SKILLS

A great conversation this week with a friend who is running a VBS that I will help with – a conversation about the fear of God – respectful fear – awesome fear – and yet fearful fear… Well, I said about my sense with God and the fear of God – is that I fear God if I don’t use my SKILLS that He gave me for His Purposes first and foremost and then I fit the rest of “my” work into the day. I fear the Lord, in the sense that if I fall and fail to be the one that people (in a good way) look to – He won’t look as good – or Christians won’t look so faithful. But I even fear if I forget that when I do fail, that Jesus has me in the saved and forgiven category…

Jesus saves, we use skills, and life continues…

A skill I know I have is to speak to people one by one and then in big crowds as if I am speaking to individuals – it is a personality trait as well as life training. And another skill I have is to “wing it”. And another skill I have is to write (seriously wonder how to use it best). And another skill is no skill at all – it is to smile.

A skill I don’t always use – that I should – is to keep my mouth shut and let it roll off my back. And a skill and learned experience – I also should use more – is to speak up and set things straight. And the crucial skill for us all – to make amends when we can. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Well, what are your skills? Where has the Lord led you to show witness to His Ways through you?

I’m still working on mine – aren’t we all! I will wing the rest of this life on the skills I have – yet the best “SKILL” for each of us is to hold onto the Lord and watch Him plan our days.

…

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (from Proverbs 16)

…

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (from Proverbs 16)

…

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (from Proverbs 14)

Amen

excerpts from Proverbs 14 NIV

The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.

The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.

A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.

Packing Pollen and Potential!

This fuzzy decent-sized bee guy was stuck in my tent, so I got him out. He lost one of his pollen packs from his legs, but I hope he’ll be okay. I put him on a flower away from the tent. He looked tired (how would I know?!), but he seemed to know it was a flower I put him on and he transferred easily there. I felt bad he was stuck – the net is confusing – he could not see the hole to freedom just a few inches away. at least he still had his pollen – he could have paused to eat. The potential was there to keep moving – he had to be patient. He is now on his way.

My tent doors are open all the time because I don’t want birds to get stuck in there as in past years – now I keep them open. I just close them sometimes if I am sitting there in the evening – but the mosquitos are low (I think) due to this dry weather. And any breeze is good – plus I started draping white landscaping fabric over my shoulders and legs – it may look silly but no one (except the cat) ever sees me in my tent – it is like NO ONE uses their backyards anymore – let alone their front yards… Me? I feel like I grew up outside in comparison to my kids and all kids these days. We were outside all the time – tents, shade trees, climbing trees, camping, picnicking, living life. Summer is my favorite for these outdoor-attitudes to inside activities. I may say that I love Fall the most, but honestly my body loves the summer and the freedom to NOT be cold. I hate that it is TOO COLD in the office and I sit outside at work too. I love the outside air. I walk in that cool dew-ed grass too.

The morning is the best… the coolness… the possibilities… the quiet… and watering and tending to things outside in PJs – on a Saturday where there are activities but there is also rest. How can you say that summer isn’t the best… I’m not digging ditches or doing heavy construction so I am not complaining of the heat although I know we need the rain almost desperately. Pray for my friend putting in pools all season long – he says the soil is rock hard (and yes I can attest to that in my vegetable garden – after 2 tomato plants, nothing else went in).

Saturday, this day is not 100 but warm and yet cool at 70 degrees – high will be 84. I am leasuring until I head out for lunch with friends – blessed as the calendar coordinated with the Lord. And in thinking of how we are blessed in the Lord, Psalm 5 comes to mind and I will always be humming it, as it was a praise song I sang in a band many years ago now.

A song from David: “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

David prays for the Lord’s Way as his highway – and to see it clearly. David states that he will pray and the Lord will hear his voice. David did continue in this Psalm 5 about wicked people – but he also called out how wonderful the Lord was and is and will be to direct his path – our paths: “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.”

David knew, even when he went off-plan, to come back to the Lord’s Path. Really – David like many of God’s favorite sons in the scriptures have stories of going off the path but then returning. The Lord WANTS us to come back – He wants us to pack the pollen of life onto our paths and keep moving – there is such potential in each day serving Him. He will pick us up – get us unstuck. God will make His way in front of our faces – we just need to keep praising – and looking up.

Thank you David for singing the sections that are on our minds: “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”

Let us take our days into your ways, Lord…

and Shout for JOY!

Amen

Psalm 5 KJV

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

T.H.I.N.K. JESUS

THINK

T. Thirst

H. Hear

I. Inhale

N. Notice

K. Know

J. Jesus

E. Exquisitely

S. Saves

U. Us

S. Souls

AMEN

Morning has Broken, but God Hasn’t

“…praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day!…”

Some major storms last night, but I was not and am not usually afraid. Not going to endanger myself, but I’ll certainly look interestingly outside the windows at the lightning when I’m not charting the thunderstorms on the radar.

We do need the rain, and it IS summer.

If summer is July and August, for the main event, like it is us having a weekend Saturday and Sunday, in terms of weather. Then surely June to summer would be like the Friday night warm up. Praise for the new season of summer. It will get too cold too fast. Praise for summer and wet gardens to walk though. Love the lyrics of Morning Has Broken – God walking in the gardens.

We can take the weather and weather it. Really rarely does lightning actually strike us people – but I’ve seen a tree get hit only feet away from me, and wow the heat was intense !!! So I respect lightning. That day, we didn’t know the storm would open up so quickly. We didn’t have alarms or radar. We were in a pavilion at a BBQ. Now we have lots of warnings, especially glued to our phones. Then we watched the skies. Run to the car or not? I opted for the car. Probably not the right choice but I survived. No, I’m not extra fearful now, it was just something that one deals with and moves on.

Respect over fear. Smart over stupid. Living over cowering. Just accept summer is summer. Live it!

Maybe like thunderstorm radars, we ALREADY know each day will bring us CHALLENGES. But do we move out into the day anyway? Yes. and we should. This is why we have roofing and good tires and common sense.

If common sense is useful, then our sense of place is just as important – and our witness of knowledge of God as calming AND our witness of God as POWERFUL – these thoughts keep us moving in our day.

If we remember that God can overcome all that is dark by being LIGHT, and He can overcome hate by being LOVE, surely we can look past the night to see the dawn, and we can calm our fears to accept His peace.

It can be dark, but morning comes. The life we live can be broken, yet the heat can be broken and the morning will be broken in our favor, because our God will never be broken unable to help. Yes – broken in body as Jesus was – but God whole never broken in purpose or plan. And God has walked all these gardens before.

Amen

—-

Morning has Broken, hymn

Author: Eleanor Farjeon (1931)

1 Morning has broken

like the first morning,

blackbird has spoken

like the first bird.

Praise for the singing!

Praise for the morning!

Praise for them, springing

fresh from the Word!

2 Sweet the rain’s new fall

sunlit from heaven,

like the first dewfall

on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness

of the wet garden,

sprung in completeness

where God’s feet pass.

3 Mine is the sunlight!

Mine is the morning

born of the one light

Eden saw play!

Praise with elation,

praise every morning,

God’s recreation

of the new day!

Morning has Broken, Cat Stevens

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qARB7XPfYjo&si=RLYyLQn8gFIcjYgU

Aha! Ezekiel 25

Aha! I’ve never seen that word before in the Bible, wow! “Aha!” was the emotional expression that the enemies against God, of the old testament Israelites, had said about when the sanctuary temple that Solomon has built in Jerusalem was to be destroyed in the years of war between nations into Babylon’s capture of Jerusalem’s people. Those from Amon said “Aha” we will rejoice over the take down, and those from Edom, Moah, and Philistia also mocked God.

Well, there’s one thing that we DO know about God from reading the Old Testament (well OK, we know lots of things), we KNOW God will NOT be mocked!!!

God can make war happen: one land against another, like with the Ammonites in Old Testament Ezekiel, God can move mountains and seas, can shake a nation and can feed and protect a wandering complaining flock. God loves, and God also can bless one soul, turn a remnant of a tribe into His Plan for Saving Grace, and forgive. God forgives.

If God can forgive whom He loves, He loves whom He forgives.

If God loves whom He forgiveness, He aches for those who don’t accept His Forgiveness and love.

Truth!

God pulls His people close, and even closer and has ALREADY provided the forgiveness for all – all who accept this justifying grace.

We believe in God’s Son given – we know ‘the rest of the story’ of Jesus defeating sin and death – and of His covering blood.

Let us “Ahhhhh….” and restore ourselves and others IN Him.

Let us not mock our Maker, Whom makes friends with us.

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Amen

—

OLD TESTAMENT

Ezekiel 25 NKJV

Proclamation Against Ammon

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them. Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God: “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity, indeed, therefore, I will deliver you as a possession to the men of the East, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you; they shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk. And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”

‘For thus says the Lord God: “Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Proclamation Against Moab

‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because Moab and Seir say, ‘Look! The house of Judah is like all the nations,’ therefore, behold, I will clear the territory of Moab of cities, of the cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kirjathaim. To the men of the East I will give it as a possession, together with the Ammonites, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. And I will execute judgments upon Moab, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”

Proclamation Against Edom

‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,” therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword. I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance,” says the Lord God.

Proclamation Against Philistia

‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,” therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them.” ’ ”

—

NEW TESTAMENT

Galatians 6:1-10 NKJV

Bear and Share Burdens

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Empathy, Ezekiel 24

Empathy is an experiential expression. Sympathy they say is from the brain, feeling sorry for a situation but EMPATHY is knowing it from the heart.

Dealing with death is one situation we all know, and how we feel it for others is either sympathy or empathy. It’s personal and we can let our hearts feel empathy at the same time we use our heads to demonstrate sympathy, without over-stating that we know exactly what the others are going through. Each person relates uniquely to their journeys. Our comfort to them is to say we know it is unique to you. Our ultimate comfort is to demonstrate that we know that the Lord is in control and we expect eternal life with Him – thus making this transition to death just an eyes closed, eyes opened event.

The Lord set up an extremely unique situation for his servant and prophet Ezekiel. The Lord sent an extreme example of demonstration of trust in the Lord, He asked Ezekiel to only groan quietly and muffle the customary rites of mourners. This was when the Lord stated Ezekiel would lose his wife, the sweetest thing in his life, “delight of your eyes”. This was understandably a tough loss, and the Lord understood the mourning, but outward-facing He wanted Ezekiel to demonstrate solidarity with the Lord’s teaching. And the equivalent response when he told his fellow Israelites that the area of Jerusalem would lose their sanctuary, it would be desecrated, a place where they had convened with Holy God, and had been a stronghold of pride. Ezekiel told the community to trust and know God’s actions were God’s – showing His power with purpose. Life would continue but not without judgement.

So first, Ezekiel demonstrated the demands of the Lord, to groan quietly for himself when his wife died, a witness to knowing God’s power and ability to act. God said: “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead.”

Then God said: “Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. And you will do as I have done.”

Ezekiel could only speak when directed, and that was a sign from the Lord too: “on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news. At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”

It was an UNIQUE path of the judgment of God to cause the exile of 70 years and demand back the ongoing trust in the Lord – as these people of Jerusalem had drifted too far, and were to be carried away in exile. The Lord’s plan is unique to Him. He promises to provide a restoration and prophets prophesied of this for the future, but for this moment, this was judgement.

Final judgment will come to us all one day. The Lord will have gathered the found and the lost will be lost. We should have empathy for the Lord’s pain as well as partake in it for the loss is forever when people, His children, are going to lose in a second death, and not know eternal life. We also need empathy for the lost of this generation, for we too once were lost but now are found. We were blind but now we see.

So let us set aside sympathy and even apathy for our generation of lost, and have empathy for them and the Lord.Let us strengthen each other.

All children are God’s children, image-bearers, and held captive until they realize the freedom in Jesus. Pray chains to fall. Pray God’s knowledge comes to them all.

Amen

—

Ezekiel 24:15-24

Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.”

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things have to do with us? Why are you acting like this?”

So I said to them, “The word of the Lord came to me: Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners. You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of[a] your sins and groan among yourselves. Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’

“And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, and their sons and daughters as well— on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news. At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”

HOT as the Cooking Pot!

Whoa to the WHOA!

Boiling Hot – hot enough to cook the pot!

Well, that is not just how our weather has been, but that was the real big message to the people of Jerusalem – God’s serious business of telling the wayward people they were out of line – including “put her blood on the bare rock”…

“You will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.”

WOW! Really – our cooking pot of temperature is nothing to the wrath of God – we have the blood of Jesus to cover us and woe to those not accepting. We are not worthy but He is Worthy and His Righteousness will set us free – and we are covered…

Like a great break from the heat – today – or by anytime getting to a respite area – we need to get into God’s shade. We need to feel the breeze. We need to know that we are the blessed ones and live thankful to Him.

Remember the past. Honor the present. Hope for the future – I hope that the people of Jerusalem then would have – we certainly know Ezekiel was reminded to too!

Amen

—

Ezekiel 24:1-14

Jerusalem as a Cooking Pot
In the ninth year, in the tenth month on the tenth day, the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. Tell this rebellious people a parable and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Put on the cooking pot; put it on

and pour water into it.
Put into it the pieces of meat,
all the choice pieces—the leg and the shoulder.
Fill it with the best of these bones;
take the pick of the flock.
Pile wood beneath it for the bones;
bring it to a boil
and cook the bones in it.

“‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘Woe to the city of bloodshed,
to the pot now encrusted,
whose deposit will not go away!
Take the meat out piece by piece
in whatever order it comes.

“‘For the blood she shed is in her midst:
She poured it on the bare rock;
she did not pour it on the ground,
where the dust would cover it.
To stir up wrath and take revenge
I put her blood on the bare rock,
so that it would not be covered.

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Woe to the city of bloodshed!
I, too, will pile the wood high.
So heap on the wood
and kindle the fire.
Cook the meat well,
mixing in the spices;
and let the bones be charred.
Then set the empty pot on the coals
till it becomes hot and its copper glows,
so that its impurities may be melted
and its deposit burned away.
It has frustrated all efforts;
its heavy deposit has not been removed,
not even by fire.

“‘Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.

“‘I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

I Can’t Complain No More, a Day Trip to the Shore

I find it very hard to complain about a temperature of 74,

even if I was actually CHILLY down at the shore.

Wore a jacket, but I had a break from 100 degrees! Say no more!

Yet even 100 degrees, I had AC, could get out of it, I can’t complain if I COULD and DID get to the shore.

My car is always packed ready, who knows what life has in store!

In my beach chair, I started reading about Fanny Crosby, her life as a blind child, famous for her poems, then hymn lyrics, and her trips and more.

I read about the scurge of 1800’s cholera in NYC all around. You know, we DON’T have cholera no more – should count blessings, right? Need I say more?

Famous Fanny Crosby even wrote a poem for the Camp Meeting of Ocean Grove – the blessed site of revival a stone’s throw from big city’s door.

Fanny Crosby loved life, she visited so much, appreciated, enjoyed the shore.

I was told this and MORE, by a gentleman greeting at the Gospel Pavilion, where they had free electricity too, cellphone plug outlets galore!

I respited there, watched lightning while a thunderstorm rolled off-shore.

Yes, a clear a display of God’s power and balance of life at the shore.

At the auditorium, the bells rang beautifully and a woman walked hunched over, surely a chore.

She struggled with a broken back but she kept walking, we enjoyed chatting, she invited me another day to visit with her some more.

And WOW, the hydrangea flowers, the scenery, and the quaint Camp tents, I loved their appreciative decor!

Back on the pier, a bee landed on me, rested 15 minutes, picked pollen off his head like a cat, done from his day at the shore, so many flowers he did explore.

It was me a busy bee too, appreciatively resting my core.

Yes, even in life stress, let us take a moment to remember the bless, blessed anywhere, just chilling, knowing about Jesus’s Forevermore!

Life on earth has many a temporary short summers, please find ways like a non-fancy little day trip, to LIVE IT UP some more.

I appreciated all the temperatures this day, we surely can endure: 100, then 80, then 74!

Amen

SPLASHZONE

Water will go anywhere. (Living Water has already been there too.)

There is no rain (yet), but there is HEAT, and the ACs are cranking. But at four AM, a wake up UNEXPECTED with a subtle water splash on my face. Subtle sounds of drip… drip… What? A splash of half drops but I feared a big leak. Lights on… No big leak, hmmmm. This was so subtle I am surprised it registered, surely God awoke me. I’m so glad He did – in all ways… water and living water.

I got the towels out, preserved my stuff on the windowsill and dresser with a blanket overlay, including moving 2 FROGS, a gift from a friend well before I knew FROG could stand for Faithfully Relying On God. Ribb-itt Live it!

The splashing was a bounce of the water drop which became the smallest of wake ups.

Water goes everywhere and the extra crazy level of heat is making the AC above me (in the wall) of my son’s room working overtime. He runs it in the winter too, keeping his hot gaming computer cooled. I’m not going to shut it off right now, the only thing worse than me being woke up, and worse than a few drips, is waking up a still teenager (for 2 more months) from their deepest sleep at 430AM just to explain you need to shut off their AC in a heat wave. IT CAN WAIT! Add an extra towel – go back to sleep.

What about our LIVING WATER? Want to be in God’s sight AND Jesus’s water splash? Catch His Wave instead of our WIPEOUT? He knows and provides a needed WAKE UP. Drip drip, and sometimes a flood, God knows. Let His spirit flow put us in the know. He will calm our storms and pull us back into the boat. Even Jesus could sleep thru a storm – we can rest in a mini moment…

This 4am wake up (5am now) was OK, I was able to recognize God’s intervention (saving my stuff) and God’s path (finding a repair) and God’s Grace (not waking up a teenager, yet). Plus God’s preparation (when I find a handyman to work on this). God’s got this – I just need to follow thru!

When I recognized what the situation, I was SO THANKFUL to be in the SPLASH. Catching the wave before it becomes a Wipeout. Like of all places that my face was facing – I am grateful for the moment to know.

The cat was not bothered and called for the front door open to peer through the screen door to listen to the world waking up, the birds (God takes care on them!), and the un-still stillness. I too will rest in aware awareness. God is in control!

The Holy Spirit will flow, Jesus is our know. Get the splash and go.

AN A.M. AMEN!

Amen for the Jesus Splashzone!

John 7:37-39 NKJV – The Promise of the Holy Spirit

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

See the Son Rise

Out with the old,

In with the new

A life filled with stuff breaks,

But maybe just the fuse blew.

Don’t throw away what can be repaired.

Don’t replace it if the fix is dared.

Never judge anything or anyone for broken parts,

Only what is doable and heal-able about their hearts.

Time softens and yields,

Ignorance forever seals,

Life yearns and squeals,

And Savior Jesus heals.

The ultimate price Jesus paid.

Not a soul now that can’t be saved.

Pouring healing blood, then rising from where He laid.

FREEDOM from death, we WALK the road Jesus paved.

Accept forgiveness, ask for it too.

Repair, restore, and be made ANEW.

Death no longer a compromise,

Walk through the shadows, run, and pray to see the Son Rise.

Amen

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Paul to the Corinthians 2:17-21

Freedom, Death, Life – A Beach Day Foray

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV

I know not to be playing on the rocks, but I was free to sit on them, these massive piles in the ocean. I needed to warm up, in the sunshine. Yes! YES, I SAID WARM UP! Warm up as the beach ocean breeze brought 65 degrees water temp into the heatwave, and so it was NOT nearly 100 degrees like at home, 1 hour away, but perfect 75 to 80, except in the shade, chilly! The clerk at the store said enjoy yourself – we all need some time to ourselves – AMEN – and for me this was my reading day.

What a treat! BEAT THE HEAT! The pier brought cold air up channeling it like a cave wind – and people under it were wearing sweatshirts while reading – yes sweatshirts – I brought my books too – but I moved out a bit – to under my umbrella. I think this is my new favorite beach – instant shade with the pier – free parking – and signs of God everywhere.

The rock outcropping next to us did not move, but the people could and the waves did. The lifeguard came to warn a small boy to get away from the rocks. It is the crash that is dangerous – and this is in life too – the flip flop washyness – best we stand firm in our faith and trust in the Lord. Here is another translation of psalmist David’s scripture: Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV

Not shaken – Not moved – and we are cared for – that is what my scripture card said – and what a perfect day to bring my summer reading books – about the Rapture: the Great disappearance – interesting and so is the second coming of Jesus after the millennium. The Rapture – the time when the dead in Christ will rise to the Lord first and us (if we are still alive) will rise next. And it is said people will wonder where we went. SO, if we leave these books and our bibles around – perhaps people will realize what happened – and trust in the Lord Jesus too – ready for their opportunity to meet him and accept forgiveness.

Cared for! and yet we are people in this world not without debate, and thus the second book suggested to me I will read too – when AT THE BEACH for this summer. Yes imagine that – there are differing of opinions of God’s end times for the earth. All I can tell you right now is just be ready for any scenario – and know that we GO with Jesus and therefore we will OK in the forever-run.

The saying is: those who are born once, die twice. and those who are born twice – die once. yes – so with a born again spirit in Jesus, we won’t die the second death – and thus we WILL be OK in the forever – and so therefore don’t fear the first death – or the rocks to be bashed against – or fear much of anything.

So feel the righteousness of Jesus as the wind inside the empty sails – the anchor holding up the umbrella – that pure gift of perfect to cover our imperfect – better than sunscreen – and so at the beach DO wear sunscreen and a hat and stay in the shade if you can – but accept the foray into the world – the tough world – knowing Jesus is with us. And let us pick up our freedom live in His Grace.

Amen

His blessings are all around us!

Amen

—

The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

Windows Open

It’s a small devotion book, very powerful, “Windows Towards God” 1950 Charles Schmitz. He explains it is from RADIO broadcasts captured on paper, hoping to continue to inspire. I found this book buried in a box, buried in a closet at my old church, in the early weeks of my awakening. I knew the Holy Spirit gave it to me to understand that even “vintage” Word is Perfect Word for new ears. Mine were NEW. Like the windows cleaned fresh! I pray for each of us to renew NEW.

This vintage Spirit of old is openly new, every day, as our Lord is a Living God. The author urges us to open the windows and let God in FRESH! I have no problem opening car windows, house windows, even found a great day off to clear my head here in the shade OUTSIDE. Yet we all could pray for some more openings for cleaning our faith, our temples, our lives. And not let it get OLD, NOR COLD.

The author reminds that Daniel in the midst of old testament oppression by being an exile from Judah, lived a tough existence on the outside but inside let his spirit be refreshed – he learned that it was illegal to pray to God, but “when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Chapter 6:10. HE WAS PROTECTED AND RENEWED

There are tough times, but nothing worse than stale-ness of faith. WE NEED FRESH AIR!

God is FOR us. Let us open up to Him to do His work… that never gets old!!!

Amen

PS – someday I would like to publish a tiny book (big too) but a tiny book easily tucked away, easily kept, easily shared. Place it forward. For now, the window of opportunity is open, wherever the Spirit takes me! It’s open for all of us – to make the most of Spirit refreshing ways! Amen

Tough Talk, Ezekiel 23

God presented through Ezekiel some TOUGH TALK about the terrible flawed status of His people. He lays it out flat again in chapter 23 – an analogy of a country, a land, a people gone rogue, this time described like an adulterous woman with no scruples. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem. Sisters in SIN.

Disgusted and defiled, the nasty life is just the beginning for these peoples, the Lord stirs up her (calling the countries as adulterous women) former lovers (being the neighboring warring countries and people) to bring her down even more. It is using the evil that was forged by the people to eventually take them down a notch. Ezekiel rails against this for the sake of God AND the people.

Of all people, people set aside by the Lord, they wandered again and again, with years of history of God showing His Power. Yet “They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children…” A horrifying practice but one that is not unheard of in certain cultures, including in the old testament. Terrible but thought to be “with the times” to please gods.

Terrible is any sacrifice or devotion to non-God gods. Granted that it was hundreds of years since Moses’s time – even David’s time, but God expected them to remember and recount the blessings of following God – and the lost wandering of not.

We too need to remember the times we have been blessed by God – and of all acts – we need to remember as being covered in the blood of Jesus to accept and repent our sinful ways and ask forgiveness and clean-up – ask for a way forward out of our lost ways. Ask Jesus to be OUR Way, Truth and Life.

Ezekiel called out the issues.

We know the issues.

We are to know our God as a God who has seen past all our people’s issues and given us a path forward.

Let us take Jesus’s Hand and keep walking – OUT of the valley of the shadow of death!

Amen

Ezekiel 23 NIV

Two Adulterous Sisters

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed. The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

“Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen. She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after. She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her.

“Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians, for whom she lusted. They stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her.

“Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister. She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men. I saw that she too defiled herself; both of them went the same way.

“But she carried her prostitution still further. She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans portrayed in red, with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea. As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust. When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her naked body, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister. Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt. There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses. So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.

“Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stir up your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side – the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, all of them governors and commanders, chariot officers and men of high rank, all mounted on horses. They will come against you with weapons, chariots and wagons and with a throng of people; they will take up positions against you on every side with large and small shields and with helmets. I will turn you over to them for punishment, and they will punish you according to their standards. I will direct my jealous anger against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and your ears, and those of you who are left will fall by the sword. They will take away your sons and daughters, and those of you who are left will be consumed by fire. They will also strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry. So I will put a stop to the lewdness and prostitution you began in Egypt. You will not look on these things with longing or remember Egypt anymore.

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to deliver you into the hands of those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust. They will deal with you in hatred and take away everything you have worked for. They will leave you stark naked, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your lewdness and promiscuity have brought this on you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. You have gone the way of your sister; so I will put her cup into your hand.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “You will drink your sister’s cup a cup large and deep; it will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much. You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, the cup of ruin and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria. You will drink it and drain it dry and chew on its pieces— and you will tear your breasts.

I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.

“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution.”

The Lord said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices, for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them. They have also done this to me: At that same time they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths. On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated it. That is what they did in my house.

“They even sent messengers for men who came from far away, and when they arrived you bathed yourself for them, applied eye makeup and put on your jewelry. You sat on an elegant couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed the incense and olive oil that belonged to me.

“The noise of a carefree crowd was around her; drunkards were brought from the desert along with men from the rabble, and they put bracelets on the wrists of the woman and her sister and beautiful crowns on their heads. Then I said about the one worn out by adultery, ‘Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is.’ And they slept with her. As men sleep with a prostitute, so they slept with those lewd women, Oholah and Oholibah. But righteous judges will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood, because they are adulterous and blood is on their hands.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Bring a mob against them and give them over to terror and plunder. The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords; they will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses.

“So I will put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not imitate you. You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.”

Damsels NOT in Distress

Like this damsel fly which rested upon my leg at the ballpark Saturday evening, for a good ten minutes, I too rested, taking active inactivity seriously. NOT in distress. (It’s a damsel fly, one set of wings. dragonflies have 2 sets, I Googled it.) The intricacies of this smallest body and exquisite wings, WOW. How fearfully and wonderfully made, both of us. How both of us also resting. Granted I’m not young as a damsel or this fly, but Damsels NOT in Distress is a catchy title.

Granted I’m not young as a damsel and you may think we need more rest these days, but I also DO MORE busy these days. Last weekend was nothing but busy, this past weekend in contrast was NOT. Both blessings. Both filled with work and wow. Both I was at the ballpark for one game. Then was sunny with friends and this time alone but in the shade! And anticipation of fireworks!

It was a weekend I got stuff done, but NOT the stress of being busy. I did NOT break from cooking, as I normally don’t cook, I get tons of market fare each Saturday anyway. (I also got local cherry tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and shelling peas, YUM.) I did NOT break from cleaning, as I spent 3 hours in the garden weeding Saturday then MANY hours inside on Sunday plus mowed outside. So productive WITHOUT the stress and because I could move around without furniture in excess. It was better to go deep cleaning for small areas than surface for it all. (AND it was better to clean at 80 degrees than 100 predicted later this week!!!)

I also I did NOT take a break from thinking, I unbusy-ed my brain too. I thought of those random thoughts and thought them through. I know God wants us to take time with Him, and not just on the weekend.

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. Colossians3:23-24 NKJV

What is the allure of “unbusy” – time – unstructured time – and then consult the Lord for actions. That scripture, for work and home, is a good one – work hard – no matter where – accept and KNOW that we have an inherentance from Jesus’s sacrifice awaiting us… And REST, really rest and be aware of when we are NOT in distress. It is good to declutter our brains and focus on Him.

If God can put the intricacies into this fly’s wing’s patterns, then he can put this simpicity into our flying through the day pattern. REST then get ready for takeoff. God already has gone ahead for us.

Amen

Prayer to Share

a prayer for service: after “Reckless Love” and before “Surrender” – in conjunction with our sermonist’s sermon on Zacchaeus in a Tree with Jesus walking through…

Good morning, and a glorious father’s day to all our dads, uncles, grandfathers, and especially to our heavenly Father Who gives us the wisdom to draw close to Him.

——————-

Won’t you please pray with me:
Lord there is no mountain You won’t climb up,
and that have not already climbed.

There’s no dark shadow You won’t light up,
and have not already overcome.

There’s no wall You won’t kick down,
Even the one’s we put up ourselves towards You.

And the biggest lies that you want torn down, is the lie that we tell ourselves that we are self sufficient – and the terrible lie that says we are not worthy. Well, Lord, we are worthy because You are worthy.

You know that we need You.

Therefore Lord, we DO need You to come find us – find us curious, up in our own trees – find us hungry for Your Voice to ring true – find us reaching for You when we are distant, because You are already there. Open our hearts to see You.

May we always try to find You Lord! May we climb down from exalting in our pride and Likewise, may we rise up from stumbling in our humanness to see You smiling at us. Encouraging us. May we surrender in glorious fear and humility, knowing both the Joy of Your presence and the AWE of You as Lord.

Now, as we listen deeply, the musicians AND THE LORD invite us to meditate upon the ultimate ASK that the Lord has for us, in the lyrics of the next song, the SURRENDER of our lives, in exchange for the Promise of NEW LIFE in You. Amen

—

PART 2

Help us Lord to surrender to You, to Your will, to accept You as a gift and then to listen to our calling – start and share our journey.

Remind us Lord that You have already won, so we just need to follow through.

May we stop hiding or watching from the sidelines, Sometimes our surrender means we need to shake up our priorities, to get on board, and sometimes it is that we need to change, stop clinging to old ways. May we embrace life now and forevermore. We wish and pray to turn fully toward You, Jesus, to listen to accept You as our Lord and Savior and then walk with You and Your Holy Spirit closer and closer to our Father – one day at a time – one moment at a time – one surrender and one success at a time.

Amen

42 – But What Was the Question?

42 is the answer, to the intersection of life, the universe, and everything – WOW- the god-like computer spit that out after millions of billions of computing power years – but what was the question? I appreciate old nerdy references. And this one is for the movie: “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. And even though I can visualize the scene of placing a fish in one’s ear to hear languages translated, I acknowledge this was not my nerdy obsession, it was my brother’s. Still it’s a cult classic funny intellectual film. I am glad I am old enough to know the references and pick it out in a set of stickers…

Nerds…

And the scene with the answer “42” really does come up with the god-like computer (a colorful spouting hole in a cave wall) saying: “well… you didn’t actually tell me the full question.” yeah…

RIGHT! We all have to be asking the RIGHT QUESTIONS and not just taking any answer without our own computing. SO how do we know what is the right question, let alone the right answer?

Here, at least for our faith, the Scriptures, the Lord, and the Lord’s people writing for the Lord, can give us truly a PATH to any question in our faith: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.”

WE MUST MAKE SURE – Make sure we are FIRM IN FAITH. Read our bibles, double check people’s truth with God’s Truth, don’t ask cheap 70’s lighted cracks in rocks – but depend upon and stand upon The Rock.

How? Peter gives this advice too, from years of wisdom hyperspeed-taught to him by the Holy Spirit after years of walking, he is now knowing: “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”

WHY? “keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

WHY? “For if you do these things, you will never stumble”

BY BENEFIT OF? “having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

THEN WHAT? “you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Oh… The “answer” of life is continuing it in God’s Heavenly Kingdom… The “answer” to every question is Jesus (that is always the safe Sunday School answer)… The “question” to how to live life is following Jesus. He knows the Way – being the Way the Truth and the Life.

The expanded question is… Why wouldn’t we want all the God wants for us? I want this, and pray you do as well. Confirm one’s election sure. By God’s Divine Power, Peter surely did have this education, and so do we.

Amen to the Answer!

Thank You, Lord Jesus, Your Holy Spirit, and God Our Father Almighty! God, Three in One. (This would make a great sticker wouldn’t it?)

Amen

———–

2 Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Choose Gifts

Choose creativity, over cynicism.

Pick to walk, rather than to wallow.

Share free time, instead of minding your dime.

Be late or be early, but be present-ful, not resentful.

Mine your gifts instead of minding my gifts.

Dare to share BOLD, rather than hoarding your share cold.

Instead…

Live life appreciative.

Live life thankful for the gifts from above.

Choose faces to lift.

Choose embracing your gift.

Accepting a Gift to relieve.

In Him we believe.

Choose Gifts – ours and HIM.

Amen

Son of Man, FULFILLED

Stand in the Gap – that’s a position no one would do in the time of rebellious Israelites about to be put away to Babylon for punishment, with Ezekiel speaking out the judgment from God against them. Then God said no one would stand in the GAP, but someone, a BIG Someone could and would. JESUS came to stand in the gap for all of us, for each of us.

And we know Jesus as forever present, forever God, not an afterthought of repair but a pre-positioned acceptance of purpose and plan. Jesus, a lamb slain before the foundation of the world, came to save it and knew how.

Jesus stood in the GAP to save. He stood on earth calling up to Zacchaeus who was in a tree – and Zacchaeus stood up to repent and give back what he stole in tax collecting. Jesus in Heaven was set to go to earth – and awaits the time now to come back from Heaven, awaiting His second coming. The Wall of strength we must stand on is Jesus. The Gap we must fill in ourselves is Jesus. The HOPE is that the SON OF MAN fulfilled the Gap in man – and we are saved in repent.

Repent – Intent – Heaven Sent

Amen

—

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 22:30-31

—

Luke 19:1-10 New King James Version

Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Lord Have Mercy, Ezekiel 21-22

Tough going – but tougher not going – that is both the readings and the writings about doomed Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s many many chapters – but the toughest is the Wrath of the Lord against this lot of sinners and ignorer-ers and armies raised for destruction – that is tougher to see than anything to read – and God means it!

A friend was watching the Hallmark Channel – loves that they all have happy endings – I don’t watch those shows – I know and understand the genre – but I am not going to watch them – and I am not going to sugar coat my readings of Ezekiel – it is TOUGH going reading – and yet I can look at it and say “not me” – WELL… We should not say that – because WE ARE the Ezekiels the Lord needs today. We should all say “maybe would have been me” – “maybe still me” – “maybe things that I hide and don’t let others see” – “BUT LORD FORGIVE ME!” – “Lord, I need You, Lord have Mercy. YES JESUS, THANKFULLY!”

Jesus is the Mercy we all make for in a plea.

In the writing of Ezekiel – handed down from the Lord – he talks about the sword coming against the nation of Jerusalem from Babylon – the king himself getting a false omen appearance that the Lord is putting into his hands – the Lord using evil for eventual good.

The Lord pouring wrath and yet making a path.

This path will restore their walk – but for now? Jerusalem must suffer and let Ezekiel talk.

Amen and here is talk of the Lord’s punishment (again).

Many chapters of the beginning of their end.

Lord have Mercy.

Amen

Ezekiel 21-22
New King James Version
Babylon, the Sword of God
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, preach against the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel; and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I am against you, and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off both righteous and wicked from you. Because I will cut off both righteous and wicked from you, therefore My sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north, 5 that all flesh may know that I, the Lord, have drawn My sword out of its sheath; it shall not return anymore.” ’ Sigh therefore, son of man, with a breaking heart, and sigh with bitterness before their eyes. And it shall be when they say to you, ‘Why are you sighing?’ that you shall answer, ‘Because of the news; when it comes, every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming and shall be brought to pass,’ says the Lord God.”

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ Say:

‘A sword, a sword is sharpened
And also polished!
Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter,
Polished to flash like lightning!
Should we then make mirth?
It despises the scepter of My son,
As it does all wood.
And He has given it to be polished,
That it may be handled;
This sword is sharpened, and it is polished
To be given into the hand of the slayer.’

“Cry and wail, son of man;
For it will be against My people,
Against all the princes of Israel.
Terrors including the sword will be against My people;
Therefore strike your thigh.

“Because it is a testing,
And what if the sword despises even the scepter?
The scepter shall be no more,”

says the Lord God.

“You therefore, son of man, prophesy,
And strike your hands together.
The third time let the sword do double damage.
It is the sword that slays,
The sword that slays the great men,
That enters their private chambers.
I have set the point of the sword against all their gates,
That the heart may melt and many may stumble.
Ah! It is made bright;
It is grasped for slaughter:

“Swords at the ready!
Thrust right!
Set your blade!
Thrust left—
Wherever your edge is ordered!

“I also will beat My fists together,
And I will cause My fury to rest;
I, the Lord, have spoken.”

The word of the Lord came to me again, saying: “And son of man, appoint for yourself two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to go; both of them shall go from the same land. Make a sign; put it at the head of the road to the city. Appoint a road for the sword to go to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah, into fortified Jerusalem. For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the fork of the two roads, to use divination: he shakes the arrows, he consults the images, he looks at the liver. In his right hand is the divination for Jerusalem: to set up battering rams, to call for a slaughter, to lift the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to heap up a siege mound, and to build a wall. And it will be to them like a false divination in the eyes of those who have sworn oaths with them; but he will bring their iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in hand.

‘Now to you, O profane, wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose iniquity shall end, thus says the Lord God:

“Remove the turban, and take off the crown;
Nothing shall remain the same.
Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.
Overthrown, overthrown,
I will make it overthrown!
It shall be no longer,
Until He comes whose right it is,
And I will give it to Him.” ’

A Sword Against the Ammonites
“And you, son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach,’ and say:

‘A sword, a sword is drawn,
Polished for slaughter,
For consuming, for flashing—
While they see false visions for you,
While they divine a lie to you,
To bring you on the necks of the wicked, the slain
Whose day has come,
Whose iniquity shall end.

‘Return it to its sheath.
I will judge you
In the place where you were created,
In the land of your nativity.
I will pour out My indignation on you;
I will blow against you with the fire of My wrath,
And deliver you into the hands of brutal men who are skillful to destroy.
You shall be fuel for the fire;
Your blood shall be in the midst of the land.
You shall not be remembered,
For I the Lord have spoken.’ ”

Sins of Jerusalem
Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations! Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult.

“Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you. In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow. You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths. In you are men who slander to cause bloodshed; in you are those who eat on the mountains; in your midst they commit lewdness. In you men uncover their fathers’ nakedness; in you they violate women who are set apart during their impurity. One commits abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father’s daughter. In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me,” says the Lord God.

“Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

Israel in the Furnace
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver. Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst. As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’ ”

Israel’s Wicked Leaders
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

Isn’t He Just Telling Parables? Ezekiel 19-20, 11JUN

‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’ Well, yes and no – to God, parables are real – just a real way to explain things to people and make them think it thru – and remember it…

And we can say, ‘oh geez’ with the lost being lost – but the found being reminded to think of the efforts God put into finding. In the Old Testament, the lost bosses of the Babylon-bound lost Israelites, were not really wrapping their heads around the severity of the sentence God has for their judgement, exile, punishment. No one whole group could pull themselves completely out of sin. Ezekiel (God called him ‘Son of man’ as a prophet to speak to the people and their rulers) lays out God’s verdict in plain language in chapter 20, after a chapter 19 vivid portrayal of Israel as having a mother like a lioness rearing her cubs or as a vineyard bearing fruit plucked up and withering in dryness from disobedience.

The parables of the Bible (old testament and new) make people think, therefore the rough reality truth of chapter 20 should make people know!!! Perhaps the wayward rulers wanted to go back to parables instead of plain truth: “I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you”, declares the Sovereign Lord.” The consequences of the wandering in Moses’s time continued in the hearts of the people putting idols first, not listening to the prescribed remedy for obedience.

What about us? Ezekiel’s message reminds us of God’s Sovereignty and His Rule. We learn that God wants no one to worship falsely.

“‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” …. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will reign over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. … I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord.

We also learn of His Mercy!!! And He scattered the tribes of Israel rather than destroy them.

But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Who can challenge the parables or the truth? No one. God’s lament over the lost becomes our lament too.

If we learn anything from the old testament, it is for us to listen to God and pray for those who aren’t. Amen to this – AND – I read the lyrics of a song in these scriptures – “With a Mighty Arm and an Outstretched Arm…” the song continues “His love with last forever” – the scripture mentions, however, His Wrath… Let us be remembering WHY God’s wrath was shown and stated – He want all to come to Him for this LOVE – God knows best – we best stick with God! Ezekiel said: Rebellious Israel Purged and the renewed. We know our Savior in Jesus – the renewal and the hope and the peace and the Way the Truth and the LIfe.

Amen Amen

—

Ezekiel 19-20 NIV

A Lament Over Israel’s Princes

“Take up a lament concerning the princes of Israel and say:

“‘What a lioness was your mother

among the lions!

She lay down among them

and reared her cubs.

She brought up one of her cubs,

and he became a strong lion.

He learned to tear the prey

and he became a man-eater.

The nations heard about him,

and he was trapped in their pit.

They led him with hooks

to the land of Egypt.

“‘When she saw her hope unfulfilled,

her expectation gone,

she took another of her cubs

and made him a strong lion.

He prowled among the lions,

for he was now a strong lion.

He learned to tear the prey

and he became a man-eater.

He broke down their strongholds

and devastated their towns.

The land and all who were in it

were terrified by his roaring.

Then the nations came against him,

those from regions round about.

They spread their net for him,

and he was trapped in their pit.

With hooks they pulled him into a cage

and brought him to the king of Babylon.

They put him in prison,

so his roar was heard no longer

on the mountains of Israel.

“‘Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard

planted by the water;

it was fruitful and full of branches

because of abundant water.

Its branches were strong,

fit for a ruler’s scepter.

It towered high

above the thick foliage,

conspicuous for its height

and for its many branches.

But it was uprooted in fury

and thrown to the ground.

The east wind made it shrivel,

it was stripped of its fruit;

its strong branches withered

and fire consumed them.

Now it is planted in the desert,

in a dry and thirsty land.

Fire spread from one of its main branches

and consumed its fruit.

No strong branch is left on it

fit for a ruler’s scepter.’

“This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”

—

Rebellious Israel Purged

In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign Lord.’

“Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, “I am the Lord your God.” On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

“‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt. But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites. Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live. Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.

“‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the wilderness. But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands— because they rejected my laws and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols. Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the wilderness. I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”

“‘But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws, of which I said, “The person who obeys them will live by them,” and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness. But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries, because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes lusted after their parents’ idols. So I gave them other statutes that were not good and laws through which they could not live; I defiled them through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord.’

“Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In this also your ancestors blasphemed me by being unfaithful to me: When I brought them into the land I had sworn to give them and they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, made offerings that aroused my anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings. Then I said to them: What is this high place you go to?’” (It is called Bamah to this day.)

Rebellious Israel Renewed

“Therefore say to the Israelites: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves the way your ancestors did and lust after their vile images? When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, you Israelites? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.

“‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will reign over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you. As I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

“‘As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols. For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices. I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors. There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

Prophecy Against the South

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland. Say to the southern forest: ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it. Everyone will see that I the Lord have kindled it; it will not be quenched.’”

Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’”

Who is Worthy?

What changes in the Catholic church? The words in the responses – makes a 70’s Catholic journey tough – to stay up with the new things – like I tried at my friend’s mother’s services. I knew the routine – like the kneelers feel hard – still – and my knees got worse and worse – but the routineness of rout memorization is not routine for me any more – I can’t fake it…

And no way I was going to go up for that tasty wafer of communion – since they stated “no non-Catholics” – even if I was coveting the taste. I did not covet the routine anymore – but what did I LONG FOR? THE WORTHINESS.

The prayer is “Lord I am not worthy to receive you – but only say the Word and I shall be healed.” – They changed those words too – but really there is only One Worthy – Jesus. There are no other ways than the Way. The Word DOES heal – and the Word does Live. The Word of Jesus makes us worthy – and DOES NOT CHANGE.

So – don’t worry about the earthly worthiness of temporary – appreciate the worthiness of the Word – the Lord – and the Healing.

Who IS WORTHY? The One Who gives us His Worth!

Amen

Isaiah 57:1-2

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away, and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death.

You are My Planner, My Holy Planner

New song lyrics for ‘You are My Sunshine’ – based on the crazy volume of activities I have had this weekend – yesterday and Lord-Willing today. Disassembling and moving furniture, group activities, helping at a friend’s with recent knee surgery, outside and inside work, church and church meetings, shopping, baseball game, assembling furniture, laundry and more church stuff – and seeing how they all fell and will fall into place… it’s all good stuff, but hectic and yet the activities don’t fall, like a tetris pieces in a game, the weekend activities are a blessing of blessings, God fits them into place because He can see ahead. I even place my trust in Him to un-pick things not so fruitful. ‘Find out what pleases the Lord!’

For us it’s a crazy volume of intricate activities. Well ALL GOOD things are from God, right? (That includes sleep too!) So timing of life, people in our path, etc. So if things work out – it is all God, and listening to His suggestions before it becomes a mandate of crashing dates. Isn’t it better to watch Him fit things – and work at it – work at the listening!!!… ‘Find out what pleases the Lord!’

BE THANKFUL!!! (and be thankful for Monday too – some of us get to sit and work, whew!)

Here is my new lyrics Of “You are My Planner, My Holy Planner”… could write a lot of these verses!

You are the Planner, the Ultimate Scheduler.

You make things work out, un-busying fray.

You’ll ALWAYS know Lord, when I will need You.

Please don’t take my sanity away.

…

You are the Knower, the priority Sorter.

You weigh Your scales, Lord, upon my day.

You’ll make things GOOD Lord, Your knowing Way.

Please don’t take Your Light away.

Amen

—–

Ephesians 5:8-20

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—

James 1, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Trials and Temptations
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

You are My Sunshine

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

Love hearing my mom’s voice singing this song when I was a child… I had a great childhood in hindsight, but it’s always us remembering an awkward time with icky teenage stuff, perceived mental rough, life hassle enough, and sometimes age old bluff. I’m SO glad to have it past me. I’m SO glad to be a grown up, but wish for those summers off, the sunshine, the hope of fun.It got summer real fast here in the northeast. I’m not complaining but WOW took me by surprise and my strawberries are done, peonies spent. Spring sprung then skedaddled. Wow. My garden peas planted in hope were a critter crunch for their comfort, I got none, except one, an accidental pea in the flower pot. It grew and developed and I was surprised as it gifted 2 pods full. Yum. 2 more await. Next year I will try to remember to plant this way. I never learn to adapt, but maybe next year.

It’s the sunshine which makes us warm in spring, hot in summer, or hopeful all winter long. We long for sunshine, then we jump inside air-conditioned houses. Hmmm… Whatever happened to shade? Shade in summer is the opportunity to enjoy both. We need to remember to adapt and explore the sunshine but be protected too. What burns us also welcomes us, grows fruitfulness, and lights our way. It’s great except when it’s not.

Can we brace ourselves against the bad attack of sun? Plants do. I guess that’s like life. We need to embrace and brace. We need to adult and child. We need to live and live. Oh, not live and hide but live and live.

Live and Live.

There’s living in all aspects of life.

I complained about hectic life this past week, but I saw a strange sight Friday night, a bus at the train station, with transit authorities, people including kids standing to the side. I thought, I don’t think this is vacation, I really think this is an immigration caravan into targeted cities, maybe not. Or if it’s a search, thats sad. If it’s a broken down bus, that doesn’t usually happen at the train station. I guess I really don’t know, will never know, but I thought of their embrace of a hopeful life even on the move. Then I thought of how blessed I was, how routine life really is, how I do have stuff, a ride, and options. I have a next spring, summer, sun and shade possibilities, I have a lots with many less unknowns than these people. I can see my sunshine and I can step into the shade too. I will always be OK. I’ll know that life lives on…

I can live life in a full capacity – and yet rest to recharge my battery.

God knows, God will lead, God will protect and help us embrace the grace as well as the race. We must keep going and keep knowing.

Life is for living. We should live it. Remember to step into the shade, the intimate God coverage of life. Live, and live it up. Try to even enjoy in the moment. Sunshine today, God always.

New lyrics:

Lord, You are my Life-shine, my only Life-Line. You make me happy when lives are in array. You really know Lord, how much I love you. Please embrace me and lead me today.

Amen

—

Psalm 25 – New King James Version – A Psalm of David.

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, I trust in You;

Let me not be ashamed;

Let not my enemies triumph over me.

Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;

Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles!

LIFE CAN BE SWIRLY

LIFE!

Life can be SWIRLY

But isn’t it GREAT to wake up EXTRA early?

Get all the quiet you can – to feel life is less twirly whirly.

Heaven will be orderly like this, right? Mentally and physically clean and pearly?

And so now, appreciate PEACE gifted in God’s Early.

This week switching gears brought me a different fizzy bizzy.

My daughter moved home and wow the house is IN A TIZZY.

Thank God it is summer and work people scatter, often only aware of their own busy.

So for me? I won’t complain (too much) and will absorb the renewed expectations of ‘Driving Miss Daisy’.

Thank God for the weekends, my head needs to rest from dizzy.

And the cat? What about that cat?

She watches, and waits. She wants to return to life being all about her and all that.

I can imagine she’s thinking about summer time outside, spoiling her, preventing serious cat pouting and spat.

So surely I could adjust to my kids’ schedules if I can adjust for the cat.

Adjustment to our life schedules is usually overdue.

Adjustable attitudes is a MUST do.

God will walk with us all in this life – TRUE!

Take a moment, listen, be still too.

God loves to lead and to hold you.

(and God loves that cat too.)

Life can be Swirly,

BUT Forever Rely on God, like a F.R.O.G., don’t instead be SQUIRRELY.

He WILL prioritize! Surely!

I will know He is with us always – and calms the swirly.

Thank You Lord, now and early.

Amen

Get a New Heart and a New Spirit

People who think the Old Testament doesn’t pertain to new life – well that is not true! God is love to those people like He is to us and we can listen to His teachings to all. Especially that the Lord does not want anyone to perish.

God tells Ezekiel to write down the basic truth – that He is a just God – and that we are all our own persons in His eyes, our sins are our own – and our repentance can be real and for ourselves even if our parents are sinners. On the flip side, we can also go wrong even if our parents don’t. And we can go wrong even when we used to be right. We stand alone in God’s Judgement in each moment.

Surely we have encouragers and helpers to help us go right – and pray for that ultimate new heart and new spirit. Well God Himself will give it to us. We also must remember that God wants NO ONE to perish. God Himself set up the system to LIVE. Ezekiel 18 – so clearly a chapter for the ages – For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

I had an opportunity to do something rare – a person was walking a young man and as he waited to cross the street while I was going to turn, I offered him a ride – I know it sounds weird in this day and age but I just felt it was right. It was hot – he seemed well enough dressed and clean – he seemed very friendly and patient waiting for me to cross – i just asked – “you need a ride?” – well sure! He only was going up to the next section of the road but it was a ride that he was praying for – in this heat. I just thought well – then this must be a God thing after all. He said he was praying for a ride and here I offered – he was in a recovery house doing well and I said “God Bless you!” – I said one of my favorite scriptures: “If God is for us then who can be against us?!” – TRUE – and encouraging… Paul was speaking of God’s many blessings – we can too. God IS for us!!!

We DO know of people who come back to God – who come back to clean – who come back to righteousness and just keep walking step by step. I am SO thankful that God is there each step too – ready to serve us – ready to give that New Heart and New Spirit – amazing and amen…

Thank You Lord!

Amen

—-

Ezekiel 18

The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: “‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

“Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period. He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.

“Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things (though the father has done none of them): “He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor’s wife. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: “He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife. He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

“But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

—

Romans 8

Life Through the Spirit
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Present Suffering and Future Glory
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Psalm 44:22)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Marvelous wHEw, He Rises Above

wHEw… I just saw this – oh look there is capital “HE” in the wHEw – looks like HE, God, Him coming up out of water waves – which are the lowercase “w”‘s – Jesus walks on water and overcoming the world.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HE RISES above issues, above doubts, above all – He already did – HE AROSE- even if the whole world, sin, death, all were against Him. HE WON WHAT ALREADY WAS HIS.

We say WHEW when we give up the stress and emotions of ‘I have a lot’, ‘I did a lot’, ‘of I made it’, of ‘I’m not sure I can make it’, of ‘life is a lot’, of ‘these waves are rough’, of ‘HELP!’…

Well, wHEw is we are WATCHING and focusing ON Him. See Him walking towards us! See Him already have WON, now seated as the Son.

Well wHEw acknowledges HE did and will get us through. WHEW to the wHEw – or wHEw to the WHEW!!!

“TAKE HEART FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD“!!!

We have the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord, God will see us through!

MARVELOUS wHEw! God is FOR you!

wHEw !!!

AMEN

Romans 8:31-39 KJV

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

Matthew 8:23-27 KJV

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Luke 8:22-25 KJV

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Pop goes the Ease-ful Ear-ful

There are not enough hours in the day, but there ARE enough moments to ask God for directions.

My friend responded to a conversation about asking God to number our days. Here is her comment: “I have been working on asking the Lord about daily little things, like what to say before opening mouth, or what to take to the potluck supper. I spent more than 1/2 hour upon awakening trying to decide what to take basically because I really do not want to cook. I finally asked for forgiveness for wasting so much time thinking about it and asked Him. A little later, the best thing came into my mind. It was something I know my husband will love and not too hard to make. And it just popped into my head.”

Oh yeah… been there, experienced that… I totally appreciate God popping things in my head when I ask for not just the quick fix but also the means to make it all work. Even now, with less time in the morning to linger (with driving my daughter to her new job – a blessed time consumer as a mom), this email popped into my head to post… It’s like we struggle and struggle until we realize: God’s the One Who’s got THE answer and ALL the answers. Even especially for where we spend our time.

I finished up my 2 extra crabs outside last night, was it a waste of time? Probably not but it could have been a waste on Sunday because Sunday I was having lunch out with a 90yr old friend, scrubbing my daughter’s room for moving her back in, and driving someone somewhere (taking a breather from the moving chaos), then I got to have ice cream out, then back to last minute sorting. wHEw… (oh look there is HE in the wHEw – looks like Him coming out of water waves – YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday? Work was the best pick and I finished up my experiments from a few extra hours back in my sabbatical lab. Happy to have that stuff done. Now just the presentation to finish.

So Saturday crabs was a best pre-pick, and Monday crabs was the best post pick. I picked crabs while decompressing the day, all while the cat was enjoying being outside anyway for over an hour and the bugs weren’t biting. I was checking in with God as I did all day – it was too hectic to not consult Him…

So we do wonder sometimes if that is OK, the time that we take for ourselves, whether making decisions or just relaxing. As long as we have not overdone it and indulge too much in leisure. Walk with Him as much, even more than sitting with Him.

Sometimes where we are, in holding places, is better than being where we are NOT supposed to be…

And like picking through these crabs. It’s not just the time for the tasty meat, it is the acknowledgement of processing time – like you have to use your mouth to figure out if there’s any shell pieces, right? It’s best not to rush that. Processing time – like vacation travel, it’s like beach time, it’s appreciated and appropriate if you put in your work time too.

One of the beautiful things about Heaven is that we will have plenty of time…

A little poem about time (living on God’s dime):

Taking this much time for eating food (especially crabs) is PICKY and TRICKY.

It’s like making decisions that could be STICKY.

But best to take the time, plenty of time, so things don’t get ICKY.

Life is not always flowing and breezy.

So God knows that ‘be still’ TIME is His Gift, a chance to talk easy.

His ideas, over our unknowns that make us queasy.

Pop goes the Ease-ful Ear-ful.

God’s Sovereign and Powerful.

His direction makes us THANKFUL!

Amen

wHEw…

God Fronts our Blessings

The Lord goes in FRONT of us, not just behind… He covers us where we are going BEFORE we get there or even start to go there, and I’m not JUST talking about Salvation, which is the MOST important coverage we have, and which gives one HOPE. On our most harried days, may we continue to remember He has thankfully already GONE AHEAD and has covered us with His Blood.

In addition, He went ahead FOR us and FOR all BEFORE the world was even begun. He went ahead to get us to see the proper path. And He went ahead so we could see the LIGHT that He IS.

So my EARTHLY EXAMPLE of a witness to “GOD KNOWS BEST”, is of God going in FRONT of my finances (we all need this): I SAVED instead of spending my tax refund – not knowing what for, but knowing maybe I needed it set aside. Maybe that’s not unusual for you folks, but it IS unusual for me!!! Especially as I WAS going to get some things fixed around the house and had the quote even. But/and then I just had this INTERESTING weird but PEACEFUL feeling that I should wait… WAIT… not for something bad but for something SHIFTED IN PRIORITIES… Not the want but the need… Oh to always remember we must follow by faith not sight. (Sometimes I do wonder if we prepare more for something bad then we prep for something GOOD… Yet, GOD HAS MORE GOOD PLANNED FOR US THAN BAD).

Anyway, I remember and say that the Lord does NOT drop the other shoe on us, and EVERY DAY with Him by our sides and all around and ESPECIALLY in FRONT, we are told NOT to worry… so I tucked the tax return away and waited.

Well, my tax return spending plan got a changed focus for sure… especially as my daughter’s graduation dinner approached, then to my car’s new tires $ and what-not$… and that normal $tuff, not bad, but $$$ little and big. Like sneaker$ for my son and then grocery $hopping for the returned graduate. And THEN, OH LORD, $omething not terrible, but $till an issue: the “UH-OH” of my paycheck being shorted… WOW… oops… oop$… Shorted monie$… this is the 1ST TIME IN OVER 25 YEARS for me! $hoot! It must have been a glitch – not specifically the sabbatical hours as they got entered, but something glitchy and forgotten coming back from the sabbatical. Ugh…

Yes, I got not paid for the regular hours, over half of them not paid… BIG OOPS… How unusual for me to see this on a Saturday too, but NOT unusual for us to feel this gut feeling that God put a wait on my actions months ago, holding onto the tax return. How could I know, but God was in the know and flow, God is the good and the go… oh…

God FRONTED me the money I needed and before I knew I needed it. The tax return (where I have always put in extra each paycheck as my house-fix savings for the last 20 years) is an earthly way where I have seen my prayers of COVERAGE yield fruit. The tax return became a cover of my back and front… happy earns!

I know they will fix this. I am not worried, I am thankful. Even HR and my boss were emailing on the weekend. I made no stink but just an “uh-oh” email, in which I actually wrote (a work email) of this witness of the Lord. If there’s anything we can do while waiting it is is PRAISE.

I know that not every foible, mine or others, will get fixed in this lifetime. I’m just grateful that the Lord could be giving us a heads up before we’re even looking… If there’s a fronting of blessings, why not be listening to the God who made it all happen.

Well… I will walk in faith today I pray, and watch things go His Way. It’s all going to be OK.

I thank God for bills which means life is happening. I thank God for work which means I can do stuff. I thank God for family I can take care of. And I thank God for Him, for His FRONT COVERAGE of LOVE.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

Amen

—

2nd CHRONICLES 20:14-22

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

Picky Picky Picky

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

We are told by the Lord to ASK the Lord to help us number our days… Yes. Number our days and ask for WISDOM to live them…

But if you are like me, I tend to get picky picky picky about how I spend my days and my minutes… I don’t like to waste time unless I am the one who has decided to waste it… Really.

I like unstructured time – especially on a Saturday (and honestly I should take a few vacation days this year to do so) – to simply be in charge of having no charge, to have the energy to not use the energy, to not second guess because I never guessed, to pick what I want to do – which is best when not picking anything… Yeah. Really.

But the pick of today was 2 fold. Actually there were many many picks – including to end the day with a waterpik! Today, I picked gardening, I picked planting flowers, I picked mowing the grass before 9am – good pick. I picked up the computer to rest – I picked up a shower and the mail. I picked up kale salad and egg custard and bananas – great pick. And I picked up the phone to chat with others – best pick. I also picked to chat with neighbors and friends. I picked to text my kids (new generation I know picks up the messages over the talking). I picked to talk to the Lord – PRICELESS but I did not pick that enough!

Anyway, I excitedly picked up a $20 new shredder – SO EXCITED! and then I JAMMED the shredder – OOPS. it has a great mechanism for knowing the drawer is in or out – BUT not that the drawer is OVER FULL. I did not apply wisdom here. Not the first time I forgot to pick out the wisdom. I did something similar – 30 years ago – with an in-sink grinder and giant zucchini and no water – but I digress… I jammed the shredder – THIS new shredder – and then I spent like 2 hours trying to unjam it with no luck. And I STILL have all the shredding to do and no, I don’t want to drop it off in a lockbox.

Now – I didn’t really feel like I wasted the money or the time – and you do get addicted to the picking… I did pick outside in the beautiful weather – and I DID have the time, I thought.. The cat was out in her tent too. And I was blessed as I picked up the phone a few times while picking the papers out. I picked and picked until it got dark – and it IS particularly good to be outside as the nicely crosscut paper is now everywhere – hmmm…

Anyway, I picked how to use the time – but did I pick to apply wisdom? Probably not – but I did pick to discuss it with the Lord about how stupid I could feel but decided to not pick up that self-criticism – I simply applied thanks to the Lord for this harmless incident reminding me that I am SO fallible…

I picked a second more delicious treat – crabs – garlic crabs – I picked inside this time – I meant to pick outside and enjoy messy yum fun – I picked them up last night at $4.50 each – I got 4 – 2 is enough for a meal that takes 2 hours… I meant to pick them up to eat early – but I picked and picked that shredder until I was almost picked out – but then remembered I had to pick at the crabs. I traded fruitless picking of jammed paper to pick the delicious crabs – same picking – different result.

And there is the WISDOM here – SAME PICKING MOTION – DIFFERENT RESULT. I could pick the day and pick the time and pick the place – but I SHOULD let God pick out the best wisdom for the moment. Number our days Lord and/but don’t make us count the minutes as wasted. There are times to be picky about time = and times to just be pickled in joy that we have the time to pick. Teach us to number our days Lord, and/but pick out the peace from the adventure too.

Pick your battles rather than let your battles pick on you. APPLY WISDOM.

I would pick again tomorrow – maybe – I do have more crabs and I do have more outside stuff planned – and you know the cat will want to go outside again. And so for that shredder, it is a challenge I will pick up until the Lord says: Put it down. Maybe pick up a new thing – maybe just let the Lord pick it – YEAH! And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Amen – and tomorrow is another pick day – God’s Way.

Amen

—

Psalm 90 NKJV – The Eternity of God, and Man’s Frailty – A Prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night.
You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.

For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Saturday Sounds

Thank you, Lord for Saturday Sounds, Life is teeming all through Your Grounds.

But I’ll rest a little more instead.

Rest my head,

Feel my Soul being fed.

Monday will bring new changes,

My schedule surely rearranges.

Sunday will be my Sabbath day of rest.

Time with You Lord, You are the best.

Saturday too.

I’ll spend with You.

I love to see Your View.

In Your Word I can read and I can write

and I can really REST in Your Sight.

And soon Saturday activities are abound.

I want to work in the garden, work the ground.

Shopping and life stuff,

I’ll take time for myself and for fluff.

But my best thought, Lord, is that You are Enough.

So first I’m in PAUSE mode, to hear these Saturday Sounds, I’m confessing.

May we all dream of the time when we DO feel and see ‘Heaven on Earth’ as Your Amazing Blessing.

Amen

Debbie Upper

A Child of God Awakening to His Love

Month: June 2024

SKILLS

Packing Pollen and Potential!

T.H.I.N.K. JESUS

Morning has Broken, but God Hasn’t

Aha! Ezekiel 25

Empathy, Ezekiel 24

HOT as the Cooking Pot!

I Can’t Complain No More, a Day Trip to the Shore

SPLASHZONE

See the Son Rise

Freedom, Death, Life – A Beach Day Foray

Windows Open

Tough Talk, Ezekiel 23

Damsels NOT in Distress

Prayer to Share

42 – But What Was the Question?

Choose Gifts

Son of Man, FULFILLED

Lord Have Mercy, Ezekiel 21-22

Isn’t He Just Telling Parables? Ezekiel 19-20, 11JUN

Who is Worthy?

You are My Planner, My Holy Planner

You are My Sunshine

LIFE CAN BE SWIRLY

Get a New Heart and a New Spirit

Marvelous wHEw, He Rises Above

Pop goes the Ease-ful Ear-ful

God Fronts our Blessings

Picky Picky Picky

Saturday Sounds

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