I am eating a delicious avocado right now, ripened just long enough before it went bad – a miracle right? Because avocados are SO TEMPORARY in their goodness. Glad I caught it just right – and I am SO GRATEFUL that I got a good night sleep after an exhausting but fabulous trip to NYC – whew… 

Thankfully – tiredness is helped by rest – avocados are helped by checking in on it everyday – but what about US???  Are we OK???  Well, God checks in on us – not occasionally – not only when we think of Him – God is surely with us always – and surely, God is all we need…

Let me say that again God is ALL we need…  Amen and true and also hard to remember. But God is with us always…

Right now, it is sunny and the cool of the morning – perfect humidity level and a gentle breeze = God is here and God is all I need to remind me to do other things – and He does – like eat – like sleep – like write – God is always after me for writing – that is the state of my encourager job – and surely God is all I need. He reminds me of that – He even gave me the fingers to test the avacados and the knowledge to know when to eat them – and He gave us rest – and He gave us light – and He gave us the bountiful harvest season and He even gave us the tough times so that we look to HIM for guidance and support! God even sends the people we need!

Surely, God is all we need.

Jesus said (recorded in Matthew 28:16-20 about the Great Commission) that He would always be with us – and we know (especially on this Rosh Hashana day for the Jewish calendar celebrating when God made Adam and Eve) that God made us – and before us made everything and thought of us before that even – and then God will be with us until the end of the age. 

I am going to trust God today – that worked for me yesterday and surely that will work for me tomorrow. God will help us today – God will help us tomorrow – Surely we can pray and ask Him for guidance.

Surely, God is ALL we need – and everything else will fall into order…

AMEN

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

Whelp, I needed that – THE SCRIPTURE AND a Heaven-sent sermon to SEDIMENT MY SANITY… Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the PLANS I have for you, declares the Lord, PLANS to prosper you and not to harm you – PLANS to give you a hope and a future”...

And this Jeremiah 29:11 scripture has chased me all year – in my time away from work work – I have it as a copy in my car and everywhere – surely Jer 29:11 has chased me and us our whole lives to say: Live where God has placed you. God was telling the Israelites exiled in Babylon to not neglect living – to be fruitful, build houses, families, and gardens – LIVE – LOVE – LAUGH – LINGER IN LIFE. And this is true for us in “exile” on earth away from Heaven – and “exile” from where we THINK we should be – and “exile” in not thinking about how God has given us the Place of His Grace – to live (really live daily) where God has placed us.

That morning (yesterday), God found me in a pretty strong momentary “down” – worrying again – when I could tell my heart via my head that I was fine – but for some reason my fear and devil of doubt crept in – and that was after a great “up” – of a fabulous job pre-interview – and a hopeful connection to have an onsite interview. Then I also had a great recruiter interview. And so the morning left me with what my friend said must have been the “hangover” of the elevated high of the possibilities of those meetings just to then sink down to reality and then mentally I took the unfortunate dip deeper into yikes for NO good reason – BUT ONLY FOR A MOMENT – BECAUSE GOD FOUND ME A PURPOSE VERY QUICKLY – and I sought the Lord and He was already there waiting for me to notice Him. And I proceeded on my day – went to the beach to meet friends and took my laptop with me.  Was a meeting at a favorite spot for both of us, Ocean Grove, beautiful weather to by outside the whole day…

Yes – great day – and then at 2pm I had a wonderful phone screen with a consultant placer – and this sounds promising as part time work – and well, all things all at the same time is normal for God in my life – probably yours too… (and this phone screen was taken so peacefully in a church town too – such a classic great way to find my peace)…

And then as I settled down yesterday for the drive home from seeing those friends, the Lord found to highlight a whole sermon on Jeremiah 29:11 for me on my YouTube feed – wow – as I was scrolling church items, there it was, a five year ago sermon given during the beginning of Covid and to an audience out on a lawn… Jeremiah 29:11 and the surrounding scriptures chased and found me again – on being at peace with where He has placed us – LIVE WHERE GOD HAS PLACED YOU. (the link is at the bottom of this email).

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…”

And life is like that – ups and downs – not necessarily severe ones but when WE ‘think’ we know the way – and then run out onto that tightrope of life and then all of a sudden look down and get scared oops – well – we need to remember God IS our safety net – and He can bring us back to the sure way – and He can lead us FORWARD – to His Place of His Grace.

Well, good pep talk to myself, right?  Well God found me where I was – Looking for HIM!

Thanks Lord!!!

Amen

….

: “What’s The Plan?”” Jeremiah 29:11, great sermon for me – also remembering covid times – Jeremiah says live where you are and don’t NOT live – but really LIVE…

—

Jeremiah 29 NKJV – Jeremiah’s Letter to the Captives

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.

For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

I’m a bit deeper reading into a leadership book “Drive” by Simon Sinek, it’s all about knowing the WHY, sharing the WHY. This leads to forming the HOW, resulting in the WHAT. Inspiration for action.

Why?

How?

What? 

Yes, it’s a leadership book, one has to feel like one is going somewhere, making something, that one is on a mission, for work or for anything. People want to know there is a plan and what their part is in it. Others simply want a paycheck. Both situations usually mean working towards a goal. Leadership in companies must read the market too. It’s a complex business thing that requires people skills to make a business model move, stay relevant, be achievable, work.

It takes quite a bit of work to work. It takes leadership and/or self-motivation to pursue work.

Faith, how does faith impact the work we do for the Lord? And around others? Faith brings the works – works and working in faith means following the Leader’s calling and your own calling, faith inspires faith in others, works inspire works too.

If anything we should realize Who our Leader is and Why He leads us, it’s LOVE.  We also realize that God works in a different way than us, higher yes, not just complex but other worldly heavenly, super naturally, miraculously, but also in simple ways, and in clear ways. We can follow His example in that the work given to us is because we are given to it, skilled for it. We are “to work at anything as if we are working for the Lord.” – because the Lord will give us an inheritance, not for a reward here on earth. 

We can teach, feed, inspire, motivate, heal, befriend, and LOVE.

Why? Love

How? Love 

What? Love

And LOVE and FAITH will help us fill in all the details too. The What, How, Why of making God known as our motivator, of making God’s Good News known, it all starts with LOVE. We love because He loved us first… We also should tell others that God loves them.

Keep loving! Love works. That’s the WHY.

Amen

Colossians 3: 22-24 

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Well, it’s still hard to process September 11th 2001, even 25 years later. There are many things hard to understand in life about tragedies, about evil, and about human processing. 

Doing more cleaning and photo sorting from my family treasure trove time capsule of stuff, this pamphlet of the twin World Trade Center towers from the late 80s just hit me with so many sad emotions from that day, all these days after, and now. But on the pamphlet – oh the phrases double upset me, because the phraseology intending to be humorous and about the majestic height of the towers reaching to the sky, struck me as odd: “The closest some people will get to Heaven”… UGH… Ugh in the irony of that tragedy there. Ugh because how much it implies some people never getting to Heaven. Ugh, gulp, many DID get to Heaven then. Many still will. I pray for everyone. 

Remember 9-11. Remember MORE that all of that Heaven “climbing” is NOT climbing at all, or activities from the people, BUT by JESUS RISING THEM… GOD DIDN’T LEAVE HEAVEN SALVATION TO CHANCE, BUT FOR THE WORK IN/BY/OF HIS SON… and I pray mercy and forgiveness for all, yes all. It makes God sad for anyone to perish who doesn’t know Him. I pray pray pray for all to know God in all the best ways…

Our repentance into His Righteousness. 

I’m not sure my plans this week ahead of attending 9-11 memorialized events or group activities, these are times I prefer solitude, I draw closer to God in the solo way, but know that we are to support in a connecting way. I will plan to get to the local 9-11 memorial – that place is also where I realized, Feb 1st 2015, of myself being 100% with Jesus, born anew in awakening, born into Heavenly Hope, facing forward to my future, hands to the plow, not looking back. 

Tears and tragedy are one more play on this pamphlet’s text language, because of 9-11 and the towers and all the tragedy, many did draw much closer to God. Many also questioned why this world is so broken. It’s only God who can heal the brokenness, pray for this… pray for peace…

I prayed on my awakening awareness day, “Lord God, I pray you took all those in mercy and love and grace into Heaven.” – 3000 plus – “and Lord, like Peter preached thousands into the faith at Pentecost, may I reach 3000 people in a HOPE to help them reach to You, know You as Lord and Savior.”

Ah, Heaven is then, Heaven is now, for many. September 11th, 25 years into Heaven, may we never forget… May we continue to pray…

In prayer, 

Amen

I left my “Jesus Always” book open to Sep 6th on purpose so that I would reread this passage again after I read it this morning. So needed…

The paraphrasing from Psalm 18, written in Jesus Calling lingo by author Sarah Young,  speaks to me: “I don’t want you to focus overly much on what is ahead of you, wondering whether you’ll be able to cope with it. Only I know what your future really holds. Moreover I am the only One who fully understands what you’re capable of. I can alter your circumstances gradually or dramatically. In fact, I can widen the path you are walking on right now. I want you to realize how intricately involved in your life I am.  I delight in taking care of you – Tweaking the situation you are in…”

I have lots of things ahead of me. We have a lot, each of us. And yet, Jesus wants us to take it only one step at a time. And not OVERLY focusing, it means to prep what you need to do, but don’t obsess on it. It’s different than “a watch pot, never boils” – it’s the scriptural truth of: “God’s Ways are above our ways…” wait on God… take it one day at a time, one moment at a time…

And waiting (and working) for the Lord is sometimes hard and sometimes easy. It takes a lot of listening. And the best we can do IS our best, and let the Lord take care of the rest…

God is our shield, we should always take refuge in Him.

Amen

I woke up with processing (that I was processing deepness in my dreams) and WELL, I am glad that dreams are just dreams – not real life – whew…  I appreciate that God takes care of much of that processing stuff for us – really we have not enough time in life to see or fix or process even – we have a finite mind when God is infinite and allows us everything possible to understand in our hearts but not all the time in the world to do so – while in this world… Imagine the crash course (or forever college) on life when we get to heaven – well imagine that we can’t imagine it all…. yeah… amazing…  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

In terms of life – the scripture that crossed my mind this morning is a classic – Ecclesiastes 3 – there is a season for everything under the sun (and of course sing the version by the Byrds “Turn Turn Turn”)… And my subaru’s leaves on it – plus the sound of these late summer crickets and cicadeas – well the seasons are changing…  Hold onto these summer temps if you can just a bit more…

Now we can read into the scriptures in an attitude of “geez…” or an attitude of “wow” or an attitude of “yikes” – so many ways to take it – and Solomon certainly was thinking of his take on life too – like perhaps in a “throw up your hands and I am done” kind of way…  

I am taking life in thankfulness these days – and trepidation – and fear into faith – and well knowing this season will “turn turn turn”… God never changes but our seasons turn turn turn…

I came across some old (hey but not too old) photos of myself at age 3 – stored well in photo books – up home north – I was a cutie for sure – and thought it was hillarious this one photo – a face of disqust – funny now – I wonder what I was thinking at age 3 – my face twisted in a frowny smirk – perhaps I was cold… But with activity of rolling a snowman in another photo, I was certainly still working on activity even in the cold, and another photo of us with grandpa pretending to play checkers (yeah and later on in years we played LOTS of games of checkers). These photos are preserved well and perhaps I will take more photos of the photos – because much color of the early 70’s is fading badly because of the early experiences of color photo processing those days. Black and white photos of the era before are more preserved (of which we have lots of those too)… Seasons to remember are seasons we were too young to know – how interesting that our minds don’t remember until later on – my earliest memory was years later than this. But the photo tells me that this was a good season of my life. I am thankful for my childhood and my family. I am glad that God was there in that season.

The other photos I perused recently – from college days – are fun – 39 years ago crazy – me and grandpa again – and college freshman days – taken with my camera this time – but these photos had another problem – they were kept in a basement (I think) – they stink – physically ewww – and well I took photos of the photos and trashed them now, ewww… Seasons to remember but not go back. I am thankful that I have grown since then. I am grateful at the years that went by – and still go by. I am glad that God was there in that season.

And the photos of travelling as I left for this trip – well the new photos *** yet to be taken *** – they WILL tell the times of late summer and leaves starting to turn – on the cusp of fall and oh the colors – but also that oh the cold is coming… And the people in our lives – the Seasons of Love (cue the ‘Rent’ on Broadway song) – we best make it the best season with the people each day – because those days will change again… I am glad that God will be there in that season.

Seasons… I am thankful that God will be there for us with us – for me with me – in the next season (and now). I am thankful for God has us here for a reason – no matter if there is strife or joy or smirking faces in the cold – there is a reason for this season – and it is always to be thankful to God. God is in charge. 

THANKFULNESS IS ALWAYS IN SEASON.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

AMEN and thank You Lord for today. THANK YOU FOR ALWAY BEING THERE AND HERE AND THERE.

—
Ecclesiastes3 KJV

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

A SEASON OF CUTENESS

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

The thunderstorms are rolling through, up here at home north, and they roll in sound here with steep hills. I am not worrying about it, the rain, as this house is solid and even the newer roof dampens the sound. The porch however, which I can step out on now after thunder stopped, brings me back to childhood growing up 40-50 years ago. And my dad’s advice, repeated from his father still rings true: “live on a hill”… True, let the water roll down… 

I’m on the porch now, just rain no thunder and I think that’s great advice for the rain runs down (good for the valley which was already a floodplain) and good advice for living with volumes of information and advice and criticisms and “what not” bombarding: let it roll down the hill away from you.

In other words don’t absorb every criticism, don’t let neuroses become psychosis, “don’t sweat the small stuff”, “guard your heart”, stand on solid ground, hold onto the Rock.

Proverbs are great advice for the ages, and thousands of years old they still ring true – great sayings to give pause. Solomon wrote many in his wisdom.

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

Yesterday while driving, I passed by that church with such witty sayings, it called out: “God tests us, but it’s open book.”… so good…

This rain pours out from the sky, surely God’s advice is classic and available and open book. 

Proverbs for Pondering… well worth the read! Let the water and advice roll…

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. 

Amen

—

Proverbs 22 NKJV 

The Value of a Good Name

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.

He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”

The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?

Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.

Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?

Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

A Poem of Prose Pros

.

It is before dawn,

But the Psalms sing on.

God chose the Word Prose,

And how David’s melody goes.

David’s heart sings of God’s flows.

Psalms are devoted Praise in the Prose.

God Knows How Psalms Prose Goes and Flows.

AMEN to the Psalms, the Pros of the Prose, and How God Knows…

To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
    to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure,
    but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble
    but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light.

(From Psalm 18 NIV of David)

As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

(From Psalm 18 NIV of David)

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings…

(From Psalm 17 NIV of David)

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, 

“You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 

As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(Psalm 16 NKJV –  A Michtam of David –  The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory)

A Prayer for Pondering:

Lord God, You hold all things in Your hands, therefore when You stretch Your hands out to grab us, You bring us to Your Heart. Lord Jesus, You, as fully God gave Your earthly life to secure our Heavenly one. Jesus, You as fully man felt our pain to let us know that You understand. God You understood understand overcome overall. In Your Spirit we Praise. 

—

The Psalms are “go to” prayers and praises and these (link below 11-16) from David are covering the gamut of emotions and circumstances, are also acknowledging God as God, and His Power prevailing over the wicked and over bad times eventually we shall prevail because of God Who will keep us out of hell. Presence of God or absence, I chose Presence.

Jesus IS our man in the middle WITH us in life – and ABOVE us in being God raising us to Him – and chose to go BELOW us in His humility and servitude. Jesus is BEHIND us in support – AHEAD of us in knowledge – and IN us in Spirit. 

Jesus IS our Man in the Middle, Master in the Motivation, Messiah in the Most.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

May we Praise the Lord today, and forevermore…

AMEN 

—

Psalm 16 is a blessing to know about the Lord – The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory – A Michtam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

—

Psalms 11-16 NKJV – Faith in the Lord’s Righteousness – Bible Gateway link: https://share.google/MSbBPz0XOlxyLCGAw

Allow me to be philosophical for a moment…

Oh, wouldn’t it have been nice to have no knowledge of the difference between good and evil,  if Adam and Eve has not bitten the apple? If the witnessing now of just evil, or hassling, or meddling, or simple crankiness (and being HANGRY combined with tired) in others AND in us (remember that we all go wrong) – if those didn’t exist or we were just ignoring them? Hmmmm…. I ask because we are NOT there, and our ignorance doesn’t stay bliss much anymore…

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Ignorance is bliss, but then we infight.

Ignorance is not bliss, that’s the insight.

Informed insight means we need to see into Jesus’s fight. 

Jesus allows us back the joy, life’s delight. 

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It’s something we struggle with, “woulda coulda shoulda” with our actions, some of us overcriticize ourselves, whereas others are ignorant to the affect of their actions. And some are malicious. I could give you 1000 examples. But we ALSO see where the light overcomes the darkness, we see others do the right thing over and over. Let’s not ignore the LIGHT working it’s Way every day. 

Ignorance would HAVE been bliss, 

But now, GOOD over evil, LIGHT over dark, is our WITNESS.

Hindsight can’t fix wrong into right, so let us TRY to see clearly where to walk in His Sight.

Walk and hold on tight.

God Triumphs over evil, in His Might. 

Just wait on Him, He will bring all into account, His timing, and insight. 

Have a good morning and hopefully a good night.

Follow and praise the LIGHT. 

Let Jesus be our DELIGHT. 

AMEN 

—-

Psalm 10 NKJV

A Song of Confidence in God’s Triumph over Evil

Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?

Why do You hide in times of trouble?

The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;

Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;

He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.

The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;

God is in none of his thoughts. His ways are always prospering;

Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;

As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.”

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

He sits in the lurking places of the villages;

In the secret places he murders the innocent;

His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;

He lies in wait to catch the poor;

He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.

So he crouches, he lies low,

That the helpless may fall by his strength.

He has said in his heart,

“God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”

Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand!

Do not forget the humble.

Why do the wicked renounce God?

He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.”

But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,

To repay it by Your hand.

The helpless commits himself to You;

You are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;

Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

The Lord is King forever and ever;

The nations have perished out of His land.

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;

You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,

To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

I have to say – looking at 40 year old photos – that time flies – and we HAVE done a lot and grown a lot in 40 years… (Photography and photo printing and camera design has changed a lot too. I marvel at these adorable 15-photo disc negatives – going to make an art project out of them – I have easily 100 of them from my aunt) 

I can’t help but have to marvel at the MEMORIES in this new set of sorting – sorting that I picked for myself – limiting myself to only “half a bag a day” so that I get my other work done (meaning job applications – hey even my daughter said it was good that “I did something physical and creative and different than just screen-time”, LOL – when Mom is mommed).  

So wow a great reminiscing opportunity in photo sorting my aunt’s “duplicates” – honestly it is not just sorting but it is also a way to honor my aunt who passed away about 5-6 years ago – and I was not able to go to her funeral because it was during the harsh covid lockdowns up in my hometown – much more strict than our area… I am thankful for the opportunity to process and count my blessings of memories while my hands keep busy sorting sorting sorting… Half the photos I have tossed – so many we don’t need – really –  kitten photos and random things and duplicates and triplicates. A fuzzy photo of yet another president inauguration – seen a lot of these photos in these piles by decade but don’t know who this president is – well toss the photos – too much is too much… (and I am pretty sure that she has them in albums too – these are duplicates).

But in these sets are gems – REAL GEMS… I went through about 40 packets today of the 100 plus from the 15-disc sets of photos that my aunt took – so I’m really dug into the1980’s now. There is a photo taken by my aunt, fall 1987, of me in my freshman dorm when I was still 17yrs old, the photo 39 years ago this year. Geez…

And perhaps you remember – there were circus and zoo days when animals were performers – a photo of big bears who were riding bicycles at a game farm. These are real photos – no AI stuff – just stuff stuff – and look how minimal the fencing is…

AND some pictures of things that are a memory – that don’t exist anymore at least not like it was – of downtown sidewalk sales – cool – and of the old buses and buildings and businesses…

SO when year 2001 photos showed up in my 1980’s pile (mis-sorted oops) – photos of my apartment move from home north to home south – I marvel that I barely remember it – and it was “only from 25 years ago” – yet it is also like yesterday – and wow I have moved on and grown… Which means I have moved on and on and on by now… Which means I got through LOTS of tough times since then – and before them…

And so my aunt took photos of moving my apartment where I had been with my husband for 10 years during my doctorate and postdoc schooling – and wow those were tough years of school and dissertation and wow – and yet the memories of the angst slip away – and we have moved on – and well I see photos of 4 Subaru’s ago – and photos of college where I know that my chem classes were TOUGH – and yeah photos of the packing remind me that I took three layers of stuff away and sold in yard sales while 7 months pregnant – and it was a tough pregnancy (with a preemie baby 6 weeks early – now great at 25) = and those years were certainly filled with tough spots…

AND THAT MEANS THAT GOD PULLED ME THROUGH THE TOUGH SPOTS!

Oh I remember that I forgot and forget…

We should REMEMBER that we WILL – you will – I will – FORGET!

AND THAT MEANS THAT GOD PULLS US THROUGH THE TOUGH SPOTS!

Psalm 4 reminds us to be still – we can be angry but we should remain still and not sin – and well yeah – all those times that I was angry and sad and scared – and well somehow I got through it – sinning or not – God’s Grace abounded then and still does. The Lord’s Mercy abounded and we got through – the Lord’s relief came with our prayers – the Lord heard when we called – and the Lord made His presence known when we trusted Him.

Good… and a good memory to never forget is that God is good and always here – always was and will be – Thank you Lord…. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

AMEN

—

Psalm 4 NKJV  – The Safety of the Faithful
To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Last night I had a good slowdown of a night IN – after a night OUT… I took a moment to nap this afternoon – dead tired – it was not a “rough day” but a hot one (outside working a car wash for scouts which was a great fundraiser but hot) and well I needed the cool down in the A/C and the nap and the shower and the whole body reset – physically that is what I needed. Mentally I needed the slowdown and choose TV watching as an inside comfort – watching the recording of the Netflix Major League Baseball “Field of Dreams” pre-game show gave all those goosebumps – those tears from sentimental-ness of baseball families – fathers and sons in the American pastime that we get passionate about – “all the feels” – they had hall of famers – and even the dads of the managers…

Ah – summer feels – I love Summer – all the feels of summer are appreciated now – except when you need to cool down – but the feels of summer are what we wait for all year – yeah the outside feels of summer nights… That feeling of it being the “end of summer” means “I’ve got to get it all in”… Yeah, the rest of summer is a few more times to the beach and maybe some more corn on the cob – mmmmm – the watermelon I had last week, oh it was quintessential summer taste…

To be honest with you, it is not quite the end of summer (still have 2 months of warmth), but we worry like it is the end of summer – and we worry about the loss of lots of things at the end of summer – like we won’t ever enjoy summer again – and we will be cold – and well, summer has come back every year that I have been alive…  I know that whatever season it is now, life will turn and change…  So, hold on…

I wrote a poem of FAITH – about holding onto faith even when times change. I am in a change now and yet I remember the MANY changes that I have had before and I am OK – God got me here – safe thus far. I know we have to remember to find how to be OK – have faith to hold on – to calm down – to settle down – to get back to focus and forward thinking…  The best thing about FAITH? It is not FALSE… FAITH IS OUR FIRM FOUNDATION AND REAL. 

And as for me – in gathering up my faith – I am reading the Psalms – and I did a whole series of writing on the Psalms before – starting with Psalm 1 is a good place to start – as it talks about putting our Faith in the Lord – and bringing forth fruit in due season… Think of how Jesus gives righteousness – Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets – and wow – Jesus covers us, so we can TRUST JESUS to show us the WAY…

So here is the poem and the psalm…  thanks for listening…

—It’s not FALSE FAITH – because FAITH is FROM GOD – to help us believe in God – to rely on God.

Sometimes fear is forefront – it scares us to have unknown – but hold on – wait for God in His Timing.

And FAITH? it is not a false hope – it is a firm foundation – FAITH finds us.

FAITH FINDS US – FAITH FILLS US – FAITH FIRMS THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE WALK.

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Faith does not mean you don’t drop a tear, but it helps you clear them so that you can still steer.

Faith does not mean you can’t fall into flighty dreams, but Faith helps you pick up the pieces of life when you have had it out in screams.

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Faith is the “Forwarding All Issues to Heaven” in action,

Faith is Forward Looking and Firmly Planted.

Faith is pulling on all the good Godly goodness you can muster – and overflow in TRUST.

TRUST is FAITH in ACTION…

It’s NOT False Faith because Faith is God knowing where He is taking you.

AMEN

Psalm 1 NKJV 

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

WISHING FOR WISDOM 

James 3:17 reminds: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

WISDOM

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God’s WISDOM is PURE,

God is not trying to trick us, God just wants us to pay attention to Him.

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God’s WISDOM is PEACEABLE,

God settles the dust in our heads to pay attention to Him and see how He is working.

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God’s WISDOM is GENTLE, 

God hears us, herds us, holds us, helps us.

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God’s WISDOM is WILLING TO YIELD,

He will come after us in our lostness, give graceful forgiveness and give us a second, third, five-millionth chance. 

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God’s WISDOM is FULL OF MERCY, 

Praise God for giving us GOOD GIFTS and NOT the punishments we deserve from our drifting.

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God’s WISDOM is FULL of GOOD FRUITS.,

“Like a tree firmly planted, I’ll be grounded in your Word” – Let us accept the fruits He bestows and use them for His Good.

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God’s WISDOM is WITHOUT PARTIALITY,

No matter who we are, who we think we are or not, God opens His GIFTS to all, offers Salvation to all, LOVES ALL. 

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God’s WISDOM is WITHOUT HYPOCRISY,

GOD REALLY MEANS EVERYTHING HE SAYS!!!

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AMEN!

I appreciate summer and yet cooler temps to allow me to keep moving.

I appreciate Jesus strengthening even more these days…

Many of my thoughts in this season of my life are all scattered about – but so are seeds – and seeds are meant to be scattered – there are big ones – like a peach pit – and tiny ones like the tomato seeds which are now big plants giving more seeds – all while giving the big juicy fruit as excess – and nourishing us.

In thinking about Spiritual Fruit – there are fruits that are big and juicy like a tomato and fruits that are small and hard but sturdy and last – like an acorn or a poppyseed. And think of how much flavor is in one little poppyseed.

I know we have times in our lives which are lush and which are dry – and we have seasons of life – sometimes multiple seasons all in one day. Life times vary and change what you do in activities, like now cool enough for outside before it cranks up in temperature – then it will be too hot but then again great beach weather – but then cooler in the evening and back to being outside under the stars…  Summer is a great season of enoughs – then comes fall and the harvest – but then again Winter is diverse and still productive just for different things – and Spring springs eternal in hope and new life…

We have to live IN our season and not be longing too much for the next season (I am rejecting the thought of pumpkin spice creeping into summer or those Halloween displays already out), we need to appreciate today – and perhaps realize that God is working on us to live life abundantly at the same time as storing up resources for tomorrow… ALWAYS JESUS WANTS US TO RELY MOST CLOSELY ON HIM.

I was reminded of abiding in Jesus from a devotion I read recently – and that is what we need to do – we can not make the seeds – we can not share the seeds = we can not get the most out of the fruits of life without Jesus. 

I know we need, I need, Jesus for strengthening – “I can do all things through Christ, Who STRENGTHENS me. Philippians 4:13

AMEN and have a good Friday and good weekend…

—

Philippians 4:1-13 – New King James Version – Paul’s letter to his friends

Be Anxious for Nothing; Think These Thoughts
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippian Generosity
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 poems

The Race of Faith is not to get to God faster like at the finish line, because He is already with us. The Race is our race “running a good race” of life and not letting life’s bumps stop us from believing God is with us. Our Race and our pace will continue as our place is here in the now. And everything, before, after, and now, is benefiting from God’s Grace. 

The Race, our pace, our place, His Grace. 

AMEN

—

When life is lush,

We have no rush,

When life is dry,

We want to cry.

Seek God’s Face.

Let us find our pace, our place.

And let us finish this Race in His Grace. 

AMEN 

Sermon 09AUG – Service as Worship (to go along with a mission project after church)

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

—-

A Gift is a Gift – WE ARE IN OUR PENTECOST SERIES AND TALKING ABOUT OUR SEASON OF Going out and sharing the Love…

There is at least one more story from my travels – this one is remembering a sweet gesture from 2 young boys sitting in the airplane seats ahead of me. We were in a jovial section of the back of the plane – behind me were many girl scouts – and in front of me were a hodge podge of folks who had signed up with National Geographic trip – to the Galapagos Islands – everyone enjoyed the Galapagos Islands – and we all had so much to talk about even among strangers.

I appreciated the woman next to me – she was chatty – turns out she and I have the same profession – I was able to talk shop for a bit – and just in the seats immediately in front of us were young boys (maybe 8 to 10 yrs) who had been friends on the trip – and they overheard me asking the lady next to me where she was from – and they chimed in before she could answer and said Germany. Well, this woman was so shocked because it was only in one conversation, that she said, at a dinner, where she mentioned her roots – but she lived in California for a long while now…  These boys picked up on the info – internalized it – shared it – a gift of recall. And a gift of ATTENTIVENESS. 

Later in the flight – more conversations between seats and I handed up two little plastic flamingos – gifts I brought WITH me – gave many out to whomever I thought – no need to give me something back – just for fun. But when I handed the two statues up – the little boys liked them and then they decided to gift me each a purple skittle from their candy – so sweet – the action and the candy. One boy was thinking for sure – what can I give FROM what I have – and not having much – he realized and directed the other little boy to give me each a little purple skittle candy. Sweet…

I didn’t expect any return gift from my gift – I just enjoyed seeing the oohs and aahs from people receiving the flamingo statue. I think that the sweetness of the candy came from a “oh we should give a return gift” – which is not always necessary – or it came from an ATTENTIVENESS of “what do we have that we can give”– and it was good to see sharing kids with good upbringing… Sweet…

How about giving from what we get from the Lord? Well, we could never repay the fill of gifts that He gives us – we could never pay anything worthy of what He gives us – His Grace – His Mercy – His Life – His Everything for our Anything.   And SO, we don’t pay it backwards – we pay it forwards – in service with a good attitude and sharing Him with others – and sharing PRAISE about Him as our cause.

God’s Gift of gifting is to us, well, A GIFT TO WORSHIP HIM – with all our hearts and minds and soul!  And Jesus specifically said (in Matthew 5:16) to let our light SHINE before men – and in so they will PRAISE the Lord… WOW!

A light that shines might be being friendly in a crowded space – smiling at unknown strangers – remembering that the people we interact with are made in God’s image too…  It is being attentive to what we have and how we can share it.

*** The scripture read this morning from Paul to the Romans: in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

One of the great 20^th century examples of service as worship is the story of Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun, founder of missionaries – born in Northern Macedonia – she studied and served in Ireland where she learned English and then she served in India – from the late 1940’s on – starting the Missionaries of Charities. Joseph Langford, founder of the congregation of priests, the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, later wrote, “Though no one knew it at the time, Sister Teresa had just become Mother Teresa.”

Sister Teresa experienced what she later described as “the call within the call” – “to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. It was an order. [she means from Jesus]. She had to keep FAITH that it was the thing to do.

Mother Teresa emphasized service as a manifestation of love. 

Her notable quote states, “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.” This highlights her belief that true love is expressed through acts of kindness and service to others.

Writers [Sara and Justin Kraft] would say about Mother Teresa: “One cannot be fully alive without relationships with others. We are made for love, to be unified in giving and receiving with others and ultimately with God. If we close ourselves off to service, we will never create the space within ourselves to be filled with the love of God. He can transform the most difficult tasks into meaningful experiences, but we have to be aware of His presence.”  – I am going to repeat that  – God can transform the most difficult tasks into meaningful experiences – but we have to be aware of His presence – and His Presence creates that space within us to LOVE to serve – and to worship.

These Mother Teresa impactful quotes exemplify the meaning of charity and love and service for others as worship:  

• “If you judge people, you have no time to love them,”  
• “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” 
• “Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do… but how much love we put in that action.”
• “I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper’s wounds I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?”

It is Love that we share… From Love – from Jesus Himself through His Holy Spirit.

We have a story in scripture – from our great role model of Jesus – urging us to give GENUINELY – we give whatever we have in FAITH, in TRUST, in Service of Giving.

This reminds me about the story Jesus told of the woman with 2 mites – Luke 21:1-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

This is not a “give until it hurts” sermon, but to remember that the gift of TRUST and SERVICE is from the space we create WITH GOD – the widow’s gift came from a worshipful place – it was not flashy nor knowing that someone else was watching. And so we don’t need to just give from a place of that sense of duty – it is BETTER that we can give in JOY FROM JOY – from a space inside us appreciating everything we have and what we can share – because we’ve been given that gift… And because we TRUST GOD IS taking care of us, we can be in the mix to help others realize His Gifts.

We show and SHINE – by our service FROM US – it can be anything, time or talents, truly God in the Holy Spirit – in a Pentecost way to BE worship – to come from within – to let us praise. SO let us NOT be short on praise – let us NOT being dilly-dallying before we praise – even in tough times the Lord asks for us to praise. The book of James reminds us about Perseverance – and that leads to praise – we may not know the circumstances of life that puts thorns in our sides – like Paul – but we are to remember to praise… Give our hearts to God – and strength and soul and mind – and praise…

Jesus gave us the example of the ultimate gift – We love because he first loved us. He laid down His life for us – His friends the disciples and for us before we were even born. We praise God because we know God and we want God to be known through us – John would write: If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. (1st John 4:12-14)

Our service to others is FROM that core that God put in us – service to God – and becomes our worship to thank Him that we can give what we can.

Don’t conform to the patterns of today – think of YOUR skills – YOUR gifts – YOUR inklings – This is something that you and the Lord can work out together – sometimes it is right in front of you… Our scripture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

A pattern game is a favorite of mine growing up – Perfection – it would pop if you didn’t get all the pieces in – well God is the one creating the game we call life in HIS PERFECTION – we could know that we have a space all prepared for us – and will be in it – and yet we can be out in life – on the board – and help others find their place in HIS PUZZLE of Life…

Whether it is giving time – giving encouragement, hope, or even little purple skittles candies – smiles, or giving service in presence like Mother Teresa – let us remember to make it worshipful as what God wants – our praise and our service is a worship to the Lord who holds the whole world in His Hand.

Amen

———-

And let us pray: Lord – thank You for this time to reflect and learn – to ponder – Jesus Himself said: “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit… “  what fruit today would you have us give back to the world in service and worship. Lord, I can’t wait to see what kind of fruit salad mix from all of us – that You, Lord, are gifting the world with – Let us always be creating a place for You within us – and see a peace in us in order to serve others as you do…  AMEN

I started on my new project of photo sorting. But first had some paperwork to sort through from the farmhouse, my grandfather and family kept every record for every house he built including tax statements, receipts for every piece of lumber or supplies, and all the workers payments… Rolls bundled of canceled checks to blueprints, we are keeping some, but a lot has to go to shred… you can’t keep everything…

The work however still stands. He worked hard. And what my grandpa built endures, the houses, the repairs, the odd jobs, plus the family, the values, the work ethic AND the love. Sorting documents, we reminisced that he bought lumber from like every building place, share the work, and he was a really good employer. There are papers for good insurance plans and proper lawyers records. And I know, if it needed one nail, my grandpa put three, to keep it sturdy. What grandpa built lasts…  He passed away in the late 90’s at a generous old age of 90.

I also found some newspapers in the farmhouse, and this day while my YouTube feed was playing Prince’s “1999” for music to sort by (trust me there’s a lot to sort), I noticed there was a newspaper in the boxes ALSO from 1999. And we “could party like it’s 1999”, thinking nothing of the future, but GRATEFULLY both my grandpa AND THE LORD worked to have built lasting life beyond that. The love, the life, the values, the plans. 

I found a nice drawing of one of the houses as a model. Once my aunt fell off a ladder, she was fine but my grandfather decided never to build two story houses again and then they were all one story ranchers.

Isn’t that also like the Lord, God knew we were fallible, and He built into His plan a Savior in His Son Jesus. A rescue and a steady life plan for us to follow the narrow path, without foot slipping, plus the safety net of Jesus. Now that’s good insurance. 

We have a bit of a floor plan described of Heaven when we read the scriptures, God doesn’t have to “sell it” to us, but he certainly makes it appealing! I’m looking forward to seeing Him, God, Jesus, and prayerfully my grandpa and great greats too!! It will be in the Heaven God built! Secure and secured!!!

Amen 

( And thank you Lord, for this time that I can reminisce while working STILL HARD in the earthly family values…)

Here is NOT nowhere, 

Here is Here!

Sometimes we think are going nowhere,

But it’s always somewhere, 

And being HERE, 

With God’s presence DEAR,

Is better than ANY FEAR. 

Here is NOT nowhere,

HERE IS HERE!

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Here is present in this time, place, season, THIS YEAR.

Here, life in the present gear,

We are here,

And we leave the past back there,

And wait on the future somewhere.

Here is NOT nowhere, 

HERE IS HERE!

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SO TAKE THE BACK ROADS, with no fear,

Enjoy the ice-cream, mmmm in cheer,

Feel the summer simmer near,

Splash under the waterfall in joy with water clear,

Play board games with family dear, 

And remember God is here, near,

In the HERE!!!

Amen 

Isn’t always the case,

When we realize God wants us in the RACE. 

Don’t even try to keep up with His PACE,

But know that for you and me, He has a PLACE. 

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Monday might bring dread,

Oh anxiousness for what lies ahead.

But remember Jesus Himself had no place to rest His head. 

So keep pushing, keep moving, keep hoping instead. 

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Thank You, Lord, for the pep talk.

Thank You, Lord, for Your walk.

Now every time I feel like I should squawk.

Let me praise You, for Your eye on me (us) is sharper than any hawk.

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Amen

…….

Had a fabulous feast and fun last night with friends. When one can’t travel to the country that they live in, one has to appreciate that they share the beautiful aspects of their culture and their lives with you here…  We had fabulous food, and karaoke dancing and they loved that I joined in, and yet the sweetest sweetest sharing was simply LOVE… and sweetest care with loving their littlest sweet child, just two years old… Oh such a cutie… You know grownups who play at a two year old teaching level, including grandma, are just as cute, I heard a quote in the Mister Roger’s movie that with a child, you get to relive but redo your childhood in a better way, you get to learn too.

And so I went to the Hallmark store for a teddy bear as a present, and looked for cuteness at a reasonable price (and I did find a good deal for a blanket with a hood with animal ears and a sweet puppy). But as I went into the aisle of “stuffies”, I thought “What can I bring?”. Right in front of me was the dish of many plush Jesus dolls, whom I’ve given before to friends, ah… yes although I didn’t pick this “plush” pretend Jesus doll this day with walking into a new situation, JESUS is EXACTLY Who What one needs to bring, Jesus, in LOVE to ALL,  everyday…

Jesus in all His Love IN us.

Jesus for all His Love FOR us.

Jesus in Truth to TEACH us.

Jesus in body OF us.

Jesus in SPIRIT AMONG us.

YES LOVE…

Jesus lives for and Jesus loves for everyone. Jesus wants everyone to know Him.

I loved this family opening up their home to me, sharing love and fun. I LOVE that Jesus opens up LOVE for us to share with others. I pray one day I can share not just the Jesus doll with them, but more ALL of Jesus with them and all. Live in love most of all.

And may we feast forever with Jesus in Heaven loving His Love.

Amen

I enjoyed this, from Calvary Chapel’s Pastor Joe, and I thought you might too!  http://resources.ccphilly.org/SAM1437 

Such a strong message…

God doesn’t want anybody to perish…

Allow me this moment to sit and appreciate my backyard – And the LUSHNESS of the flowers in the containers and garden beds this year. I prayed and asked and asked and asked my stay home kids to water my containers while I was away on my big trip – they did – even despite the terrible air quality from the wildfires. 

Every day I have to water these gardens, including my new addition, a three drawer clothes dresser trash picked from a rainstorm and now filled with flowers plus basil which replaced bolting radishes… and the gladiola flowers this season actually grew completely straight up… GORGEOUS and LUSH…

Do you know this summer has felt amazing and has gone by quickly, even if it’s still only half gone. They are fun times coming up like beach days and the agricultural fair, baseball games, but imagine the things we ALREADY did in THIS SEASON that were so much fun but we realized are so temporary… 

Temporary stuff included that great steam train that came through many towns and is a puff of smoke disappeared… temporary stuff included a fun America 250 celebration, beautiful fireworks, which seem like they fizzled out now… SEASONS shift… 

A friend and I remarked that we saw a couple fireflies, and how did we miss that season? Only to be reminded that there’s a couple left even in the heat… summer days are getting shorter, but there’s still much to enjoy…

Today in vacation bible school, we will teach about GOD’S FOREVER. We will try to explain forever to younger kids who think we as older have been living forever – but we have not… and yet we know we are “but a mist”, we are so temporary on this earth…

These flowers will fade, but in Heaven, God is already watering THE gardens. The sun and the moon and the earth will pass away, but God already has the most beautiful plans for all of us… and the Lord Himself will be our Light, Life, Love…

I’m looking forward to it, but I’m going to sit right now and just absorb the feeling of summer sun before it burns, the sight of greens and reds and yellows, the sounds of singing birds and the counting of my blessings to pause and praise…

Amen and thank You Lord…

Amen 

Amen 

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain…

—

A video for vbs worth watching for everyone – God is FOREVER – WOW GOD!!

Key Bible Verse: “But we can praise the Lord both now and forever! Praise the Lord!” — Psalm 142 / Psalm 115:18

Bible Story: God gives John a vision of heaven (Revelation 7:17; 21–22)

I am back from an AMAZING visit to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands!

Here is s VBS dispatch for one of my friend’s church, from the Isabella Island!

I prayed so much for God’s help this morning, we rode a speedboat, which made our stomachs upset, but it was worth coming to this place and we did snorkeling, with the turtles, and even saw the fish that were blue!!! God was so good when I got scared, while I was in the water because I’ve never done snorkeling before, and I’m not the best swimmer. But I know that God is everywhere! And he’s always available for us to pray to Him for guidance. I also got left behind and so while I was in the water, I was able to get my legs underneath me and swim by my flippers towards the group. I know God is ALWAYS there!

I truly feel that God is our safe place, and we can travel miles from home, halfway around the world, and god is our safe place, and we can feel secure in Him.

day 4

Here’s my VBS dispatch from the field! Day 4, God is LOVE!!! Today we rode that fast boat again and it was scary for me so again I prayed a lot to Jesus because I know He rescues, Jesus has rescued me so many times, and you too. And all of us have been rescued by Jesus to live FOREVER, because He loves us. God loves us! WOW GOD!!!

We also had a very hard hike today, 2 miles, but at the end, we had a wonderful beach for swimming, and after a very hard hike back, not only did we have our friends helping us, they brought a bus so that we could ride comfortably the rest of the distance. And then they took us to the restaurant for lunch. And so looking at the bus gave us hope that we had the ride. And that’s just like Jesus, because He gives us hope, and He gives us a ride into Heaven. It’s not a bus or a boat. He gave us this ride because of his blood, because he died on the cross and came back to life. Jesus knows the way for all of us to get back Home to be with God in Heaven. And then when we get to Heaven, we’re gonna have a fabulous feast!!!

Plus the other amazing things I saw today were mockingbirds that sang, and we saw more geckos and small lizards and butterflies that weren’t afraid. They are comfortable with us and not afraid, especially because they feel we won’t harm them. Since Jesus takes care of us, we should ALSO not be afraid. And we should feel very blessed and love Him, because He loved us first! God is love! WOW GOD!

A poem of praise:

I have to give God the credit and the praise – He has given me Jeremiah 29:11 to rave.

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Every time I start to worry – about jobs about money – well, He gets that scripture to me in a hurry.

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In cards and items written in English and in Spanish – His HOPE will not vanish.

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I know there is the right match out there – for my work – for my time – but I must listen to Him – to phone Home for His advice, in His Word, He gives me His Dime.

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In time, in time…

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I bring that scripture with me, SMART – I see it on bookmarks and in my heart.

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And while placing Spanish scripture cards out in a Spanish church, I paused with a friend to talk about my journeying – I took one to translate and wow – Jeremiah 29:11 it was – seriously – I mean God knows my heart, and my yearning.

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Then again right now, I was questioning both the if and the how.

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The scripture came once again – this time in a devotion from a friend.

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Jeremiah 29:11 is God saying “I’ve got you EVERY DAY” – there is a time for exile and there is coming home in MY WAY…

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So I will keep quiet in grief but know His relief.

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Keeping in step each day – and we will learn more about God’s Way.

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KEEP THE PRAISE KEEP THE PRAISE KEEP THE PRAISE.

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AMEN AMEN

I am travelling and pre-writing these devotions

It is hard to imagine how VAST God is – and in the travelling that I have done, I know that this world is HUGE – and it is not concievable and how much grace and mercy our God must have. It is impossible for us to realize that with the millions – billions of people that He can know every hair on EVERY head – not just our one head – and we are very human-centric but we must remember that God is God so much bigger than our beliefs of Him.

Isn’t it AMAZING that God knows SO much – and there is SO MUCH to know – everything of just me is already mind-blowing – wow – that is what makes a whole world of knowledge, grace and mercy – and especially LOVE – so impossible to wrap our heads around. But God is God and we are not – and wow that is comforting too.

Psalm 139 is the psalm that brings it to our knowledge – right clearly stating: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.

This was true for David who wrote it – and true for us. God knows and God cares.

And Jesus was sent to bring this message even more clear to us to tell us directly – both the knowledge and the glory of God. In John’s Gospel we remember about Jesus being Truth – being the Word – being God – knowing all and all knowing to come help and save – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

In Vacation Bible School for Day 2, the study is for David and how he was relating to God at that moment – and remembering past situations and sins and saves. And we have to remember that we too are ever loved by God – for we too are known. 

God wants us to know HIM – and know Grace and Truth – forgiveness and friendship – care and caretaking..

Thank You Lord for loving us.

GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! WOW GOD!!!

Amen

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 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.

I am reminded so many times that we are thinkers of this world in the way of our center of the world – like we think God is OUR creator – which He is – but first and foremost we must think of and know that God is God first and foremost – the “I AM”.

God is not just foremost or before most – He IS before ALL – because He IS. So, in our Vacation Bible Studies for Rainforest Falls, by Group publishing, Day 1, based on the scripture of Genesis 1, we learn that the “ultimate origin story” means that God “fills the emptiness with light, land and life.” The lesson speaks to how God is the Light that shines on, over and through. God creates life from NOTHING – not just filling an empty room or space but making the whole space of everything – by speaking it into existence.

And then God created us – and He had a purpose and love for us before we were even created – God has formed us “intentionally” – “in His Own Image” – we are His “VERY GOOD” creation – and He loves us.

In a devotion poem I wrote many years ago – I wrote God is God and God never ends and God only begins.

TRUE!

Here is the Bible Verse for Rainforest Falls Day 1: “Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom.” Psalm 103:22

AMEN

Here is that original post as well as the scriptures for Revelation 22 about Jesus, One with God and One God, and our NEW beginning (again) as well as Genesis 1 (the beginning of beginnings for us – but a constant love for God to make new beginnings)

https://debbieupper.blog/2021/09/19/god-is-god-16sep-1249/

God is God.

In the BEGINNING, God created the Heaven and the Earth. In the end was a new beginning. In the new beginning was the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with us. With us was Jesus, in us Jesus and will be with us Jesus. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, first and last. At last there is a new beginning. In the beginning God was God and God is God. In the end God was God and God is God. There was a “It is finished” but that was no end that was a NEW BEGINNING. God never ends. God only begins.

God is God.

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Revelation 22 – King James Version

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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Genesis 1 King James Version

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

I started stressing again, just for a moment, and the Lord gave me the visual, I needed… it’s a pink bag which has Jeremiah 29:11 scripture.

The bag was folded in half, but God knows how to unfold the truth, so I enrolled the bag, and the truth is, HE STILL SAYS: DON’T WORRY, I have a PLAN. Jeremiah 29:11 yes!

Jeremiah is writing to encourage exiles – telling them to keep going and live prosperous lives even in this exiled location…. and we are also exiles whom God has promised to bring back – after a prescribed time of exile (earth) – live well – prosper… life liberty and the pursuit of happiness in this patriotic summer season…

In those days, God employed empowered extolled exiled prophets to encourage all. Today we need to be the encouragers to others.

But the people must have been concerned in Jeremiah’s day, and we too get very concerned (frightened even) even though we know God is trustworthy. And we are to work at a plan, go with a plan, trust a plan, hope in a plan. 

Recently, with Fourth of July excitement, we went to a local farm for fireworks. We went late because it was a hundred degrees, and the people were certainly having fun. And it was interesting because it did cost to go, which kept crowds manageable, and because it seemed like a family picnic, as opposed to a big municipal firework show. Someone bought me the ticket so I didn’t mind the price. And then the clouds started to popcorn up, the radars showed the worst weather north and quickly passing east. By the radar, we’re very fortunate and not in the bullseye of the storm. But oh we saw it!

Families with small children were smart, and they got their kids in the cars. My adult kids and I could have actual adult conversation about the situation and the weather and our response. The wind though kicked up, and as I helped the local brewery, grab their tent and collapse it, somebody in line was so oblivious audacious to say: “are you still serving?” as it was not registering with him the fierce weather activity at hand… oblivious… and we too tend to be oblivious to HUGE workings of monumental ground shifts and weather fronts, if it not immediately in front of us or under OUR feet. This is also true, and why we need FAITH when things are not going well, because God’s got SO MUCH going on behind the scenes, unseen and seen. We must have faith. We must keep going…

After the tent and things settling down, we stuck it out and waited, most did but in their cars. But then the most amazing ball lightning arose. So spectacular dancing across the sky!!! And it was in the distance and yet close enough that I thought we should wait in the car too. We did. We watched. And then rolled back out for the fireworks, which were spectacular – oh amazing and close, (and well worth the price!) The intensity of the BIG boomers shook you and we loved it.

The ball lightning while we waited it out was serious strength in the sky. And it was like the fevered pitch of the weather just had to let go. (Whew not directly over us.) And can you imagine how we emotionally and mentally also often have to VENT, because our energy angst frustration just takes over. GOT TO BLOW STEAM. And weather and whether we are in that fury or not, we often it. 

Now let us not just imagine, but believe how much MORE POWERFUL God is. So powerful and yet so gracious too. We celebrate with explosives! And we explode with celebration! God rules with Power and God Powers His rule! And He is both the spark and the sparkles.

So next time, we are in a fearful situation, whether real or our minds have carried us away,  let us cling even MORE to the powerful God we have WHO KNOWS ALL! Keep a close watch on the weather for safety, don’t tempt faith, fate, fireworks or fronts of storms. But DO trust that God will pull us through. Unfold the truth: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Keep your cool and keep hope.

Remember God does have a plan!

Amen 

A Letter to the Exiles
29 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

I am pre-writing as I am travelling…

My local family have remarked how they longed for the 1950’s and a great time – that their childhood and everything much simpler then… Well, that is awesome – but it does mean that things were simpler then simply because they were kids, and as a child, one is really cared for and usually sheltered. So probably not because times were simpler or easier for society – but society (and/or the powers that be) blessed them/us with joy…  Granted, the 1950s economically was better in the American economy after pulling out of the depression – and my local family grew up on a farm and had more food than most in big cities, and yet we tend to see popular movies and society making an influence on “these were the good old days” – but in reality every time is different for different people… ignorance is bliss can be said in every generation. 

Amazing play I just saw, local theater production, and my youngest is on stage crew. Oh exciting for me to see set changes, and also what we donated from the farmhouse, newspapers magazines and they actually used them in one scene slamming on the ground, as the show touched upon tough topics while the couple tried to “pretend” they were living in the 50s. Oh fun and then the cliffhanger, then the 2nd half touched upon TOUGH subjects for any generation, including relationship norms, financial crisis, infidelity flirtatious, and fear of acceptance in the workplace, fear of change and wow… it was a show that made you think and squirm enough, but with a resolved ending (WHEW!). Yeah, life is precisely life, no matter which generation. 

As for my extended extended family in the big city in the 1930’s (for whom I have been learning about first time) living in the depression era in NYC, it was TOUGH – and yet they survived – survived with MANY mouths to feed too… The letters that later came in the 1950s showed happier times economically but the 30’s were tough. Also without long drama detailed – all the generations when family members are sick and dying are tough and sad… Yet the letters at the end said “love and kisses” – they still shared the love – as did they send Christmas cards that mentioned Christmas joy – even if Santa was poor those years…

Here is where we have best joy in God – we are His children and sheltered and we are taken care of free from sin and death – from illness and tears – in the time when we return HOME – to Heaven. We are also sheltered now so that we CAN experience JOY and explan Who gives us counsel. God does. Jesus carries us. The Holy Spirit moves us.

So for the meantime we need to tough it out here on earth, and we can make it BETTER for others as we live life… Life here has ups and downs – but we are to focus on His blessings – especially the ability to draw close to Him – remember happiness is fleeting but JOY is forever.

Were Times Simpler “In the Old Days”? Hmmm not so sure – but what I DO KNOW is that God’s Love NEVER changes.

I will always remember the LOVE in these letters – through the tough times and the reality of the real world – we KNOW that the most important thing is LOVE.

GOD LOVES US ALL  – we are HIS family.

Amen

Here are some letters from them which we found in our family farmhouse – letters dated in the 30’s:

“…got a new radio from our Pop for Christmas so that it keeps us in nights for a change and he likes it too because he at least has some company when he’s home alone….” from one cousin…

and from another cousin – about that same radio: “One day last week, Dad was up by Uncle Frank and they have a new radio and Dad said it is very nice…”

Then there are sorrow writings about the times: “… writes they don’t get much for their milk, eggs are 12 cents a dozen there. Here we pay 29cents for a lb of salt butter, and 39 cents for a dozen grade A eggs (that’s in the A&P store)…” (I think these are high prices to buy but low prices for farmers to not get money for their goods)…

Another letter: “We are all in good health although things here are poor. I have been out of work a long time so that we get along a best we could.”… “I hope you are all well and happy and we are. We are all busy now preparing for Christmas, which is just around the corner. Things here are pretty bad and lots of people are complaining but we have our health.”

The the nitty gritty of the death of family members too: “were quite surprised to read the note enclosed – Pop was quite unhappy to know when Aunt.. died… He was also sorry to hear about … but I guess we all have to go sometime.”… and another letter: “…We are all enjoying good health and Pa is picking up slowly. He asked me to write to you to let you know that Uncle … is very ill. He has been complaining for some time about his arm and as he could not stand it very much longer he went to the hospital and they found that he had some kind of lump under his arm. Before they could operate it burst and all the matter spread on his lungs so that he is a pretty sick man. He was operated on Friday night which happened to be his 63rd birthday and they didn’t let us know until yesterday or I would have written sooner…”

I am travelling and pre-writing these devotions.

During the beginning era of Covid and then for months afterwards, my friend and I would remember to count our blessings by counting the number of types of cheeses in our houses – and don’t forget that green can of parmesean which might be lost in your fridge. See, if we are SO blessed that we have food, let alone have THIS many varieties of cheese – just like my recent drawer reminded me (hey half these cheeses are for my adult kids – not me), then we MUST remember that we are blessed…  SO MANY CHEESES but even more blessings – even in covid era – even in hard times – even today. It is so good to count blessings and BE GRATEFUL (haha grated and grateful cheese – a cheese joke)…

I also recently had a turkey dinner made by the before mentioned adult kids who also enjoy cheese. (It is cool huh to have adult kids who adult!!!)…  Well, we had the extra free-ish turkey in the freezer since thanksgiving or christmas and well, time to use it up…  (It seems so long ago can’t even remember if it was a $10 10lb turkey or free) – and we enjoyed ice cream after, LOL – and popsicles for the 4th of July…  and sparklers… and since we feel like this is a staycation around the 4th of July and the HEAT, we are also thankful for air conditioning…

So – how do we show appreciation to God for our blessings? Well, we could grumble less, fear less, and not be so apathetic to the causes of others. I know this sounds like a soapbox but honestly it is also a pep-talk to myself – to complain less – is to remember the blessings.

(and while I am at it – I remember my blessings for this extra time during my time off from work – as well as the vacation trip that I am on – but also feel that need to DEPEND upon God for my next steps – really need God more than ever to reveal a plan! Meanwhile I will count my cheeses and count ON Jesus…)

I found a new to me sign in the trash – I have always been a trash picker – and it was overnight and then buried under another thing – it was a sign that was perfectly good and should have been donated (in my opinion) which said “Grateful for Blessings” – yeah… Well, I will keep it – maybe hang it outside since it is wood – and remember to be GRATEFUL – and to see the situations as opportunities to depend upon God…

Grateful and blessed…

Keep counting on God…

Amen

I am pre-writing these as I am travelling.

It was no joke, the weather, the temperature – early July and 100 – wow…

But under the tree in the walk that I attempted early one morning (only 80) – the temperature was SO MUCH COOLER – whew…  Then I noticed the whole hill was lined with trees and if I placed myself just right, I could/should have walked all morning in the shade – with a good hill for a good workout. I know that shade is a blessing – especially when you forget a hat.

Ah – but the shade of the Almighty – He IS our shade – our protection – under His Wing we best keep.

Psalm 91 NKJV 

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon 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.”

AMEN AMEN

I am writing ahead – I will be on vacation traveling:

I have barely been keeping up with world news but certainly when one hears of an earthquake – it is big new – no one has an explanation for why some regions are more prone – sure there are scientific reasons but it is one of those broken earth – broken world – situations…  And so we pray for those lost and those left behind – and this headline is one that always grabs your attention – baby and mom pulled from rubble in the venezuela earthquake – wow – the mom felt the first tremors and quickly went to her son’s crib and grabbed him – then they both fell with the building – and she realized she was in a hole – stuck – rocks holding her legs and against her cheek – and her baby was in her arms and a bible under her leg. She said that the baby kept her going – if he was alive then I was alive. The earthquake was Sunday and their rescue was Thursday. She said she would just touch her baby’s nose to know that the baby was still alive. Whew… Wow… The dad who was unharmed and not at home, after their rescue said when I saw him I felt that I was born again… Yeah – wow!!!

Link to news story: Venezuela earthquake: Mum rescued from rubble with newborn baby tells BBC how he helped her survive

Yes, we live for our children’s futures – and the future generations – and we have to remember that by others, our whole lives and before we were born, we have been under prayers – lifted up in prayers – held in prayer. Surely our great grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles – surely so many who came before us (even the government or church people from long time ago) were thinking of these generations – our generations. I love that phrase that if you are happy and blessed – remember that others were praying for you…  This is our encouragement to pray for others.

Well, the One Who knows us best – God – His Psalm 139 reminds us that He Himself has known us from before we were formed in our mother’s wombs…  Yes…  

Thank You Lord for everything – You live for the future – so can we.

Amen

Psalm 139 NKJV

God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting

Love is Thicker than Paper. I am pre-writing these devotions because I am traveling.

​​In my family farmhouse finds, I have no less than 2 inches of paper in a ziploc, sole stacked for a massive set of postcards for an ANNY – whom I have discovered is my great grandmother’s sister – whom got most of these cards from a suitor – and they are sweet – ​from 1909 to 1910 – she must have been a fine young 20yr old lady then but so sad that I found she lost her life early on – as the gravestone shows she was only 27 years old in when she passed.​ The cards are in the old language and I can not read them – and cursive is not so conducive to the google photo translators. Hmmm…

She was one of three adult children who passed at young ages – after their father and before their mother (in their 70s) all recorded on one of the family gravestones I recently “unearthed” on the internet… I hope to visit this place one day.​

I do feel sorry for the situation – and for that suitor – I mean that IS a lot of postcards (like I said – 2 inches thick)… I am sure Love was much thicker than paper.

Another set of papers that found were these religious mailing inserts – inside Christmas and Easter cards​ – these included Moses and two of Jesus – one at the Garden of Gethsemane and one from Luke 15 – of the lost sheep and the lost coin – urging repentance of “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

God wants our repentance and our love – following Him. His Love has been through thick and thin of our faith – His LOVE is THICKER than Paper – Thicker than blood – or at least just like the covering of our sins with blood of Jesus – who went to the thick of death for our lives give in grace and mercy.

God pursues us – God does – God is our suitor and God is our Savior. One day our Bridegroom will come for us – His Bride… To Him – we are the BEST – because of Him…

Amen

I am on an adventure vacation trip and pre-writing these devotions.

I enjoyed perusing and photographing this stockpile of newspapers from my family’s old farmhouse – just enough papers have been saved to make it manageable – of interesting things – especially war and weather.​ They are preserved so well and really really meaty reads.​

For war, it is WW2 – both papers local to their city and those sent from other cities – including from Honolulu from my uncle who was deployed there before the South Pacific. Many papers with the big headlines were saved but we did recycle crumbled papers that were not saved to be saved but just “stuff” in stuffing. (you can’t keep everything) And yes – all these papers were BIG and Wide and detailed and interesting.

I could tell that my family and surely all the newspaper readers of the time paid attention to the progress of the war’s front lines. Troop progress maps were published in these papers – history and geography was studied. And surely the readers (including my family) were concerned both for their family members at the front lines as well as folks back in the old country – it is hard to ignore the importance of the times when you have many connections. It must also have been so tough to participate in the war machine when family may have been inadvertently in the way. 

(My Grandfather was a farmer and older and not in WW2 but maintaining the home front – and growing crops – but still part of the mix of the American people paying attention, sacrificing, and producing.)

And then I found that there is an interesting stockpile of clippings that my family kept from the Lindbergh baby kidnapping – and the trial of the alleged perpetrator – it was truly the most captivating scandal and sorrow of that time – and in a time when people had newspapers and radio – not TV nor social media on demand – they hung on every word in the records.

Weather-related news making headlines was also saved – hurricanes and 100-year floods that come much more often these days… And these papers also had society sections and puzzles and comics and ads – especially ads that showed the fashions of the day. Side by side with the hard news. Interesting that we seem to have minds that can flip flop like that too – from serious to silly. And oh – those sport pages – surely those were read intensely and the stock pages too. ​

All the news that’s fit to print made for a jam-packed newspaper. I found them filled with patriotic encouragement too! Like women being recruited into the Navy.

And then I bet that people, after they read the papers, had discussions of the news, surely. People would certainly have taken the opportunity to take it all in personally while reading – then mulling it over later – and then discussing it. Especially if someone was reading a paper over one’s shoulder there must have been immediate conversation. The news and the newspapers – they were  also a route for teaching – that the parents could explain what was going on without reading the paper verbatim – then again that was a great teaching tool for vocabulary and sentence structure – and also condensed news. The newspaper was a big deal in the day…

We can re-read these papers now – or read fresh for news that we didn’t realize we didn’t know. They have a depth of history – and yet refer to so short a time frame for what these newspapers and our lives span – so short compared to forever – and time changes so fast for us.

So – what news is UNCHANGING? Ah – the GOOD NEWS… Ah, yes all the news that gets INTO print and is FROM print – as Jesus IS the Word. All the news that’s fit to print – and fit fittingly healthy and good. And unchanging – Jesus Himself says don’t add or subtract (see Revelation 22:18-19) to the Word or the prophecies – don’t be misled by the message either. Take in the truth and let the truth work in you…

If people are obsessed and save Headlines that are BIG and BOLD – how much more we can save the Word in us as truth and not splashy but salvation-y… And isn’t it grand that the news that comes and goes about wars – as bad as it is – will all fade when Jesus returns and all knees will bow to Him. Now there will not be a newspaper headline for that day – but a head-line in sight of the real news – the GOOD NEWS – forever…

Amen…

​

I am travelling and pre-writing these devotions – and right now (planning a Sunday release to this post) I should be in a the midst of the unknown feelings of known travel – and known fear but unknown fun – and known fun and unknown unknowns…

YES – for 9 days we are travelling with scouts – thanks for your prayers! Traveling with friends is always an adventure!

It is going to be a GREAT trip no doubt – it is going to be amazing as it can’t be anything but amazing… Every time I travel BIG – to another country – it is like as soon as I let go of that car door or realize it is just me and the suitcase and my passport and all reliant upon me going – well that is when I take that breath – whew – yeah this is really happening… And I can do this – I travel all the time – even out of the country – I do jump when I jump – and I am usually wearing my bracelet of this scripture: “I can do all things through Christ!” Phil 4:13

And so I was watching a recent video of an Eagle taking flight – the first flight from his parent’s nest – well, it matches my feelings right now in travelling (could be any new venture for us) – might be a wobble for a second and then GO. It is a feeling of both unknown and known newness – the whole world in in front of us – we feel both  – I feel both – both apprehension and excitement – either way it is TIME TO GO! Admire the view and then be part of it!

(These screenshots are images from this video – first the eagle looks then flaps his wings in prep – then goes: https://bbc.com/news/videos/cp3x257qkx9o  )

BUT ah we need to remember that we never go without God – as He is already in the place we are going as much as the place we are from and especially He is really REALLY with us when we are thinking of Him at that moment… At THIS moment Lord, thank you! You know me – You love me. (Psalm 139 for sure)

Yes, Lord, TIME TO GO – by car train plane boat and feet – well time to FEEL the Unknown and Keep Going!  Be Strong and Courageous !!! 

KNOWING GOD IS WITH US EVERY STEP!!!

AMEN

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 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.

It was a great trip up to see my mom and family. And to bring back up family history, a stuffed shoebox-sized treasure trove now all paperclipped and organized.  It was a project that was a joy, I told friends it was like me hiring myself to do that job… and it was a joy job…

So I’m home now and tired – a good tired…

And this noon we spent just a half an hour at the local waterfall, where I could have waded in the water, but just dangled my legs. I really, really wanted to get my bathing suit on and just take a dip.

I think we often I need to not just wade into water, but to go in completely. The people at the diving board were having the best time! Ah, we should jump into FAITH that way and we should never wade in worry, and too many times we go full in freak out mode. We shouldn’t. 

And preparing for one vacation Bible school lesson. I am reminded that Jesus gives us the power to be bold. Bold in faith, bold in trust and bold in not worrying…

Maybe next time, I will bring my bathing suit and go full in the water. And prayers for what I should go in full in faith in life. Let go and let God. Wisdom over worry..

Amen 

I got the window of opportunity and urge to go, so I came up home,  north, yesterday morning, will go back home, south, later today. It’s a blessing to be here, it’s a blessing to have a place to be. “I LOVE NY” is both a statement and a place of mind. And I found it funny when the gentleman whom I asked to take a photo of me with the I LOVE NY sign at the visitors center left his finger in the photo and it looks like he is pointing “THIS” – yes THIS – I love NY.

One urge in this window of opportunity of course is to see family and get the gist of them which comes better in person than on the phone – and everyone is enjoying summer, doing ok. My aunt is getting thinner, she realizes this too, prayers are appreciated. I do appreciate that they appreciate our visits. Everyone is not getting any younger up here.

And my other motivation to come up was to bring up all this family history research and materials BACK to the farmhouse, to share it with her and my family, to basically explain that they had dozens (now hundreds) of cousins that we never knew we had. My family wondering if they would be looking for us too. I don’t know but I would hope so – there are probably many hundreds of folks now – I wonder if they have our (my grandma’s) letters too. It’s the connections that interest some folks, or simply the possibility, but really my blessed ability here was just to take the closer look into our vast family and their plights, and trust me that I felt like love for my grandma and family from her aunt and cousins through these letters and cards. And help us appreciate counting blessings from our opportunities and commiserate for our collective sorrows. My aunt said she appreciated my sorting and hard work, she felt like she was in one of those family ancestors finding your roots programs. Cool. I did hope she and my mom would appreciate it – but honestly I felt the drive to research if just the people in heaven were saying “hey, someone spoke my name”! I do believe I will meet these people in Heaven – I can’t wait (but I am in no rush!)

And ANOTHER motivation for my trip up here, which is both practical and selfish – is to put a bookmark or pause or “finished for now” placeholder on the research – both because it is time for me to travel soon and because I have “milked” the bulk of research our of it –  a box which is the size of a shoebox – but the information to fill a lifetime of research. I have to pause and say “done enough” – wrote up a big report on the census findings too – 36pages – and pause. Of course it is ALSO time for me to find work OUTSIDE the home – which is what my family in the depression (according to these letters) was wanting to find. It would make for a better “Santa Claus” as they would say… When people ask “how has your job search gone?” I have to say it is the connections that I have made over the years that are being renewed are my favorite part of job search. A friend just redid my CV for me in AI-lingo – and that was so nice of her – looks so much better. And honestly I have counted my blessings over concerns and kept going this five and a half months as if I was doing “other work as assigned” by the Lord. And for this I am truly grateful… GRATEFUL! (and yes, I have NO regrets on travel and time spent.) 

(and one has to have both a tough skin and “to guard your heart” – from the Proverbs – because when you feel it is your mission, don’t let anyone dissuade you – and also don’t worry what others think…  Guard your heart – and get wisdom to know (from the Lord) whether each step is worth it – and don’t let the fear of folly dissuade you from keeping going.)

And a different kind of “closer look” was lowering down upon us yesterday too when a hot air balloon drifted and dangled and dazzled from the sky – they lower to touch down at a local park down the hill – so this particular balloon is seen a few times a year by my family – I think it was the closest I have seen it myself – so cool…  I have video too. And close enough that I was looking for their faces – but no one was leaning OVER – they must have been looking AROUND. And isn’t that our joy too – for a closer look – to take the time to look around at our situations and opportunities – from a new vantage point. The balloon people saw us as specks – and then we drifted out of their view, same with the balloon, same with life – YEAH!

Yeah take the OPPORTUNITY for A CLOSER LOOK – then keep drifting to the next view. You won’t regret it… won’t regret being “in the moment” – to have the Lord’s Finger pointing to THIS. I never have regretted it when the Lord has “made me look”…  And I thank the Lord for keeping me close as I try to look closer towards HIM.

Yeah – a closer look – and daily a closer walk too…

Amen…

(Thank you for prayers for traveling mercies!)

—

Proverbs 4 NKJV

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.

I watched America 250 coverage and wore a bicentennial dress while watching a show of an immigrant worker who kissed the top of the Statue of Liberty – cool…  

So, yes I wore a 50 year old red white and blue dress that my aunt made – for 1976 – fits me well now… And fittingly I was working hard at her and her mom (my Grandma’s) boxes of between 50 and 120 year old letters from our family – including learning what I now know is my Great Grandmother’s many siblings, plus their children and grandchildren. I’ve sorted by year and type, and person and family branch – Auntie gets red ziplocs and a red folder – and other get yellow or green or blue – and labelled – and paperclip or binder clipped – and well, yeah – I wrap up this one month plus journey of working hard on researching and scanning and copying. I am not contacting current relatives – this was a deep dive to just know (and now know over 200 new cousins).

I worked hard – as if both working for myself and for their memory – and seeing how I think this was not a distraction but a mission – then I think I was also working for the Lord in all this – which also meant that I understood that it was a project that one had to find an end to – which I did – and everything is now boxed up ready to deliver back to the farmhouse with copies to my family – and yes I look forward to explaining it all. WHEW! (and I wanted it done before heading off to a VBS and then my BIG trip – and then another VBS).

And what a blessing too – to know my family members joys and struggles – to know what a community brought to them  – seeing census records which showed that they were MANY in NYC – and great in family. What brings me sadness is that my grandmother moved away from her many cousins and their letters must have been a comfort but also a reminder that she would not see them again maybe once or twice… And they were in the same state!

Well, I am crossing the state too again to deliver these items – organized so well and well, in all the scanning and the organizing on my google drive and then the printing out of them for both my family and for physical paper copies to go with the letters – well it was sort of me working for myself this last month. I think that is what I realize – is that I knew the JOY – and the mission – and the motivation too – the motivation comes from somewhere – well – but from WHOM was I being motivated? I checked in with the Lord often in the last month and questioned myself and Him – and still felt the peace of this pocket of opportunity – which I have been taking all along. So, if it feels like I was working BOTH for my project and for myself – I was. And was it like “work” well, no – just a JOY to do. And was I  or am I – working for God – well I hope so… I hope to state that this helped me know the names of faithful to meet somedays

I think that God gives us time = and freedom = and we have to decide what to do in it… And yeah to ask for and accept God’s Grace when we realize we need it. And to stand “be still” and know that God has all this under control.

In one of the postcards, there is a peasant woman looking in a small space and seeng an halo-ed figure.The kneeling shows prayer and maybe conversation. That’s me too – I kneel to the Lord – in THANKS – that I got this window of opportunity – had the window – opened the window – and took the window of opportunity.

Thank You Lord for this time of me hiring me for my projects – which I do believe You placed in front of me…

Thanks Lord for my family – and me…

AMEN

Ah… Hope you all had a great 4th of July – America 250 – and that this jovial spirit will continue!

I know that we talk about “the American Dream” in a self-motivating manner – WE need to achieve and get out there!!! We also self-envision a lifestyle and well like everyone would have their own place – usually… As we leave home and yeah we also imagine kids who fly the coop – and then we are sometimes surprised that children come back home – or never leave – but this is not new… This is not new…

Every situation is unique and works (or doesn’t work). I know that many people would like their lives different – but we deal with what we have. Honestly, many families have benefited from multi-generational families – not just Grandma living with us watching us – but also like my grandparents and aunts babysat me when I was young. And yes sometimes the whole family is together in one house. I know grandkids who have THRIVED MORE because of Grandma and Grandpa. This is the norm in other countries, so why do we tend to let the media or society tell us it is not “normal” here… It’s all good – and as the song goes: “Anything goes”…

The truth here is that LOVE is what makes a family into family – and being together is a functional but fundamental structure and off-shoot of Love that works.

I’m entrenched in the reading of the census of NYC 1900-1950 and know from reading incoming ship manifests of my family members that we are the recipients and results of them entrenched in the “American Dream” – they essentially were “taking care of family business” first even though they themselves left home. They were immigrants making it and then making it work out for their better – and the betterment of their children in America – by their hard work… (and for my family, at least one set of adult children sent back for their adult parents to come to America too. Taking care of their extended family and I can imagine great neighborhoods of families together).

We found American flags that would have been my great grandparents – and have their naturalization papers too. Reading my extended family letters from the farmhouse – I do see family growth into the “American Dream” – but also financial sacrifices. In the readings and in the Census reports, I have read often of examples of family members moving back in – kids to parents – parents to kids – siblings and cousins to each other… MY grandparents built a house for my great grandparents to move into – down the road from their farmhouse. My other great grandfather on that side built houses and as he built one particular one, he moved in with my great grandmother because this was her “dream house” and then he built or renovated another house for one of his sons, just across the street. Family helped family. 

For this current treasure trove of letters in english (from the America-residing generations after their parents settled in NYC after coming from the old country), the letters do talk about these multi-generational homes. The letters show the love and sometimes the strife of these households (probably because it is tougher to have conflict when you love someone than when you don’t)…  In all these structures, it is LOVE which is the glue that holds life together.

And they mostly took care of each other. (with the exception of a family dispute only lightly touched upon). In one letter in 1931, the talk is about Great Grandmother’s brother, who was a baker in NYC when the family business was booming, now not working much mid depression – and instead making lunch for his grandson as the other daughter works:  “Dad isn’t working much, maybe 2 days a week, but he always has something to do, he cooks he cleans and gets (grandson) lunch for him. (Other daughter) is working but not the whole week but it is better than nothing.”   The rest of the letter states there are thousands of people out of work in the depression…

“I go by my Father every day as he isn’t working much now as pretty near all the bakeries are closing no business. (Daughter) is working so Dad takes care of (grandson).”

A different cousin writes: “I was glad to hear that your Mother and Father are able to take it easy now…” – “We are all well here, (sister) and I are working, my Father is home and does a little cooking and marketing. He has the time of Riley, but I guess he has worked hard enough for one life time…”

Well, these letters do often conclude with love and kisses – and well wishes to their extended family… I am glad that the letter recipients, my Grandma and Great Grandparents, felt this love. I hope we all do – and that we share love with whomever God has put in our paths.

Our American Dream shouldn’t forget who brought us to this place where we could thrive… God bless America…

AMEN

Romans 12:10: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Hebrews 13:1: Let brotherly love continue.

1 Corinthians 13 NKJV – 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.

I appreciate the 4th of July and this 250th anniversary….

I found paperwork recently of my Great Grandfather as naturalized as a US citizen in the early 1900s – he (and all my great grandparents) had to renounce citizenship to the Austro-Hungarian empire – the ruler Frances Joseph – acting like a King – was “Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary”. My relatives there were raised on the border of an old country where this A-H empire was the political force in the region. 

Wikipedia says: “The Lands and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had a complex relationship. During the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which existed from 1867 to 1918, the lands were part of the Austrian half of the empire. This era was marked by a struggle for autonomy and political representation…” In other words, it was ALWAYS complex in government – and complex in who they WANTED to be aligned with and who they DIDN’T.

​My Great Grandfathers (both on that side of the family) as well as SO MANY left to not have to fight FOR the emperor – AND to be able to find a new prosperous life in America – AND to live an American dream of freedom from persecution. They certainly could not have known what also made a difference in the lives of their children to move from city life to country life – as not only did my family’s life differ than our cousins because we were in America, but we had a different life because we were in the upstate NY country compared to our family in packed busy NYC.

In the naturalization paperwork, they also pledged (like all others at the time) to not be an anarchist or polygamist. These folks who became naturalized US citizens gave up any allegiance to foreign powers. “and it is my intention in good faith…”

In Good Faith – means to have have faith that is real – and to act upon a good intention in one’s decisions. And surely my relatives made sacrifices for family. Even coming to America meant not having family from the old country any more – unless you brought them with you (as did my great grandmother). In Good Faith they did what they had to do… “SO HELP ME GOD.” in CAPITAL LETTERS!

I pray that we all “IN GOOD FAITH” have faith in what the future holds – my family in the late 1800’s early 1900’s could not have foreseen the great depression – or the twists and turns of political football passing in the 20th century. They only know “to live in faith”… “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.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

May we renounce Anarchy and keep realizing rejoicing God’s Reality above any regency. May we know God as Lord and King – and Savior and Solution. May we always “In God We Trust” TRUST and act.

…”and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Col 2

Amen and Happy 4th of July!

“SO HELP ME GOD.” in CAPITAL LETTERS!

Good morning!

Ah – isn’t it great to be in summer and specifically for us in church this morning to be in our Pentecost season – where we are actively remembering that God in the form of the Holy Spirit is with us ALL THE TIME – and we are talking about EMPOWERMENT in this series and this season – and well – it surely IS the right time for us to feel empowered to do things but also to know that God loves us so much that He is with us – Be still and know that He is God – He helps us – He gives us His power – He plugs Himself into us – He gives us the juice of the battery to keep moving – He gives us the wind under our sails – and the pickup in our steps. And THIS for His purposes which when we align to Him – we are blessed.

Jesus often must have talked about these sentiments to the disciples (like in John 14:26-27), speaking to them while here on earth but soon to go: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

—

So in our study this season, last week spoke of the sermon spoke of walking by the Spirit – and we often talk about the fruits of the spirit from Galatians – I had a sermon last year when we made the tree and hung the fruits on it: the fruit of the Spirit – are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What great gifts to tap into when gifted – and for us to strive for.

And in our scripture this morning – we also heard that familiar passage from Jesus (chapter 15 of John, the beginning verses):

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” –  THIS IS NOT A PUNISHMENT BUT A REPLENISHMENT!

So – you know it is a great season for props – I mean planting… so showing prop 1A – a bag of tomato flowers and tiny fruit – I want to mention this pruning I did this morning – specifically for my tomatoes. Well, gardeners know (or someone taught me) that one has to remove the early flowers which are on the young plants – they grow fast out of stress – the goal of plants (not an emotional goal but a botanical one) is to bear fruit and seeds to fill the genetic pool with their own offspring – but we know, as gardeners – that we are to prune off these young sapling’s flowers and maybe even a small fruit – in order to have the plant devote itself (again not emotionally but physically) to making heartier branches – longer vines – better bigger fruit… Peaches are like that too – in that I read the orchard’s Facebook posts and they have to remove some of the smaller flowers and fruits to have the biggest best peaches. They say the first is called the King Blossom.

Pruning – and what about us? Ever feel pruned by the Lord – yeah – ouch – yeah – necessary even if we don’t see the reasons immediately. Pruning – yeah – emotionally and speaking of our EQ like IQ – to be stronger in spirit – to rely on the Lord more – to be more abiding in Him. And pruning can also be a focusing experience – like shutting a door on something – and working on a task at hand. Jesus DID say – to take life one day at a time – let tomorrow worry tomorrow – today has enough to stay tuned into.

And here is ANOTHER prop to help tomatoes (prop 1B) – the tomato cages and stakes – and clips – tomatoes are vines as we discussed and it will help the fruit if we give them a support – just clip the vine and support the growth upwards…

And don’t we need this support too? Don’t we need the direction to Look Above? Yes, we do – I do –  we need help in holding up these mighty fruits of God’s gifting – we are given His help to be stronger – God actually would prefer that we don’t “go it alone”.

This next scripture section is probably the most comforting of this whole passage: “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. – Whew! We as believers and Jesus’s disciples are already clean because of the word – because of Jesus – because we believe in Him and repent to know Him better – to know the way He wants us to go – to be in connection with Him – and to be cleansed by Him – you know what He can give us – through His Vine will grow us and mature us and cleanse us.

Which brings me to this prop  – “Technu” – I love this cleanser – it takes away the oils of the poison ivy and also that itchiness of tomato plants too! After I get inside, I clean my tools, my glasses and especially my upper arms and wherever I may have touched my face – (I leave my gloves outside – wash them later). Technu gives me that peace of mind – I did what I could do to prevent poison ivy.

And regular soap too – my cousins on my recent trip to VA and NC had a soap dispenser that said “This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be GLAD in it.” PS118:24. The scripture reminded me to stop and cleanse my hands of course – but my thoughts too – and cleansing thoughts becomes the opportunity to praise – to pause – (stop our complaining) – to say and hope to “BE GLAD”.

A recent devotion I read and thought of as I was looking at the soap –  was to PURIFY –  The Author asking: “are you daily doing the work needed to keep your heart purified and guard it from being contaminated?” 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out reverence for God.” [ In our botanical examples, this could mean don’t touch the poison ivy on purpose…] 

It is about realizing who we are in Christ and then walking in humility and awareness. James 4:7-10 speaks to this: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – Just like our branches to His Vine – and just like those Tomatoes.
  
Jesus tells us to resist evil by standing firm in our faith. Jesus knows we need Him to do this!  

Jesus tells us: we are clean BECAUSE OF HIM – isn’t that an EMPOWERMENT to keep trying our best – to keep going – to do what we can. To REJOICE in today and in forever that the Lord as He washes and covers us with not just the fluffiest of towels but in His forgiveness in His Blood – in His overlay to our sins. God cleans up our acts – so it is best we try too…  (Our friend Deacon Don would say we are to watch our: thoughts words and actions – TWA.)

 And another advantage to staying vined with Jesus is that we want our lives to try to be less choked by the weeds too. These are the distractions and they take up our time – just like weeds in the garden take up nutrients, water and sunlight – blocking the best growth – we need pruning and sometimes we need the big tool – so that brings me to Prop 3 – a small garden hoe and this landscaping fabric – we clean around our precious plants – why not clear and clean our lives too from distractions if possible. Paring away and coming nearer to God… We often have to thin the seedlings – like for radishes – many growing will not be as good as one BIG radish…

I am not going to go through all the many distractions we have in life – but we are to know to look to Jesus – and everything else will fade away as less important.

—

ABIDE in Jesus – SO –  for this abiding in Jesus – we need His support, yes, need to listen to His words – about pruning – about resisting – about being less choked by weeds – and about Jesus feeding our branches. So with all this – we will see that His fruit grows. It grows on us and then we’re empowered to share from this bountiful harvest of His Help – we are to give as God has given us.

” Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. – My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…”

We sang this morning: ‘Empty Me’  (so we can be filled) – we sang ‘Abide’ (so we can follow) – we sang ‘Breathe’ (so we are given life). We NEED Jesus – we want His help. It IS a strengthening to keep going. So it should not concern us of HOW we are going to bear fruit – but protecting it – like those hot houses I saw in North Carolina last week – and I saw watering systems too – for the tomatoes and for us too – helping our branch to the Vine be out in just enough sunlight – be protected from scorching heat – and not be too far from the water source…  I loved the farm feel – a reminder of home at our pick your own places – a chance to be outside – and a chance to get the freshest – I mean the FRESHEST produce.

I stopped at a separate farmstand – just a cart – on the side of the road for this corn (prop of an ear of the real corn he gave me) and well I only had 2 dollars – thought I would get just one or two for snacking but the gentleman just gave me 4 ears – just for free – asked where I was from – and probably thought my accent was funny. It was so nice of him to share the fruit of his harvest – and his smile. I wanted to pay but not only did he give me this for free – he gave me double what I asked for – now isn’t that like Jesus – giving us so much.

And then what about the spiritual fruits for us to share – we have to figure out what we are going to do to share our skills, our talents, our encouragements – so many options. So, we need that wisdom from God too – from Jesus giving direction – empowered to share – it is OK – it is good – it is right – and honestly if we don’t share our fruits, how will the seeds – the seeds of faith – how will they spread? We are empowered to share.

We don’t want fear that freezes our fruit away – just keep trusting and just keep knowing He has this – and just keep moving forward. It is sinful to stew – let us keep our fruit fresh… 

Well, God doesn’t feed and leave – no – God is always with us. Just like when Moses has passed – Joshua was chosen by God to finish the leading – to lead the wandering folks into the promised land – and God said: 9 ”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Yes – we are to know God is with us. We can ask for His Help in living our lives for Him.

Amen – Won’t you please pray with me?

Lord, we do pray that You do help us to prosper and be fruitful – to listen and obey – to put others in front of ourselves – and to put You, Lord Jesus, above all. We know Lord that You do have plans to prosper us – to give us a hope and a future – and You DO want our help in sharing the fruit that You give us –  In Jesus name we pray, Amen  

Benediction – read excerpt of Psalm 139 – God loves us – He really does – and He wants to help us and empower us! (also read and handed out the names of Jesus on a bookmark.)

I am enjoying this America 250 simply from the fact that there is much history to be learned and places to visit – and yet, 250 years ago was only the beginning and there were many dark days and many bright ones too – between then and now.

And while watching and reading about the musical 1776, I found that the folly of the facts both fascinating and foolish. (especially funny the parts of Ben Franklin and his quips…) – well this movie is historical fiction for sure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1776_(film)

But most fascinating is how I appreciate the main character, John Adams, in the story – NOT because of his role but FOR the actor portraying him – the same actor who was on St Elsewhere much later – William Daniels – and that brash stark and demanding character he is in both shows. Yeah – I had to look him up as soon as I started watching – and it is the storyteller who conveys the attitude you take for or against the character. (and trust me this movie from 1976 for 1776 has a funny set of characters!)… And so much pleading by John Adams to make it a dramatic movie.

It is also interesting how they portray Thomas Jefferson – and say he has “A happy talent for composition” – and funny how they have a quip by Jefferson to Adams about assuming a role like God in creating – well – no one can create like God! And Jefferson so far (I only watched half the movie) is stuck with writer’s block. Glad he got over that!

Now, I am grateful that Our Lord and the Word Himself never had writer’s block – and not a happy composition but a HOLY Composition in preparing the Bible… And we remember and know that God IS God – and it is not like He has a talent for writing but IS the Word Himself. Jesus brings not just His best but HIMSELF to the EXISTANCE of God on earth – not just a role that He plays and fulfills – there are no checkboxes but pre-written plotlines and twists and turns that we can’t understand. There are not commands just for drama – but dramatic reasons to be commanded. Jesus IS – and wanted to teach – and writers of the Word were chosen to write to explain – to challenge – to inspire.

In 2nd Thessalonians letter chapters 2-3, Paul urges the letter readers to STAND FAST and hold on… and to know that God Himself chose the chosen to believe and to act – not to be idle – and to be not disorderly but a follower of Jesus. – Love and obey – there is no other way. And treat others both fairly and like Jesus and if they do not go along with the Word (at Paul’s urging), don’t treat him like the enemy but as a brother – to bring him back to the fold.

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Yes – I see that “the happy talent for composition” – is more of a RECONCILLATION – bringing Christ to us and us to God – and to each other in brotherhood of love. It is a HOLY Composition for LOVE.

Let us remember to LOVE most of all.

Amen

(ok – back to the rest of the movie…)

—

2nd Thesollonians (2:13- 3:18) NKJV

Stand Fast
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

Pray for Us
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Benediction
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Well, I know you know ‘footprints in the sand’ where Jesus is carrying us… and He always is… But this tire track next to a footprint on the trip I took, from an official beach vehicle, reminded me of Jesus as Rescuer with the POWER – Tire Tracks in the Sand – Jesus is not without the POWER to pick up everything!

Cleaning up – picking up – big messes and small – Jesus will rescue it all.

‘God’s Got This’ is a great thought, but it’s actually one hundred percent the truth!

And so Tire Tracks in the Sand, His Real Power in His Real Way. Jesus takes care of it without delay.

Amen 

Ah… home…

I pulled in home about 10pm. It’s so good to travel, but it’s priceless to be home. Travel often makes you long for home, your bed, your bathroom, and doing laundry… home until the next adventures…

I was so thankful to get a power nap, I did listen to my body and when pulled up in the Maryland rest area, I set my alarm for 22 minutes. It was less than 2 hours to home, still daylight and the weather cooled down and I locked my door and pulled out my pillow and reclined, a friend gave me this pillowcase of NYC taxis, she and I are both from NY, but wildly different parts, she downstate, me up. It’s what makes remembering home as home, different things but same desire to remember. 

And home eternal is also what we long for, enjoy the joy in the journey until then, and hold onto God’s peace, even more than that steering wheel in DC metro loop traffic, whew. We all will say WHEW when we land home in heaven. 

And on this trip I enjoyed remembering my childhood trips,  touring the east coast and seeing both cousins and tourist stops, including historic places like Yorktown near Williamsburg. I went to Colonial Williamsburg as a child, Busch Gardens too, but not Yorktown, so on this trip that brief stop for me was for new memories of a place in time which was crucial to America independence, and understanding the battles atmosphere. Well for me it was hot, 90’s, so I walked only to the monument and got back to the car to keep moving… my cousin’s house and big dinner then home was awaiting…

Meanwhile driving I spoke to at least three friends/family and then I listened to excerpts on YouTube for the American Revolution Ken Burns series, they were education on the go, and mind engaging for keeping awake, but still I needed to stop and rest.  And then after 30 minutes power nap, I was up, ready to go. It was so good to recharge and not just for driving but for when I did get home, having the energy for showering, putting in laundry, and talking to my youngest all about the day, including the community theater production for which props were needed, and yes, I had stuff to share and had to dig them out. 

Then crashed into bed, ah home…

Home is temporary here on earth, I’m off to my next adventures soon. But here’s the devotion worth remembering: Permanent Home is Heaven Home, where God has prepared for us an amazing banquet, to sit at HIS table. And there’s no hassles or tiredness. And while here on earth, we foster connections that we want also in Heaven. 

On this last driving day, a visit I had earlier that day, I got to go see my other Virginia cousins, a brief stop for early dinner it was great. It gave her also that connection to me too. Brief but beautiful and quality over quantity. And I gave her my scripture of the moment, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “

AND may we believe that… day by day plans from the Lord… Heavenly forever plans especially…

Holding out for Home.

Amen 

—

I really appreciate driving a shorter 3hr distance to my next set of cousins on my “cousins world tour “. These cousins live on the southern coast, not far from the beach. The sunset was amazing, the pool was soothing, and the conversation was enlightening. See you need to sit with people often to catch up.

See, on this trip I have really witnessed and experienced that you actually have to visit people to hear ALL the news. And trust me that we lose touch so easily with even our closest cousins…

Yes, our closed connections, whether it be with cousins or community are crucial, even fun. The community in this neighborhood had a pool party for Father’s Day. And you could tell that the community enjoyed being together. We floated in the pool, and you could just feel the joy in the chit-chat that rose above the water.

And we were having some of our own chit-chat later in the evening, when we were interrupted by something even more beautiful, it was an overwhelming amazing sunset, even startled us. I said that God makes even a sunset more beautiful than we could ever imagine for things made on earth.

And if we listen to the closeness of God, we will hear His Plan more, for our lives, for answered prayers, for next steps. Stay in His shadow…

And when we stay in communication with our Creator, we will see how creation and the creatures and the crazy goodness are compelled to be in God’s plan and grace. 

Oh, the place and pace of God’s Grace… Let us connect with God and each other in God’s way, and keep the connections strong.

Amen 

Well Happy Father’s Day to everyone dad and dad-like. Happy father’s day to my own dad plus “uncle-dads”, as my cousins have called many of our 6-brother dad uncles. All heaven held now, in Jesus’s hands. In the Love of the Almighty Father.

I know that I am blessed with perspective and certainly travel right now, so on this father’s day I am with family to whom my dad would travel to see as well.  We are all getting older so those of us who are mobile best mobilize. I’m driving to other cousins later today. I say, “God willing, and He usually is…” (I liked looking at the state flag stamps with my cousin, and realizing that instead I would make state cousin pictures stamps if I could. I love traveling and being a connector. )

My grandparents lived in much tougher economic times than we do and raised 6 amazing men and fathers. Really isn’t that the blessing God gives, is the ability to appreciate what we can do to be wise children and respect our elders, and be teachers to our own collective children. Remember we pass on our willingness to engage, to help, in order to see them, the next generation, pay it forward, play it forward, LOVE IT FORWARD…

That is the wisdom of the day, be wise and teach wisdom. 

And do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. Proverbs 23:22b-25

Amen and Happy BLESSED FATHERS DAY TO OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY FATHER.

AMEN

I knew it would be so good to see family, but I guess I just didn’t think about that time blessed to have to view the amazing scenery. And so after a long drive from Virginia, down to North Carolina, I got up the next morning and rode with my cousin and my Aunt (age 90plus) over to the mountains, up to Asheville and the Biltmore house and amazing grounds… oh mountains and amazing views…

Walking this morning back here near central NC, I appreciate street signs of Blessing, Mountaintop, Good life, Joyful noise… and I especially appreciate it a billboard yesterday that said “JESUS IS the answer to all our problems”… THE IMAGE I GOT WAS FUZZY, BUT THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR.

Yes, thank YOU, Jesus, for helping us clear our minds, realize what’s important, take everything day to day, hour by hour. And thank you for these safe passages, especially the tiredness in driving at times. 

Thank you Lord for giving us the best view… YOU!!!

Amen 

The very best thing I could tell you these last 4 and half months is to go see family, go see exciting things. And one hundred percent follow where the Lord is leading you.  Jesus is the answer to all your problems…

It was an AMAZING visit to Berkeley Plantation Virginia, I just “randomly” picked it off Google maps, wow…

And the tour guide so amazing. The historical significance is remarkable but the scenic views are the most breathtaking. The proximity of the wide river, the weather favorable to crops, the now grown-up trees, the careful caretaking… and then the history, from the natives in the area, to the “first recorded” thanksgiving to God, thankful for safe passage by ship in 1600’s, to the revolutionary war resources of the wealthy Harrison people who also took the heat for separation by the turncoat Benedict Arnold destroying the place, to the revamping and restoration by next generations. Lincoln visited the 140,000 troops camped here. The writer and bugle-est penned TAPS here. Wow…

And then there’s the current resident, George the cat, so welcoming…

A wealth of history and artifacts and place of pondering. And that thanksgiving to God for safe passage. Yeah, me too…

The tour guide did talk about the indentured slaves, how they themselves did gardens and create items of value to trade with the household. She told us that the slaves stayed near where they worked, so separate groups, we’re working hours away in the thousands of acres of tobacco or corn, etc… she said that all this labor for a big place made the wealth for these inhabitants. It’s an anniversary today for Junteenth, to celebrate freedom from slavery, it’s a continuation of realizing many thanksgivings for safe passage in life.

Safe passage, how interesting for us to have our modern conveniences, do we realize we’ve had safe passage to this era? I think we need to thank the Lord and count on Him that we continue to have safe passage in His arms even through hostile times.

All of history, back to Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel, all of history has had incidents of strife as well as amazing safe passage forward. 

Let us thank the Lord today for everything He’s done for us and will do. Let us learn perseverance from Him. James 1 talks about the testing of faith producing endurance.

Amen 

And prayers for safe passage forward…

James 1
New King James Version

Greeting to the Twelve Tribes
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Profiting from Trials
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Perspective of Rich and Poor
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Loving God Under Trials
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Qualities Needed in Trials
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Doers—Not Hearers Only
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

I loved the scriptural soap container in my cousin’s bathroom: “This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be GLAD in it.” PS118:24. The scripture reminded me to stop and cleanse my thoughts and not just my hands – and cleansing thoughts becomes the opportunity to praise – to say BE GLAD. The devotion from Bob of the Daily Dose also was on my mind as I was looking at the soap – his devotion was to PURIFY… Asking: “are you daily doing the work needed to keep your heart purified and guard it from being contaminated?” 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out reverence for God.”

And one of my big mental purifications (again) is Jeremiah 29:11 – which was written on my cousin’s shower curtain: “God’s plans are for you to prosper, to provide you a hope and a future.” And so yet again my fear that freezes me for a second is washed away – just keep trusting and just keep knowing He has this – and just keep moving forward. It is sinful to stew in spewing stuff…  Keep moving forward… REJOICE…  BE GLAD…

REJOICE in today and in forever that the Lord washes us both inside and out – and covers us with not just the fluffiest of towels but His forgiveness in His overlay to our sins. God cleans up our acts – so it is best we do so too…  We can scrub and sing praises, trim and praise the pruning, believe and dispel unbelief. It takes a “daily detoxing” to cleanse our thoughts and our actions – and let the Lord lather up our lasting lives.

AMEN

(and oh the wonderful peaceful morning I had sitting on the porch in pursuing peace – hearing the rustling leaves and feeling the breeze…)

It’s the treasure trove I didn’t know about. We all enjoy old postcards, but this stack contained the correspondence too, wow… Yes, cleaning up the family farmhouse, we opened one box, and here are a hundred postcards from 1909 to the early 20’s. Wow… The romantic images are for a cousin from a particular suitor, a couple being together, or the simple direct question on a card: “When Will I See You?”

(That’s the same question to a Savior, Jesus sees us and wants to know when we will come to Him.)

You know, the Lord asks for us. He is our Suitor suited to be the Groom for us as His bride. These cards may fade, but His Love (and He) never will!

The cards show love. The Lord? HE IS LOVE!

I’m tired from traveling, but the Lord? He never sleeps and He energizes us.

The postcards talk about the weather, and happineings. He has told us from alpha to omega how He is loving May we take His postcards seriously. He is our Suitable Suitor.

Amen

A poem after seeing the beautiful stars in the dark sky. To the tune of “when you wish upon a star ” 

Written after the opportunity to see the observatory, for which I got, because the golf cart rolled by and asked if I wanted a ride, just as I was admiring the beautiful stars walking back from the local watering hole. It is truly a blessing to be here at my reunion and especially timely. Weather it’s great in the 70s… After after breakfast, we took a walking tour. Which led us to a gentleman who toured us through the kilns and glass blowing, and then another tour of the industrial arts printmaking, and everything like that… sat with alumni for dinner,  who were very familiar, very familiar with my hometown. Then, walking past the band stand and down to a hangout place, then, the observatory, then home to my freshman dorm… so blessed…

Here’s my my song:

When you wish upon the Lord, doesn’t matter rich or poor

Ask His help and just be blessed

Do your best, He’ll do the rest.

.

When you hope upon the Lord,

Trust in Him, I do implore. 

Watch Him turn things, just be blessed,

Wait it out, He’ll do the rest. 

.

When you watch upon the Lord, 

Answers come and then quite more.

Know He cares to treat you best,

He’ll keep you now forever blessed.

.

Amen.