a smile given back and forth between our dust and God.

So, endless praise for God. One True God. Idols of the past (and the fake gods like the golden calf, like Baal, etc) and idols of our time (money, fame, people) are not going to sustaining, not going to be working out FOR us. Idolatry requires us to give everything to that relationship and nothing is given back. Idols, in other words are idle.

God is God and gives. He already gave until it hurt. And He is not idle, working every day in every way for our good.

We can praise! “It is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 115 is a pinnacle of praise. How awesome that the Lord Himself gave us words to praise. Wisdom knows God is working always, for LOVE. 

Amen (and please read Psalm 115 with a smile).

Amen

Psalm 115

.

Not to us, Lord, not to us  

but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness.

.

Why do the nations say,

 “Where is their God?”

Our God is in heaven;

he does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold,

made by human hands.

They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see. 

They have ears, but cannot hear, 

noses, but cannot smell. 

They have hands, but cannot feel, 

feet, but cannot walk, 

nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them, 

and so will all who trust in them.

.

All you Israelites, trust in the Lord-

he is their help and shield.

House of Aaron, trust in the Lord-

he is their help and shield.

You who fear him, trust in the Lord-

he is their help and shield.

.

The Lord remembers us and will bless us:

He will bless his people Israel,

he will bless the house of Aaron,

he will bless those who fear the Lord

small and great alike.

.

May the Lord cause you to flourish,

both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

.

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, 

but the earth he has given to mankind.

It is not the dead who praise the Lord, 

those who go down to the place of silence;

it is we who extol the Lord,

both now and forevermore.

.

Praise the Lord.

.

.

.

In re-reading scripture about Samuel and how God spoke to him as a child and adult into old age, it’s no wonder that King David – already trusting and appreciative of the Lord – then anointed by Samuel – must have been in immense awe to write so many psalm songs about Israel’s past and future… see psalms 112, 113, 114. David knew both faithfulness and forgiveness from God. AND he knew God’s History and Future.

Samuel to David, like Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker? Well it’s not a fictional storyline that the Lord indeed made Himself known to David, Samuel, Moses, many. The Lord moved mountains, rescued enslaved people out of Egypt, shook up rulers and kept His Light shining in and from the land of Judah, Bethlehem, where Jesus was to be born. Not only did God make a Way, He IS the Way, and He has HIS Say.

How we approach the world and everything in it can be scary OR an OPPORTUNITY to watch God work. Sometimes we see frustrated people and we wonder if they only could praise more would they get more satisfaction in life, or at least be more stoic about themselves. I pray us all praising. 

We wonder why wicked walk away from worship. Here’s HOPE healing hearts hear heaven helps our hurdles, helps our hunger. Frustrated folks we find fear forgetful. Praising people pick praise and prayers. God’s got us GOOD. Jump for Joy in Jesus. Smile in Spirit. Trust in Three in One.

Amen

Almighty Amen

—

-Psalm 114

When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.

Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs?

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

.

Psalm 112

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.

.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.

.

He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

.

Praise the Lord.

Lest we forgot our THANKFULNESS…

Ah… my Facebook memories of 2 years ago – I was remembering the HOPE with scoring appointments for those covid vaccinations and now I remember that the HOPE WAS DELIVERED!  How many concerts, plane flights, inner city events, church singing, grocery stores, work gatherings, life things. If we realized that we took things for granted, like hugs, how can we now appreciate that we got them back…  You don’t know until you don’t – so let us not forget what we learned.

These vaccinations against covid, 2 years ago now, wow we scrambled then to secure a shot spot, and wow free-er living now… Like how often do I praise my shoulder working after shoulder surgery – I went from able to unable to able again…  Praise it!

It was best vaccination timing (if you think of it that way) for my kids and me visiting my Dad in the last couple months before he passed 2 years ago this July… we all got our shots just in time to visit for four days in the house. Yes, I spent a year on the porch – not even a fist bump – not even snuck a hug – I do remember bumping shoes with my mom and feeling the energy of connection just in that…  Oh how I am appreciative. 

They say better living thru chemistry… these vaccinations certainly helped… maybe no vaccination is 100% effective, but these shots reallly were a “shot in the arm” for me for us…  Yes, reduced the cases, reduced the severity, reduced the hype, reduced the fear, and increased our HOPE. 

Thank You Lord!

I am now thinking that perhaps we will look back from heaven (well, maybe we won’t because who needs to look back at all when you are looking AT Jesus’s face) – but theoretically if we consider now the separation moment and Heaven the re-together moment – how awesome we will appreciate that then…  So, let us (pre-knowing) start praising now… Lest we forget to praise – even ahead of time…

Thank you Lord, then, now, and forever more…

---

–

Psalm 113

.

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.

.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.

.

He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

.

Praise the Lord.

---

How thankful for the SUNSHINE today, we had seems like endless RAIN, even if it were just a weekend. I still grinned and bore it getting outside, driving places, went outside to a township event and last night seeing no good parking spot walked those extra 20 feet into the store – I first grumbled about it – but I was OK! The big reason I stopped grumbling was that there were 2 identical cars to mine in close handicap spots, and I realized to be THANKFUL for my working legs, I COULD walk… No pain? Refrain from the complain!

That’s LIGHT in the darkness, when you don’t let circumstances, like rain, rain on your parade. You don’t let pain poison your day. 

I was driving last afternoon thru the rain, appreciative of GREAT tires on my car. And remembering that we were in a drought not too long ago but no more, catching up with the rain we really needed was a blessing. And wow how LUSH the greens and purples, pink and white flowers, rolling hills of so many shades of green that feasted the eyes. This is Light in the darkness. Don’t let dark clouds prevent you from seeing the rainbow already on the ground. 

Psalm 112 this morning we can read in the SUNSHINE. We WILL get through dark patches in life, in seasons, in daily grinds. We WILL be LIGHT ourselves by counting blessings and trusting in the Lord. We WILL be OK!

The reason I was driving this weekend was to see friends not seen since before covid. Now you have to admit that no matter the severity or need to huddle (or even overreacting in hunkering down), that we went through it and have recovered on the otherside from our fears, at least most I hope have. Yes there are pockets of precautions, but “normal” got closer to normal.  Are we praising? Are we taking advantage of the opportunities that we didn’t do before? Have we thanked God from getting us from there to here? Or are we being darkness from not seeing LIGHT in the situation… I have retooled and reschooled – resolved and recommitted to new things after old things disappeared.

Scripture says LIGHT overtakes darkness, darkness never wins. That’s because LIGHT already won… Let us sing praise!

I found something lost – it must have flung a couple feet from being caught up in a towel or bedding, then stayed under tiny piles of clean laundry. I found it, having the time to clean BECAUSE of that rain, and I praised finding it (and stopped cleaning). Isn’t it true that thinking of how God rescued us, we need to praise our found-ness, praise God and yet keep cleaning now WITH HIm. Yes. Also keep praising, keep looking for the LIGHT and not complain when we get there.

I think attitude is everything… Today is a good day for a good day. How will we know that? Look for the Light!

Amen 

—

Psalm 112

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Blessed to share the sermon about Saul to Paul – pancakes – and our 2 parts in life with Jesus – saving forgiveness and mission calling.

I love to start with Psalm 111 because it has so much encouragement in it – and I could imagine Paul, the focus of our story today – having read it and read it and read it….

Part of Psalm 111:

Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
    in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever….

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.

,…..

So – I pray we call upon the Holy Spirit in our midst to move us – I pray for anyone who is itching at the ears and heart to understand Jesus more, to let God open them – and let themselves hunger even more… God is willing to lead us and we can hear Jesus DIRECTLY thru His Word.

Paul, whom we learned about in our children’s message and by the two-part scripture reading was a man who became VERY HUNGRY for the Lord – hungrier than for pancakes! … This later apostle of Jesus was first just a man who persecuted Jesus’s followers – and then He saw the LIGHT…  Paul is said to be the great writer of the book of Hebrews stating:  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

——–

This a story of a man who changed from a DIRECT encounter with Jesus – DIRECT.

I call this sermon “Not done yet” – because we are all not done yet – and we can learn from Paul – and we are always maturing like those pancakes on the skillet… so yes, let us take that trip to Damascus and then see where it leads us…

Let me tell you a story about a man to whom God turned up the heat… This man’s name was Saul, that was his Aramaic name – the same local language that Jesus spoke to the Jews he was with – and this man Saul was around in Jerusalem just within a few years, scholars say, when Jesus was crucified, risen, and went up to Heaven. Saul was not a good man, he himself said that he persecuted the Christians “Beyond Measure”. The rulers back then were afraid of this new “The Way” – thought it was blaspheming God, but they did not understand the scriptures foretold of Jesus coming…  They read them but they didn’t understand. Jesus would say of many that they could not read the sign of the times…

Saul witnessed Jesus’s followers teach, but he didn’t absorb it to believe it – it actually made him MORE mad to see this sect of Judaism go against what he thought was honoring God. When Jesus-follower Stephen was the first martyr killed for speaking about Jesus, was stoned to death, the people laid their cloaks at the feet of the young Saul – he gained a hunger for killing Jews. Scripture says: they were furious – Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears … While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (sounds like Jesus too)  –

Saul saw this all – didn’t change him then – but he remembered and retold the story later…  How surprised he must have been, after killing all those new Christians, surprised that Jesus singled him out and came directly to him, as I told the children – there were at least 2 BIG reasons (and lots more) – to CHANGE Saul AND to give him a new MISSION. This made Paul MORE hungry for Jesus’s maturing in himself – a message for us too – 1st reason: change – a NEW CREATION in Jesus – Jesus forgave Him when Saul asked for forgiveness. Jesus spoke to him. God “turned up the heat” on Saul (like those pancakes) and made him blind for a while and made him completely dependent upon others. AND Jesus not only gave him an opportunity to be better, the flip side of Paul’s life in Jesus was Jesus commanded him to go teach as a missionary. Reflecting upon his new life and mission, Saul went by his Roman name Paul – It was so that he would reach the new audiences (like in Greece and Rome) for Jesus by relating to the Gentiles… And with this 2nd “FLIP-SIDE” reason, Jesus made sure Saul/Paul had this change of heart, to get him teaching both Jews like himself AND non-Jews, who are called Gentiles (and we fall into that category) – teach them all about “the Way”- the Way of Jesus. The people of Jerusalem as you heard in the scripture reading were NOT happy when Paul said God told him to go teach the Gentiles.

And how did Paul teach? He traveled, he went to see people, he started churches, in one place he taught for hours each day while still working full-time as a tentmaker, he even got arrested and taught in prison, he taught the guards, They witnessed Paul saving people – even while being escorted to Rome – to be held in trial before the Emperor –  and especially important for us, he wrote letters back to all those people whom he met – YES, God gave him a job, God turned his life upside down and put him back onto the earth – to do more work -and God even moved him around – God’s pancake lifter… If you have not yet read the book of Acts, I encourage you – the stories are AMAZING of his travels – Paul even heard from God directly again, telling him that he was going to go to Rome to witness to crucially important people. Because God moved Paul around AND reinforced connections, this is how THE Word of ‘The Way’ spread further… we too benefit – we learn about Jesus here in America because God brought us the Word thru His missionaries like Paul…  God brought Jesus to us.

What about us?  Are we feeling Gooey inside?

In the middle of writing this sermon I was remembering I am still really gooey in the middle like the undone pancakes… My own pancake is not done but indeed the Lord did flip me – He did – He turned my life upside down and I was reborn – and put me back here on the earth for a while longer still… Yes the Lord has been cooking me, gently, with Steam and Spirit. He gives corrections to my thoughts, convictions of my mess ups… I could give you a laundry list of my faults but I’m not going to, we have to be careful not to “take pride in our sins” – especially knowing that Jesus has already forgiven them. Not to gossip about ourselves, but yes we DO need to witness how the Lord has changed us – so we do need to show how God got us from there to here…     … and that gooey stuff in the middle? well there are trusted friends within whom we can and should confide… And of course we need to be willing to tell Jesus Himself, to confess to God who already knows our deeds, we need to be completely open – to show Him all our gooey middles – to ask Him to hold us tight to Him – to help us move closer to Himself and away from us being sticky and icky…

The point I really want to make here is that we all experience gooey middles – we are human!!!  … Don’t let your humanness prevent Jesus from maturing you.  God turns up the heat on us but for Love’s sake.  In one of Paul’s letters he says:  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

What can we do with our situations, those sins of omission (those you didn’t realize), sins of commission (those you did realize) and every oops in between? Give it to Jesus. Let us Let Jesus be the One who lifts us. Let Jesus cleanse us in forgiveness –  in truth He never ever leaves our sides.  None of this salvation is by our deeds – and we are never going to be worthy of it – but Jesus died for us because He said the whole situation was worth it –because God is worth it – all worth being with us, His children – THAT’S LOVE!

*Paul would write letter to the people in the church in Ephesians:  As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. …  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. – … it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do….

*Paul wrote to his friends in the church he planted in Colossians about teaching the Way to Jews and Gentiles:  “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

*Paul would write to the Hebrews about Jesus’s perfection:  He always lives to intercede… Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. . . He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself – the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

We are placed into Jesus’s story – many of us have roads to Damascus. Many of us have felt that thunder of God, some are still afraid to have Jesus turn up that heat…  and yet many have felt the gentle touch of Jesus – warm but not burning.

I have felt the gentle touch of Jesus. God brought Jesus to me. I am someone who was almost dead in their faith, to put it succinctly, gooey on Both sides of my pancake – even while working for the Lord, I didn’t get Jesus 100%, I knew of Him but I didn’t know Him IN me – and I ran away from that opportunity to know Him more.  I didn’t understand, I didn’t… This is not unusual to other’s stories. It was not until God drew me closer to Jesus that I started to change – and Jesus GRACEFULLY acted as if I were Jairus’s daughter, simply saying: “She’s not dead, she’s only sleeping.”  I won’t tell you the long version of my road to Damascus but in my “short stack story” using the pancake analogy for myself, for all of us, a reminder that Jesus doesn’t wait for us to be all “perfectly done” before He calls us – No. We can’t decorate ourselves with chocolate chips on our pancakes – we can’t pretend to hide under our puffed up pride. We can not achieve what God would have us achieve, in us, without God.  He flips our world upside down and puts us back on earth… we are to bloom where we are planted, mature and teach, live, and simply BE STILL and KNOW He is God. Let us keep watching Him be God in our lives and in the lives of others – let us appreciate the heat at times… And remember, here on earth: this is a non-stick surface. This is not our home.

This is not our home.

Won’t you please pray with me   – Lord, we are not done yet, but that does not make You love us less – You ARE LOVE – we are LOVED. You are still working on us, in our trials we are to look towards You and You gives us direction. Take the scales off of the eyes of our hearts – like you did for Paul. Let us hear you and obey. Let us be lifted and re-lifted by Your Spirit. Using Paul’s prayer as [workers] for the Lord, help us live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Let us be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Lord Jesus of lifting, we thank you. We Praise You always in your precious and powerful name.  Amen.

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Acts 22 NIV 1-21

“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they [those accusing Paul] heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.  Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. 

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

“‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

“A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.   “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’  

“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’  “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” 

---

The Children’s Message as well was about pancakes Saul to Paul….

https://debbieupper.blog/2023/04/30/batters-up-a-childrens-message-about-saul-paul/

“Batter’s Up!  – Children’s Message for Paul on the Road to Damascus (see Acts 22 etc)

Yum, let’s take a lunch break – yeah maybe we are going out to the park! Maybe let’s pretend to take a journey on a road trip to Damascus… let’s stop to eat! How about some pancakes!!

Yum…. hand out bags of batter…

Wait? Not Done? Oh! 

What do we need? To cook them… how about this Electric Skillet?

Let’s pour some batter on it… yum..  pancakes! Wait, not done? 

How about we add chocolate chips or blueberries or sprinkles? Yum! Pancakes! Wait, not done?

What needs to happen? Oh! Turn up the heat, the Pancakes are not done yet… OK cooked on one side… done. . Oh! Not Done yet???… 

Let me tell you a story about a man who God turned up the heat on… his name was Saul,  he was around when Jesus was crucified, risen, and went up to Heaven. He was not a good man, in fact he was so mean to those people who believed in Jesus, because they were afraid of this new “The Way” that Saul had people killed.

Well, Jesus came TO this man, Saul, He came FROM Heaven already ascended after Easter, and picked out this man specifically. For at least 2 BIG reasons for him (and lots more for us) – both to change him AND to give him a mission. 1st reason: change- and Jesus forgave Him when Saul asked for forgiveness. Jesus spoke to him. God “turned up the heat” on Saul and made him blind for a while and completely dependent upon others. Jesus came and spoke to him directly and made him realize how he had been wrong. But he gave him an opportunity to be better. And even to reflect his change in life, and his new mission, Saul went by his roman name Paul (yes they rhyme) … And the 2nd BIG reason Jesus made sure Saul/Paul had this change of heart, was to start teaching both Jews like himself AND non-Jews, who are called Gentiles (and we fall into that category) – teach them both about the Way of Jesus.   And how did Paul teach? He traveled, he went to see people, he started churches in communities (like we are a community here)…  He wrote letters back to those people and those letters are included in our bibles!

God not only saved him but raised him, like a pancake – done on one side but with more finishing to do. AND God gave him a job, turned his life upside down and put him back on earth – more work to do  God put him back on earth. See it is like God slid the lifter – God’s lifter in Jesus – under Him – under his pancake and now flipped sided up, he can be facing God, looking for God’s reasons, Paul could watch Him work

And guess what – God brings Jesus to us too , God has a plan for us. Even after we are saved by Jesus, we are not done yet – we are maturing – striving to be more like Jesus and help lift others up too.

Let us pray:  Jesus – You are our light and our lift – You can heal us and keep us in Your Hand with Your Lift. Thank You for helping change that bad man Saul and helping him become a good man Paul – who would write stories about you to all his friends and to us too. Thank You Jesus for teaching us that You are our Savior.

Amen

I love how God is in every where at all times… His is the One who is 1+1+1 = infinity – He does the math, not us…

Psalm 111 is key to remember – His Wisdom is what we look for – and we should all try to gain more – but all we really need to start with and know is that He has it! And believe in it.

Praise the Lord.

and AMEN!

…

Praise the Lord

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

This is the Psalm 110 that makes the amazing revelation that David knew Jesus before He was born because God revealed to Him the fulfillment of the law and scriptures, of the prophets and petitions…. This Lord of earth knew the Lord of all. this servant was served by Jesus.

“Clear as the Jesus Way”

Plain as day,

God spoke to David in a Jesus Way.

King David knew the TRUE King as a servant each day.

And yet the Lord also served the servant in His Own Way.

The One Lord, was from the beginning, Moses would say, 

Indeed Jesus, Holy Spirit, God Almighty, ONE GOD, created the earth and each day.

Jesus ruled, rules, and will rule, all enemies will be judged one day.

Crushed and underfoot, ruling in the midst of enemies, He does say.

“The Lord says to my lord”, oh how often David did pray,

And David (and we) could lift our heads up in the midst of his enemies, HOORAY!

Because Jesus rules in our hearts and shows us the Way.

Drink from the brook along the Way.

Clear Living Water IS the Jesus Way.

Clear as the Jesus Way.

Amen

—

Psalm 110

Of David. A psalm.

The Lord says to my lord:

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.”

The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,

“Rule in the midst of your enemies!”

Your troops will be willing

on your day of battle.

Arrayed in holy splendor,

your young men will come to you

like dew from the morning’s womb.

The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind:

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”

The Lord is at your right hand;

he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.

He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead

and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.

He will drink from a brook along the way,

and so he will lift his head high.

So, my mom lost her watch at my house, set it on the bathroom sink before showering, not there afterwards. More weird than anything. More worrying than weird. Frustrating and upsetting. Hmmm…

I pray she finds it, it’s not expensive but a gift, sentimental and of course useful and upsetting to her. Upsetting for the retracing of steps has not found it. Unless it was lost previously, like in one particular trash bag in the car, it should really be in this house or her suitcase. It’s an added worry of memory over movement. Why this issue, except we are human and misplace things…

To whom shall we pray? Let us not misplace our trust in a situation like this.  “God is in control” is the painting on the rock on the bathroom sink where she says she placed it, so we both trust that. I have to wonder, did God move it? I am positive that the cat did not take it. Would the cat be useful in pointing it out to us? Only if God intervenes with that cat’s motives. Well… Could I pray for a vision? We really should pray for clarity in thoughts just as much as for the watch. I know St Anthony is the patron saint of lost things in catholicism but isn’t that an added step we DON’T need when we are allowed and encouraged and commanded to DIRECTLY ask Jesus? 

Jesus is in Whom we should ask. We need not intercession anymore when we have the intersection and interception of Jesus and us. Even the torn curtain (that used to block the parishioners from the priests), was torn as demonstration on the day and moment Jesus died is the repair of our rift from God. The intersection of old and new covenant bridging old and new testaments means Jesus IS the Way.

What about this watch? I would be fulfilled to find it, on my knees in prayer as much as reaching under things. I don’t have time yet to tear my house apart. It make more physical sense if it was lost outside the house, but it’s a double secured band. It’s a mystery of memory, and just weird. It’s only after we find it that we will solve the mystery, or not. But in contrast, Jesus solves our mystery as we find Him in faith. It is still mysterious the in-between, but the finding is real. He even looks for us everywhere, even when we don’t know that we are lost. His Intercept is His Intention. No intercession needed by anyone else from inception of God’s Plan. 

Interception 

Intention

Information 

Intersection 

In the asking…

Jesus, because we praise You, help my mom or me find peace first and the watch second. It’s a watch of You more than a wrist watch… and always our time is well spent praying to you.

Amen

…

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.… Mark 13:33

POWER IN THE BLOOD, POWER IN THE BLOOD…

FORGIVENESS power by the blood of Jesus.

HEALING power in the return of Jesus.

Great PROMISE power in the Healing of the Nations.

Great MOTIVATION power in Heaven’s Hope.

HEAVENS HOPE is HELD WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

Nothing is withheld by Jesus – the curtain is torn – our lives are reborn. 

POWER IN THE BLOOD, POWER IN THE BLOOD…

Amen

---

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb  down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

God can use upheavals to keep moving the kingdom forward, it’s like the gardener always tilling the soil to aerate it. We have upheaval in our lives at times, so I pray we work these emotions out in the Garden WITH the Gardener… Each day to God is Him looking at HIS Creation. Him planting seeds. Him growing us where He wants us.

God can use us all – within His Net – we may get stretched into far away places from each other, or kept close enough but kept separate on purpose – it’s like stretching the strengthening partners hold on each other firmer, and each person thinner as yet keeping the fabric of His catching net more agile and movable… like a trampoline, the stretch helps the strength. Like our bridging – we will catch more fish if we let God fish with us where HE feels fit.

Remember always that Jesus knows where to throw the net better than us.

Our Gardener will throw in the trowel on us not the towel.

Amen

…

Author Charles Stanley just passed away – His influence will live on – thru his books and TV teaching. He may have been a strong personality to some – but there is always a few that need that! And I appreciated a book he wrote – the only one I read – about Surviving in an Angry World – finding your way to personal peace. I read it cover to cover in one night – and the most thing I remember from that was the talk about forgiveness, You will not have peace without forgiveness. And that comes from us to others just like it comes from the Father to us, thru Jesus.

If you can not forgive then you can not be forgiven. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

So we soldier on in this world – an angry world – we knew that and yet we forget the brokenness comes from the beginning – and the brokenness of Adam and Eve – and the brokenness of Cain – the farmer – who did not sacrifice the way God wanted Him – and resented it and killed his brother Abel – the shepherd. It took another son Seth and his generations from Enosh to once again give praise to God and atone for sins. “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” That is us in the present day with our brother Jesus – a Shepherd. Yes, it took another to be born – from a line of the shepherds – born to atone for our sins – all the people’s sins. if we extract ourselves from this angry world we must turn to it in forgiveness – and turn to God in praise…

Thanks God for fellow Praise-ers and fellow forgiver-ers…
Thanks God for Charles Stanley’s work in Your Name.
Thank You Lord, for Jesus is our brother and fellow Forgiver.
Amen

---

Genesis 4

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering; but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, “Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?” And he said, “I know not. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand. When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength. A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be on the earth.” And Cain said unto the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.

Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth, and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth. And it shall come to pass that every one who findeth me shall slay me.” And the Lord said unto him, “Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod to the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. And unto Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech. And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents, and of those who have cattle. And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bore Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron; and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. And Lamech said unto his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech! For I have slain a man for my wounding, and a young man for my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.”

And Adam knew his wife again; and she bore a son and called his name Seth. “For God,” said she, “hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.” And to Seth also there was born a son, and he called his name Enosh. Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.

---

https://www.charlesstanley.com/memorial/obituary

The Lord’s Word Relates.

It’s great.

It’s never late.

There’s no debate. 

The Lord’s Word Relates.

God can use upheavals to keep moving the kingdom forward, it’s like the gardener always tilling the soil to aerate it. We have upheaval in our lives at times, so I pray we work these emotions out in the Garden WITH the Gardener… Earth Day to God is Him looking at HIS Creation. Him planting seeds. Him growing us where He wants us.

God can use us all – within His Net – we may get stretched into far away places from each other, or kept close enough but kept separate on purpose – it’s like stretching the strengthening partners hold on each other firmer, and each person thinner as yet keeping the fabric of His catching net more agile and movable… like a trampoline, the stretch helps the strength. Like our bridging – we will catch more fish if we let God fish with us where HE feels fit.

Remember always that Jesus knows where to throw the net better than us.

Our Gardener will throw in the trowel on us not the towel.

Amen

Blessed is the One Who Trusts in the Lord.

Blessed is the one who believes

Blessed is the one who begins again

Blessed is the one who borrows nothing but joy

Blessed is the one who begs nothing but forgive

Blessed is the one who trusts the Lord to give it

Blessed

Blessed is the One Who Trusts in the Lord

Amen and Blessed

—

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord; 

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

    and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one

    who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

    to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, Lord my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare

—

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

    whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

    that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

    its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

    and never fails to bear fruit.”

For a friend…

I pray peace, long and short

I pray sheep fleece, warm and wholey wooly, to bring the warmth of words.

and I pray: preach what is pleasing to the Lord.

We can’t “play church” with our friends forever but we can “Be the Church” forever.

Amen – Fleece Peace Preach

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Good and WOW. I woke up this morning (already a praise) and layered on top of my brain was an important thought – a needed, really simply overlooked until now, but needed thought – REALLY needed as advice for a work project that I am consulting on. Whew! I didn’t put the thought there, I DIDN’T, the Lord DID. HE DID THAT! He bridged a mental gap while I was resting my body and brain. He found the bandwidth when I had played all mine out. When people say “rest on it” – we should also say “Rest with the Lord taking over”…  Gratefully, when we give back to the Lord what is His anyway (especially His Healing time with us even when we are sleeping), He will use it for the good of Him and the good of us. Even if the idea is not novel, Him putting it there IS, right time right place… PROVISIONS and PRAISE! SWEET!

Likewise, when thoughts in our brains “gel” where we had not been focused on them before, or we see the EXACT person we needed to see or the Lord needed us to resolve an issue with (and repair a fray in His Net), or when time appears out of nowhere for us to get something done (and make His Net deeper), or we get an opportunity to help someone or ourselves, we MUST PRAISE and say: God did that. He did that!!! 

As for any of our work, it’s an important aspect of experience to be able to add some personal touch of project management from the ground floor. AH! That’s ALSO like the Lord coming to us, God with us, project management from the ground floor. Achieving the Plan. YES, let us praise, He came to us, then lifts us all up!

Psalm 107 speaks of the BIG saves, including our redemption, even if these words, a song, were written hundreds of years before Jesus came to redeem, the relate! Isn’t that fitting of the Word, it relates. The Lord’s people redeemed their sins by sacrifice and rejoiced in their fortune by praise.  So should we so should we… We have the GIFT of Jesus’s sacrifice for us, “He sent out his word and healed them” – LET US keep up our PRAISE is powerful and needed. Remember, God did all this for us. HE DID THAT!

AMEN! HE DID THAT!

HE REDEEMED 

HE GATHERED 

HE DELIVERED 

HE SAVED 

HE RESCUED 

HE BROUGHT 

HE BLESSED 

HE LIFTED

Give Thanks! HE is Good, His Love Endures Forever!

HE SATISFIES,

HE BREAKS CHAINS,

HE SENDS OUT HIS WORD.

HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS,

HIS WORKS,

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.

AMEN!!!

—

Psalm 107 (PLEASE PONDER AND PRAISE)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story – those HE REDEEMED from the hand of the foe, those HE GATHERED from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty  and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and HE DELIVERED THEM from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for HE SATISFIES the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So HE SUBJECTED them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and HE SAVED THEM from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and HE SAVED them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; HE RESCUED THEM from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and HE BROUGHT THEM out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who lived there. He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; HE BLESSED THEM, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. But HE LIFTED the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

It strikes me, in my REGULAR REGIMENT of methodical READING of the old testament, about how much is REPEATED and RETOLD. REALLY! Abraham to Moses detailed again and again, why? Well, because it’s a REMEMBRANCE story of God’s righteous faithfulness and His action. God RESTOCKED the RESOURCES and REBUKED the foes. It’s not just that was God blessing (and correcting and making an example of) a set of people like a streak of gold in mining, it is RETOLD so these stories RESONATE with us, stories of understanding people who REBEL (REALLY REBELLED over and over –  remelted gold, re-mingled with real foreigners) and YET, they were and are still LOVED. And therefore from them a REMNANT of a people was RESTORED to REVIVE the Kingdom. We read that LOVE WON.

We can RELATE right? We are LOVED by the REDEEMER enough to be ransomed – His life for ours. “for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented...” We are the redeemed in rebirth. Rejoice.

RELATE 

REPENT 

REKINDLED

REDEEMED

REBIRTHED

REJOICE 

REMEMBER 

RETELL 

So, with ears to REHEAR, let us listen to Psalms 105 and 106, they RELAY and RELATE REMINDERS of these REVIEW REPEATS – remembering our current REALITY, REALLY…

And let us RE-SEEK and RE-SEE God’s Face.

Amen

---

Psalm 105

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.

Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob resided as a foreigner in the land of Ham. The Lord made his people very fruitful; he made them too numerous for their foes, whose hearts he turned to hate his people, to conspire against his servants. He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham. He sent darkness and made the land dark — for had they not rebelled against his words? He turned their waters into blood, causing their fish to die. Their land teemed with frogs, which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers. He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. He turned their rain into hail, with lightning throughout their land; he struck down their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country. He spoke, and the locusts came, grasshoppers without number; they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil. Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood. He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.

He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws.

Praise the Lord.

—

Psalm 106

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.

We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. Then they believed his promises and sang his praise. But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test. So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them. In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the Lord. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram. Fire blazed among their followers; a flame consumed the wicked. At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. So he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord. So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the wilderness, make their descendants fall among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods; they aroused the Lord’s anger by their wicked deeds, and a plague broke out among them. But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked. This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come. By the waters of Meribah they angered the Lord, and trouble came to Moses because of them; for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses’ lips.

They did not destroy the peoples as the Lord had commanded them, but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood. They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves. Therefore the Lord was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. He gave them into the hands of the nations, and their foes ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them and subjected them to their power. Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. 

Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy.

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the Lord.

Easter is SO important and goes so quickly away in our memories. I’ve been blessed these last couple years to celebrate it twice, once with my church family and once with my friend’s… Orthodox Easter is tomorrow and tonight is midnight services to get to see and celebrate an Easter feast just after. It was beautiful Good Friday service last night even if I didn’t understand most of the words sung, I certainly knew why we were reverent, it was Good Friday in this Orthodox church’s Holy Week remembrance and pilgrimage. We sang, walked around the church, and sang again, and I listened and tried to sing from the program – it was hard not knowing the words or what they meant. This was my mini “world of no words”. My friend explained some of it but I now have great difficulty hearing whispers in a room full of sound. It was OK to not understand and this directly caused me to pause for thoughts. Of course the music was beautiful and every page had one verse in English that we sang and was a glimpse of the other verses. One was: “As a lamp of light beneath a bushel is hid, so now also in the earth is God’s flesh concealed. And doth drive away the gloom of Hades’ realm.”  YES, HOPE FROM THE GRAVE. 

This WAS a sorrow-filled time for the disciples that Friday and the Sabbath day Saturday when they normally would have been WITH their Lord in flesh. For Jesus was crucified, the sunlight gone, the creation moaned, the people trembled. They had not understood there was good in any of this. Jesus was dead. We in the service kept our candles lit in remembrance, but even those wicks kept going out, drowning in wax. No words, no light. Jesus had died. 

The world of no Word, the Living Word, Jesus, God with us, Name above all names, Light of the World stepped down into darkness, was silent in speaking, in the living, but Mighty in moving in the moment. The world of no Words made the disciples trembled into hiding. 

Yet, there were some words, of ruling authorities who heard the prediction of the Savior rising in 3 days, wanted the disciples to NOT steal the body and falsely claim resurrection, so they sent guards to keep the tomb secured.

There were Words of the fullness of scripture just before Jesus gave up His Spirit, and so Heaven was satisfied before earth duties completed. There were Words between the brave Jewish leaders who became secret believers, Joseph of Arimathea and Pharisee Nicodemus, who took down the body of Jesus and wrapped it ceremoniously, after speaking to Pilate for approval of the retrieval of Him off the cross.

There were Words of Good Friday that we don’t know. But I imagine there were many who had no words to understand it all.

In the end of this 3 hour service, I was able to walk thru the church with my friend, all areas were accessible, and with a kid’s enthusiasm I was able to climb under the tall table to the Cross displayed with flowers around Jesus’s crown of thorns. It is symbolic of cleansing of sins to pass under the table and all evening people did as they came and went. We were given flowers and could take some more from the table. All evening the cross looked beautiful with flowers and a scarf blocking the view of Jesus’s face. How fitting. The face blocked until I got up real close inside the table area and I could see Him. How fitting for with Jesus’s act on the cross, we are forgiven and able to BE up and close with God ALWAYS. Thank You Jesus. Thank You for the curtain torn, the law fulfilled, the forgiveness and forever. 

The people kissed His feet and I thought about the serpent crushed under those feet. Forever peace is in our heavenly future. 

My favorite words of the evening were from the priest, spoken to me in English, as I kissed the scripture book after walking around the building and stepping under the cloth tent carried on the pilgrimage. The priest said: “Bless you.”  Now those are WORDS I heard loud and clear with my Spirit, and not just my ears…

“Bless you.”

Good Friday and Everyday… blessed…

Amen

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John 2:18-22 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”  But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

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The Death of Jesus, John 19:28-42 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

The Burial of Jesus

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

 John 16:15-33

All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

…

It’s not that I couldn’t or won’t ever write management books or other advice stories, but for now I would rather stick with writing about the Lord. But if I were to write about working, I would write about with a mixture of work advice and scripture advice: because God DOES give working advice, like in Ecclesiastes 5 life advice: ‘This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with GLADNESS OF HEART.’

So much I want to remind folks, work wise, that YOU can make a DIFFERENCE at work with the Lord’s Work, that you can listen to the Lord to decide where your energies should be spent.  If we follow God’s plan for our work, God keeps us occupied with GLADNESS OF HEART. 

There are people and life creatures and moments of work and relaxation (like with that cat on the couch AND outside). As always, Heavenly Hopes are found and caught in earthly places. We find working order on earth because there is order in Heaven. We see disorder on earth because we are not in Heaven, yet. We have a choice to make earth work better or just let it all slide… I chose to not let it slide….

There’s much busy activity this springtime, and warm weather feels good for flowers and creatures. Work on a house across from me proceeded all winter, really took shape and now with longer daylight there are different someones there 7am to 7pm. The cat likes to watch the birds working while inside and out – and we love these great temperatures. Life Springs alive in Springtime. Life is remembered as renewed thru Easter and hope. 

What a great time to thank and appreciate God. We look up to God, like we are looking up from earth, Psalm 104 says God sends His spirit and makes creatures from dust and renews the face of the ground. In this springtime of renewal, the face of this earth grows flowers and leaves, baby creatures too. If we get out there, we can see it open before our eyes. The hard work of the day and a week in our lives are but a milli-fraction of the Work God had shown around us. The dead-looking branches bud and life renews in intricate ways. Flowers seem to unfold from nothing – even if I do understand the science of it all – it is still always AMAZING, and on plan.

Yes, it is a good season for us praising the Lord and working hard and resting well. Gladness of Heart and purpose of season. 

In the song of Psalm 104: let us sing Gladness for God.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

Amen! Amen!! AMEN !!!

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Psalm 104

Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.

He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.

He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Praise the Lord.

This is one of my favorite devotions – one that God connected in my head – it is number 434 of the nearly 1500 but a true favorite… The pouring of pancakes onto the skillet is like us growing and maturing – looking for that lift from God…  I am going to plan to use it for teaching kids soon…  Batters up! 

I am adding a new line to this – the aspect of the griddle being non-stick – or at least God adding some good grease…  Because we are not OF this world – we shouldn’t stick – God will take us home one day and all gooeyness will be gone. In the meantime, don’t mind God sticking His spatula under you and seeing how you are cooking!!!  Butters up!

Pancakes, 20Sep – #434 **

A light and fluffy devotion this morning….

Pancakes, 20Sep
God pours us like pancakes when we are born onto the skillet of life on earth… it takes some time for us to cook, but not too long, for we are but brief travelers in this world…

Before we were born, we were already part of the mix, part of God’s batter. He already knew the plans for each of us before we were poured onto this skillet we call earth.

When we pancakes started to cook, we were filled with bubbles rising to the surface, we were and are always called to be maturing and learning. We are not yet complete… we do need a lift for achieving completion… God’s spatula comes to lift us… Sometimes it comes as a gentle slide, sometimes an abrupt push… God slips securely under us to catch, scoop, and then “ahhhh”…. LIFT…. can you feel that awesome lift? Just imagine that feeling of being lifted by the Lord up off the earth, the lightness in your heart, the forgiveness of your sins, the JOY of being chosen by God…

LIFT…

Wait… Guess what? We’re not done…

FLIP…

God flips our worlds upside down… back onto the skillet…
We must return to the heat which started our maturing ways… It’s OK!!! It’s OK because this time we can look up, we can watch God while He works!
This time our SPIRIT-filled bubbles are now inside our undone gooeyness, lifting us up, changing us from the inside… We are cooking, fine-tuning and maturing our ways – as we live out our time on the skillet of earth…  The good works started in us will be brought to completion…

With focus on GOD’S WILL, we need to work on those gooey parts of our lives, taking action to be SPIRIT- filled to doneness, asking God to keep an eye on us as He guides us thru the narrow but sure path…

God ever-watching our progress, He knows when He eventually plans to lift us off the skillet of earth… to take us back with HIM eternally… Our Gooeyness replaced by His Glory. His Glory bringing us home. To the big chorus of Amens.

HOME

We are but short timers here.
We are IN the world but not OF the world.

ENJOY today
ENJOY the lifting SPIRIT
Appreciate the FLIP
Work towards completion

SMILE

We are going HOME

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The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. Psalm 14:2

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Ecclesiastes 7: 11-18

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
and benefits those who see the sun.
Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.

Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten
what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
Therefore, no one can discover
anything about their future.

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:

the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.

Easter is a pinnacle of feelings, where do we go from here? Well… Go on singing!

David wrote so many Psalms as songs, and I am sure he returned to singing them over and over again. David’s psalms/songs are said to include: 2—9; 11—32; 34—41; 51—65; 68—70; 86; 95; 101; 103; 108—110; 122; 124; 131; 133; and 138—145. Yes, 75 of the 150, the scholars note.

Psalm 101, David will try to lead a blameless life. Isn’t that like us, after Easter, enrolling in our Spring semester of “Life 101”, trying to live a blameless life after a glorious Easter Day, and yet see pitfalls everywhere. We are just human, we know. Psalm Life 101 has many challenges of “life-happens”. But in all this, God does not change. He does not waiver from His ultimate grade of LOVE. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:27 (unknown as David or other appreciative writer)…

God, schooling us in “Life 101”, does NOT release the grades of your homework assignments or exams over the course of the semester of life, He forgives and is slow to anger, removing transgressions (Psalm 103)

Psalm 103 surely is a favorite: Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Where would we be without God? Not even a question because God made us, we wouldn’t even be. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. 

Praise the Lord, my soul. Let us keep reading and SINGING Psalm 101, 102 103 and on… Keep living “Life 101”. Stay in School where God rules!.

God keeps being God, and so we must keep SINGING….

Amen

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Psalm 101:1-2 of David.

I will sing of your love and justice, to you, Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.

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Psalm 102:11-28

My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord. In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”

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Psalm 103. Of David.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

I almost missed the egg hunt Sunday, but that’s OK, God had me chatting with new visitors to church. I’m glad they walked in to fulfill their Easter day. And grateful I was there to be welcoming. (And no worries, I was handed a BIG egg with candy by one of the egg hunting children afterwards, so sweet!).  I stepped afterwards into the inside of the church basement to wash my hands and I felt the empty, the Spirit had stepped OUTSIDE, to where the people were. All day I felt the people were the connections that held Easter. Many years ago, I got to share in one particular egg hunt, when my kids were maybe 8 to 10ish, and I remember a young man my son’s age scoping out his bountiful harvest of candy at the table. I remember his face in a real puzzlement when an egg he opened was empty. No candy, and a real momentary pouting sad face… 

Me with my “quick thinking”, which I hope was inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: “Ohhhh that empty one has a story in it…”  Not candy but a crucifixion and empty cave story… See when Jesus was crucified and died, they put him in the tomb and rolled a big stone across it. 3 days later He was gone, stone rolled away, tomb empty. I told Joey that He had an “empty tomb egg”. SPECIAL. Celebrating Jesus is Risen. He smiled. I will always remember that smile. Empty in this case was and is fine. Empty tombs are fulfilled prophecy. Empty is Full-Filled.

Eggs are made to be cracked – for food or for baby chick’s to emerge or plastic ones for candy… Empty tombs pour out too. Think of Easter morning, Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, Jesus met her alone and her with an empty feeling, and He “filled her in” – filled her in with the news and with the Spirit – that INDEED He was ALIVE, just as He said would happen. 

Jesus filled her emptiness – we all know that “our empty” needs Spirit filling. At times we need to purposely empty our schedules some to make room for spiritual fillings. We need to declutter our lives and make a good empty space for Him to sit quietly with us. We need an “empty” to get “full”. Mary herself has been emptied of demons, now she had room for compassion, care, and her Christ. Empty brokenness is how God sees us – as fixable and fillable. 

An empty Full Easter is like an egg already cracked. You can’t re-piece together the original, but you can make something different out of the contents. We too, must make a new start from a new creation cracked and hatched out of our brokenness.  Let God lead…

Amen and Happy Easter again. 

John 20:1, 11-18  KJV

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. … But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

.

I wander back to my old work site at times, it’s got great trees, a great spring breeze, and great memories. But the office I lived in for 20 years I had to move out –  passed it on to someone else and I moved to the new building. I can’t complain but sometimes I still do.  However I do get to squat “hotel station” in pretty much any empty office or conference room or window of course any picnic table (wifi works!). I need to take these opportunities more to not work from home but work from “other work”… I can’t do it all the time, but sometimes. 

My old building has charm, but really my new building is where my people are, my group and all those who need me to answer questions. I had to move forward, people and the new space I helped design and get online were waiting for me. You can visit old places but “you can’t walk backwards into the future”.

My old office doesn’t carry the spirit of me in it anymore, not even the sight of the door, even though I was there 20 years. It was given new paint, new furniture, and the once great window is covered by plastic for construction, eww… So, the picnic table does keep its functionality, and I thought I would sit under these old trees and reminisce and work, but I had no laptop battery power left – I need a new charge. 

So I can’t even claim these were the same trees, “good ole days”, old stomping grounds or not. These trees had NEW FLOWERS and NEW bees and they moved on from spring to fall to NEW spring again. These trees will bear NEW fruits… GEEZ, NEW, NEW, NEW…  I guess we ALSO must move FORWARD with the Spirit breeze. NEW charge of our batteries, NEW surroundings, NEW lives, NEW memories… New Callings… New trees and NEW Me’s….

God told Israel: And I will put my Spirit in you and move you… New… Even Jesus didn’t have a place to lay His head… NEW… Hand to the plow, don’t look back.

We aren’t supposed to return to our old ways, old days, or see life with the old gaze. We are made NEW each season to bloom, to fruit, to share, to even shed. Shed the leaves in the fall. Wait out the winters in our lives. Spring again… We are a NEW creation of God everyday. God never changes, but He earthly died to fill us spiritually afresh with Him.

Remember that old view.

But EMBRACE the NEW.

God knows it suits you.

True. 

Amen

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Luke 9:57-62 The Cost of Following Jesus

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”  Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

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Ezekiel 36:23-32

 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you [Israel] have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!

Lord, we made it to Easter because You have made it possible.

Lord, we are forever praising You,  as we NOW see that You have rolled away our own grave stones as well, by Your Power.

Now as You are calling us to step out of our graves too, let us shake off our chains of sin that You broke, and let us let You peel off our wrappings and look to Heaven’s Healing. We are Your Easter People and by the cleansing Power of Your Blood we share in triumph over forever death by Your Victory. May we always remember that we are reborn in Easter’s Rebirth. 

Today, Lord, through Your Spirit help us SHINE,  SHINE YOUR JOY, YOUR HOPE. May we also humble ourselves and appreciate YOUR MERCY, YOUR FORGIVENESS and YOUR GRACE and extend it to all those we meet today. May we be your Easter People tomorrow just as much as today. 

We Praise You for You are WORTHY. We are singing the song of the saved – savoring the sweetness of salvation – and seeking the soothing of our souls. Thank You Lord for calling us Your Children. We give PRAISE in Your powerful and Mighty Name: Jesus,  Name above all names. 

Amen

…

John 20:1-23

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose so ever sins ye retain, they are retained.

It is SURRENDER SATURDAY,

Set between Good Friday and Easter Sunday there is today: Saturday.

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Sandwiched-in Saturday 

Stuck in Saturday

Solemn Saturday

Shocked Saturday 

Stolen Saturday 

Stupid Saturday 

Sorry Saturday

Sad Saturday 

Surreal Saturday 

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Surrender Saturday 

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Soothing Saturday

Softening-Heart Saturday 

Slowdown Saturday 

Seeking Saturday 

Smart Saturday

Sit-Tight Saturday 

Soldiering Saturday

Sabbath Saturday 

Simply Saturday…

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Savor Saturday, Salvation Sunday is Surely Soon…

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It seems to me that Jesus would have had to have SO MUCH TRUST in Our Father. Not only did He trust in the plan,  He was in on the plan, and He had to trust being placed in a broken human world completely dependent upon Mary and Joseph, (and of course the angels). Then, in His last days, His trust in the Father and in the Plan led Him to have to ALSO trust in the ones who would kill Him.  He knew how obvious the devil would think and even use evil for the good of the Kingdom. Yeah, trust the journey of sacrifice to succeed – use sacrifice for supporting Salvation. Suffering in submission. Walking the Walk.

If Jesus was said to be the fourth man in the furnace, seen by King Nebuchadnezzar, when only 3 were sent in (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Old Testament book of Daniel 3) but who all were not burned, then Jesus was and is protected and protective. So, imagine the “dropping of the guard” that Jesus would have had to endure both at the beginning and the end of earth walking to be human and be perishable in flesh. Perish in flesh but never Spirit. 

Jesus had to have TRUST in death as he did in gaining human life. He had to accept suffering. For Jesus to show us the Way, He first had to follow the Plan. We can turn to Him because He has been there. 

His mercy includes knowing our short lives, the broken frailty of us, and yet He knows how to make us strong WITH The same Spirit He has. Fill the jar of clay of us, Lord. 

We DO have the power to walk out from death, but only by Him. Not only do we desire the strength (His Strength in us) to walk in His shoes (sandals) meaning we have chosen a life of sacrifice for the good of the Kingdom, we must walk using the power of the Spirit inside us. Holy Spirit is a personal placement of God INSIDE us, not a wind that blows us haphazardly. The steps we take are motorized with LOVE. 

Walk peacefully and purposefully today. Endure. Love endures all things… 

Jesus, we love You for Your Walk. And TRUST.  Lord, hold us close to continue to walk with You.

AMEN 

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Proverbs 16:3-4 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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Matthew 16:24-27

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Passover was last night and last year and last century and last millennium too. Many millennia ago and all throughout the ages from Moses’s time. It’s the worst sign to the Egyptians, death to first born sons, even Pharaoh’s, that appeared more real than a trick or coincidence. God sent a STRONG message in commanding release and in saving His people from foreign bondage. God sent a strong message to His people too: I have saved you. Because of the Blood of the Lamb on your doors, you have been passed over from this tragic death.

Won’t we remember that we are HIS Passed-over people? Won’t we also know our houses are stained with His Blood, the Blood of the Lamb. As He led these Israelites thru the desert with a pillar of cloud and fire, won’t we recognize that He already HAS been leading us and He also will lead us into our future.  

Forgiving and yet firm in punishment, God reveals to us the Lamb. God did not spare His own son, Jesus, but did spare all His children by choosing this path to our salvation by the blood of Jesus, by forgiveness. Grace and Mercy for us. We have a God Who loves us enough to have sent His Son for our sin.

We are guided, let us not grumble. As Moses led, the people grumbled. As God leads, the people tremble. As Jesus leads, the people (us) now should remember to Resemble Him, stay on path and minimize our own delays…  Grumble, Tremble, Resemble – that is how we got here. Let us keep resembling Jesus a servant.

The world is in a delay pattern, distracted and deluded by Evil, but we can ask: Holy Spirit, please break away our fog and help us walk righteously with You. Burn Your Fire in our cloudy view – bring us closer and closer to You.

You Lord, for Moses and Man, have given us Your Passover Plan. Amen and Thank you Lord.

We remember our Passover in celebrating your Passover feast too: Your Last Supper until all who are called are in Paradise for the Supper of the Lamb. God, You serve us in so many ways. 

Thank You.  

Amen

Amen

Amen

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Psalm 99

The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.

The King is mighty, he loves justice – you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. 

Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.

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Revelation 19:6-9

 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

What’s your favorite fruit season?

Twelve Heavenly fruits will please us, with good reason.

Sitting under the Tree of Life will surely feel pleasin’.

It’s Heaven’s bounty that awaits us, and I am not teasin’.

.

His Water flows thru Heaven in a river 

And He Forever IS our Light Giver.

Jesus and God and Spirit in One,

Shining so brightly – there is no need for the sun.

.

See His Face

We are given our new place.

Servants we will be,

Serving God while under that Tree.

.

Leaves for the Healing of the Nations,

Wars cease as we take our serving stations.

We will see Him Face to Face.

We will have all Finished the Race.

.

No more curse and no more sin stain.

No more tears and no more pain.

New names we will each gain

and He will always Reign.

.

He will ALWAYS Reign.

.

Amen

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Revelation 22:1-5   Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Psalm 100 – For giving grateful praise.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I’m no April fool, I took God’s peace when He offered it – this time for writing and delivering a sermon for Palm Sunday… Peace and priorities and persistence, Psalms and Palms.

I wrote and wrote and wrote when God gave me a theme for a sermon, which I volunteered to give with such enthusiasm that essentially I was like character Horseshack on the TV show ‘Welcome Back Kotter’, saying: “Ooh Ooh Ooh”!!! Hand up before I knew the answer… I didn’t worry, I took God’s peace, and path, and I WROTE.

And God did not and does not disappoint, God provides ABUNDANTLY, and so I wrote and wrote and wrote over the course of 2 weeks, new sections, appropriate scriptures, and included these wow chapters of prophecy from God that for some reason no one seems to preach about – Revelation…. 

And then I TRIMMED and trimmed and trimmed… I originally wrote about Mary and Martha, but scratched that…  Yes I wrote a section about my own faith journey, but I lined that out because that might take years to explain. I decided what I already knew: God’s journey is more than sufficient for this sermon for any sermon. And the expounding about your own journey is best to just a few, with a tea cup in your hand and at a kitchen table… or a porch… or in a blog… or anytime you are asked specifically about your journey…

My startling moment for when God reinforced the theme of this particular writing was well after I wrote Paul Harvey’s tagline: “The Rest of the Story” into my pages of notes.  Well, about a week later, my mom, OUT OF THE BLUE, quotes Paul Harvey. WEIRD!!!! I mean how often do we mention Paul Harvey, from such a long long time ago… Apparently God knows how to trigger our memories, as well as knowing how to lay the groundwork to let us know that He is in charge. Cool…

We must take His Peace and USE IT, in the middle of the really strong thunderstorms, I was editing and focused, not really giving much of myself over to stress. I watched the radar, stayed inside obviously, checked on friends. Trees didn’t fall or power fail in my neighborhood, neither did God in holding onto my focus. 

And so after the regular sermon, I actually had a chance to give the sermon in miniature TWICE again in the afternoon… cool… Once on the phone in decompression and once sitting on a friend’s porch… I was helping my friend clean out her family house and she was sad to not make church, and yet with mere hours to her financial close, she had to do what she had to do… Clean Sort Toss Keep Move On… She asked for church palms and of course I brought her some extra… I also brought the children’s message experiment to do on the porch while resting my legs too. We talked about this broken world, about Jesus’s journey, about us not grumbling because we know that REST OF THE STORY…

I came across many items her dad owned in her house related to Pope John Paul the second, and he was the pope of my youth… He had that warm fuzzy huggable pope demeanor, he was an inspiration of the time. What I remember from a documentary about him is that he was different and unusual for the priests of the time, he would take a canoeing trip with a youth group and then while camping would use an upside-down canoe as a worship altar… He took services and sermons “on the road”….  No need to keep church only in the building… Likewise, so I also brought the message outside this day, meet the people where they are – even in the car… And we have great company, as Jesus took sermons and serving on the road too… out to meet the people… even on the cross, Jesus was still all powerful in giving PEACE. In the middle of pain, Jesus knew paradise was awaiting for all who believed. Peace – don’t give it up – don’t give it back – don’t forget to grab onto it.

God says: I gave you MY peace, now USE IT.

God IS guiding us, in thick and thin.

God’s got this…

Take it…

Amen

.

.

.

A sermon I was blessed to share on Psalm Sunday. And scriptures below. A sermon on how prophesy was given and still is given to us today – we can get to know “The Rest of the Story”…

I love to start with Psalm 95 because it has so much JOY in it – I have so much JOY share God’s Word – what an opportunity – THANK YOU!!!!! JOY because it IS God’s Word – Who is Jesus – the Living Word – who changes Hearts…

from Psalm 95: For the Lord is the Great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear HIS voice…

AH – that is where I stop to be reminded – it is NOT my voice that I hope you hear – but the LORD’s Voice in His Word – because HIS WORD changes hearts.

And why do WE SHARE HIS WORD? Why? Because there are SO MANY who haven’t  heard – whose ears are not YET opened by the Lord – they don’t know Jesus – or at least (like until Jesus awoke me), they don’t His Spirit WITHIN them…  So – I pray we call upon the Holy Spirit in our midst to move us – and to make us ponder – ponder Jesus – ESPECIALLY this pre-Easter Holy Week ahead. And I pray for anyone who is itching at the ears to understand Jesus more, to let God open them – and they will hunger even more… The great writer of Hebrews reminds us:  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

AND SO – this is Easter week coming up – we must take the opportunity to walk thru it – not by ourselves but with Jesus – we can think of it as the tough and humbling week – it IS a reminder that we MUST ALSO pick up our crosses like Jesus did and have less of us and more of Jesus.  Yes, Jesus knew He was walking into death – a PAINFUL death – and yet worse, look at all those tears shed for seeing people then and now who did not know Him. 

Jesus knew loss in advance – He only had 3 years in His ministry on earth with His disciples and Jesus knew He would have to leave His friends behind who needed Him – He felt that loss as He feels our losses and He has compassion…  YES Jesus willing chose this path, He knew the WHOLE story – He knew that He had to fulfil Prophesy – then He had leave earth so that the Holy Spirit could come – Jesus walked the walked and talked the talk – Oh can you even imagine His tears… Even more can you imagine His DETERMINATION.

Palm Sunday today – the excited people did NOT know how prophesy would come to fullness – they thought an earthly King sanctioned by God had come to restore their local Kingdom of the Jews – after King David their history had endured bad kings, a split into divided kingdoms and EXILE – they saw Jesus for the restoration but they could not yet see the whole mission – the whole prophesy – the whole Kingdom of FOREVER – and even by the end of the week they couldn’t even see Him as Heaven sent – Hosanna traded for Crucify Him. They didn’t know  – Jesus said they didn’t know, forgive them…

For them and for us HE GAVE and GIVES Prophesy…  There was prophesy of how He was born – of his works – of His death on the Cross – and of His raising up . Ah, IF ONLY THE EARS and the EYES of the PEOPLE WOULD OPEN to see that He came as Jesus – God with us – King and Lord of ALL.

We best not forget that God is mysterious, but He is also an OPEN BOOK – Jesus IS the LIVING WORD – and wants us to share in this GOOD NEWS of HIM.  We DO have what the disciples did not (yet) – a knowing in our hearts because of the Holy Spirit. In Hindsight, can you imagine that time of healing and the learning in hyperspeed that those disciples had, that Easter morning when the risen Jesus came to walk the earth – remember the disciples didn’t fully understand Jesus until after Jesus came back… and they still had more to learn – they needed the Holy Spirit like we do.

The disciples surely knew in part but did not know in full this prophesy until they had their mental gaps filled in with eyes opened and ears opened – they learned “THE REST OF THE STORY – just like old time radio journalist Paul Harvey always said…

Imagine the days Jesus was in the tomb, imagine old friends Mary and Martha had lost their brother Lazarus – regained him but then lost their Lord – puzzling –  look at the disciples – life was going so good – and then wow Jesus is arrested and crucified – and betrayed by someone they thought they knew as a brother. Shock disbelief unknown – what would they do now? and were they next for being arrested? Perhaps we need this model of uncertainty to make us really think – are we feeling separate from Jesus? is He really there… HE IS… 

In our uncertainties – the unknowns of how life takes turns – surely we have experienced them – maybe we even know of people suffering worse: you lose your home to an invasion of war, maybe a school shooter catches all of you off guard, maybe a tornado comes, maybe your perceived future disappears in front of your eyes…    we experience unknowns…  and yet – we can we  and must we have JOY even if we don’t have understanding everything of what is going on around us…  We need to take a long view of life here on earth and in Heaven – these trials today are nothing compared of the JOY of eternal life.

Why JOY??? WE KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY –  we know PAST Good Friday – we know Easter already and we even know past present day (and trust me we know how Broken this world is – but what does Jesus ask of us? WALK WITH HIM…  We know at least a fraction of the LONGVIEW – THE REST OF THE STORY – Jesus has not kept it hidden from us – there are chapters of the Living Word – STILL prophesy yet to come…   He has written in the gospels and has written to us (thru beloved apostle John’s recording) a whole section called: REVELATION… Not only is Jesus risen from the dead on Easter – we learn in all these prophesies that Jesus IS coming again  – He states to His disciples and to all of us from the book of Mark:  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come…  KEEP WATCH…

James the brother of Jesus reminds new believers of the time and us: You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.!”

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Endless times I have been reminded to not to get too comfortable in life that I start to grumble, we need to shine JESUS JOY and let that be our jumping pads from which we go out and share the love of God – to the broken people out there – that famous saying that for some people, our actions are the only Bible that they will ever read… 

With the Holy Spirit’s help we can understand these prophesies –    I love this quote from a book I am reading:    “An important perspective to have on the book of Revelation is that it is not a game of theological Rubik’s Cube. It was not written as an intellectual puzzle for a group of people who enjoyed solving mathematical problems. Not for a moment. Its first readers were in too much of a life-and-death situation to enjoy that kind of relaxation.” (from Name above all names)

To understand more, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us learn. God is willing to lead us. Three examples:

* Take Simeon called by the Holy Spirit to the temple at the time of Jesus’s dedication at a week old – Simeon studied prophesy – Simeon knew The Messiah was coming: AND was praying and praying to see Him before he died – and guess what? the spirit of God was there to help Simeon know that THIS baby was His savior – the Light of the World to both Jews and Gentiles…, Jesus did not speak as an 8 day old infant, yet Simeon knew He was the One. The Spirit made Him known.

* Take John the Baptist who lept for joy in his mother’s womb as pregnant Mary came to them, Jesus was known by Spirit – NOT known by sight. Older Jesus was said to be not remarkable compared to the rest of the population – He essentially showed up as a normal looking guy. Even John the Baptist later in life had to ask Jesus, his own cousin, are You He?  Well that Spirit of God coming out of the sky was a pretty awesome sign to see I believe – God even saying how pleased He was in Jesus – whom to that point had not even performed a miracle… The Spirit made Him known.

* Take the faith of that last one man, a criminal, to ask Jesus for entering the kingdom, Jesus was unrecognizable, beard pulled out, beaten, bloody, hung… but out of this taunting, this fellow cross hanging man, a thief, knew that even He, dead man hanging, was Lord… He saw Jesus for who He really was…   and asked Jesus so importantly: Remember me… Jesus said: today you will be with me in paradise.

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We have the Holy Spirit to walk in faith not sight, like these people did. Knowing “the Rest of the Story” – not the “END of the story” BECAUSE THE STORY DOES NOT END, but knowing the Spirit – How blessed we get to learn the future and how Mighty God is – listen to these amazing sights we WILL see – our future:

• Revelation 19 excerpts Jesus defeating the prince of darkness:   I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.  – He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God…  On his robe and on his thigh, He has this Name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.

• How about the Millennium? Anyone up for a thousand years of peace??, ONLY by Jesus the Prince of Peace –  Revelation 20 *And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up….

• And a new city… to forever be WITH GOD…!!   Revelation 21 * Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” … “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. –  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

• Revelation 22 NIV Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. – . The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.

I hope we are JOY FILLED to know at least SOME of the new FOREVER story – a CLEAN PAGE every day.

We are broken people, but Jesus has given us each MANY forever new pages of life.  

Jesus NOW and in our future says: Now you know, the Rest of the Story…

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Won’t you please pray with me:

Lord, we are blessed that not only have you shared your story with us but you also include us, one by one into your story. Jesus you bring us salvation and we experience your mercy and grace. We know God that you call us your children, please help us spread this great Good news, especially this Lenten season as Your Easter people, we know Lord so many out there need to be introduced to you and hear the rest of the story,  Your continuing story has new blank pages for each of us. Let us worship you in joy. Lord, let us praise you forever because you are worthy… Hosanna, Halleluiah and Amen 

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Selected scriptures for Palm Sunday  and  “The Rest of the Story”:

Psalm 95: 1-7    Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear HIS voice…

Luke 19:37-42 NIV When Jesus came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” – “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” – Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” – “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it  and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

James 5:7-11 NIV   “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”

Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

John 11: 21-27   Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Luke 2:22-38  Jesus Presented in the Temple  When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”   The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,  so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 23:32-43  The criminal on the Cross is Saved by asking Jesus Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.  When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”  And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”  But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”  And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus is coming again   Matthew 24:30-39 Jesus said: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.  But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 

Mark 13:32-37    “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Revelation 4:1-11 to John  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 19:11-16    I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God…”

Revelation 20:1-6    And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (And that’s when Jesus destroys His influence forever).

Revelation 21:1-5    Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Revelation 22:1-5   Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:12-13  “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Snow? No… Relooking at last months photos the pool was perfect, people perfect, pretty penny cost levels were COVERED instead by FREE POINTS to provide patio-like shade in a cabana…. ahhhhh…. not a day at the spa, but yes at the pool with my friend hosting us… We had easy breakfast, delivered lunch, and late dinner with our family… LOVE… You could say this was a Sunny day filled with PROVISIONS.. 

How much MORE our God will continue to provide for us… . Oh yes, God’s provisions are not any less than us getting to spend the whole rest of our lives Heavenly on HIS POINTS, under HIS CABANA. 

“PROVISIONS”… that’s the name on the placard of the little store in the resort. Earthly provisions were granted for us to be there, warm 85 degrees sunny, was this Heaven? Hmmmmm…. Heavenly yes,  but Heaven no. This is earth, and yet I wondered what would make Heaven Heaven… How to fill in the missing parts of earth… Look for GOD first and GOD’S PROVISIONS… 

I read an important book page, my beach book of “Name above all Names“, and it reminded me to think how we shouldn’t preach for people believe in God because God gives financial security or perfection in human terms, lucky strikes or good looks, no… But that we should be preaching that God does give purpose to life, help to the lost, saving to the sinners…  yes… His perfection to give us is HIMSELF.

On earth we count our blessings AND here is what we ALSO get in Heaven: fulfilled love; knowledge of God’s closeness and worship of His Sovereignty over us; and a witness of His immense Love for giving His Son, a Lamb slain…

I had a WELL DONE burger at the restaurant one night out at a tourist opportunity for appreciating wildlife seen in captivity: gators, parrots and more. A Well Done burger for food safety, and yet how even more SAFE we are in Heaven because there we will say: “Well done, Lord!” Driving through rain and traffic back from dinner, I was appreciative of the safe landing at our home away from home… Even now I am grateful for a safe plane landing back home… And in between (the trip and home as well as earth and Home in Heaven) let me be grateful for everything…

Forever let us be worshipful grateful for God’s Provisions… WELL DONE LORD!!!

AMEN 

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Dear Dear,

One less tear,

Jesus IS Here.

Much less fear,

Jesus is Here.

Slow your gear, do not veer,

Jesus is Here. 

Leading AND holding up the rear,

Jesus is HERE.

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Jesus holds you so so very DEAR.

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Light in the darkness we peer,

Jesus is Here. 

Ultimate all-knowing Seer,

Jesus is Here.

Drawing to us so ever near,

Jesus is Here. 

Listen, Give Him your ear,

Jesus is HERE. 

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Be attentive and be sincere.

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Today, let us all HEAR.

Give Jesus one less shedding tear.

BELIEVE, BELIEVE, Jesus IS Here. 

.

Amen

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Zechariah 9:9,16

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

    righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

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The Lord their God will save his people

on that day as a shepherd saves his flock.

They will sparkle in his land

    like jewels in a crown.

…

Funny the signs the Lord sends me – actually the actual TRAFFIC SIGNS… Yes, we get earthly signs and we get heavenly signs – some are in the eyes of the beholder only and some (ALL) are in the eyes of the Sender. This particular traffic sign said: “END ONE WAY”.! BOOM – I physically FELT that sign. An instant answer to a one way thought conversation from me was turning into a no doubt answer from Him: One Way, His Way. Turning into His answer was me just driving straight and staying the course.

I saw this traffic sign and mental sign at the same time I was thinking about people’s deaths  – in general about what they believe for life after death – or not – and the choice to believe or not. I worry especially for my friends who are not believers and yet Jesus tells us not to worry but to witness.

I was thinking about Jesus, when I saw “ONE WAY”, knowing that IS the truth. Only thru Jesus will we be saved and approach the Father. And I thought about those who do not believe in Jesus – how are they ever going to get to believe in Him? They can – and even at the last minute… The sign said: “END ONE WAY” – yeah, we all do end ONE way. No turns we can take. No alternative routes. One Way thru Jesus. 

And yet this traffic sign on earth really meant that the one way street was ending and now you have to deal with 2 way traffic so don’t veer out of your lane. It is just a courtesy sign and a traffic calming device…  End “one way” – now it is a two-way street – OH, that is our relationship with the Lord too – in life and in death – a two-way street to conversation and relationship…  a two-way opportunity to chat and listen.  There is only ONE WAY – but there is a two-way interlude of conversation to get there – and when we do “Be Still” – we find that Jesus does do ALL the talking. By Grace alone we are SAVED.

ONE WAY = JESUS

TWO WAY = CONVERSATION

HIS WAY IS the HIGH-way to forgiveness day

All we have to do is bow down and look up.

Amen

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Psalm 97

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.

All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols – worship him, all you gods! Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, Lord. For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Ephesians 2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

OF ALL THE COMMANDS IN THE SCRIPTURES, THIS ONE IS FABULOUS:  SING !!!

In the car driving, I have a goldmine of music on my phone and CD and the radio and the ability to sing as loud as I want or need. I came across all my old practice band music for Easter- what JOYFUL chapters in my life… no matter how long or short, the song stays with me – and it IS best that the praise never fades – God’s got all this. Cling to the Cross. But someday exchange it for a crown!!!.  

If the Lord gave the birds a song, the ocean a roar, even thunder it’s clap, imagine what His Voice sounds like!!! And His voice written is Jesus lifting off the page as the Living Word. 

Reading Psalm 96 then 98, you might take a double take. In both it is singing that the Lord’s Word says: Don’t Forsake! Yes, both Psalms are singing the Lord’s praises. Both are in a whole chapter of music. O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Bless His Name. Declare His Glory. Yes! 

I have many times had a song populate my brain in tough times and in good times… God does that. He heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds.

Life reminds us that we can’t take anything on earth for granted – or with us to Heaven – don’t store up treasures on earth,,, We are but a vapor, so take one day (one steam breath) at a time. But into Heaven we CAN and WILL take our PRAISES!  Actually we will have perfect pitch in heaven, one of my former band leaders said. Cool, why wouldn’t we.  It is God’s desire to have us SING His Praises as that means we are recognizing the best gift He gives us – Himself. 

Blessedly, songs remind us to call upon the Lord, to get our strength from Him. We DO need to give Him praise and honor. We DO need to lower our knees and raise our voices…

Of everything God gives us, He especially gives Himself. I could sing about that all day!

Amen

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Psalm 96

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood REJOICE BEFORE THE LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

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Psalm 98

O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be JOYFUL TOGETHER BEFORE THE LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

WOW could stand for our Walk of Witness… 

WOW, He works and we watch.

WOW, We shuffle the deck, but He deals the cards!

WOW, He holds and we are held.

WOW, We cry tears and He collects.

WOW, He says Walk with ME, and not the World. 

WITNESS HIS WALK

WALK IN WITNESS

OUR WALK OF WITNESS IS OUR WOW OF THE LORD.

AMEN 

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Proverbs 16:1-9

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Psalm 97

The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord. For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

I am pretty sure that Jesus would and does call out to dead people and to alive people in the same way – with His same voice to them – because He sees them as in soul rather than in flesh – and it is the soul in us that listens and therefore doesn’t become deaf in death… just relocated.  I was just reading in Hebrews 5:13-14, 15-16): Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  

And it is totally true that we have an ability to be real with God – the good and the bad and the everything –  we have both an opportunity and a weakness to be ourselves in front of Him. It is said that His Strength can show thru our weakness. One of the hardest things I found out about doing a new polar plunge was that I had nobody to jump in with. In another I have fellow silly sisters as well as thousands of people. In this new one I walked in to the event alone. Cold water was fine, but the loneliness of alone is not. And so – by the grace of God there are others there who become your instant friends and comrades in taking on the challenge – talking about the situation – people come alongside even if it is for a five minute timeframe and you come alongside others… Although some (many) just go up to their knees or waist – there were others that went ALL IN…  We decide how deep we go. 

AND isn’t that life, isn’t that how we also decide to go all in for a conversation or just stay up to our ankles and jump out… Admitting weakness is one thing but finding opportunities to open and work thru weaknesses and stress could be difficult to find. And sometimes the “random” person on the train with you – or the gas station attendant – or in the grocery store line – or someone who notices us looking lost in a sea of people – those are the folks Jesus sends to connect with us – and we decide the level of our honestly and commitment to conversation – if we feel human compassion thru them, then they are whom we connect with – all ears and no judgements – humans who understand our humanness. 

Ultimately for the healing, however, we need Jesus and we do need to come clean with Him – this is where He can help the most – when you are honest with Him. His mercy and grace takes into account our brokenness before we are even born.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Even in our death He calls out to us – like Lazarus who walks out of the grave – like Jarius’s daughter who comes back for the sake of her family – isn’t that what Jesus does? Brings us back the souls of the people if not the whole bodies… If we can call on the Lord, then we can call on people. Jesus can fill a room with someone’s spirit – or simply tell us they are not there. And that DOES happen when you don’t have anyone to talk to. In substitution Jesus shows up because He wasn’t ever gone. He can soothe and comfort.  

Jesus is never gone – yes for those days after his death and before He resurrected, He was GONE in presence from those who had not yet gotten reconnected with His Spirit. How truly we are told that Jesus came to His friends and others back then and surely now. How truly Jesus comes with compassion and mercy and coverage for our loneliness with His calling our names from Heaven to earth. We may think that our souls live here on earth – but surely you might know that the place in heaven is mapped out for you – many rooms Jesus said – many rooms. 

Jesus calls us in life and in death because surely our soul is from His spirit – and something our dust is wrapped around… We are not deaf in death, therefore let us try to listen and speak to God in our life.  God knows our dust trails and therefore our hearts and minds. Let us call out to the Lord in our aloneness, even in a crowd. Let us let God comfort us. And, yes, let us let God settle our accounts on earth just as He settles our dust.

Amen

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  

Psalm 37: 23-24 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

SO MANY people went to the water today – for a polar plunge – and soon after they were quickly scattered and gone… WHEW! never saw so many clear out so fast…

Some people were scared and some were dared – and some of course were like “it’s not that hard” because they were PREPARED.

Isn’t that what we are supposed to be? PREPARED! If we step into the world, we are expected to get sometimes a cold shoulder to our warmth, get a slap of cold water onto our warm heart, get interrupted BY someone in the middle of a prayer FOR that someone… Well? keep praying… keep walking… keep splashing… keep hearing the call – though you may stumble you will not fall. The Lord upholds with His Hand and His Plan… The steps are firm even if they go squish thru the mud. Mud, you know, is how they make bricks, and buildings, and walkways…

Keep splashing the Spirit… Keep the faith… Keep stepping thru the mud!

I was feeling dry,

But the Lord said don’t cry. 

It is readily reading from my Word that you should ply, apply, and reapply. 

I don’t know Life’s whys but I know His Word is WHY.

It’s WHY, it’s What, it’s How, It’s When, Where and Why.

When? Now. Now, Then, Forever and in every When.

God’s Word is Him. Sufficient to be in. Good time is spent within.

Amen

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 55:8-13

The Strains of the Cross,

The Stains on the Cross,

The Pains of the Cross,

The Remains on the Cross,

The Reclaim of the Cross,

The GAINS on the CROSS.

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Our Savior Reigns. Forever Life Regained. 

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The once Banes of the Cross, 

Death’s Disdains by the Cross, 

Led to EXCLAIMS on the Cross, 

Salvation PROCLAIMS via the Cross,

A Savior Reigns over the Cross,

The Name Above All Names CHOSE this Cross, HIS Cross.

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Our Savior fulfilled only Gains. Our Lord Savior Saves. Proclaim His Name.

Amen

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Isaiah 12

In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Psalm 96

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

In looking for “Closure to Open”  29MAR – #541 – a favorite blog over half a blog life ago, I found/find comfort in where the Lord had my head, and where He needs it now.  I am thankful for thankfulness… I read in my little devotion book this morning about thankfulness. About it’s being a shift in your life and 100% percent I say YES.

So with thankfulness (and a busy schedule) I rerelease a few of my favorites at that link below – including this one:

Closure to Open

a Holy Thursday Reflection…

A counselor once told me: “You need closure, so that you can open up fully…”

I thought that was an interesting juxtaposition of terms – of closing to be open…

I’ve been praying on that irony… and I understand. To close wounds allows us to redirect our energy, our purpose, our hope. God heals and we help by allowing Him to do His work.

The Living Water of Jesus was purposefully directed to us, His flow allows us to LIVE.

A rose waiting to bloom is ready to open, but not until directed cues cause the water to enter the petals, the cells to expand, and a bloom form for the eye to behold…. see, feel, smell the sweet aroma of life.

Can you see your heart like a rose ready to bloom? God holds your heart petals together. Can you see how the closures of leaks would not remove the water that may have leaked thru the tears but redirects the water into hydrating flow that will grow you? He will bloom you. He makes all things beautiful…

“You need closure, to open fully…”

Jesus thru His death and resurrection brings back the sweet aroma of life, today, everyday, evermore. Back to the Garden… Easter is the opening, the redirection of His Spirit for our future to be realized in the present – God wants to be known. He blooms new life into us because of closure of Jesus’s short earthly form. The flow of Living Water now available for all.

“You need closure, to open fully…”

Closure is a process none of us takes lightly, nor can we try to force it… Any time we need closure, remember that it’s because Loving God wants redirecting of His Life in and thru you… to open you… to bloom… to bear fruit…. to LIVE… to LIVE now… to LIVE again…

Amen

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https://debbieupper.blog/2018/03/

Death and the thought of it (especially in Easter time) brings us closer to life.  Closing one Act and opening another…

I watched the school musical, Addams Family, so well performed, watched it twice, 2 sets of actors in lead roles, each brought the characters to their own interpretation still while staying true to the established expectations of us TV generation – and that’s not easy because this TV generation kid knows even the expected smiles of the beloved characters, – so even if the wardrobe was perfect, it’s the smiles or lack there of that sells the story as “authentic” Granted this musical is based more on the movie than the TV show…. 

What makes me now smile internally is seeing the Christian references pop out in “secular” stories…  Talking about the dead, how could it not? Looking at graveyard scenes, it was filled with crosses. The display case too had a vintage era looking weathered cross. Interesting that in secular places, one lead actress in her alternate non-lead character on the 2nd night, was portraying a deceased nun as a backup player. A nun with a cross around her neck, naturally…  She held up the cross as defensive offensive work in some of the scenes where all the craziness was coming out in the characters…  Yeah – this was not presented as a faith play but I got a smile because God found His “in”… 

God finds His “in” – or simply we scratch the surface of where He already IS in… Yes, in death we just reflect on the need for the Lord – and even those who don’t necessarily worship the Lord can often be seen to appreciate those who do – and take it as “a norm” to turn to faith…  Of course, this is not true in each country – we can both demonstrate our faith and even demonstrate a ho-hum attitude to it in the US – but in many countries they have to keep their faith underwraps but open to the Lord’s needs. And in some they become martyrs for their faith.

Good Lord – I do ponder our ability to both believe and not believe… And I do appreciate opportunities to give you credit where credit is due…

The Addams Family is funny – and as a hat trick to this past weekend where the sermon at church and songs played all seemed to point (naturally) to the truly Easter theme – “death brings life”…   Death of the Lord brings Him and us new Life. Our own death will bring new life in Him. In the meantime, death of our earthly wants and cruxes, brings new Life in freedom from shackling chains that we get to drop. And death to the wickedness of evil in a broken world (after the Rapture and 1000 years Millennium) will be SO JOYFUL after such pain. Even if we will see not necessarily in our lifetime, surely as Heavenly observers, we will witness these stages of death to new life time…  

At intermission of the Addams Family musical I ate cookies while waiting for the final act – and took some home for later…  At this Lenten time of reflection, let us also be joyful in waiting for the final act – hold onto Joy and take some home for later… We already have been admitted to the “theatre of life” – the ticket was paid for and punched – and the curtain has not closed yet, so keep living it out. Keep living LIFE before Death to prep for LIFE after Death. Even best, we are now “behind the curtain” – so we get to see Jesus bringing for His new Acts to Life…  

Amen 

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Psalm 97

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.

All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods! Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, Lord. For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

There’s projects that will go unfinished in life, and some we finish some just to finish. Some things left half done or 90% done but we need to push to wrap up, some we don’t even start because we are afraid we can’t finish. 

My sewing pile, that letter to a friend, half thoughts not shared, work stuff. And sometimes we wish stuff would go away, like icky projects. Sometimes they do. Sometimes we can just walk away. Sometimes we just need time to walk back.  

If there are piles of unfolded laundry, we just move those baskets around, need motivation to put them away, but a fresh dryerfull, still warm? mmmm, I could dispense with that in no time. Hmmm… A house cluttered for weeks, but if company is coming? In 10 minutes it’s marvelous.  Hmmm… Solution? Rewash the laundry and invite people over for visits and keep up with the motivation. Or don’t sweat the small stuff and have people over anyway – wear stuff from the laundry baskets too…

Many a devotional thought is half finished when I stop to think about it rather than just live it, maybe it is to rest on my brain longer,  in my heart too. Maybe we are to hold thoughts of pondering Him and see then how He tackles the day, is the Way, and suffers too the lost projects. Oh, I see where this devotional writing it going: we are God’s unfolded laundry… oh… We collectively have members of the world who are unfolded, not in Jesus’s sheep fold-collective yet because they still have the wool over their eyes, and He is out there working on finding them, ready to give them a clean shave to see. Even us who stray and fray and gray are sometimes too long out in the field, due for a rewash, a fresh start, a breezy clean smell of Holy Spirit. If the motivation is what we need, only one spark can re-light our fire, the Lord. 

One thing that we do know, is that unfinished stuff will always remain on earth. Like breaking up a house, either we do it or someone else will. Like the sewing pile, someone knowledgeable will salvage it, or someone overwhelmed will toss it. But God? He knows where and what to do with HIS STUFF: US. He did finish the work He established by sending Jesus to take away the burden of sin and have us walk as sheep into His fold, and better yet He lifted us in because no matter how high you can jump out of your skin, you can not jump our of your sin – Jesus needs to lift you to His Arms and lift your stains from your way, His Way. And if we get stale or soiled, we can be rewashed on the spot. Jesus, His motivation never waivers… He finishes. He recollects, He rewashes. He re-folds.

Jesus finished the wash but He is still folding…

Keep the faith that Jesus will be there for everyone who wants to be clean.

Amen

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

THE LORD -Reigns -IS Robed -IS Majestic -HAS Strength

THE LORD -IS Established -IS Firm -IS Secure -IS Throned -For Eternity

THE LORD – IS Lifted -IS Vocal -IS Mighty -IS Mightier -Stands Firm

THE LORD -IS Holiness –IS High on the Mighty -IS IN HIS House

FOR Endless Days

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Psalm 93 – One small Psalm – One God LARGER than all.

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. our throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.

Oh the fun of scratch offs – which you know are rip offs – but fun anyway to play to dream to puzzle and oh to win…  even if it is only a dollar to get another ticket…

I don’t over indulge and too many do in a “get rich quick” dream obsession, but a scratch off sitting in the trash can next to the ATM really caught my eye – it was not scratched off.  It had the QR code scratched only – what weird waste of the fun part of the scratch off games…. what a waste of not money but the “not time” devoted to fun…  hmmm….  i grabbed it and took a photo and yeah i scratched it – only 4 8’s where 5 were needed to win…  yeah i confirmed that scratch offs are likely to not pay off…  but what is the point of buying and not scratching… Hmmmm…

That got me thinking – what is the point of faith without works – and works without faith….  IT IS FAITH that helps put us with the works that God asks us to do – like give a hug, a helpful hand, a haul of stuff, a holding of a hand of hurt, and a huffah of a laugh whole heartedly…   Don’t grab your salvation without scratching the surface of servanthood – or even some of the suffering…  Don’t scratch minimally and run…. Savor the Scratch of the Surface of the Savior’s Style…  Be Present. 

I gave my mom scratch off tickets for her birthday – she is a leprechaun – even if not irish – she celebrates the irish…  she IS lucky and she IS blessed…  she does win thing – but these scratch offs that I gave her for her birthday are just for fun – i collected via my friends from 11 different states – cool huh? just for unique fun…  does it matter if she makes cash? not really – because we already won fun.

Does it matter if we scratch the surface of our faith more deeply  – OH YEAH!!!! It Matters!

Be the blessed of the lucky today – and take God’s advice – BE HIS…

Amen

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—–

Proverbs 11

The Lord detests dishonest scales,
    but accurate weights find favor with him.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness delivers from death.

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
   but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
    all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.

The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

A gossip betrays a confidence,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers.

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

A kindhearted woman gains honor,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

Truly the righteous attain life,
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.

The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,
    but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.

Those who trust in their riches will fall,
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

If the righteous receive their due on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Have you ever known someone who wastes energy in fighting a fight that won’t be won? Or someone carrying a grudge which prevents them from experiencing the benefits of that relationship? well – yeah – and so sad but so common… and who are the people around them that suffer that tiptoe-ing ripple effect… yeah, wasted energy.

And how much more beneficial when we don’t put ourselves into that defensive mode and just either move on or move away from situations that drag us down rabbit holes of resentments? Stay away from gossips and fear mongers and all those other wasters of time. Notice how people come in and disrupt things and then they disappear when the money is gone or the challenge to build their fame is no longer interesting. Best to keep a lower profile and keep working – be the tortoise instead of the hare –  keep tilling the soil – be in it (life) for the long haul and the plentiful harvest. Desire the Farm over the Fame. The Righteous for God are in good company: “for the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” 

Scripture says: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…” , well I just saw LOTS of palm trees in Florida and some were flourishing in natural areas without people trimming and removing the leaves – or they were maintained to perfection high and mighty. The important thing to know about palm trees is their roots are very shallow but they stand so tall and seemingly sturdy – but like us, it is the grip of roots firmly into the soil which keep them from teetering over.  Trees have to withstand the strong storms, but we do have the ability to take refuge in God’s Hands: “But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.”

So how do WE keep from teetering over? realize who is Righting-us, Whose Righteousness is keeping us going. Not ours – and not our “I’m Right” fightedness. It is the Lord for the Lord’s purposes Who is shining His benefits our way. And not just the wicked will perish but the unimportant things of the day – the squabbles – the misunderstandings – the people who disrupt our world and then walk away.  Don’t let them steal your roots from His Soil. All is temporary anyway, except God. All changes, except God. All earthly things won’t make us any better in Heavenly terms, so get right with accepting and wanting His Righteousness over our own. Stay Green not in naivety but in child-like faith

And not all palm trees are coconut palms, just a few…  So, what is the productive thing about coconut palm trees (in addition to looking so nice like the other palms)? Bearing fruit…  The coconut is desired for it gives a highly nutritious power-packed fruit to eat. Many Many more coconuts (like 150 a year) will be produced than the trees that will sprout and grow from them…  Like acorns from an oak tree, averaging over 25 pounds per year of shared fruit, possibly 2000 acorns for a 100 year old tree in a good year, we too must be like these trees and bear good and plentiful fruit to have excess to give away as food and food for thought. “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, witness and experiencing: “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock…” The people who experience and respect His Righteousness are too busy producing good fruit than spending time showing off their leaves, because what are leaves for? Gathering the sun and nutrients and producing sugars to grow into fruits… God knows what you are doing for Him – keep doing it…   Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?  Does he who formed the eye not see?

In other words – don’t worry about showy people or fly by night and disappear people or whim-like people, and keep producing fruit, HIS fruit… Hold your roots onto His Rock and not in the unstable soil of distractors.  Be productive for Our Lord Gardener, Vinedresser, Father…  How Great are HIS Works!! Great enough to let you bear some of His fruit on you! 

Fruit over Folly. Forever. Stay Green my friends.

Amen

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Psalm 92 – A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,  proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

But you, Lord, are forever exalted. For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me. My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

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Psalm 94

The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant? They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting. They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance. They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless. They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?  Does he who formed the eye not see?  Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge? The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Can a corrupt throne be allied with you – a throne that brings on misery by its decrees? The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.

Yesterday I was complaining about not being in Florida warmth anymore. I wonder, if I hadn’t experienced it, would I have been complaining so much about the cold? Hmmm… I AM glad I appreciated it then either way – but yeah, we have expectations once we have privileges. 

I watched a CNN story of a NY Canada border crossing for immigrants as asylum seekers (video link at the bottom), I was touched by the politeness of the situation, the compassion of guards, the local community woman giving out free warm clothes and we heard “God bless” on national TV-video, and I sensed the gratefulness in the hug of the Russian man who just physically reacted in love… there is no greater expression of thank you than one that comes from the heart.

Regardless of legal circumstances, the compassion here was freely given, and I don’t think it was just because the cameras were rolling. We all have to be compassionate to others who have less. I am sure these people will get much scorn later because of an illegal status, but that did not deter a lady giving away mittens – she probably is these people’s statue of liberty in disguise. Lady Liberty off the clock after the boom of “manageable” welcomed huddled masses has been long gone. Yes, so not a legit entry method, but imagine if we had a fraction of compassion as if we watched the Sound of Music’s triumphant mountain climax of asylum seekers.

COMPASSION pours out of us, regardless of our political views of asylum seekers. If you see these faces, it’s hard to stay so cold in spirit. It is a broken world out there – it really is. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus knew it was a broken world, and if we start to look at the world in those terms then it is easier to put aside the anger and start the compassion.

When I have crossed the Canadian border, which I’ve done at least a dozen or 2 dozen times for vacation, I have always had just a little bit of nervous fear that they wouldn’t believe me – not that I was who I was- because they probably scan the license plate anyway – but because I was worried they wouldn’t believe my intentions or that I wasn’t carrying more than chocolate souvenirs. Yes, people do smuggle stuff across the border, maybe like home improvements construction supplies, people just tend to stretch the rules sometimes. People just are people. In the 50’s and 60’s, my dad’s car was stripped apart at border crossings in an attempt to find any smuggled cigarettes or anything, it was with good trade fairness intentions, hopefully, by the guards, even if it probably also was to demonstrate their authority. And no, my Dad never got in trouble, but I always will remember his stories. 

I’m not making a political statement about the process of nationalism or illegal immigration, but wanted to WITNESS to the COMPASSION of people, or least the routine-ness of it even on a very cold road. The guards were mostly not wearing hats, very adapted to the temperatures, but the immigrants wore hats and mittens, they were walking COLD on a cold road into cold Canada but had some true warmth of insulation: mittens, well-wishes and HOPE. They had real suitcases, paid real money from NYC onto a bus, then money to the taxi driver 28 miles up to the crossing, were walking a cold road but with the best plan they could muster for the future. Again, not to be political but to observe that so often the road of unknown is traversed with hope even through heartache. 

Not surprising, this crossing is getting busier, they walk into being arrested with all the implications and yet someone (who knows the brokenness of the whole situation) helps them with their bags, their paperwork, their hopes. Hmmm…   Jesus walked in to being arrested too… The scriptures state the shock of the guards, falling down. Jesus stood up to say TAKE ME. How interesting that He walked into a broken world WILLINGLY to get us eventually to One that won’t be broken anymore. How interesting that Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greeted by a warm welcome, but in tears for the people mistook His intentions, thinking He was to make THEIR earthly kingdom restored in the immediate sense, but unaware that He came to make God’s Kingdom restored in a forever sense. How interesting that Jesus took on the known cold road in fulfilment of the scriptures. 

It’s that awareness on the journey we also must walk, we are aware only in part of the healing hope ahead… and we WILL experience this broken world along the way of the Way. We WILL sometimes be the crossing people and sometimes feel like the crossing guard, but must realize JESUS is our crossing guard who helps us with our bags AND our paperwork.

Thank you Jesus for Your Compassion of us – the immigrants you are bringing in from the cold.

Amen

—-

John 18:1-9

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

—

Here is the video:

Roxham road: Why the US northern border is experiencing record migration | CNN

https://us.cnn.com/2023/03/13/us/roxham-canada-border-migrant-increase/index.html

My vacation long weekend quick trip included many choices: discussions of which rental car, which pool, which beach, which restaurant, which bulk candy to scoop, which skeeball machine to play and which toy prize (I got a donut with sprinkles keychain)… ALL GOOD choices to choose from. Our trip to the Atlantic Ocean beach (so beautiful) found us with so many seashells to choose from – collecting all shapes from spirals to oyster shells to cement-like Coquina made from fossils even, broken shells formed into sedimentary rocks, brought in by the waves. We took some, but never could you deplete all the good choices – it is sort of, well totally, unbelievable how many good choices there are. What if we looked upon our life choices that way? Building upon God choices that He brings in like a wave. Pick up on some – and leave some for others.

My friend, local to that beach, discussed her own new life choices, like where to move. My other friend from our earlier days of vacation time had also been contemplating life change: which career path to take now as all kids are of school age… SO many good choices – maybe hard decisions, maybe easy ones – but always many MORE good choices than bad…

Perhaps these life choices for all of us are so numerous that almost like the seashells, there could be no wrong choices or at least time to study the opportunities. Perhaps bad choices could be tossed back to the sea. Granted for both shells, and small and large life choices, some decisions are heavier to carry or harder to carry out, some are temporary like that rental car, or short-lived like that candy, or made into a stepping stone for job choices, like Coquina shell rock, using the past to build the future.

In all, we must learn to trust the Lord to lead our decisions and forgive our mistakes. We need to build upon God choices.  

A friend recently described the benefits of the Holy Spirit going THRU US rather than just to us – and this is as how you channel the whole ocean through your hands, by leaving them open and available to move in God’s Work. Maybe that’s why we have SO many choices because the Holy Spirit wants so many to be OK. We don’t collect the whole ocean but let it flow thru our lives. We use that power of the Holy Spirit to move well. Earthly decisions are TEMPORARY, going out with the next tide, but Heavenly choices? They flow us forward to the Lord. Let us follow God’s Heart as best we can.

Don’t worry about tomorrow, God will give fresh God choices then. Live in today’s wave…

Amen

—
Psalm 93
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea — the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.

Psalm 91
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

I appreciate that many people write self-help books, they DO want to help – and do want to give you what THEY THINK is great advice – and reach out to enrich our philosophical souls…  However, often this is earthly advice, with a greater purpose in mind… So truthfully, after all my readings of scripture, I can say that Jesus knows the Way, is the Way, sends us on His Way without us having to go it alone. God-given advice looks beyond the boundaries of our mirky view…  Don’t try to read the bumper sticker, hop in the car with Jesus.

Any advice one should ALWAYS check against scripture.  So, although this book “Advanced Soul” seems to have some scriptural inspirations, I find it is mostly not… and the most red of red flags for me was the instructions to randomly flip through the pages, point your finger and get your answer. Hmmmm… God can help pull lots in His favor, but don’t try to read tea leaves if God says don’t drink from that cup. (My apologies to the author and my friend who passed it to me from giving someone else who was done with it, I will stick with the Word).

We are instructed that if it is not from the Word, or contradictory to the Word, it is missing the mark. So I have learned to try to steer clear of the artificial advice, misconstrued mumble, and things seemingly insincere.  This book did come via a beloved friend – and maybe for her it was ok for a season, (like Ecclesiastes 3:1 states) “to every thing there is a season and a time under the heaven.” But maybe it just didn’t satisfy. Maybe it ran dry. . . Maybe I know why, it mostly wasn’t living water to satisfy. 

So for me, I will stick to the Word, I will go for SIMPLE TRUTH in a saved soul over having an “advanced soul”. I will try to be childlike rather than jaded. I will stop fishing for answers and let the Fisherman who caught me just feed me ‘His Line’…  Faith is not a trap but an open path out of the valley of the shadow of death…

Remember always:

God’s got this

God’s got this

God’s got this…

Amen 

Love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

-‐-

Psalm 89:1-29 – A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies. The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. Your arm is endowed with power;  your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.

For you are their glory and strength,  and by your favor you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have raised up a young man from among the people. I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him. I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries. My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exalted. I will set his hand over the sea,  his right hand over the rivers. He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.’ And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.

—-

Psalm 87
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
He has founded his city on the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, city of God: “I will record Rahab and Babylon  among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush— and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.” The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”

---

Well – an hour less of sleep tonight – but that also means an hour less of worry tomorrow.

An hour less of mess, an hour less of complaining, an hour less of stumbling, an hour less of waiting…  an hour less until Jesus comes again…  (hey I like my sleep too – but wow, Jesus is coming an hour quicker now? cool…..)

And Christmas came to me today – and DIDN”T pinch me – wow!  I mean Christmas the crab AND Christmas the shopping!  Yes – I had a Walk to Emmaus Gathering today and brought Christmas with me – the crab – he (yes I studied and determined him as a he) went for a ride and was the basis for my talking about my journey in the spiritual weekend – I didn’t know that I was going to be in charge of one of God’s creatures – 5 years now – he is very low maintenance – and yet Christmas was lost on the ground that october day – a walk directed for me and my walking partner as we listened to our hunch of which path to take (thanks God!).   SO, how could we not pick him up – except we didn’t and had to go back again the next day – he was still there…

In my talk today I spoke about how Christmas has changed shells – and often we do as well – but of course we are strongest in the Armor of God. I also spoke how important it was for me to “come out of my shell” to my co-walking ladies at that weekend – and same now – to have companions of Christ – to have brothers and sisters of each other – we understand each other – and we are NOT to judge…  NOPE!  I also spoke of how Christmas molted and how I had to wait (just like we all have to wait) – and how we are new creations in Christ…

In my Christmas shopping today (I know it is March, but a HUGE sale was brewing at the craft store), I got craft kits for little trees – less than 50 cents each – and christmas wreaths for 1.25…  wow! 

And here is the biggest Christmas gift I got to participate in today – the gift of the Holy Spirit timing…  I hope that my words are not taken as my timing or bragging but that the Lord gave me charge of Christmas the crab for many reasons I don’t see coming until they do, I got to show Christmas to 20 young children today…  WOW! I was walking down the stairs after the Emmaus event – and since I had parked in the back – and grumbled about walking all the way around earlier – I had to leave thru those downstairs doors – and wow!!!  100 children were there for “saturday schoool” – a local eastern european ethnic community raising their children in a church closeness…  feeding them lunch and everything…  cool…  I stopped at the bottom of the stairs for a crying child – he must have fallen – was inconsolable. He did not want to look at Christmas when I pulled him out – but the other 20 children gathered around and I explained how God must have sent me (and my friend) to find him – he was lost…  cool…

We are lost until we are found – and so many children need to hear about God – hear about Jesus – hear about HOPE. We need to let them come and be children and curious and called.  I had many smiles today that God gave me – I had many opportunities to praise…  Who needs grumpling anyway when each day we can PRAISE…

So, one less hour tonight for sleep – but wow – one more hour closer to Jesus coming again – keep an eye out – just like Christmas – and WHAT A SURPRISE that will be!!!!

An hour less is an hour more.

Amen

—

Psalm 85 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

I often pray so hard for a sudden event but follow up with praise afterwards so much more minimally than I should. I have LOTS of praise, and God has even MORE goodness than we could ever praise. 

Praise and prayers for my travelling – classic pray a lot – but how much better for me to start with praise for the last time God delivered answered prayers… in other words  praise praise praise. My vacation time was great, started last Saturday after SLEEPING: 9 to 4! Wanted 5am, but God got me up even earlier, seeing how He thought I was well rested enough to spend the extra hour with Him..  I did write some part of this devotion then,  then wrote alot of others on vacation like I was clearing my mental backlog by remembering to praise! I finished up a fun song below, from what I didn’t finish that first morning before the plane flight. 

It’s back to work now and “regular” life, but praising? We (I) should be praising even more!

Here is the song! Sing it with me! (Inspired by Dolly Parton’s genius)

Sleeping 9 to 5, 

Exhausted from your livin’

Barely gettin’ by

It’s all nappin’ and no dreamin’

You could lose your mind

And the bed is not forgivin’.

It’s enough to drive you

Crazy if you let it.

.

Sleepin’ 9 to 4

What a way to start vacation’.

Sleepin’ 9 to 3

God needs you in devotion’.

Sleepin’ 9 to 2

“Don’t go there” dream interruptn’. 

It’s enough to drive you

Praise-y if you let it.

.

Praising 24/7

That’s how we should be livin’.

God has got us GOOD.

How can we be forgettin’ ?

Rescued me,

I am forever grateful. 

It’s enough to drive you 

Joyful and you know it!!!

—

Amen!

Love being on Vacation.

Love opening a Bible as an OPEN BOOK that I know I have become very blessed to understand and desire… blessed to not back down from a faith conversation either… I loved the opportunity to “flip to a page” from the bible in the hotel room…  it was the “set your face as flint” passage from Isaiah 

The travel was awesome and so was the sticker that had Jesus on it – that I used as my bookmark… I love that statue from Rio – and it is cool that people will think of Jesus when they travel… and when they live…

Get your strength from Heaven – there is no better place!

Amen

—————-

Psalm 84 New King James Version

The Blessedness of Dwelling in the House of God. To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

The Lord will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

I had a WELL DONE burger at the restaurant last night, which was a tourist opportunity for appreciating wildlife in captivity (gators, parrots) and in the wild. Well done burger for food safety, and yet how even more safe we are in Heaven, and there we can say: “Well done, Lord!”

Driving through rain and traffic back from dinner, I was appreciative of the safe landing at our home away from home on vacation… I bet a couple days from now I will be grateful for a safe plane landing back home… so in between I will be grateful for everything… and forever I will be worshipful grateful for God’s Provisions… WELL DONE LORD!!!

AMEN 

We are a VAPOR, God knows that for sure… 

He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. Psalm 78

.

God gave us a brain, let us use it. 

God gave us Grace, let us accept it. 

God gave us life, let us live it. 

We are a vapor, He is eternal. 

But He still blew life into you anyway, so your vapor could be IN His Breeze.

.

David became a shepherd to the sheep, 

a king to the kingdom, 

an ancestor to the Lord. 

David came from a people who drifted and strayed, 

but God kept the Kingdom coming anyway. 

.

God chose to take the vapor and cook up something good…

God chose you to be with Him.

Amen

---

Psalm 78, a History of His Faithfulness

Psalm 78
A maskil of Asaph.

1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.

9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
10 they did not keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by his law.
11 They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
14 He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18 They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God;
they said, “Can God really
spread a table in the wilderness?
20 True, he struck the rock,
and water gushed out,
streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
Can he supply meat for his people?”
21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
22 for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance.
23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above
and opened the doors of the heavens;
24 he rained down manna for the people to eat,
he gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Human beings ate the bread of angels;
he sent them all the food they could eat.
26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens
and by his power made the south wind blow.
27 He rained meat down on them like dust,
birds like sand on the seashore.
28 He made them come down inside their camp,
all around their tents.
29 They ate till they were gorged—
he had given them what they craved.
30 But before they turned from what they craved,
even while the food was still in their mouths,
31 God’s anger rose against them;
he put to death the sturdiest among them,
cutting down the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he ended their days in futility
and their years in terror.
34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;
they eagerly turned to him again.
35 They remembered that God was their Rock,
that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,
lying to him with their tongues;
37 their hearts were not loyal to him,
they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he was merciful;
he forgave their iniquities
and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger
and did not stir up his full wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the wasteland!
41 Again and again they put God to the test;
they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power—
the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,
43 the day he displayed his signs in Egypt,
his wonders in the region of Zoan.
44 He turned their river into blood;
they could not drink from their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,
and frogs that devastated them.
46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,
their produce to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail,
their livestock to bolts of lightning.
49 He unleashed against them his hot anger,
his wrath, indignation and hostility—
a band of destroying angels.
50 He prepared a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death
but gave them over to the plague.
51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
52 But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
54 And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to the hill country his right hand had taken.
55 He drove out nations before them
and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

56 But they put God to the test
and rebelled against the Most High;
they did not keep his statutes.
57 Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless,
as unreliable as a faulty bow.
58 They angered him with their high places;
they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard them, he was furious;
he rejected Israel completely.
60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent he had set up among humans.
61 He sent the ark of his might into captivity,
his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
62 He gave his people over to the sword;
he was furious with his inheritance.
63 Fire consumed their young men,
and their young women had no wedding songs;
64 their priests were put to the sword,
and their widows could not weep.

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
66 He beat back his enemies;
he put them to everlasting shame.
67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loved.
69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth that he established forever.
70 He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.

The flip side of Jesus going after the one sheep lost, is that he leaves 99 behind… But I know shepherds surely don’t usually work alone; they have other shepherds to help…  So, those other 99, they probably will be perfectly fine. They (we) like sheep can stick together closely, right? Jesus is sure they will – otherwise He wouldn’t charge them with taking care of each other… We do know best to stay together and we must be willing to be OK. Yes.

We do know how to stick together, right? Yes, we do. We do know how to huddle and ask Jesus to come find us, right? We hopefully do. We do know how to follow and keep on the path, right? We prayerfully do.

Jesus would go after just the one, and we must also sometimes put our needs aside and be Jesus to go after that one or this one or any one. (Sometimes simply most powerfully in prayer we can reach them by God if we can’t reach them by hand).

So often we need to take some time with Jesus. Jesus would understand that, Jesus Himself went 40 days out into the wilderness just to be with God and God alone. In ourselves we can find that special hidden place where we discuss everything with God. 

The Lord knows so much that He waits out where you are going, He knows. Jesus is there, Jesus is aware. We are children of His flock.

Amen

---

Psalm 77 (said Jesus from Heaven)

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.  My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles;you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10

Children of the Light,

Try to live life right.

Sleepers of the night,

Try to sleep tight.

Awake children to take flight.

Work the soil and fight the fight.

Be the Lords, be HIS Children of the Light

Amen

I heard a “new to me” term – “LAZARUS SATURDAY”… What? Oh! That makes sense. Those days/weeks before Palm Sunday (and a few times before that) are when Jesus was with Lazarus, Mary and Martha in Bethany… OH!!!!! So cool to appreciate this term… I Googled and Wikipedia-ed it and it IS a real feast observance day for some near the end of Lent. “Lazarus Friday” and “Lazarus Saturday”… There’s even a tasty feast bread “Lazarakia” made to look like a wrapped Lazarus bodies. Cool… (Imagine tearing off some bread strips like his wrappings – and remembering Jesus in breaking the bread is like Him by taking the rap and allowing us to take some of the wraps of death – the grave cloths – off of ourselves.)

When my son was little, in Sunday school, the class did the classic toilet paper wrapping of each other to pretend like being Lazarus – adorable- but also I said to myself, “someday I hope my son will remember this” – our experiences in making Bible characters come alive for children (and us) puts motions to concepts, gives understanding at a basic level, and gets seeds planted deeply, protected and ready to sprout dozens of years later.

Lazarus. Jesus knew that plan. Jesus walked that plan. Jesus lived that plan: to let death enter into the equation of how life will become forever. Jesus came to Lazarus but only after a few days, He knew God needed the people to see a HUGE sign, Jesus knew that He had to let his friend Lazarus pass away, and the hearts break in Mary and Martha. Jesus knew His Own Walk would mirror this time, take His Own close friends and family and followers from triumphant Palm Sunday into DESPAIR, just a short time later. This job, was a job only Jesus could do. Only Jesus could know, act, wait, weep, and bring it all to be worshipful. Only Jesus. That was a Jesus Job.

What was something only Jesus knew? That He had to WAIT. Jesus was walking towards His death and deliverance, He even pre-wrote in His Word all thru the prophets in the old testament. We wait all the time for little things, IMAGINE the LONG TIME Jesus had to wait. (Imagine the long wait even now for Jesus to return)… Jesus had even to endure knowing that Lazarus was so so close and yet the action plan was not timed yet to go, Jesus had to WAIT. When it really was time, His disciples were then wondering IF they should travel or not over to Lazarus, said to be a short trip but perhaps dangerous, but Jesus knew He had a “Jesus Job” to do. 

He came. Martha said, He’s dead, Mary also said: if only you could have come at our request. They all were in total despair, and their teacher also seemed to have been distant. Jesus wept. Jesus wept for and with them. Jesus was made to wait for the longterm solution and NOT the quick fix. No bandaid approach. Just REAL HEALING. Jesus then had to remind her this was not the end. Jesus had to say: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Was it human agony to wait out the pause? To wait and watch God-sized ducks get in a row? For Jesus to NOT call down an angel, or simply walk to Lazarus before he was dead. Who could endure such agony in WAITING? WHO? JESUS.  Who could face their own death as part of the plan, then keep walking and working up until that last moment? JESUS. 

OH LAZARUS SATURDAY, LAZARUS FRIDAY… What distraction it must have been to focus on one person’s death and life (and the teaching of hundreds, thousands, billions in addition to 2 sisters) all while walking into your own death. Not just death but complete distance from God to remove all our sins. Only Jesus could take that job. 

Waiting..  only Jesus… Actually? Only Jesus? Knowing what we know now, can we do some of Jesus’s waiting? Could we pick up some of these other “Jesus jobs” too? Hmmm… I bet we can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus knows we can.

If you are waiting on a friend, to realize something, to wake up, to calm down, to come back? You have a Jesus job.

If you have to forgive a grievance, right a wrong that you did not cause, you have a Jesus job.

If you see someone lost and have to hand them a map, you have a Jesus job.

If you are facing suffering and death yourself but have to keep faith, have to encourage, you have a Jesus job.

If you believe when others waiver, and you can speak in truth, that IS a Jesus Job.

If you ever had to wait on anything in your life, Jesus has been there (Jesus is here) waiting with you.

Jesus was made for the Job, the Job was made for Jesus. Let us be Lazarus-like and renewed, be Jesus-love-like and be believing in FOREVER.. how ever long the wait is to get there… Let us believe in Jesus and be one less tear He needs to shed.

Let’s pick up some “Jesus jobs” while we are waiting. 

Amen 

—

John 11:25-44

Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

---

Lord, Please Settle My Dust.

Ahhh, from dust we came, and to dust we shall return. Lord, please settle my dust before I return.

Lord, our dust is damaged and in disarray from earthly pain and perturbations of Your Spirit flow. Lord, please soothe and rearrange us to Your standards and make us joyful instead of anxious. Lord, settle our dust.

My dust Lord is missing a few pieces, but You know where they went. It is ok if You gave them away to help others,  it is even better that Jesus gave me some new dust from His dust to make me whole. My dust Lord is sometimes clumped clumsily in me, my toil incomplete and often ineffective, please iron me out, bring me into Your usefulness again. My dust, Lord, is sometimes dormant. I wish to reassert my ways for Your work. Give up my knowledge in exchange for Your masterful plan. Lord, light our way and unclog our vision, settle down the dust we blind ourselves with, help us to clearly see You. Our dust collectively will return to the earth, so Lord, please use it to replant Your Garden.

Help us make the most of our dust and leave behind dust trails that glorify You. I want to know what I have done with my dust has pleased You.

Until the day we return back our dust, keep us Lord, in Your Fortress, magnetize us to see You, know You, follow You.

You are our refuge. In You, Lord, we trust.

Amen

---

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Dust Storm

I am so blessed to have heard a sermon on Ash Wednesday from a friend who spoke of ashes as dust – dark and light, black and white and to be reminded that we are “made from ashes – and to ashes we will become”…

This morning in my mediation in the Word, I had like a beam of light that shined thru some of that dust inside my head and as I connected my thoughts there was a mini explosion of a dust storm….  whoosh…

We are a Dust Storm! We are a Dust Storm in the process of settling down. And when we shine the LIGHT of Jesus – that GLOW from our face – that is when our dust settles down and stops blocking out His light from beaming thru us…

YES! He SHINES when our dust settles down.

Our reflection of His light is better thru our selflessness than morphed as refractions thru our selfishness.

When dust storms settle, the light will shine thru better and brighter… when dust storms kick up, you can still see the light illuminate each and every particle of dust – you still see light and know that you are a part of a bigger event… Then, when dust settles, we can look out past our dust storm to the horizon…

When we look past our own selves, and our own cluster of dust, we can see the future God is trying to move us to.

When I am confused and stressed and life is full of a jumble of thoughts – I need to talk it out of my system to settle the dust storm in my head… I don’t lose the dust, I just settle it and build upon it.

When I am so overloaded with joy and energy and exuberance – I need to work it out of my system to settle the dust storm in my head. I don’t lose the dust, I just settle it and build upon it.

And as Jesus is the living water, when I dampen down the dust in my head with His mist, and look for His Light, then Jesus can shine thru…

When we pass our fingers thru dust settled on a table, we reveal the clear surface underneath. This is a microcosm of times when God pulls His Son, in His right hand, thru our minds, clearing the picture, seeing the clear path to follow… We need Jesus to settle us and light our way.

God wants to settle us into a proper place.   Jesus is the light that shines thru… AND Jesus is the living water to hydrate the situation.

Settle your dust and see a chance to move towards peace.

Amen

God is LOVE and love does not boast. (1st Corinthians 13). I have a friend who says (and actively works at) this process: “Breathe in Jesus and breathe out me”… It is an active exchange: removing ego of self – and instead taking in the desire for more serving – more sensitivity – more selflessness.  Be Jesus – Breathe Jesus… Be renewed and renewing. Less Me, More YOU, Lord. How else will we be of clean hearts?

Love is not a force of arrogance nor is boastful.  God is not arrogant, He is all powerful as a fact. We might want to boast about God and His power – but it is not like He is doing it as a show. God really is ALL POWERFUL to the point that He can and did give up His Son in sacrifice, and Jesus gave up His life in sacrifice, to bring us closer to Him forever. God is powerful enough to take the hard road to victory. LOVE wins.

But LOVE does not boast. We put human attributes on God when we shouldn’t. He is not boasting in love but being in love. He is also not “out to get us” – but “in to keep us”…  In my case I can often see that God is grabbing me by my head and moving me place to place, to work for Him and to tell of Him. God is trying to keep me Holy so I should try to keep Holy. Sometimes I start to say something  probably I shouldn’t and an interruption causes me to realize that maybe I should rethink what I am about to say or boast about. Sometimes reading someone’s face is most important – how are they looking at Jesus if I am trying to shine out OVER His image.  I can say that I am a “Psalm 139 type person” – God sees me wherever I am and comes to get me. You too?  Psalm 139 is all about God – He is the LOVE that protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres (1 Corinthians 13) – AND WANTS US TO REALIZE HIS LOVE – AND WANTS US TO SHOW HIS LOVE – Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps139)

The scriptures state that sometimes we see others who have so much and we become jealous and that is when we falter – see Psalm 73. And isn’t it better to have little and peace than a lot and a lot of problems?…  Sometimes we encounter the wicked or at least the boastful and we want to be like them. DON’T. We SHOULD know that being boastful and arrogant often might cause us to be discrediting God. That is probably the worst thing we can do is discredit God – not only not be thankful but be boastful of our own doings – to turn our back on Him and not credit Him with His work in Salvation let alone us simply breathing…  Really God could strike us down instantly, or like the wicked, wait until that day when they have to stand up in God’s presence, in judgement. Better to clear the air, clean the heart, return to faithful worship. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Better to realize that God is the One allowing us to live – providing all these times for prosperity – and providing moments even to have peace. God the father is not the Godfather profiting from us but the Father God providing for us.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory… (ps73) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1Cor13)

Amen and thank You God for being in charge – You know the Way to go – LEAD ME. Breathe in Jesus, breathe out me…  THANKS.

Amen

—-

Psalm 73  of Asaph. NIV. (Asaph was a skilled singer and poet in king David’s time – whom was part of the choir and led others in these skills too.)

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.

They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.

Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.

They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.

They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”

This is what the wicked are like – always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.

All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.

If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; 

then I understood their final destiny.

Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

.

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

.

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.

—–

Here is more info about Asaph himself from “gotquestions .org”

There were a number of Levites that King David assigned as worship leaders in the tabernacle choir, according to 1 Chronicles 6:31–32. Asaph was one of these men (1 Chronicles 6:39). Asaph’s duties are described in detail in 1 Chronicles 16. According to 2 Chronicles 29:30, both Asaph and David were skilled singers and poets. Asaph is also mentioned as a “seer” or prophet. The “sons of Asaph” are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 25:1, 2 Chronicles 20:14, and Ezra 2:41. The sons of Asaph were likely a guild of skilled poets and singers, modeling themselves musically after Asaph, their master. The church musicians of our day can be considered spiritual “children of Asaph.”  Psalms 50 and 73—83 are called the “Psalms of Asaph” because his name appears in the superscription at the head of those psalms. Regarding Asaph’s role as a prophet, of particular interest is the imprecatory Psalm 83, which deals with God’s judgment of Israel’s enemies: Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagarites, Gebal, Ammon, the Amalekites, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria. If we examine the psalms written by Asaph, we can see that all of them have to do with the judgment of God, and many involve the prayers of the people at the prospect or moment of a particular event.  Asaph was a gifted individual. He understood where the gift came from, and he used his music to praise the Lord and communicate His Word to a needy world.

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1st Corinthians 13 – New King James Version
The Greatest Gift

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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Psalm 139 NIV – of David

You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

THANKFULNESS could prevent many things, 

Imagine what an attitude of: “Thank You God” brings. 

THANKFULNESS could prevent OVERthinking or jealous overtaking.

THANKFULNESS means “I can move forward with FORWARD thinking”.

THANKFULNESS could prevent sinful pride, or being snide.

THANKFULNESS could put both your grief and your anger aside.

Thankfulness might even prevent overwhelmedness, 

unless you are overwhelmed with thankfulness.

.

God appreciative, Humble thankfulness is best.

“I am Thankful for _________”, I bet you could fill in the rest.

.

We can be thankful for the past, surviving many a test.

But imagine how THANKFUL we should be for the future for HIS gracious REST.

Thanks for listening, I think you are all the best.

Thank you God for those who understand my zest.

Amen

—

Psalm 72: Imagine David’s thankfulness for the past – but here David writes, in Psalm 72, his THANKFULNESS for the FUTURE, He both writes about his son Solomon, immediate future king, AND David writes about Jesus, of course he does, Jesus is the writing Himself.. David writes in THANKFULNESS of God for the past and future, Jesus IS the Alpha and Omega. We see how He came – and we will see Him come again.

THANKFULNESS!!!

Psalm 72

Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
.
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy;
    may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
.
May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.
.
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
.
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.
May grain abound throughout the land;on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun.
.
Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

.
Amen and Amen.
.
This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

My college kid daughter did not travel home as planned yesterday because she locked herself out of her apartment doing laundry, oops, so today I drove up to bring her her passport (and some treats of course like girl scout cookies),  and to give her hugs. She is headed to Italy in 2 weeks… what great thankfulness I have for that blessing for her. She gets education, she gets adventures… she gets a future. 

I just watched a CBS 60 Minutes pair of stories: Ukraine regions still under fire and old sad news of girls in Afghnstn who don’t get education, except some refugees in Africa… wow… Count your blessings, in Ukraine they turn the heat off to survive. We’ve best to not complain about our situation of freedom and opportunities. Italy, huh? Didn’t we just have a pandemic recently? Italy especially? Let’s not complain and THANK GOD for calming our catastrophic situations.

SO, driving the way back home I stopped by Liberty State Park. I love seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the train station. It is not crowded here, easy parking as no ferries stop here in winter… My son is working, so mom has FREEDOM, and a Subaru, and a decently half-full tank of gas. Love freedom on a Sunday… I prayerfully touched the 911 I-beams, looked at the Empty Sky Memorial and the new Freedom Tower for a little while, took a needed walk, and I enjoyed the purple crocuses which tell us spring is coming. 

Yesterday, also in Jersey (don’t worry, I got a good rest at home in between AND washed all my stuff). I was south of here for the annual Polar Plunge, actually 100,000 spectators they calculated for 7500 plungers, WOW. NEARLY 3 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED, for Special Olympics by jumping into an ocean that is practically ignored 23 hours of this winter day…

After the plunge, while I was munching happily on snacks back at the rental, wearing nice dry warm clothes, sitting by the fire, someone new came and marveled at our energy. He asked if doing the polar plunge was spiritual for me, I blurted out, not even thinking too much, “It’s ALL Spiritual”... I’m not being flippant, but in retrospect I meant that I was THANKFUL to plunge, to be anywhere especially here, and to be THANKFUL because I know Whom to thank. I am thankful for God delivering on my prayers for fun. SO, reflecting upon our life opportunities, my life opportunities everyday, I am sooooo THANKFUL… It IS spiritual to be thankful. I enjoy being thankful simply in that fact that we are able to BE THANKFUL… Yup, that’s the core of a spiritual thing for me… God allows Freedom yes, free to forget to be thankful or freedom to have THANKFULNESS… yeah… choose the latter. 

So today was writing this sitting in Jersey again, Jersey City – looking at the back of Lady Liberty , still inspiring because she is looking FOREVER FORWARD. And at this location and viewpoint, the huddled masses would have already made it to the Central Jersey trains and the promised land USA. Looking back or looking forward, count blessings. I think that God reminds us that EMBRACING the FUTURE is best looked upon by FACING FORWARD. “No one who puts their hands to the plow and looks back is fit for service“.

I saw thankful families taking photos today on a Sunday stroll, and seemingly a mix of all nationalities. These probably are families who came more recently to US America, so their trips here are closer in the rear view mirror than my family’s trips. I am thankful my family trusted the opportunity to move forward. Remember, those boat rides must have been pretty scary. If our ancestors could see us now… let’s remember: You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

God wants to take us all to the place where we WANT to trust Him as well as NEED to TRUST HIM. Then He wants to see us embrace life. Facing forward, we can walk… Then how will we see what is hidden just beyond the horizon? FAITH. Keep the Faith… let God go ahead. That’s a favorite reason for spiritual thankfulness, GOD gives us FAITH to know He is working. 

God is in control, BE SPIRITUAL and PLUNGE INTO LIFE!

Amen 

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Psalm 71 New King James Version

God the Rock of Salvation

In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For You are my hope, O Lord God;

You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.

I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”

O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! Let them be confounded and consumed

Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt.

But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

Also with the lute I will praise You – And Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; for they are confounded, for they are brought to shame who seek my hurt.

No doubt, God calms… before storms, before wars, before old age, before adventures and adverse times. God’s got it all under control. Psalm 71 says so much, especially about already having taken refuge and already praise and prayer for the times the Lord DID save the day in the past, and now looking towards the future…

If you are a worry-type person, give it to God.

If you are looking for refuge, go to God.

If you are “safe thus far”, give PRAISE to God.

“Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?“

If you need calm before a storm, read Psalm 71.

If you’re surely grateful for being delivered in the past, sing Psalm 71.

If you are a child of God, LIVE Psalm 71.

Amen and read ahead…

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Psalm 71 NIV

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.” Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me. May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope;  I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you — I whom you have delivered.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

AMEN!!

Psalm 68:7-10 When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.

God gives the rain and sometimes God withholds the rain to make a point!

I just re-read about the widow who was kept OK in supplies, in flour and oil, so she could continue to make bread, life-sustaining bread during a long drought that God used to reach the people who didn’t believe in Him. The widow could make bread from near empty but never really empty jars. Bread for herself, her son, and prophet Elijah, who told her to “just do it”.  It seems in this part of the story that she may have believed her good fortune was from God, but not believed, until the end when Elijah also resuscitated her son who suddenly took ill and passed away. Did she believe prophet Elijah was sent from God? Well, he was but maybe for her, the unending jars of flour and oil was seemingly not enough to convince her it was Elijah working for God. God resuscitated resurrected her son, and it was through Elijah’s prayers – then Elijah presented her son back alive. Then she said: Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.” … 

This sounds so much like Jesus with Lazarus – to rise him from the dead (a many days dead that Jesus knew about) – and rose him from the dead so that the people watching would believe.  This sounds so much like Jesus Himself being rose from the dead – Jesus had to fulfil the prophecies – but as the added bonus – he was able to be the demonstration to actual people, one by one, that He was fulfilling the prophesies and that God sent Him – so that they would believe.

Elijah begged mercy, God delivered. Elijah said to God: ‘do You hear me now?’ And God says to all of us: “listen to the one I sent, and asks us: “Do you HEED ME now?”. Jesus begged God’s mercy to the ones who wouldn’t believe. Jesus could and can intercede with the Father – and we are the beneficiaries – now and forever.

We too must realize our jars are never really empty. And if we do run low, aren’t we best to dip into God’s reserves? If God brought us this far, He CAN take us Home.

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Elijah stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth. 1st Kings 17:21-24

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What is the number one wish, well one of the wishes, of Jesus as He walked the Earth? That all would BELIEVE – that it all would click in the beliefs and God would open their eyes – that the scriptures plus the situation plus the scenes of miracles would clue them in that there was now salvation security. Jesus simply asked for them and us to believe in and love the Father, and believe in the One He sent, Jesus. 

Years later, Jesus allowed John to see Heaven’s Revelation and to write down much, with the intention of letting us all know that Heaven is not just a stopping place, but a time when we will see how Jesus will rend all evil to be put down completely. A long process and a longing process. Then we will be blessed to walk in and out of God’s City, New Jerusalem, and partake in the Tree of Life, and live Heavenly ever after. Never will God’s resources run dry.

Jesus says what Elijah also came to demonstrate: that you’ve got to believe in God and the One He sent. We are still being sent signs, we get to rise each day. We get to enjoy God’s gifts of food and shelter. We get to enjoy extra things in life too. And we get to see a cycle of life that doesn’t end with the grave, but continue in Heaven. Most importantly, by Jesus and the Spirit of Truth, we get the opportunity to believe and heed Him, without that we will be stuck outside His gates. 

‘Will you heed Me now?’

One more thing: we are to believe Jesus is coming back too – SOON…

“All will heed Me then”

Amen

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Revelation 22:7-17

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”  I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

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Psalm 69: 13-18

But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.

For some reason, during Ash Wednesday service, I kept thinking and thinking (you know those times your brain gets on a track or maybe a dust trail)… thinking not just about “from Dust you came and to Dust ye shall return”, but I kept thinking about Dust Bunnies – yup, Dust Bunnies are something the Lord puts together…

Dust Bunnies in our houses just seem to appear out of thin air… mine get chunky bits to anchor them down. My Dust Bunnies become a little bit thicker because I have the love of a sheddy cat… even my work gets hallway dust bunnies from the carpeted desk spaces… they do appear out of thin air…

What about us, not from air but mud, clay, God’s Hands working our new day. We are dust but not supposed to be hidden in a corner. 

We ARE dust in processing, dust in pre- and post- earthly existence and VERY GOOD dust in between. Then surely in this season of Lent, as we are eagerly awaiting new birth, we are groaning and growing towards Easter, then we SHOULD be DUST BUNNIES in the making. We should be a collective people of God. We should congregate together. 

Dust Bunnies. YOU AND ME AND JESUS ARE WE. A collection of Christians in motion is a Dust Bunny. A collection of children of God whom God puts together in His own way, in His own unique clumping together, that is a Dust Bunny. A Sunday school class is a great Dust Bunny. (Imagine the joy of Easter for the little ones). Imagine also a set of very tired week-weary souls who find God’s strength to sing His praises – they are a Dust Bunny of His making. Also, times of a huddled grieving family who prays, they are a Dust Bunny dampened with tears, God holds them special to collect their tears, then God has the Holy Spirit take them back out into the world. 

Dust Bunnies must let God realign their dust.

This week we had Ash Wednesday service, with a soup supper just before, and I could only marvel at these blessed brothers and sisters whom God brought into my life for this season, a family whom God brought together for good reason, grateful a DUST BUNNY ready to serve, appreciate each other, and ready to give Lent its due by keeping walking with Jesus in humble joy. We know we have a Savior. We know we need saving. We know that we could not live forever or even just in this world one day without our DUST SWEEPER KEEPER.

Maybe we are here for just a moment, a vapor, a mist… but our dust trails? Those Lord, let others notice. Let others see our clumps scattered about and let them start to wonder, and let’s attract their dust to collect too. Above all, Lord, we pray others to see our dust trails leading DIRECTLY to You.

Lord bless our DUST BUNNIES through and through. 

Amen 

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Psalm 63:1-8  NIV  A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

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Psalm 65 NIV for the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!

We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

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What’s that Ash Wednesday joke?? “From dust you came and dust you will return. I don’t dust because it could be some of my friends…”

Haha, I do dust, it’s good to be God’s dust and be detailed away, like from a car, cleaned and put in proper order, washed away and free. There is no freedom like God’s freedom. 

Yeah, DUST. My friends, we are made from DUST turned into MUD turned into MARVELOUS.  Marvelous because God calls us beautiful and very good from the very beginning, so much so because we are made in His Image and He calls us His own children. That’s why our inside stuff also is so marvelous: order in organs and sensational systemic systems… and WOW, our circulatory complexity catches and culls critters, and our lungs leverage us into life… Unreal but totally real and we are ready to live because God holds all the parts together… our parts… dust from the rust, grow old gracefully. 

“Wow… that’s some delightful detailed dust you got there!”

What then is the Spirit inside of us? It is, of course, more than simply icing on the cake, it is divine delivered and destined. We hold His Holy Breath in our being. To dust we shall return, but our spirit will be called out to speak, better is one day in His Court than a thousand elsewhere. Our dust will be cleaned in the cloaking cover of the Savior. Jesus Saves and the advocate of His Spirit which indwells us will be freed. Our Judgment Day will be better understood if ahead of time we read THE BOOK (that is not thrown at us), read it now and live it. In the Good Book,  we have the opportunity to see where God keeps all the dusty souls like us: UNDER HIS WING. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

The GOOD NEWS for us reads like today’s headlines should: Jesus Saves. 

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… a poem:

Ash Wednesday, are we in disarray?

Let us get our dust ‘DETAILED’ today.

Let Lent lead us prayerfully to His Glorious Easter Day.

Let us broken people go on living best we can, cleaned up in His Way.

Let God say: My house is filled from dusty people because I always loved them anyway.

Love IS the Order of the Day…

Amen 

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Psalm 84 NIV

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—

a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

“Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”

Endless endless times I am reminded of what we all forget: that we are not in a broken system but surely in a broken world, a place of blessing, yes, but also a place to look further FROM, especially in hard times, and always we are to look with eyes and hearts towards HEALING, if not from our efforts, then from the Lord. Yes, the Lord who already conquered fear and death. 

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Often we have tongues to waggle about our woes… and fears of our foes… Yet our protection is closer than our nose… We should reach to the One Who KNOWS. 

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I ponder at so many writings included in the Bible from David, about being chased by enemies and being protected by the Lord. I agree with the protection but why so MANY included that are inclined to lament, have sorrow near despair? And the eventual truth: God IS in control.  Perhaps so MANY are included as we are continually reminded of NOT looking to the world for our Joy, not to the broken world for answers, not even to this rambling writing for comfort. Our God binds up and heals the brokenhearted, sometimes not in place, but in our placement.  

If we look ABOVE the fray of the world, famine war fear, enemies who don’t even know our name, we realize even evil can’t match THE LORD OUR GOD WHO SAVES. 

Perhaps the Psalmist(s) are expressing what we know, Jesus was taken down, willingly, to the showdown with the enemy but God’s Plan was/is SO MUCH BIGGER. So big the world can’t understand, but we can, one by one as we are called, we are not of this world.

Psalms 52,53,54,55,56,57,58… so much about real danger, real fear… and yet have BLESSED PRAISE for letting God have the First and Last Word.

Calling out to the Lord, in Psalms 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68… are reminders for us often calling out in praise for the God Who Saves. 

Just wait on the Lord. and while you are waiting? SING PRAISES…

Really… 

Amen

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The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” Psalm 58:10-11

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Psalm 62:11-12

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:2-8

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Psalm 57

New King James Version

Prayer for Safety from Enemies

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah

God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

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Psalm 68

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 May you blow them away like smoke — as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.

The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder. Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain, why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the Lord himself will dwell forever? The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary. When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea, that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”

Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel. There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts. Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God.

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:1-3

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I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. from Psalm 27

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It has been 3 years since COVID came to the US – really we have come a long way since then – so long that we have mostly returned to normal – but not everyone…  what is normal anyway?…  

In other words, whoda thunk we would get a pandemic and whoda thunk we would get out of it… surely anyone in King Tut’s time up until George Washington’s time would not have envisioned getting out of smallpox “so easily” or so many of those other diseases…  and sometimes we forget that major calamities that we have conquered (mostly) are still raging in parts of the world (for example Rabies caused about 17,400 human deaths worldwide in 2015. More than 95% of human deaths from rabies occur in Africa and Asia.)

I bet if we look at the Psalms and to David was writing about being pursued by his enemies who eventually God took care of, and see how David escaped, we should ALSO be singing HIS praises that we got here from there…  We got back to “normal” – well at least a new normal…. In other words: We are blessed in no matter what circumstances…

Here are some UNFINISHED blogs from early 2020 – just found them in my “drafts” folder. I am not going to finish them now but with realization that “we have come a long way baby” from 3 years ago, they are worth sharing…  TIME FLIES… To loosen our memories is an opportunity worth food for thought to sing praises today.

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TP, Spring 2020

I saw a wonderful toilet paper moment today at the grocery store where one woman asked a couple where they had found the pack of toilet paper in their cart and they tried to give it to her… sweet…

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Hope Not Hush, Spring 2020

I am not too fond of the phrases that “the virus stole Easter” because if you asked Jesus, He also was cut short in this life and He had to get His work done anyway… So do we…

Easter is a life, not a basket of flowers…

I love the festivities, you know I do… 

Let’s this year know and tell of HOPE, 

The disciples on Silent Saturday were mourning…

But WE have no less days to sing His Praises than when we first begun!

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Right on Red, 31MAY2020

This is not intended to be political, but I have to make an observation of how people are living in our “red zone”… People are making “right on red”, just like in the car… and many people are being careful too… the VOLUME of people out and about is amazing and has increased tremendously …

But that’s not stopping many people,  the stores are packed – the garden centers packed – I even saw a funeral home yesterday with tons of folks outside,  packed together, 90% no masks… people make their own choices, people take their rights, even in red… 

People take risks, me too, I think because many of the cases are in nursing homes, not perceived to be from outdoor living or contact on surfaces that people do take risks. They are moving on with their lives… Rights on red, right in red. 

Me too, I hope we and I turn the corner cautiously, some are taking the “California stop”, rolling thru without a complete stop. Some people simply pretend they never saw the red light.

Some are driving life while impaired too.

I have a great life and am a risk taker too when compared to some. I am not a risk taker compared to other people… 

The data will eventually show us where the crashes were…

Problem is, by the time we know. we will wish we knew back when… 

Think about how we are going to get out of this intersection then drive carefully!!!

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Lots of Nursing Homes APR2020

I feel so sorry for the families of the nursing home residents who have survived so many years, but are now being felled by this COVID19 virus… pneumonia, no time to get to the hospital even, no room at the hospital either… not every place is well cared for, it’s hard work at a nursing home… It’s hard living…

I wonder, and Lord forgive me for speculating, how or if the Lord deflected this disease from the young to the old who surely had many years to prepare for coming home. Every time to say “Goodbye” to family, wonder if this is goodbye…

The Lots of Nursing Homes….  Proverbs 16: The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

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OK, Going to wrap up this post-covid crisis set of half blogs with Pslam 27…  (covid is still around but like a regular flu fear now).  Psalm 27 – I hope many listened to these words of hope and reduction of anxiety back then – and now – it is like God had these things written down on purpose to help us – gee, hmmmmm, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Psalm 27 Of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord;  lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

There is a bottle of water by my bed, but I don’t usually open it, I really don’t drink enough water at all… I should NOT just save this bottle for only emergencies. I should DRINK it ALL IN. Replenish myself, and go back for more.

There is a devotion book, by my bed, and a Bible too, but I really don’t drink in enough Living Water at all… I sip when I should savor the Savior.  I should not just save our Jesus for only emergencies. I should drink Him IN all the time. Replenish myself, and go back for more.

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Salvation

Hydration

Education 

Remediation 

Personalization

In Every Jesus Situation 

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Open the Book which will open you.

Read the Bible and it will read you.

Realize, always, Jesus is WITH YOU. 

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Amen 

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Psalm 73:22-26

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I have to say, the Lord is good to me. 

Johnny Appleseed sings and so do we! Our singing grace at girl scout camp, before spaghetti dinner with super sauce and meatballs, was: “The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the Appleseed, the Lord is good to me.”

Then I got home to BUSY!!! Including Big Game craziness and lots of laundry… And this week had a few other hiccups… but let’s close this week with: The Lord is good to me. God has a proven track record. Nothing that happened God couldn’t handle for me (us)…

We don’t always know the level of God’s interplay in our lives. Things that start and stop we can’t see God-level BIG PICTURE… I was speaking at camp of a fire-burnt forest, spoke about it to the hiking scouts in the woods, looking at Mighty Oaks and Pines, telling them that after a BIG fire, often (always) from the ashes spring NEW LIFE, that now thrives HAVING the sunshine and warmth and water. The seeds and seedlings can now NOT be overshadowed by the trees with which they could NOT compete.  Isn’t it true about us too? We can see the truth after the fluff flies away… the rumble of the thunder yes scary, but remember that a rainbow comes after a storm. And a rainbow is because of the Sun.

This week and our times had/have storms, for many including the earthquake folks, tornado folks, health crisis folks, and those who lost loved ones. God bless them all. Our times in crisis make us cling to the Lord more tightly and surviving through those storms, we are given opportunity to learn that our TRUST IN GOD was warranted. When we realize God’s sovereignty,  and His Mercy, AND His comfort, our praise starts: “Lord God, Thank You!!!”

Not always in the pain and suffering can we physically speak. We best surround ourselves with prayerful people, sometimes we desire alone time. The Lord God is always patient with those who are hurt… He doesn’t give you JUST the quick fix pick-me-up, He gives real peace. And He loves His children more than we could ever imagine. 

Psalm 50 was a powerful read to me this morning. Our God means business,  His business.  Gathering His people.  All are able to see His Strength and Sovereignty. Our Wisdom to respect the Lord and His Plans will open our eyes to His insight. “God will shine forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people: “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

Think of God’s Hand in our lives, then we must conclude that God IS in charge. EVERYTHING is under God’s control…

So… Think of the Lord BIG PICTURE and BIG TIMELINE! He owns the fields and the cattle on the fields, and my BIG TIMELINE too. Lord, THANK YOU!

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He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11-14

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Psalm 50 – New King James Version

God the Righteous Judge, A Psalm of Asaph.

The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people: “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah

“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls,

Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction

And cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes.

“Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”