Now this 3rd part of St Patrick’s prayer is a POWERFUL prayer, a command, a realization of STRENGTH and POWER, BECAUSE we have an ALMIGHTY POWERFUL GOD WHO PROTECTS US.
JUST BY SAYING JESUS’S NAME IN AFFIRMATION, AFFIRMATION of us knowing His POWER, we can ask Jesus to knock down the devil’s distractions. AND WE CAN CALL ON HIS PROTECTION.
Here’s the poem prayer from St Patrick that is the strongest strong!!!
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
—-
And I appreciate this old testament scripture which reminds us our blessings to remember that strength of the Lord!
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
“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.”
—
May we be strengthen today against anything that gets in our way of anything !!!
A continued recipe to strengthen us – from Heaven. We are to be strengthened by the knowledge that God is the one strengthening us – that He is guiding us place to place and even when we stay still – and He, our Lord Almighty, is guarding us – our hearts and our steps. For this we are to be thankful and to step carefully and to return to Him – going WITH God.
We continue from St Patrick’s Prayer – the middle part – more strengthening and arising. A recipe to remind – because when we see the majesty of the creations of the Lord – how can we not also realize that He cares for and strengthens us… We are an amazing part of His creation – a VERY GOOD part.
Part 2 of St Patrick’s Poem:
I arise today –
through The strength of heaven, The light of the sun, The radiance of the moon, The splendour of fire, The speed of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of the sea, The stability of the earth, The firmness of rock.
I arise today –
through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.
(to be continued tomorrow – stay tuned or read ahead on the attached prayer)
As I still snack on my Irish Soda Bread (yum), I also am still pondering part of St. Patrick’s prayer – good for more than just on St Patrick’s Day. My decorations might have disappeared quickly, but my devotion to the Lord should be life long. Really it is a recipe for strengthening and a recipe for Life – all the ingredients added – all from God into the mix.
St Patrick’s many prayers include reference to a “breastplate” prayer – which I would imagine is good to have as you ride into battle – which we do in our own certain ways every day. And other versions call part of it the “Lorica” – which refers to a sheth or case – which I will add that we should remember to let the Lord encase us in His protection.
Here is a portion of the prayer to ponder – the first part – it is a great way to remind ourselves that our belief in the Lord will protect us. If we are believing then we have faith to carry us – then we have faith to protect us – then we have faith to keep our minds busy while the rest of the world is swirling around us – let us keep our faith on our lips and our hope in our hearts.
Part 1 of the poem:
I arise today –
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today –
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today –
Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men.
(to be continued tomorrow – keep praying and being strengthened – keep riding with the Lord!)
We have a blessed life here in America, we really do. Watching news show 60 Minutes’s Anderson Cooper’s latest interview featuring one Haiti orphanage – quite the oasis of an orphanage, helped by a generous author Mitch Albom and his wife, in the most violent and seemingly neglected country – wow just wow. WOW!
Violence and gang warfare, poverty and crumbled earthquake devastated cities – orphans abandoned or even given in hope for their better life – yeah gives me pretty much nothing to complain about. And to see their resilience gives me something to stand up more straight myself and not complain. To see their HOPE is hopeful – and their abilities blossomed – INSPIRATIONAL!
And it’s hard to comprehend how to help these folks personally, yet the host family certainly applies much money and security. Prayer and patience and place. Yet it’s so impossible to realize a place in that much violence – especially a short distance from mainland USA, where the money flows… It is hard to imagine the poor get poorer and the rich get richer – but it has happened since forever ago…
What struck me was both the faith of the people and the gratefulness of the children, these are blessed hope in the oasis of love and care. They do trust in the Lord and are taught that prayer changes everything – which is what we must believe too – we must have a trust in the Lord that He hears our prayers – and we must have a hope in our abilities – both physical and mental – and also a hope spiritually that we realize the blessings we already have.
Well, I highly recommend the watching of the 15 minute news article at the youtube link. Mitch Albom’s Haiti orphanage in the gang-controlled capital has sheltered children from violence for years – CBS News
AND I highly recommend both today’s Jesus Calling and Jesus Always devotions for today – it is all about the TRUST – which brings the HOPE.
We are to have a hope in our abilities to make a difference – for ourselves and for others. And we are to have a TRUST in the Lord.
AMEN
Jesus Calling: March 18 – by Sarah Young – paraphrasing scripture as if Jesus is speaking:
Trust Me one day at a time. This keeps you close to Me, responsive to My will. Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded. My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in this supernatural endeavor. Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting. Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don’t let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. I will equip you to get through this day victoriously, as you live in deep dependence on Me. Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don’t get tangled up in its worry-webs. Trust Me one day at a time.
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 84:12 (NLT) – O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.
1 Corinthians 6:19 – Do you not know that your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
Jeremiah 17:7 – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord.”
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) – “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
St Patrick’s Day is not necessarily a day to go out drinking – honestly it is a feast day for Irish in the Christian calendar – and a day to go to church.
St. Patrick’s Day could be considered a day to drink in the Holy Spirit – meaning walk with the Lord even more closely – and really think about St Patrick’s prayer: “Christ with me…” (see below) – which is Christ everything everywhere and every how INSIDE our actions – in me and through me.
St Patrick’s Day is truly an opportunity to be a servant in each situation, to be forgiving as in not let out noses get bent out of shape from people’s actions and just keep going, to be wise in realizing we are all broken people, and yes for us to be the peace in a situation.
When we take our faith seriously, we can experience the JOY to be so much closer to Christ – draw nearer Him and He will draw nearer to us – and we will realize that this IS the walk of faith.
Here is a reprise post from a few years ago – and the prayer of St. Patrick from so many years ago – but still fresh in our reminder… Let us walk today WITH HIM – with Jesus as the Christ.
Amen
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me…Amen and here’s the whole prayer:
St Patrick’s Prayer, 5th century
I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation
This post was from a couple years ago – a reminder of God’s faithfulness that day, 17MAR I Heard the Lord – Stop being afraid, for I AM with you. They called upon me to go to the work audit – not just any audit but the BIG audit – that had the whole building all abuzz… whew… I knew it was a possibility to go speak, I even kinda wanted the opportunity. I didn’t have extra time to prep, we’ve been preparing for weeks, years. I had 30 minutes warning, I knew the ins and outs and loose ends and such of my small part of the big puzzle, but did not know what they specifically wanted to hear, but I really COULD talk for hours on the subject at hand. Obviously the best advice for me and everyone was/is: ‘Just ONLY answer what they ask. Make it SHORT and SWEET and SAIL OUT of there.’ I felt the nerves but not the fear. I KNEW I KNEW WHAT I KNEW. So joyous and smiling, decked out in St Patty’s GREEN. I went in, of course, to be SMART, the SME, Subject Matter Expert, with a SMILE. The St Patrick’s prayer populated my palm, it really did land in my hand, in the form of a STICKER. Yes in handing out a pack of stickers with shamrocks and secular St Pats sayings, whoda thunk there WAS one in there for me. God did. A sticker to stick to me. I needed that prayer JUST THEN… Let’s say there’s no luck but the blessed HOPE when the Holy Spirit hits like a Mack Truck. Jesus says No Fear, Only Faith. I read the St Patrick’s Prayer as I walked toward the audit, read it over again and my step slowed, as it calmed me. I walked out of my ego, while reading it, the first lines, the middle lines, the last 2 lines are what really humbling, a chance to be whatever God needs me to be at that moment. This is God’s walk that allows me to NOT trip up when I take a trip WITH Him. Let us show Christ Himself, by walking in to SERVE. It’s better to NOT stand out as unknowing then be a standout for knowing. God saved me today in the God way. By taking my way out of His way. Yay. Amen … The sticker: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. …
Amen and here’s the whole prayer: St Patrick’s Prayer, 5th century I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.
I arise today Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me From snares of the devil, From temptations of vices, From every one who desires me ill, Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude. I summon today all these powers between me and evil, Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul. Christ shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3
I feel that I have been taking the downtime I need and needed this past winter – for many reasons – including the reason that if the ground rests, we should allow ourselves to rest a bit mentally too – and truly to rest my heart and to rest my stress. I have to say that I have really appreciated this down time – even if others see very little of it scoping out my activities day to day. Well, for me, this is downtime to sit and write and I am ever so much more blessed to do so…
And as spring approaches – we need to get more spring in our step – yes we do and “do Spring” – appreciate it – get out and walk or in the yard – break out of our winter shell. Spring, with it’s ups and downs of temperature and tumultuous weather patterns, finds that we also need to spring forth and remove ourselves from a cocoon of self-induced shelter. Honestly I mean that we DO need to take care of ourselves but we also need to get out more and reach more and simply be the people out there in the world that the Lord needs us to be – if not for us – for them – for those people who need to see someone be an encourager…
In my down time this past few months – which is coupled by my incredibly blessed busy schedule of going everywhere, LOL, I have really taken more time to ponder and to simply watch “TV” – but good chosen TV – and movies – no longer do we use the flipper to look at channels and their offerings but we think of the artists we like – the topics we like – and yeah we get to choose more of our content-driven leisure time. I HIGHLY recommend a few shows recently: the HBO Billy Joel 2 part special, the HBO David Bowie’s last 5 years special, and movies that you catch up on during waiting for airplanes – like the George Clooney 2 recent samplings of “Good Night and Good Luck” and the movie of him as a movie start travelling – yeah it’s kinda like junk TV but not – it is more critically acclaimed and thought provoking – plus there is junk TV too – like Survivor which finally in episode 50 I am watching it side by side with my daughter at home… nice… and free stuff abounds too – on YouTube or PBS or wherever – you can find the endless podcasts of your favorite stars, things like “Finding your roots” and just funny clips – like I just rewatched the last 5 minutes of the Newhart finale where he wakes up in bed and it was all a dream and next to him is his wife from his first series – well, you have to watch it – I mean everyone’s tastes are so different.
And last nights indulgence of TV? THE OSCARS – no I never saw any of the movies except the one that had NO nominations – Wicked for Good – which makes no sense – that is the biggest theatrical release and not even a nod for costume design or casting?? ANYWAY – I appreciated a song from a movie that I HAD NOT watched – Kpop Demon Hunters is known for it’s teen appeal and without teens in my life I am happy to not have to stay up on recent movies – and yet this song was so fitting in my thought process – that we are “Golden” – that we are to remember ourselves being blessed and even golden or silver tarnished can be shined – we can shine – we can rise – we can spring into spring and just be better us… In the Oscar performance, and the original, we are to be hunters of the darkness and be back out in the light – and be GOLDEN!
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. – Yes, Proverbs 17:3 speaks to me to us – to listen to the Lord and become even more GOLDEN and more than GOLDEN – to be the best we can be for HIM… The Kpop “Golden” lyrics are below and include: “We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment – You know together we’re glowin’ – Oh, I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be – Oh, our time, no fears, no lies – That’s who we’re born to be – Waited so long to break these walls down – To wake up and feel like me – Put these patterns all in the past now – And finally live like the girl they all see…”
And there are even more reasons to be more than Golden and know our place as children of God – to know our future even through rough times – to know the wisdom God gives us to keep living strong – to know that He will right the rights – to know that He has and will overcome. We are more than golden in Christ.
OK – back to spring springing – keep shining, keep believing, and keep listening to God – ask for WISDOM – and serve Jesus by being a servant to others. Be more than Golden!
AMEN – enjoy the day!
—
Zechariah 13:7 NKJV The Shepherd Savior – Says the Lord, “… But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”
—
Proverbs 8 NKJV
The Excellence of Wisdom
Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.
“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.
———-
Kpop song “GOLDEN”
Oscars
Original
I was a ghost, I was alone, hah Given the throne, I didn’t know how to believe I was the queen that I’m meant to be I lived two lives, tried to play both sides But I couldn’t find my own place Called a problem child ’cause I got too wild But now that’s how I’m getting paid, kkeuteopsi on stage
I’m done hiding, now I’m shining like I’m born to be We’re dreaming hard, we came so far, now I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment You know together we’re glowin’ Gonna be, gonna be golden Oh, up, up, up with our voices Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be Oh, our time, no fears, no lies That’s who we’re born to be
Waited so long to break these walls down To wake up and feel like me Put these patterns all in the past now And finally live like the girl they all see
No more hiding, I’ll be shining like I’m born to be ‘Cause we are hunters, voices strong, and I know I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment You know together we’re glowing Gonna be, gonna be golden Oh, up, up, up, with our voices Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shining like I’m born to be Oh, our time, no fears, no lies That’s who we’re born to be
You know we’re gonna be, gonna be golden We’re gonna be, gonna be Born to be, born to be glowin’ You know that it’s our time, no fears, no lies That’s who we’re born to be
This doesn’t mean make EVERTHING go completely away,
Just allow us to take things a little more day by day.
We (I) take a lot of pictures and live a lot of lives,
Pray to stay busy especially around your own beehives.
.
Slowdown winter will speed up with the spring,
March marches on has a famiiar ring.
And maybe we are to take any life shift,
As a blessing – yes a heavenly gift.
One can keep on the go,
But this time go with a heavenly flow.
Otherwise beware of a devilish drift,
That often causes a faith rift.
So, if you question any act with a “but…”
Verify sticking close to faith, with that feeling in your gut.
.
So for now go with the sunshine and play,
Go also with the rain, it’s also okay.
See that God is EVERYWHERE,
Just be His today!
Live adventureful without it being a dare,
Just live and live well, and take time to show people you care.
.
And as for a slowdown? Or a speed up?
Either way – ask God to fill your cup.
.
Live life and don’t buy into any evil taunt,
KNOW ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want’…
.
Amen
…
Psalm 23 New King James Version The Lord the Shepherd of His People A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
You might think it is weird to do a character study on people by watching the oldie-but-goodie movie “Tootsie” – but well, it is a very good movie – thought provoking – and comical – with a soul-searching twist in his character flaws not unlike the plot twist of the movie – where he chooses to audition for a soap opera role as an older woman in disguise because he can’t land a role as a man – but he really can’t get the roles because he is a pompous hard-to-work-with temper tantrum throwing actor and person. Dustin Hoffman learns to be a better man by expressing the change in personality that he thinks is expected as a woman, yet could be applied to any person. He does suffer the exposure of him being what would although be praised to be more considerate, compassionate in his character, to becoming taking the brunt of bad jokes and sexism, giving him but MANY opportunities to see the arrogance of people not just men, (love the taxi cab scene). Dustin’s character as an actor gets different reception and results by being in the differnet character, and his own person learns being a better personna.
I know it is hard to understand this if you never saw the movie – but it both covers ground on seeing how SOME women were treated in that era – on those TV soap operas – and in the acting business – and by the folks around them – AND the movie brings out the main point that Dustin Hoffman’s charcter realizes how flawed he is – and how he needs change emotionally and in sensitivity too. That’s a good revelation for all of us.
Now – how about us – can we be better ourselves? Can we at least put ourselves in different shoes to examine each other’s lives?
Well – I think we can – and instead of personality transplantation or just by switching outfits, we need to examine ourselve more deeply…
What movitates us? – What changes us? – What are we oblivious to? Where do we fail and where do we fall?
Can we be a better ourself? Or a least a less worst one?
Scripture is a best be better book, the Bible gives day by day walking advice, sharing, being fair, keeping the tongue in check. Even taking time away to cool down and recheck in with God.
“Sin no more” is both a commandment and a gentle ask. Pay attention, do what pleases God, be fair, be obedient. Jesus also knows that the ultimate judge is God and Himself together as One, yet as a human states we are not to judge each other. Scripture also says God will take care of any punishment, our job is to love.
So, if a change of heart is what we pray for, let us start not with outside clothes or personna, but inside, and thoughtful recreating ourselves.
We are made in God’s image, and so is everyone, let us reflect that to each other. Be the best we can be.
“Keep your head down, but your chin up!” (wrote this one myself)
and
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
OH!!!
The last line there is scripture not just a saying – and scripture IS Jesus – the Word Made Flesh – so Jesus says He is FOR us! Really, could we be more blessed than that? WOW!
Jesus, YOU ROCK!
Jesus – IS the Rock – our Savior and Salvation – and some amazing friend too.
I came across a “YOU ROCK” figurine as I walked into a new moment at an old place – I appreciated it many ways including that when I had walked out the back door of the same place, the last piece of paper that I saw was a placard I had made that said: “YOU ROCK!” Seemed not eerie but cool – and I smiled…
“YOU ROCK” is also “YOU, ROCK, You Jesus are my Rock – my foundation and my security and my hope and my step”. Yes, Jesus is all that. The firm foundation of a life of faith is not to be ignored or underplayed or taken for granted – it is our faith which gets us through – it is HIS FAITH in us which comes from the Holy Spirit expressing praise through us to the Holy Hope we have.
And when we are down and out in worldly situations, we are to remember WHOSE we are – we are children of God – and blessed to be – and not to take a self-righteous swagger but to hold onto the righteousness of the Lord “righting” our situation, “standing us back up” in His Strength, not ours. I was the one who combined: “Keep your head down but your head up” meaning keep you head down and don’t be a rabble rouser or sour note – don’t be a troublemaker for trivial things nor put yourself out there to be lopped off and discarded – keep your head down so you live to live another day – AND “keep your chin up” is a classic saying which means don’t get discouraged – don’t be glum – be optimistic…
Romans 8 scripture from Paul has more of those great “pick me up” sayings like:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” – “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”
“Jesus has made me free…”
“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness”
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons [children] of God”
“you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'”
As children of God, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”
“if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
“we were saved in this hope”
“all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
“we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”
“neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
NOTHING SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“So keep your head down but your CHIN UP!”
YOU ROCK!!!!
AMEN AMEN AMEN
—
Romans 8 NKJV
Free from Indwelling Sin
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Sonship Through the Spirit
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
From Suffering to Glory
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
God’s Everlasting Love
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes 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 Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Always the talk of the seasons in and of our lives, and when someone, who had not seen me in over a month, said the same thing I’ve been saying lately, that we live in different seasons, well it felt divine.
Yesterday I was able to reconnect with old friends in a new way, and it felt right. It felt like they support me and I support them, and God has His purpose in placing us. The welcoming hug from one of my friends simply gave me this peace of place. I know we have peace of place under God’s grace.
And today is a great example of physical weather seasons change in from summer to spring to winter. All within twenty four hours, which is the expectation of early spring in our area.
So here is my calm for today, changing of seasons, yet in His Peace of Place.
.
Peace of place.
I found my space.
Life is a walk, and life is a race.
Remember we live in God’s grace.
.
A spring in my step.
A step into spring.
We weather the weather,
That’s a familiar ring.
.
We are to live the life.
Day by day will suffice.
And even if the weather is not nice.
The changes of seasons entice.
.
So live your life.
Find your peace.
Be ready to move.
Be thankful to rest.
.
Give it your best
And let God handle the rest.
.
Amen
.
Psalm 72 NKJV
Glory and Universality of the Messiah’s Reign
A Psalm of Solomon.
Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son. He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
They shall fear You As long as the sun and moon endure, Throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that water the earth. In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba Will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
And He shall live; And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; Prayer also will be made for Him continually, And daily He shall be praised.
There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
His name shall endure forever; Gis name shall continue as long as the sun; And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Yesterday was a good day to walk – and it was a good day for me to let God slow me down.
I got so excited about going somewhere – had even packed my car the night before – like my zeal was ahead of myself – and that is the danger zone for being crushed when plans side step or slowdown.
Gratefully I pulled myself into right mindset and accepted the slowdown and instead redirected my flow into new places to go… I still got to work and when I buckled down into my work, I felt so much better.
And so what I am excited about and which is even coming to fruition is an opportunity for which now I have much to do – and instead of being mad that I was not on MY SCHEDULE – I was able to go instead to a coffee house to read and organize myself and my readings – took my lunch and everything as I had packed it – and just appreciated that sometimes you are WAITING for Him to open the door opening that He needs you to go in – and if you go too fast or too soon you might hit the glass door – you can see it – see the next step or place because the door is glass – but you have to WAIT until the Lord opens it – His timing not ours…
And while we wait – God is growing our faith – He is not holding us back but giving us time to view – and with this we will look back at this time and know that “we grew” spiritually and emotionally and in peace and grace…
And so part of my afternoon was walking and seeing a water creek by my house which I barely barely go see – it is right here and yet I don’t think I have walked here (5 minutes) in a year. Hmmm…
So I wrote this pondering poem there, not in pain but in pause – and in thankfulness…
“Oh What a View”
When I worked my worry waned.
Made some moves and my moodiness mellowed.
And my wits, I regained.
Stretched my legs and eased my strain.
Talked to God and God already knew, how to change my attitude from “I’m blue” to “Oh thank YOU Lord, because of You, I grew.”
I stopped my whine and I found out I was fine.
I slowed my go and caught up with my flow.
I WATCHED.
I Wondered.
I Wiggled and Wriggled.
I Whistled and Whispered.
God gazed at me and gave golden views, He remains my life glue.
God gave me a moment to see – to get me through.
God gobbled up the glum and made life joyfully more plum.
That’s from an unspoken conversation with God, or at least some…
Sermon – Don’t Block the Light – based on Mark 8:31-38
Good morning – I just got back flying home from Florida Friday – wow are my arms tired!
That’s a great joke but wow I flew in the blessings of the Lord to see and use “miracles” of air transportation and miracles of ground transportation – and even I got to ride in a self-driving cybertruck – it was amazing – and yes a bit scary but the quality of the drive – in rush hour and construction traffic – the quality of it – immense – and yet the cybertruck makes an important distinction between it self driving and those driver-less vehicles – this cybertruck watches you sitting in the driver’s seat to make sure you don’t fall asleep or get distracted by your phone or the scenery – it beeps and it buzzes your seat to get you to pay attention. It is a partnership… a partnership in travel that is safe and efficient – and really I would get that technology for going down the turnpike – not that I have that kind of money – but I would trust it – and it trusts that we are paying attention too.
And that is my segway into the partnership of us – carrying our crosses and proceeding in life while God is moving us but we are in some sort of position to also work and do things – not always taking over from God – that is different than the cybertruck – that is the opposite because we can say “hey I know a better way” than God – we do often do that – but in reality life is about us and God together – we are His Hands and feet – and we also have to not block Him from proceeding – we like Peter can’t block the Way of the Lord – And the spiritual war being waged all the time is still a participatory situation – we need to pray – we need to work – we need to love like Jesus and these are the times for extraordinary love to be poured out to teach people that Jesus wins and won.
And being a self-isolated soul in Florida, catching only glimpses of TV news, I can still tell you that now is the time when the Love of the Lord has to be shared even stronger. And we need to give people hope and show that we have trust and hope in the Lord. Paul in 2nd Corinthians said “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
So to serve – remember that great phrase: God does not call the equipped – He equips the called.
So today in our Lenten series: “The Way of Renewal – Following Christ’s Call”,
I am going to talk about these Mark 8:31–38 scriptures which show Jesus on His Way in a really hard-fought war – the battle and the win over sin and death – so that we can be renewed and saved – and in thinking about what obstacles there were in both directions – which has us and Peter perplexed – we are to remember that we are STILL walking WITH Jesus – yes giving people hope – yes we are to share our witness of the hope in the Lord – and yes Jesus take the wheel but often Jesus want us to get out of the car and walk one by one with the people.
Jesus, as we heard in our scriptures, was teaching and teaching – he said to Peter and His devoted followers (and the one who was about to betray Him too) – Jesus knew all.
Here is what the disciples were discussing with Jesus in the few scriptures before that brash conversation between Peter and Jesus – Peter finally got to realizing and declaring his belief that Jesus Is the Messiah: v27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
v30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. [and I know these are different times when Jesus said shhh… don’t tell – and in this case and often I believe that Jesus was not wanting folks to look at him as the side show attraction – and detract from him teaching… and honestly the clog of people around him prevented him from getting place to place – and surely Jesus knew that He needed these last few days with His disciples to get them ready for His next steps of the journey to the cross]
So Jesus did teach his disciples directly – and these must have been tough truths to hear: Jesus Predicted His Death – 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this,
and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Jesus knew He has to put the darkness of Satan and his meddling behind Him – that is what could remove the blockage of the LIGHT.
And our human situations – either by choice or by design – or by overwhelmed nature suffer from blockages to see things fully… Peter could not see things from God’s point of view – and that blockage was real – mentally and emotionally – Jesus was his friend – as well as the Messiah…
Simple blockages in life exist – physical – like the change in weather –
Like in Florida – at the beach with the sunshine, it was 85. And as soon as that sun went behind those thick clouds, it felt so cool (from a swimming point of view – I know 70 is awesome here) – but I am talking how the clouds block out the sun and it is significant in blockage…
Just like when I flew back home, thick clouds here blocked the sun. Was really sunny above the clouds but below – socked in with clouds…
And early one morning I looked outside and start a strange color object in the sky and I thought it was the moon, but really it wasn’t sure what I was looking at until later. I realized there was an eclipse, and it was the beautiful blood moon. And that’s because the earth was blocking out the light from reaching the moon. When there is blockage, you can’t see the light.
And emotional blockages in life exist.
(Show 1964 newspaper)- In reading this one 1964 newspaper, I picked it up from my family farmhouse, when cleaning, because it was about the Kennedy. Assassination, and it talks about Jackie Kennedy’s reactions in the testimony given for the Warren report. She has some recollections, but she blocked out a lot of her memory – understandably – by choice or circumstance.
This newspaper says she heard a sound similar to a motorcycle – and a cry out scream from Governor Conley, which caused her to look to her right. She saw a quizzical look on her husband’s face as he raised his left hand to his throat – exclaiming “My God I am hit.” [and I am so comforted that the President reached out to the Lord in those moments – as we should.] Mrs. Kennedy then heard a second shot and saw the shot hit her husband. She then did the strangest thing which showed up in spectator’s movies, eyewitness accounts published widely in magazines and newspapers, she climbed out of the back seat onto the trunk and crawled on her hands and knees towards the back of the limousine – Secret service Agent Clint hill, who had been in the car behind, recalled that Mrs. Kennedy jumped from the seat and appeared to be reaching for something coming off the rear bumper of the car, the right rear tail, when she noticed that I was trying to climb on the car. She turned towards me and I grabbed her and put her in the back seat, crawled up on top of the back seat, and lay there was Mrs. Kennedy -irrational with horror was trying to get away. Was she climbing out to get help? Reports based on Mrs. Kennedy’s testimony, said she had no recollection of climbing onto the back of the car, let alone knowing the reason why. The president’s personal aide, who witnessed the incident, said Mrs. Kennedy probably would have fallen off the back of the car and been killed if secret service agent Clint Hill had not pushed her back. She had no recollection… she reacted…
EMOTIONAL BLOCKAGE – and “she reacted” – Peter reacted – she – and Peter – and we are really really human. When there are blockages – you can’t see reality – and it is so hard – we have no reason to judge anyone let along Peter – he was in a hard spot…
Peter uttered such a blockage to the path of Jesus. Not that Jesus would be stopped, but Peter uttered that ultimate worldly: “No, it can’t be, it won’t be, I won’t let it happen”. What could Peter’s stop? Nothing. We know the rest of the story – Jesus, certainly would proceed to NOT let the blockage of the light – meaning HIM – JESUS is the LIGHT – Jesus would not let the blockages prevent Him from reaching his final destination. By Jesus saying “satan, get behind me”, Jesus was saying that not even satan himself could block the path. Jesus chose to go through the cross to be crucified. In order to complete God’s plan. On the cross, Jesus would say it is finished while he was still alive, meaning all the prophecies had been fulfilled – even back to Genesis we are told that Satan as the snake would be crushed – and certainly satan couldn’t stop it. The world couldn’t stop it – the prince of the worldliness of this world couldn’t stop it. Jesus DID die for our sins and to give us eternal forever life – that IS the Good News of today and always.
Now we look back at Peter and his upsettedness and his disbelief. That’s not unusual for Peter, who was so connected with Jesus yet forget about the big picture, and was rash like cutting off the ear of the soldier trying to arrest Jesus. Peter was in denial, like scared, when the onlookers asked: “Weren’t you with Jesus? Aren’t you one of his followers?” and Peter denied Jesus three times even that last time, seeing him probably almost directly denying him and the rooster crowed. The denial, it’s just like our denial that God is trustworthy in our lives to give to Him everything, I mean everything… We need to give our trust. We need to give our lives. We need to give up our hangups. And especially for me – we need to give up our reliance upon ourselves. We are that blockage of the full light shining, but don’t worry, God gives grace and mercy and God is there… And God will light our path!
Let’s imagine Peter standing there that day. He had just mentioned to Jesus in the moments before this scripture section that he believed that Jesus was the messiah. If they were up on their prophecy, they would have known that the Messiah was going to suffer, peter probably blocked it out. Peter so upset to hear this, peter couldn’t handle it. But Jesus said Satan get behind me. Satan was nipping at Jesus’s heals, like in the wilderness, but Jesus would crush the blockages, Jesus by His sin and death and resurrection would make the way for us…
So what do we do? We pick up our crosses and follow Jesus – we need to be changed – we need to be born again into this journey that restarts and never ends – we need Jesus to light our way.
The cost of our LOVE is following Him – The Way of the Cross – 34 JESUS called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
And in this newspaper, 1964, I have never heard of it – but I liked that there’s a motto that says: “Give light and the people will find their own way.” New York World – Telegram – it’s a great strong newspaper of the day…
SUMMARY:
SO, which way to do we walk in life – where do we turn? How do we change? What cross do we need to pick up to serve Him better?
“I’d Rather Have Jesus” is a song written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, penned in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and change the trajectory of his life.
George’s life direction did change. He had a popular music career then years later chose to work with evangelist Billy Graham and sang this hymn around the world.
So in closing – please listen to these lyrics and let us all take them to heart:
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold I’d rather be His than have riches untold I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame I’d rather be true to His holy name
Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb He’s all that my hungering spirit needs I’d rather have Jesus, and let Him lead
Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today
I really enjoyed my journey all the way to Florida and back, landed home yesterday in a conveniently short trip. When I flew home we all gawked at the piles of snow we saw – just waiting for us – but temperature-wise there was only the slight sting of winter – it wasn’t so bad at 40 degrees – but wow 70 to 85 degrees was so nice in Florida.
Buzz buzz – I could be a busy bee travelling a lot of the time – yeah this has been increasing in my mind with each flight I have taken this year.. And in this season, I am staying busy – and I do pray for discernment too as there are LOTS of things to do… Be the Bee and buzz everywhere…
And the sweetest bee honey? I tried to bring some home from the local Florida farmer’s market – it was honey with comb which was/is my favorite – and for which I didn’t think about until it was time for packing for the plane. Would it get through the airport security??? Well, I wrapped it in plastic and gave it a try – but first I tasted it before packing it – WOW – simply so sweet and good – and the wax comb is my favorite – just like my grandpa gave me years and years ago. Yes – honey is sweet but memories are sweeter…
And so they were flagging like a dozen bags and the smiles exchanged between the security guy checking bags and the screeners kinda told me there was something strange in general because seemingly SO many bags had to get rescanned and rechecked – kinda strange – but truly my bag and the bag in front of me were carrying something that they had to check out. The lady in front of me had a 5 ounce hair spray – over the limit even if it was half empty – oh well – no biggie to toss that. And then it was my turn and I immediately said “there is honey in there in a jar – maybe it triggered it”… He said “yes” – and he apologized that “honey was considered a liquid” and clearly this was over the 3 ounces size – and so I said – “but it is honeycomb – so much of it is solid” – and he took it out of the bag and looked at the one side and I told him it was so tasty – from the farmers market – and asked in continued easy talking style: “Have you ever been there? it’s on Wednesdays”. So, I stayed smiling – a fraction of the sweetness as the honey. I kept my cool and just waited – I kept my attitude in check – hoping to proceed without a sting of the bee. So then that side he looked at, of the honey jar, was all comb – and he thought for a moment – and then he smiled – and he said “ok, I can see it is mostly solid – it can go through” – and my smile got even wider… “Ah. God bless you and thanks!”…
Looking at it – I could see one side where comb must have settled, that side must have been what he saw – whew… SO sweet – and I will remember that I got to partake in the sweetness by my patience. Ah… Honey – not that I don’t have enough of it around this house including some of a gallon – yeah a gallon that my mom won from a craft fair – but this Florida honey is with the comb – so good… and it will last…
Our scriptures to study related to honey will also last – are actually eternal – and remind us that keeping Jesus’s Word is sweeter than honey – David would write in Psalm 119 of how important it was, and is, to stay on the path with the Lord, trust Him, and follow His laws and appreciate His Mercy. Verses 102-103: “I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
And staying on track – like staying calm when someone is opposing you – just be calm – Verses 104-105, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Yes, let us keep being bee – being still and simply be.
And be the sweetest we can be.
AMEN
—
PS – One more bee. My my name Deborah means bee in Hebrew). I realized I was dressed in bee colors at the circus museum where they displayed how it was to “be” a circus performer – and I tried the high wire – well – it wasn’t exactly a circus tightrope, but a low beam and I did some balance walking, after the lady before me said to point your toes out and grip the beam with your toes – yeah steady as she goes… and put your arms out and trust… then go… That’s both a life plan and a mission – share the joy of the Lord…
PPS – A song so pertaining –
George Beverly Shea from a poem by Rhea Miller,
I’d Rather Have Jesus
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold I’d rather be His than have riches untold I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame I’d rather be true to His holy name
Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb He’s all that my hungering spirit needs And let Him lead
Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today
God’s creations and our appreciation – that’s the Mote Aquarium visit of yesterday’s day 4 Florida vacation – WOW WOW WOW – BEAUTIFUL beyond imagination…
Our trust in God and in each other… that’s the amazing trip to the circus – the AMAZING Sarasota circus – WOW WOW WOW – even especially seeing the amazing skills and strength of the performers. WOW.
THE TRUST THE PERFORMERS HAVE FOR EACH OTHER AND IN THEIR CREW, WOW. AND WOW SURELY THEIR TRUST IN GOD TO GET THEM THROUGH. WOW!!!
WOW. If we can trust swinging in the air, surely we can trust God Who made the air!
The aquarium showcased so many of God’s amazing creatures from playful otters to shy octopus, from silky smooth rays to spiny sea urchins, many of which I touched, and liked touching the starfish, it felt real and really alive… The dedication of the staff is a microcosm of how God trusts us to take care of His creation. If God can trust us with His world, surely we can trust God Who made the world.
And as for getting around this week, now did I put my trust in the airplane pilots and trust in the boat captain, trust in my friend’s driving and trust in the cybertruck, which self drove half of our trips down here. Well, if we can trust technology and human nature, to a point, even trusting that it will fall apart at times, then SURELY WE CAN TRUST GOD, Who picks up the pieces in the world and of the world.
TRUST is the WOW WOW WOW of living. Trust God today!
And as I close this vacation, flying out this morning, I will trust in the Lord for everything, and THANK the Lord for my generous friends here, and for His generosity for my free time.
If God takes care of the birds, surely He will take care of us.
Amen
Proverbs 3 NKJV
My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let them not depart from your eyes – Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
It was a BEAUTIFUL Florida vacation beach day, both facing “the Gulf” at Siesta Key and inside the “intercoastal” at Casey Key, with an “old Florida” feel of open air restaurant and tiki bar buzzing with activity in this “snowbird” season. I loved the atmosphere and the people, it’s like vacation time for everyone and you expected a Jimmy Buffet loving character to be chatting it up everyday everywhere… (I even navigated a sticky conversation about the naming of the gulf, but I wasn’t here for an argument, and the Lord gave me an apt witty reply. Thank you Lord for restoring the peace.)
Yes, I am enjoying this decompression week. I came to Florida for peace, yes to BE the flamingo, and be pretty peaceful in pink like a feathered friend fluttering along, while sunblocking not to get too pink in skin. I was fine in the water once I got used to it. Actually it was great, white quartz sand, smooth high tide tiny waves, safety in lifeguards and flat beach that stretched out gloriously.
In the water, looking at the horizon and the sun and the blue sky, I said to myself and in Praise to the Lord: “Jesus, You Calmed my Sea, here in Sarasota Key.”
I know the Lord gave me this peace.
The Lord also gave me a good few chats with snowbird people in the water, we are people who like to connect… and at lunch I got to chat with another (a local) and actually give my testimony (7 minute version) of how God changed my life… it’s in that moment when God opened a window of opportunity, I could hear God say: Hey Flamingo, witness while you walk…
Yes.
Yes, a flamingo is striking in the visual in pink, even when quietly walking, or at least being one of the birds which the Lord takes care of. God takes care of us too, very much so. We are also to walk in JOY, the JOY of the Lord.
I wrapped up my vacation day in the pool and hot tub. My friend mentioned that Flamingos need to walk, that if they don’t move enough they will get depressed and die… oh… yes we also need to move, to interact, to be, to praise, to know God gives us good stuff, grace too.
And let us witness our JOY while we walk.
Amen
Also the farmer’s market is awesome.
Mark 4:35-41 NIV Jesus Calms the Storm That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
It’s great to be in vacation on vacation, yes in vacation mode, relaxed, fed, rested, and appreciative. Yesterday I woke so early and didn’t realize that the blood moon eclipse was what I was looking at, it was so awesome but I forgot it was happening, I think we forget often about counting our blessings. Sometimes there is even boredom in the bliss. But this blessing of time is what reactivates my mind. It’s like yesterday I got to watch clouds, oh yeah, that’s the childhood time unplugged where I could appreciate the time to just be…
And here I wax poetic about just pondering life… (and yesterday was great living it – love Florida vacation pondering in the pampering… went to a coffee house club, circus museums and mansion and oh the art galleries, then at a friend of a friend’s house on the bay… relaxing in the morning then evening by the pool in the backyard. Vacation day 2, oh what a view – to look at me and what should could I do…
.
Oh what could I be?
In life, what could I do?
Maybe I could join the CIRCUS?
Well, yeah, how about you?
.
Circus seamstress? Fix the tents? Sew sequins? Maybe swing on the TRAPEZE? Now that’s more my BREEZE.
Animal wrangler? Concession stand worker? Being in the CIRCUS is a way of life. What about a Tightrope Walker? Yes is that us WALKING everyday as we try not to stray… You could shoot me out of a cannon too, I would enjoy the view. And life does go UP and DOWN, but really, I think I’m supposed to be a CLOWN…
In life, I really could clown around, my feet already hardly ever touch the ground and yeah jam myself in the little car too, life cram it all in, I already do that, whew…
Contemplating contentment, I could also be a life teacher, a researcher, a wonderer… I could write about life too forever as a foreverer.
I do travel and sightsee and that’s when I have time to contemplate me. In travel, life pondering takes flight.
I like a pastime like crossword puzzles when I travel, and I do visit to see people’s kids (experienced in that). My kids are grown, but now I have to wait until they have vacation to coordinate time with me in destination travels, feeling free.
At home I could cook (but nah…). I do sew and garden, and write and write. I could join even more clubs, do talks, but all this is just a hobby plan, right? Really science and helping people are my current life plan, yeah that’s “my jam”.
Well… but God makes the plan, it might be the best focus to check with “The Man.” The Man upstairs is downstairs too, so I have to see, what God has in store for me.
And so let’s nix notions of the solo life and instead think a mix of God and me. Yes Lord, You will put me where I need to be.
I could would should just be me. God made me to be me and I need me to be me. And I do need to dabble, in lots of fun things, in time which is free…
I love vacation and time to be me (in temperatures that are well above normal you see for me), and I like seeing life in vistas that overlook the calm sunset and sea.
One day, we could and will all see, how God took care of you and of me. That’s the best living free, knowing God’s almighty love is there ALREADY. So for now, I’ll just be.
No doubt I knew this vacation trip was one in which I KNEW I would be spoiled, comforted and blessed. and warmed up at 80 degrees over 20…
I’m not saying that we need to run away and be on vacation everyday, but we CAN take a moment or a day or a week in my case, and partake in the gracious gift of time with friends who want to spoil you a bit, for you to meet their growing amazing kids, and to show you “Good times” as my friend says… yeah so good… well AMAZING…
If you thought riding in a self-autonomous driving vehicle (that can even park) would be unnerving and unnatural, well it felt decently OK! I was so impressed, both by the flashy color and how it maneuvered in standard mode. Yeah, even as much as I love to drive, I could see myself partaking in this luxury after I witnessed how it did great in heavy highway traffic. Not that I had a choice, as when you are in the passenger seat you do have to let Jesus take the wheel anyway…
Let God drive.
And day 1 of Florida vacation, it was great to take that attitude… I did drive myself to the local tiny airport with super convenient parking, and very inexpensive flight, so after that 20 minute drive, I was riding riding riding – riding in the airplane and not like I could take over that job – then riding in the passenger seat which you would not take over because you didn’t want to be rude to your provider host – and then riding actually cruising around the Bay on a party boat to see the best sunset, yeah the whole day was good times especially going from 26 to 62 to 80 degrees!
So, if we are willing to let friends and strangers drive us around, why not let God drive our lives? Yeah, let the “Man in charge”, He is anyway, be the One driving. Not that we could take over anyway, not that we would be so rude to our provider host of life, and yeah realizing actually in life we could be cruising sometimes with good times…
God knows best, and surely we need to loosen control on the wheel of life, have more attitude of gratitude, but yet still work hard. Hopefully work at something you love.
The boat’s guitar player singer did not take a break singing almost 2 hours, he was perfect in that role and the crowd enjoyed it… and I had to marvel at the timing nearing the end of the cruise for when I could hear him sing Jimmy Buffet’s “Breathe in, Breathe out, Move on”… I had never heard that song until my cousin sent it to me after a life changing situation when I had to change gears… Yeah Breathe in and out, listen for the wind changes, like in the movie Mary Poppins, or sailing in the bay, and then know sometimes to move on.
Sometimes moving on is moving up, sometimes it is just a chance to park the car for a bit, sometimes it’s speeding out of a situation, but in all cases God gives you not a passenger but a Driver, a Holy Spirit moving forward force, and friendships that help you navigate.
God helped and told Jacob, that He was with him, told Joshua, told Moses, told like everyone in scripture, so why not us too? Yes us. God is always with us.
Amen
Well, day 1 of vacation was “good times”… Breathe in… yeah… thank You Lord. Breathe out… thank you Lord. Move on – but only if You Lead Lord (and let us not overthink it).
Amen
Psalm 46:10-11- Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Genesis 46:2-4 God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” – “Here I am,” he replied. – “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again…”
Recently, I have experienced a string of pearls of wisdom, strung together to remind me that GOD IS WITH US.
Especially good today as I take to the friendly skies soon – 5day vacation here I come!!!
In recent days these pearls of wisdom, that remind God is with us, come directly from the source: the scriptures. Scripture is where other’s experiences show us how their situations are similar, their responses are studies in relationships with God. People have everything from a bit of irritation to big issues (ever-present danger to even the whole Earth passing away). And these experiences yield hopefully a lesson that God is WITH us. That’s better than the polished pearl in the oyster, that’s God also feeding the oyster so it can make the pearl, making something beautiful, especially our praise.
Really realize that GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US.
Psalm 46 came up a lot recently, in both my faith-reminding braclet, that I am currently wearing, and in the sermon I heard about Jacob, recounting God speaking directly to Jacob (Genesis 46:2-4 repeated in Psalm 46 reference of Jacob)
God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again…”
The sermonist was talking about Jacob, but in how it was pertaining to us as well, to me…
Even though we are entering unknowns in life, we have the KNOWN, we know God is with us, goes with us and already is there where we are going…
Thanks Lord, thanks for the pep talk!
Amen
Psalm 46 NKJV
God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
“Don’t overthink it” they said at the training I attended yesterday – which means “Let go and let God” – which means let the Holy Spirit show you the way – which means “His ways are above our ways” – which means in a prayer for discernment: Don’t over scrutinize.
I know it’s a universal scripture, but it pertains to me in quite unique ways, right at this very moment. (Yeah WOW I see God moving things around in my life, which is a BE STILL moment)…
A poem:
Don’t overthink it.
Don’t overblink it.
Let go and Let God.
Don’t think God as odd.
Follow the Spirit
Believe it and hear it,
Actually Believe Him, Love Him,
(3 in 1 is Him of Them)
An abundance in life,
Over pain or falsehood or strife,
Is listening to Him,
Over any whim.
Including when and what to begin again.
Amen amen
So, I wrote “don’t overthink it” on my hand, Actually wrote a lot on my hand for I havent for a while, but the reminders and scripture were paramount, and I took a photo before I washed it off. “Don’t overthink it” and also wrote a repeated reference to the best scripture of my day/week/month: Luke 5:47 “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Yeah, a rephrase on my hand that I wrote: with God ALL things are possible… YEAH…
Discernment is part of our blessing using God’s Wisdom. Discernment is hard using just our human instincts. Discernment of His Plan over our plans is just plain hard when we don’t let God work His Plan – not that we can stop God – but we can fail to realize God is saying: “Hey, I’m working here!” Let us let God be God and us NOT overthink it.
Amid my cutting and pasting of the actual scripture, I realized that it was immediately before my “life verse” which I often fail to comply with, Luke 5:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” YES LORD I WANT TO COMPLY, WITHOUT ALWAYS ASKING WHY…
YES. WE BEST ask God to use us, or at least try to see how He is ALREADY using us.
Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live…
So, in DISCERNMENT, let us yield to the Lord with His Plan over ours (over mine). It’s not that He doesn’t include me, include us, because He certainly DOES, it’s exactly that He is USING US IN His Plan. Many times He only gives us info one day at a time, so let us refresh listening each day.
As for me? It’s best I commit these scriptures to memory, because my hand has to get washed, and because God’s Hand and God’s Word is sufficient (and never returns to Him void).
Thanks Lord for this pep talk (again).
Amen
Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
—
Isaiah 55 NKJV
An Invitation to Abundant Life
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you – the sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Debbie Upper 
