A poem not funny,

But maybe right on the money. 

.

Didn’t feel great, 

Daniel’s envisionings in chapter 8.

A goat, a ram and horns, 

Oh life populated with thorns and scorns!!!

Visions not meant agricultural,

Visions END OF THE WORLD interpret-ful.

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Daniel, was worn out,

Not pleased to what he found out.

He lay exhausted for several days,

How can we really comprehend God’s Ways?

But Daniel got up and WENT ABOUT THE KING’S BUSINESS.

Appalled by the vision; it’s symbolism and it’s GRIMNESS.

Surrender, Trampling, Fighting,

It was beyond understanding, but Daniel kept working, kept writing. 

That’s us too – KEEP MOVING.

Now is not the moment to be idling nor idol-ing.

.

Daniel knew now not ‘to sweat the small stuff’.

This was HEAVY, Heavens wars are infinitely more ROUGH!

The appointed end of time,

Has God’s rhythm, God’s rhyme. 

Rebellious master of evil gains,

But then is crushed by Whom TRULY REIGNS.

Destroying the Destroyer is no small task.

Us paying attention to this specific 2,300 days prophecy is God’s ASK.

Daniel was writing ahead for all to be ‘in God we focus’.

So let us be wary and aware of the devil’s hocus pocus. 

Trust God’s Plan and don’t waiver.

Hold tight to our Savior to savor.

Prepare our hearts for Jesus’s return is near.

Daniel, Jesus, and we must educate, help others STEER CLEAR.

Tell you loved ones about Jesus,

Tell the world, plant Good Seeds of Jesus. 

Tell all those you hold dear,

THE COMING BACK OF THE LORD IS NEAR.

Amen

—

Please read Daniel 8, NIV 

Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me. In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great.

As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. It came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at it in great rage. I saw it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled on it, and none could rescue the ram from its power. The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.

Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.

Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?”

He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”

The Interpretation of the Vision

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”

As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”

While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.

He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

“In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

“The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”

I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

I got home to a fridge not working, still, freezer was fine, I had left the door open a jar the night before and it never recovered, thought it would, nope… I tossed too much food. But if it does recover, it’s a fresh start of condiments and whatnots… I even got to major scrubbing, vacuuming… good… elbow grease never felt so good…

That is like life with God, restarts, fresh starts, breakdowns and pick-me-ups… and at times, major scrubbing… (Can you imagine God’s Elbow Grease? Whew!)

Now we are so clearly cleared and clean, ready to RESTART.

Restart my heart for You, Lord.

Ready to RESTART,

Oh that’s God’s ART,

That’s God’s HEART.

.

I’m ready to be fresh and clean,

Clearing out what’s ugly and mean,

Ready to rejoice, rejoin God’s Team.

.

My life is human so humanful.

I’m not unusual nor dull.

Just normal stuff accumulates into grimey rag-fulls.

.

Clean me Lord, START.

Give me a new HEART.

Listening to You Lord is SMART.

.

Amen and thanks for then clean!

(And new fridge magnets too!)

I can do all things through Christ,
Including keeping my mouth shut.
.
I can pause to praise,
Instead of complaining issues to raise.
.
I can pause AND PRAISE, A LOT,
Praise first, ask God later, maybe know or NOT.
.
Sometimes to be in a certain place but sometimes to simply NOT.
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God only knows ALL and A LOT,
and especially He knows we tend to stray into the NOT.
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There are days however
We are to number, to measure.
.
Ones where we work into the spots,
Where God wants us for life’s “WhatNots”
.
But hush on the moment and the means,
God wants us WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.
.
He reminds to just WORK whenever, wherever, and on whatever,
And let Him determine the treasure.

Watch Him open doors,
Best commit to walking through, onto open floors.

But praise not your PACE,
Praise God’s placement PLACE.
And His GRACE.
And Him allowing you to keep running the RACE.

Be where we are supposed to be.
Lord, taking care of WhatNots for Thee.

Amen

A poem for us missing our loved ones in Heaven. What brings me to tears in the passage of my cousin from the old country, speaking a language I don’t, is thinking: “Now when I get to Heaven too, I’m going to be able to understand what she says!” And yet what we already understood on earth was and is the LOVE shared between us.

We can look forward to an overflow of EXCITEMENT, DANCING, SINGING, and JOY in HEAVEN.

Here is my poem:

LOVE IN HEAVEN is:

Hope

Whole

Pure

Joyful

Fulfilled

Restful

Healed

Fabulous

and accompanied by songs and dancing,

Praise for God’s Grace and Mercy.

Love in Heaven speaks VOLUMES.

LOVE ON EARTH is:

Hopeful

Healthy

Purifying

Joy-giving

Fulfilling Rest

Healing

Wishful

and filled with reminders of sharing Grace and Mercy.

Love is God in Action

Love on Earth, no matter how temporary is for HEAVEN’S GAIN, FOREVER.

AMEN

I love the sentiment in the song from Neil Young, “Long May You Run”…

Yes, a belief that even when we don’t see each other, or everything doesn’t work out, we still wish them well – and a long good journey…

Daniel and his friends and fellow exiles had a rough time with King Nebuchadnezzar, but wow, not even  close to the roughest road reserved for the evil king. King Nebuchadnezzar filled with pride felt God’s Plan to put him in his place, then re-bring him back to sanity. AND WOW DID THE RESTORED KING GET THANKFUL THEN?!!!

Personally, I haven’t read the scholars. I don’t know if the king was truly repentant for everything or just in the moment, but he did “get it” that it’s so important to praise God.  Nebuchadnezzar even makes statements that sound like Solomon in that life is at God’s command… however we are to know most deeply that God gives great grace and mercy without it being a “whim”… Think of the ecclesiastes scripture in the bird song turn turn which says for every time there is a season and a time to every purpose unto Heaven. 

Now Nebuchadnezzar learned that those who walk in pride, God is able to humble. Jesus teaches us that to be a servant in humble circumstances IS the position we should assume. Pride, like the trees in this story, becomes corruption on display.

Maybe try to walk more humble always… May we live long, and wish that for our fellow exiles here on earth too – and give God His Glory due! (I know I praise my feeling SO MUCH better from the covid last week! To God be the Glory!)

Long May You Run too!!!

Amen

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=dVM8_jAL86w&si=lw7mhsOBxeAH7N04

Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree

[A letter from thankful restored] King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.

“In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.

“‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Daniel Interprets the Dream

Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.

“Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’

“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”

The Dream Is Fulfilled

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

—-

Long May You Run, Neil Young 

We’ve been through some things together

With trunks of memories still to come

We found things to do in stormy weather

Long may you run

.

Long may you run, long may you run

Although these changes have come

With your chrome heart shining in the sun

Long may you run

.

Well, it was back in Blind River in 1962

When I last saw you alive

But we missed that shift on the long decline

Long may you run

.

Long may you run, long may you run

Although these changes have come

With your chrome heart shining in the sun

Long may you run

.

Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now

With those waves singing “Caroline”

(Oh “Caroline, No”)

Rolling down that empty ocean road

Getting to the surf on time

.

Long may you run, long may you run

Although these changes have come

With your chrome heart shining in the sun

Long may you run

—

Video:

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=dVM8_jAL86w&si=lw7mhsOBxeAH7N04

I always am amazed at the depth of biblical stories! You sometimes get deep pre-stories and sometimes you are taught and can understand the human emotions and actions. In the scriptures there is more material than imaginable and yet “just enough” – so then you imagine how to fill in the gaps too…

I’m so glad to be reading and writing in the book of Daniel, and yes I’m educating myself for these new-to-me chapters with the video from Bible Project.  But, only tackling a few chapters at a time. I learned that part of Daniel was written in Hebrew and part in Aramaic (local language), interesting… It is all text captured while in captivity in Babylon, half the book is experiencing and half is prophecy… interesting…

Daniel has a reputation now in chapter 2, from just one chapter tale of his dedication to the Lord, where we learned he got his gained position from exile to student to king’s wise man. And yet he gets lumped into the crowd of “king’s magic men” – which upset the king – and this king Nebuchadnezzar is BRUTAL with punishment needlessly. The king asked the “magic men” to not only tell him about his dream meaning but the actual “reading of my mind” too – Even the wicked could appreciate that’s a God task… magicians can do tricks, but mind reading is beyond that scope. 

In the moment before punishment, Daniel asks a question of his captor with something we all should employ: TACT AND WISDOM! 

Daniel knew to praise the Lord, Daniel knew to wait upon the Lord. Daniel knew of his prior experience being protected by God and by using wisdom. “I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you…:

I bet you could fill in the blank of times God answering you, I know I could… Thus next time we are in a bind, let us try TACT AND WISDOM, and the power of prayer!

Amen

—

Daniel 2 part 1, v1-23

In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”

Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”

The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”

This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Although I can’t make it to church for the covid bug I am chasing out of my system (no worries I am doing well resting, eating, inhaling vicks vapor rub, and of course relying on the Lord for HIS HEALING). So, I was able to send forward my sermon – the first of a “Back to School” series for Jesus teaching through Parables.

 The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Jesus replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. “ Matthew 13:10-13

Some of us still have “back to school” notions even though we may not have anyone actually of schooling age anymore in our houses – but we feel that change in the weather – the change in the school buses being out there and less family vacations.

Here is another major teaching moment – when we teach our kids how to drive – relying STRONGLY on His Strength – practicing in parking lots and then later the roads and highways – whew! Practicing driving is good – the more time to learn the better. Some learn on back roads, some in the farmer’s fields, some in parking lots.

In our scripture today, we are reminded of the blessed schooling of God’s teachings – God’s wisdom for us to tap into – Jesus came to save and first Jesus came to teach. Jesus always teaching about God our Father and how life in step with Him is where we will find the most fulfilment. remembering to use His strength. We heard of disciples questioning Jesus  – He was always teaching – so much that many called Him Rabbi – “Rabboni” – “Teacher”… And they were asking about his teaching style – perplexed even – “Why do you speak in parables?”

 There is both the obvious thing about parables – they are REMEMBERABLE – could be recounted to others who didn’t get to go to the Jesus event – something to talk about on the road home – something to ponder deeply,  – AND – as Jesus said: “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you…” oh, cool….

Jesus knew the reality – people “will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving”…  People weren’t getting it – same today – people maybe simply never got a chance to hear – or they sadly close their ears – and yet these parables are still so good for reaching – for teaching – they help people THINK…  Parables are different but better than like a pun or a joke that takes you a moment to decipher – better than a puzzle – these are analogies that one person says “AHA!” and then explains it to the rest of the people. It is not the telephone game of “send the message down the line” – this is from a DIVINE LINE! The Word to understand.

Learning (like teaching) is something so important – requires time – requires the right mind set – requires wisdom that unpacks a little at a time. There is a great work project these days all over the world to decorate encouraging messages onto rocks and place those rocks at schools, playgrounds, even colleges, parks, workplaces. These rocks like our ROCK of Jesus will serve as teaching tools to remind the folks that we are not alone. Surely you have been encouraged, imagine to come across a rock placed at work or a park that said something like “SMILE” – even place some message in your garden then months later stumbled upon it. It is not just the advice – it is the knowledge that God sent it – right time right place – the Holy Spirit will do that – He in almighty movements will move you to find Jesus and encouragement and life. “blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”

—————————————

And here is a very important parable that Jesus taught – He really was looking for the thought-provoked disciple to grasp this knowledge – and this one is a reminder for us in living in this world… 

Jesus told them a parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ – “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. – “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ – ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Matthew 13:24-30

HMMMMM…..   curious huh?  This parable was embedded into the parables of the sower and of the mustard seed and yeast and of the pearl – really a Smorgasbord of teachings they got that day!

And then the disciples were like – hmmm, what does that all mean? – pulling Jesus aside and saying – can you help us out here???  – and that is what we are to do too – ask Jesus when we don’t understand – ask for the deeper meaning or the simple explanation.

Jesus DID answer  – and this probably blew their minds!!!!!!!!  Jesus came to fulfil the past prophesies and teach the next – which essentially also confirmed old testament prophesies about the end of the evil in the world: “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:37-43

So – yes – Jesus was saying in this lesson that not only does God know what is going on, He also has a plan – and there is a process that we will be OK at the end of times by listening to Him – to God – and staying devoted to Him.

When the Lord says: “Wait until Heaven to even the score”, He means it. He means both: ‘Wait!’ and ‘LET ME DO IT, not you.’ 

Know that evil has always existed in the world and just live the best you can anyway.

We do call out the injustices in the world now – but we could/should WAIT until God’s judgement and know that evil will be taken care of. (And KNOWthe harvest of heaven might be soon, right around the corner!). Therefore devoted people, even if bereft by evil, taken down by evil, will be taken care of. Jesus SPECIFICALLY says “At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn”.

Jesus HIMSELF and God’s Angels will sort it all out. Jesus HIMSELF will divide the goats and sheep. 

It is always good advice to DO THE BEST YOU CAN, even in trying times. You can still BEAR FRUIT and BLOOM WELL – even if weeds and wackiness wrestle with you for water. 

—-

I remember a stained glass depiction in a church window and of course the scripture – “I am the Bread of Life” – yes – for this we hunger and we are nourished.  Like drinking in Jesus as Living Water – we will absorb His Wisdom and His courage and His ability to be humble and do what needs to be done – to serve means we take on a servant role and help where we can knowing God is with us.

I want to finish with a story from the book of Daniel – not a parable but a real occurrence – a story were the schooled people of Jesus’s time would have been reminded – that God is always with us – and we are to withstand evil things – and know that He will protect us.  We often have to go into the world bereft with evil – to work on things in the world that need attending to… BUT KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH US.

This story abbreviated: The Fourth Man in the Furnace – [the evil king asked his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire, bound firmly with ropes?” In reply they told the king, “Yes, your majesty.” – “Look!” he told them, “I see four men walking untied and unharmed in the middle of the fire, and the appearance of the fourth resembles a divine being.” Then the king approached the opening of the blazing fire furnace. He shouted out their names: servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!” – those men had no effect on their bodies—not a hair on their head was singed, their clothes were not burned, and they did not smell of fire. The king spoke up and announced: “Blessed be the God of these men! He sent his angel to deliver his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and were willing to risk their lives in order not to serve or worship any god except their own God.]

We  have the power of prayer to help navigate our lives in the midst of the weed planted by the evil one – and keep growing – we can stand in the fire to be devoted to the right things – and can pray for each other and especially for our children – especially as we pray over our encouragement to the world and our messages –  because others also have to navigate the tough parts of this world…

We can be good seed planters… like the rocks of encouragement… Just like another parable of a mustard seed which grows big – our small acts can and will grow into the richness of the Kingdom – the mustard seed is “the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Our actions speak louder than words and help bring Peace in the moment.

May we always take these parables, like going “back to school” – requiring us to think – to keep the Kingdom coming! Be the Salt and Light – Trust in the Lord – Bear Fruit!!!

Amen

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV

Well, out of the blue – covid – never had it before – no idea where I got it – no idea how bad it will be – no idea…

Some idea of God’s Plan for part of it – downtime I always want but don’t like getting the way I do – no one wants to be sick – but compared to the other things going on in health these days I can’t complain – the lack of taste and smell, except for sweet things (go figure) is intriguing – and the ibuprophen (Vitamin I, my old boss would call it) really does help. The cat is the true companion here and my daughter made me lunch and dinner – and did dishes – so cool…  Sorry her weekend plans got disrupted – and the prayers are for my kids to not get this – but for me, I will TRY to look on the bright side even if I feel a bit sad that I didn’t steer clear of covid my whole life – I thought hey 4 years no covid – maybe I will never get it?!? – well never say never – and just look on the brightside of life always… God’s Covert Covid Operation for me – right? I want to think of that…

The cat not so understanding of a saturday on a friday – I am sure she counts the days and knew that something was amiss… tomorrow is saturday not sunday – although in my head (like my smell), something structural is missing when you don’t think about what day it is – and that is OK – it is just about getting better…

What I DID appreciate was/is the downtime – after I got over the Mack Truck hit me feeling – which came back tonight when the ibuprofen wore off – I don’t like this decommissioning of me – but at the same time I have more time for the commissioning of me – to keep reading and learning – and this time I actually cracked open my “beach books” – not at the beach – the first book is “The Great Disappearance” by David Jeremiah – full of scriptures and easy reading of stories which i breezed over and kept focus on the main themes…  Jesus is going to come back for us – and whether we are already sleeping in death  – or alive and keeping an eye on the clouds (LOOK UP!), He is going to take us home… And there will be a great disappearance…  Now scholars may disagree but won’t we all just know when we know? and know that Jesus won’t abandon us? – HE WON’T!

And this is so interesting – agreed by scholars – that Jesus Himself is not knowing the time – God’s Covert Operation – just wait for the “GO”…  With the voice of the archangel Michael – the shout of the Lord – and the trumpet of God – the Covert Operation will commence.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.(Paul writing to the Thessalonians chapter 4:16-18)

Well, I didn’t take notes from the book but took scripture screenshots – so good these scriptures – so good the Lord to at least TRY to explain it to us – and so good that the Lord says – I WILL BE WITH YOU –  I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This IS the Good News – Jesus is and will always be with us…

(even through covid)

Amen

A Poem written for a friend who is starting cancer treatments and her family for their strength…

.

A BEAUTIFUL SOUL

A Beautiful Soul

Longs to be Whole

Regain PEACE that the unknowns stole.

.

Peace fallen to pieces by some type of troll,

Will be restored by the One Whom IS Whole,

God knows to re-piece the Peace in a Beautiful Soul.

.

Time does try to take its toll,

Yet time also heals and that IS God’s goal.

Fill your hole with His WHOLE.

.

God made each one of us Beautifully Soul’ed.

We are His family, a sheep in His Fold.

Feel God’s comfort and loving completion us – in His Forever Love Hold.

.

Be BOLD, Beautiful Soul.

.

Amen

Don’t think it’s odd,

That God prefers we wait for His Nod

To OK a day 

Or approve a move,

Ask, seek, petition, 

And especially LISTEN.

God’s Intricate Plans

Are always above our plans.

.

Not a stall,

Maybe a call.

Don’t riot,

Be still, sit quiet. 

Learn to adjust, 

God’s not making you rust.

God’s pause

Has a cause.

.

Wisely ponder eternity, 

Even over a cup of tea.

Don’t regret,

We get what we get.

Make a point

To ask Him to anoint. 

For where we trod,

Let’s get God’s Nod.

Amen 

It’s one of those summer things – sure say it is a summer fling – me and the shore and so much more – and I will say that it is a blessing of being in a place where I can be fed and led and take a nap on the beach too…  I love that I had this summer opportunity to go to Ocean Grove – no idea what summer will be like next year – but this year I felt the blessing of the moments to take care of my needs to just be – one hour away – and see.

Of course I wanted to finish my little beach book about the life of Fanny Crosby – it took me all summer – “Fanny loved her times of precious silence. She could open her heart to the Lord so deeply”. I only read this book (and only got to read it) when I had quiet moments on the beach. Quiet moments to absorb short sections for a long time. Here I thought this summer I would get through 2 big philosophical books on the Rapture – and we do want to study that – but I didn’t even get to crack them open hardly – this little book drew me in. And Yes, the rapture and revelation, thus my excitement as I step into the reading and writing about the book of Daniel for those prophecies of end times – but honestly God needed me – indulged me – led me – to read this little book to learn about 1800’s Fanny Crosby – her mission – her plight – and oh how she turned poetry (which someone originally persuaded her was childish) into hymns and books and speaking engagements – and most importantly leading people to Christ – the down and out – the rough – the children of God who didn’t know they were. Fanny’s work of 90 years touched millions of lives – and still will. 

We should all take a moment to say “where is God leading us?” I have a sticker on my wall which says “prepare your hearts, the coming of the Lord is near.” – and that is true – and just this morning I also thought, hmmm that relates to the people we don’t know and need saving – just like Fanny Crosby visited in the slums and poorest regions of the city.  These people – all made in the image of God – they are the poor in hope, and thirsting for something they may not have even tasted – the Lord’s Grace and Mercy. Matthew 25:35-36 apply all these conditions to the soul and you serve the Lord too: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Hungry for the Lord and His Word, thirsty for Living Water, strange to the opening embrace of acceptance and repentance, lacking the clothes of dignity and righteousness which Jesus gives. Sin-sick, and in prison for chains of sin and death – chains which are broken but someone has to tell you to stand up and shake them off.
Fanny Crosby drew these people in with her mission work – and her encouragement – and her presence. 

I attended the last regular sunday service of the season at Ocean Grove yesterday morning – my first – and it was “Salvation Army Sunday” – with a great big brass band – the New York chapter – and I was so happy to listen and appreciate. I recorded videos but you can listen to it online now but wow to be in the near front row. The person in charge of the camp meeting spoke of how the band draws people in – which allows them to hear the word of the Lord – a heart changing and life changing word. That is what we are to do – draw people unto the Lord.

It was a thought provoking Sunday, plus a short nap on the beach – not swimming this time but a few souls were – the water will cool but is still good. No lifeguards and what a difference a week makes with people back to school etc. It was a good day for walking – and of course church services. I stepped to see what it looked like in the tabernacle next to the auditorium and that same awesome wood construction of late 1800s. I also took a screenshot of the ocean cam – where I could see myself – I realized that the camera post is on a delay of at least 30 seconds. And of course I indulged in the big cone of Key Lime Pie ice cream and talked to the same gentlemen who were at the register from my conversation last sunday about key lime pie ice cream too – and I told them I came back 2 sundays in a row – which was good they say because now the summer and this season flavor is almost done…

I also stepped close to an empty tent in front of a locked packed up camp for the summer – it was bare bones and the spirit and people had left the tent in my sensing of this space – it was like we the people need to bring that energy and life into the space – we do.

Unlike ice cream and beach naps, the work of the Lord is not seasonal – but how we work might be – people come and go – like Fanny’s time which was before all this big construction at the height of the revival movement on the east coast. They enjoyed their time at the shore but had to get back to their individual towns and cities and keep working for the Lord there.  I know that we are to enjoy these days – but also know that we (I certainly am) are gathering strength for days to come – places to go – people to meet. Let us keep inspiring, keep working, keep being the Salt and Light for which God calls us to be.

And live a little too…  Enjoy the enjoyment of life. (beach, sun, summer, flowers, fall, and ice cream and all.)

Amen

I’m getting ready to crack open the Old Testament Book of Daniel, a prophet and I know some of the good meaty bits in it, and I am looking forward to digesting the WHOLE thing, one Word at a time…

One such scene I am looking forward to is when three men go bound in a fire yet their punisher looks into the fire and sees four men standing walking freely, then the three men come out unscathed. This makes their punisher (King Nebuchadnezzar who wanted the exiled Israelites to bow down and worship an idol) acknowledge instead that the Lord, this God of the Israelites, is Almighty and Strong and the faith was strong within these men. Not only are they OK, they weren’t all alone. Scholars say this figure of a man was Jesus Himself. (I BELIEVE THAT) And we DO know God in one form or another to be appearing to many in the Bible, old testament-style, including that earlier vision depicted of God’s Glory as a cloud rolling in… WOW, just saying that makes me feel it, Holy Spirit goosebumps.

I found a bottlecap recently with a great quote: “Use your fear… It can take you to the place where you store your courage.” Amelia Earhart

If there’s one thing we are taught over and over again in the bible (Old Testament and New Testament) is that God is with us. In the fire (and in the fun too), in the home, in the workplace too. Our teaching is simply living in the witnessing, and often in our willingness to walk into the fire.

Witnessing is in the SHINE of our smiles and the confidence of our hearts (even when we step into the fire) and the confidence with the work of our hands for His Glory.  Jesus is as the Light to shine through us:  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5 KJV

So now IS our time to SHINE OUT the LOVE of Jesus, SPEAK out the HOPE of Salvation, and to BEAM His Light for all to see… The blessed hope of Jesus beaming – to come from the place within us. Jesus motivates us to LIGHT up the world. He sends us! Let us SHINE. Go Be His Beam. Go with God.

Let us go out and SHINE His Light to overcome all darkness. Let us love boldly and humbly. The darkness won’t comprehend this light, but it won’t be able to deny it either, not when Jesus is standing in the fire with you.

Amen

—-

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 NIV

Amen Amen

—

Daniel preview: 

Daniel 3:24-28 The Fourth Man in the Furnace

Astonished, King Nebuchadnezzar stood up in terror, and asked his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire, bound firmly with ropes?” In reply they told the king, “Yes, your majesty.”   – “Look!” he told them, “I see four men walking untied and unharmed in the middle of the fire, and the appearance of the fourth resembles a divine being.” Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing fire furnace. He shouted out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The regional authorities, viceroys, governors, and royal advisors gazed at those men and saw that the fire had no effect on their bodies—not a hair on their head was singed, their clothes were not burned, and they did not smell of fire. Nebuchadnezzar spoke up and announced: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! He sent his angel to deliver his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and were willing to risk their lives in order not to serve or worship any god except their own God.

In conviction not condemnation. 

In restrictions not resignation. 

In rescues not rejections. 

Like a friend not a foe.

. That’s how God loves…

.

A forgiveness not a failure. 

A hope not a hassle. 

A hand up not a hold out.

Like a blessing not a blame. 

. That’s how God loves…

---

Only by Love. 

Only for Life.

Only for us.

Only by Him.

---

God is Love and will Love Only.

God’s Love is never phony. 

Lord, may we worship You and You only. 

May we surrender our lives for faith to fill us fully.

Hear our cries for mercy, and our amazement at Your Grace.

Thank You, Lord God.

Let us together finish this race.

Amen

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This is the weather we wait for,

The mosquitos we don’t.

I would pray God to get rid of them,

But He probably won’t.

.

But someday maybe just maybe, they won’t bite anymore, 

Maybe mosquitos will eat DIFFERENT food, and have it galore.

.

And one day skunks won’t stink, bees won’t bite, 

Everything then (when it gets better after getting worse), everything will be set right.

,

We would love to see healing on a God scale,

And with our tough times, see our increased mental tolerance to prevail.

.

I have no idea what God has in store.

But in the distant or soon future, it is going to be GOOD for sure.

.

Maybe summer won’t end,

But spring will keep springing around the bend.

.

And the pumpkins and the colorful leaves will have a place, 

Same with glistening snow, oh beauty we CAN embrace. 

.

Maybe God’s got even BETTER plans than this.

I bet the land and creation are ever yearning for this bliss.

.

I bet God’s got future plans that are even better than better in all this,

Let me not bet but BELIEVE. With God in charge, there is no way He could miss!

.

Amen 

Major tenets of Christianity: Loving your neighbors with forgiving your enemies – that’s a burden blessing to hang on one side of the cross we bare – AND another tenet of “burden blessing” is NUMBERING OUR DAYS, “ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS “, living life as FULFILLED COMPLETE however short, to make the most of the day and days, and ON this branch of our cross, actually on sides, slide on as much GLADNESS too, for the Lord Himself will carry these weights with us.

Make us Joyful in burden blessings. 

We are taught by Jesus to forgive others and forgive our own humanness too, best we can, along the way, and hand God the issues. God has won the war, overcome the world, let us live in appreciation all while still climbing our mountains. 

I know the saying goes: we must bear our own cross. Yet SURELY Jesus Himself and His angels and our friends help us carry – they are who are placed UNDER our cross, LIFTING our burdens – making our way through life more sure…  Just KEEP MOVING… We bear our friends’ situations too, helping carry their blessing burdens. 

Is this cross we bear a burden or a gift? A hook for more burdens or a tool for more lifting power. Well, yes, all, because our way in brokenness to unbrokenness is through Jesus’s sacrifice and God’s healing in us of this short journey’s end, Heaven…

Heaven, I can’t wait but I am in no rush!

Numbering our days was on Moses’s mind when he wrote Psalm 90, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

May we pray a morning prayer and praise: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

And so let us live with wisdom to accept God’s support – for our acceptance support of this cross we bear, to live under all the burdens, but yet to rise in it all anyway, to rise in the GLORY of God’s Mercy and Grace. 

Yes, Lord, “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.”

And keep WORKING and WALKING: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”

AMEN AMEN 

————

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death — they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

When hearing about the anniversary of the “I Had a Dream” speech by MLK Jr, I was able to find a new link to the text – which I inserted into my sermon based on MLK Jr’s sermon about loving your enemies – and on Jesus’s speech on the matter – with a practical example of dimming your headlights on a busy highway – “someone has to have the sense to have sense” is essentially what MLK Jr is saying – and so is Jesus.

This text and re-listen became an opportunity to revisit this important teaching of Jesus – Love Your Enemies – because the redemption power of LOVE is infinite – and hate just perpetuates. It is good to remember MLK Jr was a pastor who preached “self control” and “non-retaliation” – and even if we aren’t in those waring times – it is good to take this simple advice: Love wins…  And so, WOW to the explanation about how President Lincoln worked with one of his mud-slinging enemies – Stanton – from when he was presidential candidate – then made him a cabinet member – wow – talked about redemption via LOVE that will win out over hate – WOW…  It puts the WOW into the HOW – Love Your Enemies – believe in the power of Love. Hate has no redemption qualities and distorts the personality of the person.

Surely Jesus had an impact upon MLK Jr. – and surely in his “secular” orations, he also brought in wisdom from His Word, into the mix. It was the anniversary last week of the “I had a dream” speech – surely this means that in Jesus’s day, Jesus could have called some of His orations: “I have a plan – and a dream – and a truth – and a knowledge of how it all will go down.” – and this brings me to writing a new sermon for a couple weeks from now – about the wheat and the weeds and how evil is planted alongside the good and we must let the Lord deal with it = for He does have a plan and a knowledge and IS in charge.:

https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/loving-your-enemies-sermon-delivered-dexter-avenue-baptist-church

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MLK Sermon Part about Lincoln:

Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. That’s why Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. “love your enemies.”

I think of one of the best examples of this. We all remember the great president of this United States, Abraham Lincoln—these United States rather. You remember when Abraham Lincoln was running for president of the United States, there was a man who ran all around the country talking about Lincoln. He said a lot of bad things about Lincoln, a lot of unkind things. And sometimes he would get to the point that he would even talk about his looks, saying, “You don’t want a tall, lanky, ignorant man like this as the president of the United States.” He went on and on and on and went around with that type of attitude and wrote about it. Finally, one day Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States. And if you read the great biography of Lincoln, if you read the great works about him, you will discover that as every president comes to the point, he came to the point of having to choose a Cabinet.10 And then came the time for him to choose a Secretary of War. He looked across the nation, and decided to choose a man by the name of Mr. Stanton. And when Abraham Lincoln stood around his advisors and mentioned this fact, they said to him: “Mr. Lincoln, are you a fool? Do you know what Mr. [Edwin M.] Stanton has been saying about you? Do you know what he has done, tried to do to you? Do you know that he has tried to defeat you on every hand? Do you know that, Mr. Lincoln? Did you read all of those derogatory statements that he made about you?” Abraham Lincoln stood before the advisors around him and said: “Oh yes, I know about it. I read about it. I’ve heard him myself. But after looking over the country, I find that he is the best man for the job.”

Mr. Stanton did become Secretary of War, and a few months later, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. And if you go to Washington, you will discover that one of the greatest words or statements ever made by, about Abraham Lincoln was made about this man Stanton. And as Abraham Lincoln came to the end of his life, Stanton stood up and said: “Now he belongs to the ages.” And he made a beautiful statement concerning the character and the stature of this man. If Abraham Lincoln had hated Stanton, if Abraham Lincoln had answered everything Stanton said, Abraham Lincoln would have not transformed and redeemed Stanton. Stanton would have gone to his grave hating Lincoln, and Lincoln would have gone to his grave hating Stanton. But through the power of love Abraham Lincoln was able to redeem Stanton.

That’s it. There is a power in love that our world has not discovered yet. Jesus discovered it centuries ago. Mahatma Gandhi of India discovered it a few years ago, but most men and most women never discover it. For they believe in hitting for hitting; they believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth; they believe in hating for hating; but Jesus comes to us and says, “This isn’t the way.”

—-

and here is the link to my previous sermon with the MLK Jr reference to dimming the headlights and the scriptures of the Jesus interactions to teach His people to wait upon the Lord.  New one is on it’s way in a couple weeks.

Dimming Your Headlights – a Sermon – MLK Jr and me

I love a beach destination where I can get filled with the sights and sounds of sweet surf and sand plus ice cream, spend some time with a swimming singing sister, AND then – with all of that – a sermon too, on the packed 9am boardwalk pavilion, Ocean Grove blessings. And yes, I loved the one song of praise I heard and got to sing which perked my ears: the refrain: “I want to follow Jesus” is “No turning back, no turning back”. I heard that nearly 10 years ago, a scripture in a different song, but the same meaning, no turning back when you chose to follow the Way of the Lord over the way of the world.

Complete journey for a Sunday for sure, and only 1 hour away. Oh the surf and smells of marigolds and sights of summer. What is something that one can’t get enough of? Key lime ice cream for me – human me – and the Word preached with truth… What a blessing to combine that here. A respite of refreshment. 

The Word, Jesus’s fleshed out fulfilment of God’s Plan and Love, is the Way of Wondrous Work.

The Word is more powerful than the world and above both the unfair and super duper good stuff we go through too.  All good things are from God, and God is above it all. His Ways are above our ways. 

We listened to our guest sermonist who spoke of trials and tribulations of life – of going through it and not stopping, keep going. He spoke of how easy faith is in the good times, but we need our faith, God has provided our faith, for the valleys, the down times. Amen to that and more on his sermon later.

We parked our chairs and umbrellas just near the edge of the tide, not far from where I saw the baptisms the previous Sunday and asked to be dunked myself. Immersion is the blessing of knowing that you will rise from being under water. These waves were more fierce this day, no problem for my swimming fish friend, but they scared me… I’m not from a beach understanding place – I’m getting better. The water was invitingly warm at 71 (hey that’s perfect here) – and clear with no critters or anything this day. There were a fraction of folks from just one week ago, people back to school and from being too busy, but I’m savoring summer and stretching it. I’m going to be going to the beach all September and October surely. 

We walked up to the sounds of the boardwalk pavilion church. We didn’t get to the auditorium church service but snuck in later at noon for a glimpse and photos of the pipe organ while they were cleaning up from the later service. It’s a marvelous place with history, hope, and how the Word revived the people and still does. The listener to the Word is where the work takes place, how you ingest it and how it helps and hopes you. The Word doesn’t return to God’s ear void, the Word Works. 

The sermon of the boardwalk included the agreement that life isn’t fair, but God is with you in the worst, so keep going anyway. “FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 – and this is NOT just about the blessings of the world, like celebrating dinner or the leftovers now in the fridge or the fireworks amazing surprise when I stepped out of the restaurant, how ever amazing these SHORT-TERM blessings are, they are like melting ice cream that must be enjoyed and is gone – as like the end of this summer seasonal blessings – life is fleeting and short… The Word here is FOREVER- and EVER MORE powerful… Jeremiah hears from the Lord that IN WHOLE, the blessings will outweigh the angst.

The Old Testament story of Joseph was also shared in the boardwalk sermon, Joseph’s brothers mistreated him, he was left for dead in a well, he was rescued only to be a slave, he was imprisoned for false accusation, and forgotten even when the people said they would help… well, years later, oh, Joseph’s God-given gift of dream interpretation got him sprung from prison to the palace and most importantly to a position where he could both bless his brothers and countryfolk with grain (which he had Pharaoh stockpile) in a famine AND BLESS THEM BY FORGIVING THEM too. Joseph saves the situation and God’s 12 son’s of Jacob, tribes of Israel, are fortified. (see Genesis 37, 39-47)

God will take up our plight too and we surely can rise above what drags us down. Even able to forgive: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Joseph told his brothers. We must keep that long view too! (And our sermonist shared a riveting personal story too of this Joseph-like recovery from the Lord in his life. AMAZING)

The WORD is ABOVE the WAVES of the WORLD. The good and bad and even how we interpret it… Just one more thought about key lime pie ice cream (and I had toasted coconut with chocolate bits too) – one resting gentleman behind the counter said it wasn’t his favorite, the tartness, but oh in that moment it hit my taste buds just right. That’s a miniature version of how we humanly might hear the Word – We might not hear everything or it hit us right just then but there are certain times when it hits us perfect – we hear what we need to hear and it’s not just about our palate, in tune, but about God’s power to help us hear. May we all hear Him in the right season of our lives.

Thanks Lord for a tasty weekend and of a whetted appetite… Always, we want more of You.

Amen 

Having immersed in Ezekiel – all summer – well, the ending is the most pleasant of details of delight – The city and garden and vision of “THE LORD IS THERE”. Ezekiel’s Insight to our delight – we are told of a great river which refreshes the sea, the trees, and the land – and brings healing and goodness to the land and to the nations. It is a vision too good to understand – but God’s ways are above our ways.

The marshy swamps won’t get healed – they are too salty – perhaps we too must pray to give up our marshy bogged down selves and reach for the clean good water.

The scholars say that this is not the new Jerusalem, which has dimensions 1000 fold larger, and yet this is either symbolism of hope or a city of hope and healing. God’s ways are above our ways and we are reminded that even if God took these israelites this long and this wandering way – He always intended them to come back to Him. Us too – we are to remember that not only can we turn back to God when we wander – but HE WANTS US TO BE WITH HIM!

Because He goes there – He wants us there – Because we are called to be with God – we also must know to travel there – and see that God is there – and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.” 

May we also be.

Amen – and thank God to close on Ezekiel – a LONG chapter – in such a healing and whole way.

Amen Amen

————

Ezekiel 47 and 48 NKJV

The Healing Waters and Trees
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

Borders of the Land
Thus says the Lord God: “These are the borders by which you shall divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. You shall inherit it equally with one another; for I raised My hand in an oath to give it to your fathers, and this land shall fall to you as your inheritance.

“This shall be the border of the land on the north: from the Great Sea, by the road to Hethlon, as one goes to Zedad, Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim (which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath), to Hazar Hatticon (which is on the border of Hauran). Thus the boundary shall be from the Sea to Hazar Enan, the border of Damascus; and as for the north, northward, it is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.

“On the east side you shall mark out the border from between Hauran and Damascus, and between Gilead and the land of Israel, along the Jordan, and along the eastern side of the sea. This is the east side.

“The south side, toward the South, shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah by Kadesh, along the brook to the Great Sea. This is the south side, toward the South.

“The west side shall be the Great Sea, from the southern boundary until one comes to a point opposite Hamath. This is the west side.

“Thus you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. It shall be that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves, and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger dwells, there you shall give him his inheritance,” says the Lord God.

Division of the Land
“Now these are the names of the tribes: From the northern border along the road to Hethlon at the entrance of Hamath, to Hazar Enan, the border of Damascus northward, in the direction of Hamath, there shall be one section for Dan from its east to its west side; by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, one section for Asher; by the border of Asher, from the east side to the west, one section for Naphtali; by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, one section for Manasseh; by the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, one section for Ephraim; by the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, one section for Reuben; by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west, one section for Judah; by the border of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be the district which you shall set apart, twenty-five thousand cubits in width, and in length the same as one of the other portions, from the east side to the west, with the sanctuary in the center.

“The district that you shall set apart for the Lord shall be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width. To these—to the priests—the holy district shall belong: on the north twenty-five thousand cubits in length, on the west ten thousand in width, on the east ten thousand in width, and on the south twenty-five thousand in length. The sanctuary of the Lord shall be in the center. It shall be for the priests of the sons of Zadok, who are sanctified, who have kept My charge, who did not go astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. And this district of land that is set apart shall be to them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.

“Opposite the border of the priests, the Levites shall have an area twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width; its entire length shall be twenty-five thousand and its width ten thousand. And they shall not sell or exchange any of it; they may not alienate this best part of the land, for it is holy to the Lord.

“The five thousand cubits in width that remain, along the edge of the twenty-five thousand, shall be for general use by the city, for dwellings and common-land; and the city shall be in the center. These shall be its measurements: the north side four thousand five hundred cubits, the south side four thousand five hundred, the east side four thousand five hundred, and the west side four thousand five hundred. The common-land of the city shall be: to the north two hundred and fifty cubits, to the south two hundred and fifty, to the east two hundred and fifty, and to the west two hundred and fifty. The rest of the length, alongside the district of the holy section, shall be ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand to the west. It shall be adjacent to the district of the holy section, and its produce shall be food for the workers of the city. The workers of the city, from all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it. The entire district shall be twenty-five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand cubits, foursquare. You shall set apart the holy district with the property of the city.

“The rest shall belong to the prince, on one side and on the other of the holy district and of the city’s property, next to the twenty-five thousand cubits of the holy district as far as the eastern border, and westward next to the twenty-five thousand as far as the western border, adjacent to the tribal portions; it shall belong to the prince. It shall be the holy district, and the sanctuary of the temple shall be in the center. Moreover, apart from the possession of the Levites and the possession of the city which are in the midst of what belongs to the prince, the area between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin shall belong to the prince.

“As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side to the west, Benjamin shall have one section; by the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west, Simeon shall have one section; by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west, Issachar shall have one section; by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west, Zebulun shall have one section; by the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west, Gad shall have one section; by the border of Gad, on the south side, toward the South, the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah by Kadesh, along the brook to the Great Sea. This is the land which you shall divide by lot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions,” says the Lord God.

The Gates of the City and Its Name
“These are the exits of the city. On the north side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits (the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi; on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan; on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun; on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali. All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

It seems to me that the restoration of the connection between God and the Israelites (and all of us) described in the book of Ezekiel – is so descriptive in God’s numbers and terms and values and imagery – because God already knows the plan and prepares and prepares and prepares. God is God – and His revelations which are written down as descriptions to Ezekiel are so exacting down to the sacrifice, it is no wonder why the scholars scratch their heads in knowing what God is doing here.  The bible project video also says that scholars debate – restoring a temple bigger and better than Solomons – or making a new one – or ???  The video does state that it is clear that God never calls it Jerusalem – in other words God’s Word will be even bigger than that…  And yes, the future chapters explain the name of the garden that God is restoring – like restoration of Eden but bigger now to hold everyone in a city called: “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.”

WOW

And so it is AMAZING that God is finding a way for the israelites held up in Babylon in Ezekiel’s time – and it is AMAZING that God planned a Way through Jesus to be our restoration – and it is AMAZING for this new temple and city and garden – all measured and certain – to be containing an altar – of sacrifice…  God knows the people are separated from Him – He knows He wants repentance and restoration – and Ezekiel in symbols or in revelations is telling the countrymen (and us) that God wants the most lasting loving relationship with them (with us)…

Let us trust in this long drawn out story of Ezekiel and of life – and know that God is making a Way where there was no way – and remember – with Jesus – He IS the Way – and the Truth – and the Life…

Keep Measuring His Love for us.

Amen

—

The Great Altar Restored – Ezekiel 43:13-27
“These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits, that cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth: Its gutter is a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span around the edge. And this is the height of the altar: From the gutter on the ground up to the lower ledge that goes around the altar it is two cubits high, and the ledge is a cubit wide. From this lower ledge to the upper ledge that goes around the altar it is four cubits high, and that ledge is also a cubit wide. Above that, the altar hearth is four cubits high, and four horns project upward from the hearth. The altar hearth is square, twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide. The upper ledge also is square, fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide. All around the altar is a gutter of one cubit with a rim of half a cubit. The steps of the altar face east.”

Then he said to me, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and splashing blood against the altar when it is built: You are to give a young bull as a sin offering to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who come near to minister before me, declares the Sovereign Lord. You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it. You are to take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the designated part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.

“On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering, and the altar is to be purified as it was purified with the bull. When you have finished purifying it, you are to offer a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect. You are to offer them before the Lord, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the Lord.

“For seven days you are to provide a male goat daily for a sin offering; you are also to provide a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without defect. For seven days they are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; thus they will dedicate it. At the end of these days, from the eighth day on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

continue here with Chapters 44, 45 and 46: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2047&version=NIV