Polishing the Silver of our Situations

I started polishing the silver earrings that I never get to polishing – they pile up in the bathroom – but I did get a new tub of pink paste (the best and just like my father used, with the nice sponge) so I took the moment to polish. It is good to pause for those little tasks that need to get done at some point – and then find the time.

My silver earrings include these beautiful “Tree of Life” silver medallions, which are reflective of scriptural and sweet and soul-filling solace for God Himself sets that Tree of Life in our lives – and will again… These earrings are from a friend with whom I contemplate that someday we two will be sitting under this Tree of Life and enjoying the fruit of the season – snacking and discussing life and Heaven and everything – causually sitting while in awe that we are there – and in awe that we get to chat. That is my vision. And the scripture is Revelation 22, beautifully told to John by an angel as the vision of Heaven and the New Jerusalem: “…on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”

And while polishing (my silver and my life and my thoughts), my ears and mind were filled with thoughts as in those moments, as I was also taking time to listen to a sermon from Pastor Joe Foechst of CCPhilly, available online, where I get to understand even MORE about how the Old Testament and New Testament secure a message that is to hit our ears – just right – to contemplate our faith and to be beautifully blessed by the sacrifice of Jesus to save us.

Today’s sermon was about Moses and the Burning Bush in Exodus 3 – and these things stuck me: Moses was not a shepherd trained from birth as he was in the egyptian pharoh’s household and had to learn to work – yes – and he had to learn to be a shephard and do so at an old age, and so Moses had to learn someting new – we too… Moses was called aside and the burning bush caught his attention – so what are the things that God uses to call us to His attention? Moses was told by God to take off his shoes it was holy ground – and that is that Moses like us are human and that God Himself takes us the rest of the way with His Grace and covering our sins. And that Jesus spoke the “I AM” speech to the pharasees who spoke of God in the past – and Jesus was reinforcing and meaning God is God and IS – still in the present – God is the God of “I AM”. Yeah….

Pastor Joe said we all need those times to listen to when God says: “turn aside” and pay attention to me. And then God blesses us with His Grace and Mercy.

Yes, let us let the small stuff go and don’t worry so much about earthly things – yes comply and make right – but for the grievences, it is like turning the other cheek from hurt and wanting to retaliate (as Jesus said) – then turn aside and pay attention to God, Who wants to bless us. Yeah I LOVE to learn and to contemplate and polish my scriptures and thoughts of my situation with getting the tarnish off… Yeah…

I believe that we are to be polishing the silver in our lives – we need to knock off the tarnish and then ask the Lord to go deep in the cracks. We are still worth it and worthy and actually more valuable made of such a precious metal – made from dust by God which is more precious than little sparrows and more precious than silver and gold because we are made wonderfully by the Craftsman Himself. We sometimes just need a little polishing of the silver of our situations.

Take time this day to contemplate where to trim where to hone where to rest – and where to simply BE. Most of all, thank the Lord for His care and insight – and for helping us be us – most beautifully. We need to shake the earthly dust off of us – and turn aside to listen to God. God wants our attention and He means it. Thank God.

Amen

—

The sermon is posted here: 31MAY, Exodus 3

https://resources.ccphilly.org/current.asp

Revelation 22 NKJV

The River of Life
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near
Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Jesus Testifies to the Churches
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A Warning
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I Am Coming Quickly
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

—

Exodus 3:1-8
King James Version
Moses at the Burning Bush
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”

So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

Simply Sweet Stewardship of a Saturday

Something seems so Saturday about Saturday. Simply one must steward the stewardship of Saturday as superbly as seemingly possible.

Started with SWEET strawberries from my special spot, after some sleeping in… Then shifted to stewardship of the lawn – swift work in morning mowing. Then stewardship of my sanity became simply a day of stuff to satisfy my “to-do” situation.

Sure there are seemingly stupid sorts of stuff to do, like solving a paperwork snafu of my Subaru registration and so at AAA, surely super Serena, so serene with a saavy smile, well she shaped up a solution for me like the snap of her fingers. And the small sweet figurine of Jesus set on her station saying: Jesus Loves You, as so soothing and something special, she surely set it there for all to see and know Jesus LOVES You SO!!!. Spirit-seen, Spirit -saw, yes.

SO, Saturday continued with some errands, like scoping out starter plants (tomatoes), and sorting shredding stuff, and swooping up saucepans and skillets from someone’s shedding supply of stuff.

Then shooting the breeze with neighbors, sweet… Subaru-ed a stop at a spot for saving money on a stand up screen tent to be my sun screen of shade to stop any stinging sunburn. SOLD!

Some shopping was in store too, for some savory stuff. (Seriously wash your stuff then wash your hands in sudsy stuff before consuming said shopping stuff (sauces and snacks and so on…)

So then the Subaru sombered on…

Somehow Saturdays we stop any sinking ships from stalling in our space. We work at not working but work for ourselves and self-satisfaction. Sometimes we might simply show up to suffice the support of someone. And sometimes we are solo. Sometimes Saturdays are simply saved for a special stewardship of Saturdays…

Stopped in my special spot for sustenance. Then, I slipped over to the special sale of salad stuff at the special market. STOP THE PRESSES, walking in I was stopped super stupefied in my tracks – for there was a stone, one I wrote on, especially set up in display at the entrance, I made and then planted said stones maybe two years ago, and now they were sitting front and senter of the said salad stand. Two stones actually, one with a saying I stenciled, and the other by a friend at a festival, then scriptures spirit-supplied. So then said stones were stashed in the stand’s corner, so someone would have to see it as a sign. And there it was, now, sitting for everybody to see, me too, set prominently positioned, holding down papers of Spiritual purpose… SO special SO surprised SO not surprised that the Lord uses us for His service… AND SOMETIMES HE SHOWS US…

“FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, ABIDE THESE THREE; BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE” and “Hope, Joy, Faith, Love, Peace” SO SPECIAL.

Stones which cry out when we stop sheepish in our praise…

SPECIAL…

The rest of the day (working the soil, sorting stuff, showering, and sitting), I kept remembering that the Lord had shown me SUPER special spirit stuff – on a Saturday – and made me SMILE.

Sunsets now on Saturday setting successfully, and so on… How else special to spend a Saturday, but in stewardship of some precious time in service… Ah I smile…

SO, let us try to be of service, to others for sure, to ourselves in sanity, in soothing, in time saving well spent, or simply snoozing. And simply steward Saturdays in the Spirit, Simply.

SWEET…

Amen

More than Oprah Money, God has God Goods, Romans 8

OK – I decided to spend the money – $25 for this month of Ancestry . com – because I already used my free trial – and well, I wanted to see the names and info of my cousins who’ve I’ve never met. Was it worth it? I think so – and we will see – because it seems now after just a little digging – I HAVE EVEN MORE COUSINS THAN I KNEW!!! YES, it is if Oprah is saying: “and you get a cousin and you get a cousin” – mimicking her car giveaways… Yes – I have the info and am still digging for these new insights into cousins from this other side (I think I depleted all my leads on my other side so I am digging on this side) – so many of our immigrant ancestors landed into NYC area – through Ellis Island – and yes I have been there and felt the enormity of my life funneled through the masses who decided it was worth the risks to go to this new place – AMERICA – wow…

SO, for this new branch that I am researching – I am combining reading historical letters from the late 1920’s, the 30’s into the 40’s from NYC – not a small community even then… LOTS of people… But they kept really good records – Thank God. Not all the things in the letters are good – there is talk of the depression conditions – there are classic family issues which are not really talked about but you can imagine – but also the ends of each letter are filled with love and best wishes – and you can imagine that they loved each other so deeply over the miles – these letters were their lifelines.

Especially in these letters from cousins to cousins, there were pleas to write back and also to visit or tell them when they could visit. Even in the great depression they tried to get together but mostly they didn’t get to see each other – they all just didn’t have the time or the means – and well a farm to run and well NYC was a ways away back then… Much of the letters included info about the weather and the children and the work or lack there of – one set of cousins said they left one job to go dig for worms and sell worms – and then lost that business because worms were being imported from Boston to NYC – yeah job loss… I have heard that what really pulled us out of the great depression, economically, was the influx of WW2 and the money spent on it. Yes – I have read in these letters of cousins who died in the war too and cousins with cancer and other ailments. These people are people just like us – we all have to deal with somethings…

And multiple letters told of the yet another child to our cousin. So – I now have the names of my cousins (and great greats) including a set of MANY children from one branch of the family. Maybe there are some still alive but not sure – wouldn’t it be nice to connect? maybe? maybe that is awkward but then again maybe not – and maybe over in that branch they are also longing for connection? Only God knows…

One letter told of the death of the patriarch of the family – “Papa” but not sure which Papa that is yet but the letter closes with “well, his troubles are over now.” – And that is the truth that in Heaven our troubles will be over and God, who collected our tears will rejuvenate us in both a spiritual and physical sense – no more pain – rescued with His Love. Let us hold onto that HOPE now. And know the LOVE in advance.

And so I can look up the streets they lived on as well as the street corners of NYC where they had fruit stands and stores – and yet those buildings are gone and the shops are gone – and the people are gone – but are they? NO – I don’t know how we can sense that our families are still alive than just to know it – we know it – we sense it – and we are to believe it… They are alive in God – and in our hearts… yes, and with me finding Christian symbols and pamphlets and a plastic cross – well, that soothed my hopes over my fears of never knowing. I pray and I know that like Oprah giving away cars – God says: “And you get a cousin and you get a cousin and a grandparent and a great times 20 great grandparent – and you get BROTHERS AND SISTERS in Christ” – yeah….

Yes, More that Oprah Money (which I wouldn’t mind having too) – God gives Good things – “God Goods” – that are eternal and not just the earthly things we enjoy = ALL GOOD THINGS ARE FROM GOD. (Romans 8:28 and all of Romans 8). God gives us the things and the hope – and the life everlasting through Jesus who cleanses us and covers our sins so that we are forgiven and forevered. Remember the people who you know and don’t know now – who DO know Christ and ask for His forgiveness – will ALSO be cleansed and renewed and restored in Heaven – and all will be OK.

Well I will go back to digging – 1920’s 1930’s 1940’s 1950’s census and then maybe will find birth and death records and might have to renew my newspapers .com subscription too – not to do this obsessively but fanatically – as a fan of the gifts that God has given in information AND LOVE.. GOD GOODS ARE GOOD.

“And you get the LOVE – and you get the LOVE”… Thanks Lord…

Amen

Romans 8 NKJV – a letter from Paul to the Romans
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.

MAYBE MINISTRY is for EVERYONE – MIN IS TRY

MINISTRY – oh I realized this spelling last night and couldn’t wait to write about it.

MIN IS TRY – MIN is minimum – and “minimum is try” – MIN-IS-TRY – YES – for each person to have a ministry – the minimum is to at least try – be real – just be yourself… and like the book of James suggests, Let us be real. Let us tap into God’s wisdom over devilish disaster talk…

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

WHY? Because the Lord calls us to just be ourselves, to praise Him, to love Him because He loves us, and because we want others to understand two things: how amazing God is – and how amazing we feel being helped by God because that awareness is awe-inspiring and a hope we hold onto. Our ministry could simply be to believe more and show it. At least try. at MIN is TRY – MINISTRY…

James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

So let us be listeners – let us be sowers of peace – let us be praising the Lord – let us be real and realize not our righteousness but that of the Lord and then sow HIS seeds to help make peace – let us not grumble at each other (James 5:9) – let us answer truthfully in what we know and not swear against heaven – Let your yes be yes and your no be no. (James 5:12)…

And PRAY… at Minimum, PRAY – at least TRY.

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

MAYBE MINISTRY is for everyone who at least tries – at MIN IS TRY.

AMEN

James 3-5 New King James Version (BIBLE GATEWAY)

The Untamable Tongue

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Pride Promotes Strife

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Humility Cures Worldliness

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Do Not Judge a Brother

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Do Not Boast About Tomorrow

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

Be Patient and Persevering

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

Meeting Specific Needs

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Bring Back the Erring One

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Been Historically Blessed, John 16

More digging into history today – love to learn from his history. I have “Been Historically Blessed” with more reading through my family letters and papers from the farmhouse which I brought down here to sift through. In letters from the 20’s – the 1920’s – I found a whole new set of family to connect with – if ever it works out – but not sure – but with DNA testing etc, and maybe some more newspaper searches, maybe I can connect.. They would have come from NYC into the Bronx and Wisconsin way back… I do think it is interesting that we search old time family and don’t always take time for current family – oh well…

So also in my farmhouse finds, the papers, I found ration books with coupons still in – I mean that is good – that my family (farmers so had decent food) had extra coupons – one set was my grandmother’s sugar alotment for canning – she had 4 coupons left – isn’t that interesting to think that food was rationed – even if you could afford it didn’t mean you could have it… Think about that – we expect and even demand – but there was a time when the people had to wait it out… So long ago and not so long ago. And because my family survived the war – that is why I am here today – if we are reading this then our ancestors got through some tough times and likely they prayed for us in their surviving. Been Historically Blessed. I even saw a letter from my grandfather back to the family with “X”‘s on it – like hugs and kisses notation in his sign off – really – the love that I read in those letters is so touching. And the war was hard on them – prevented them from travelling – broken society but LOVE was constant.

I love that I saw a toy from the old country mailed to the children here in teh US which contained a nativity – old old 1920’s likely – but the brilliant colors of the nativity stand out to me… I am thankful that someday I will see my family in Heaven – and meet them.

I also found letters that spoke of family members lost in war and lost as young babes – and sadness surrounding this… Broken health and sickness, death in addition to war shows the brokeness of sin entering our world – the perfect world created is a crumbled state often but we still have to reassemble the good we can from it – like that puzzle – jumbled but one can piece it together.

We live in a broken society – always have – and yet Jesus never changes and is the Alpha and Omega – beginning and end – and so we need to remember that He will take care of us – wherever we are in this life time. So, this bumper sticker that I saw today driving in the city struck me as funny, it said: “I am going but I want to know how did I get in this handbasket?” – meaning that the person was going to hell in a handbasket (old joke) – and yet if Jesus picks us up – well isn’t that more than a basket? that is a whole net – a whole hand – a whole pick me up body – footprints poem carrying style..

Jesus has historically picked us up – and He will continue… Scripture John 16 that I read yesterday in the Jesus Calling devotion book, by Sarah Young, recounts that our hope in Jesus is not diminished by today’s trouble – He told the disciples that they too would find sorrow and the solace in Him – because He has overcome the world. We too need to remember that and be Historically Blessed and Future Blessed. LOVE is constant – AGAPE love from God will never end.

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

AMEN !

John 16:22b-33 NKJV Jesus said: “but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World
“These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Memories Yet to Come.

It’s so good to be home. I got to sleep in my own bed and started my huge piles of laundry. And I woke up this morning knowing that I had the whole day free to do a planned project of sorting through boxes of family history, paperwork, which I brought south from home north… i sat outside under canopy and worked all day in just concentrated absorbing of info. But really just a relaxed day to consolidate big boxes into a few. Photos and cards and letters and letters and letters throughout the depression.

It’s a tremendous blessing to look at memories even if they are not my own memories. Actually, I think there are “memories to come”, because one day in heaven, I pray to meet all these people. And wow, how many questions will be answered… i am looking forward to seeing all these people.

Yes, memories yet to come.

Some of the treasures include photos of my Great Uncle, serving in world war 2. He sent photos and many, many letters from training. W

Then he was stationed in the south pacific. There’s pictures of my grandfather and family working out the houses they built. And there are extra ration coupons from WW2. It’s also amazing the sugar allotment, apparently, my grandmother must have used like 50 pounds of sugar for her canning, in 1944 because there’s four coupons extra. For Memorial Day, remind us to remember to count our blessings. And the whole box of letters from the nineteen twenties with family that we have not yet connected with, praying for that!

But what really made me smile was the beautiful cards sent at easter and christmas, pictures of Jesus, these also remind me that the Lord is working to make himself known to everyone. I pray all my relatives knew Jesus. Jesus surely was looking for them. And Jesus looks for us.

Times change, they really do, but the Lord does not change.

I’m looking forward to my the future memories, my cousins, my grandparents, my many aunts and uncles and the whole family of God. Memories yet to come…

Blessed

Amen

And God bless the soldiers…

A Cup of Love, a Cup of Peace (and the Stanley Cup too) – Canada day 3

And so last Sunday, the rain stopped (except a real constant mist) and we went down to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (a quick ride on a Sunday with more inexpensive parking) – and wow we saw the Stanley Cup!!! It was a great museum – packed with everything – a bit cramped in how much stuff but I would say that they were not lacking in amazing stuff – including the Stanley Cup itself – and the original bowl (cup) and the bands from the teams… Plus so much more…

The Stanley Cup… A Cup of Winning and Hope…

Lord Stanley’s Cup…

My lunch with my youngest was also a treat on this mini-vacation, because this was the day that he said he would spend a good part of with me – and it was a very nice restaurant – with fresh pulled mozzarella… After lunch, he then got me a hotel vending station-sourced ice cream and that filled my cup – because I was just then thinking of the day and the weekend and the “productivity” question that I always have of myself – and then when the ice cream came – it was not just a sweet treat – but it was an acknowledgment that I did indeed come to spend at least some time with him – and just be present – and that driving companion…

A Cup of Love…

Then – when he went back to the convention and to see his friends, I took the opportunity to go back to that farm village – the Black Creek Pioneer Village – where they have brought buildings from all over this area of Canada and placed them so wonderfully together. It was a free weekend for the visitors and MUCH better than yesterday’s rainy weather so fairly busy – especially with kids loving the mud puddles.

I enjoyed the displays and teacher/reanactors – but especially I enjoyed the peace – the refill of my cup of peace… squish squish squish went my shoes into the setting – and the cup of hot cocoa hit the spot as I sipped it while absorbing the scene. I loved the printer’s office – and the fragrant lilacs – and the root cellar – and the secluded section of this busy busy sprawl of a continuous city/suburb… One could see the tops of the sports stadium over the back of the farm – but the farm framed my view so wonderfully… I am not a romanticist of the farm life or old life – I like clean running water and modern plumbing too much – but I do love to reminise of my childhood days – and I love to see the preservation so that others can learn. Honestly, nearly all of the groups touring around seemed to be of the mosaic of Canadian peoples (remembering that America is a melting pot – but Canada is a mosaic of it’s many many country origins of people) – and that those people all need to learn about what their history is = as well as learn to count blessings. I found that there is so much peace in the plain pleasures of the past…

A cup of PEACE…

At the printers office – there was a reproduction of a newspaper and I honed in on a prayer: “Trust in God, and Persevere” – here are the words printed – (A CUP OVERFLOWTH WITH JOY)

“Trust in God, and Persevere”

“Brother, is life’s morning clouded? Has the sunlight ceased to shine – is the earth’s in darkness shrouded ? Cheer up, brother, let thy vision Look above: see, see light is near. Soon will come the next transition “Trust in God, and persevere.”…

“Brother, has life’s — receded, hast thou sought its joys in vain? Friends proved false when mostly needed, Foes rejoicing at thy pain? Cheer up brother, there’s a blessing Waiting for thee – never fear; Foes forgiving, sins confessing, “Trust in God, and persevere”…

“Brother, all things round are calling With united voice, “be strong!”. Though the wrongs of earth be falling They must lose their strength ere long. Yes, my brother, though life’s throuble Drive thee near to dark despair, Soon ‘t will banish like a bubble, “Trust in God, and persevere.”

“He from His high throne in Heaven, Watches every step you take, He will see each fetter riven (?) which your foes in anger make. Cheer up brother, He has power to dry up every tear and through darkest tempests lower, “Trust in God, and persevere.” …

“Brother, there’s a quiet slumber waiting for thee in the grave; Brother there’s a glorious number, Christ in mercy deigns to save. Wait thou ’til life’s quiet even, closes round thee, bright and clear. And till called from earth to heaven, Trust in God, and persevere.”

AMEN

Memory All Days, Joshua 4

Me. I just returned from Canada, missed Memorial Day parades and Ceremonies etc.

But wouldn’t it be good to have each day a memory day? Memorial Day plus Memories All Days, or divided between. One day remember ancestors, one day remember lost loved ones, one day remember the kids when they were little… etc

God bless our soldiers of war and peace this Memorial Day.

and we need a memory all days for when the Lord was good to us. Yes each day and all days: God bless the Lord for being the Lord.

Joshua scripture reminds of how he instructed his people to make a pile of stones that they brought out of the river when they crossed it. This served as a memory for their memorial day of how God gave them so much.

We too must remember. God takes care of us!

Amen

Joshua 4
New King James Version
The Memorial Stones
4 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. 11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. 12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. 13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.

15 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 16 “Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.” 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before.

19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

The Cost of Pentecost

It is Pentecost – the Church’s Birthday – POWERFULLY PLANNED.

But what does Pentecost cost?

Pentecost cost Jesus His Life on Earth. The Prince of the Kingdom of Heaven defeating the Prince of the World.

Pentecost cost the time of the disciples to give of their whole lives after. (and us too) it’s not PentecoAst but cost…

Pentecost cost but did not diminish the love of God to continue to Love always – and God freely gave that – and still does.

Pentecost costs nothing to us – but yes of our time and our dedication and our everything our all. So Pentecost costs us of us but paid by God.

Pentecost costs everything to the Lord – because His cost is our gain.

Pentecost is not a bargain – nor a freebie – not a pricey commodity nor a loss of capital.

Pentecost is the Holy Spirit pursuing the path and plan of God – by partaking in the push of the purpose of peace – given to people for perpetuity.

Pentecost takes Jesus, the Passover Lamb slain in Sacrifice, to become what is Passed out for POWER in POWER to Pursue People.

Pentecost is now our Possibility to Portray WHAT Participatory Praise will do for us – HOW Positioned we need to be – WHOM we need to Petition – and WHERE Peace will come from.

Pentecost puts the WHY into our WALK.

Jesus said – let the Holy Spirit help – guide to go – and push out FIRST the praise.

Jesus, the Promise, Promised to Help – to Holy Spirit our Path.

Our perception is that Pentecost is Priceless – Pentecost costs us to Partake in Jesus’s Plan.

Amen

—

Acts 1:3-5 After his suffering, Jesus presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:1-8 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?“

John 16:6-20

“I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. – “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” – The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy – Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” – At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” – Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

John 6:35 – 40 NKJV And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

God Bless You, Little Franky and ALL the Kids of Inquisitiveness

I am up in the Toronto area, near the airport and convention center, so not downtown in exciting Toronto but that is not important today because EVERYONE east coast got RAIN… So yeah, I was stuck in a hotel-home phase for today because well, I really didn’t and don’t feel like going out in the rain – did when I had to – but I even considered for a moment a door dash of decent food like pizza…

Trust me – I am fine and blessed and sitting in a hotel room that is nice and self-contained but honestly hotel life is more boring than it was when I was a child – at least then we were excited by the ice machine…

I am here because I offered to share driving with my youngest whose friend couldn’t make it to Canada (passport issue) for this comic-con anime north – so I came… I am happy to help with my kids for a safer experience, but me too – I like seeing new sights…

Jesus made children inquisitive – right? and made their parents want to take care of their kids…. Jesus said to let the children come – Scripture in Matthew 19:13-15 NKJV: Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

But wow RAIN – It is raining – and well it is going to continue to rain until night time. SO interesting as a meteorologist but not exciting as an outdoorist. I didn’t get back to the farm town that I had hoped so I am really glad I got there yesterday.

And for the convention folks, it is normally a great walk but today – ugh – the rain was/is so heavy (at cold cold 49 degrees) it is so icky… and the people (maybe one-fourth of them) have amazing costumes! I really did feel like I should offer to shuttle folks over there out of pity. I did force my youngest to let me give him a ride to the convention in my car rather than walk the 10 minutes (his friends were already there to meet up with) – and I did come back and see one pair – and offered them a ride – was nice just to help… These are all big kids here – having fun…

Well, back at the hotel, I realized I don’t HAVE to sit here in the hotel – I could leave in my car but after yesterday driving around aimlessly for couple hours, well, it is not so appealing to do that again in the rain – and trust me THIS IS CRAZY RAIN… And the timing of this forced “lockdown” for me is good in that I am forced to keep busy on my backlog of consolidating my writings by month into printed chapters – and faithfully I just finished 2 more and am now almost up to date – and that is what I promised the Lord I would do – so whew!

And I did go to the pool for a little bit – and that is where the loneliness – of being alone in semi-forced lockdown – got better because of Little Franky – YES – little Franky aged 4 was at the pool and he decided he wanted to tell me LOTS of things about being 4. He told me about his sister and so many things in 4-year old talk that honestly I didn’t understand them all but just nodded and smiled – sweet kiddo – isn’t it so nice that KIDS want to interact. God bless you Franky and all the Kids of Inquisitiveness. For sure that if a kid wants to talk to you that is a Holy Spirit connection. Surely it helps that I do look at a child gently in the face – maybe even wave at them – because I am a child too – looking at other faces. My mom is always looking for the babies and young kids to interact with. It’s a family trait.

I think that we are naturally inquisitive about each other and want to connect because God made us that way. Yes there is some being too nosy out there in the world – and the sinfulness of jealousy and gossip. But basic inquisitiveness is a blessing – it is also how we check on people – and relate to them.

And wanting to help is a gift from God too – in empathy. The lady next to me at the elevator said empathetically and compassionately: “oh you are SOAKED” – I smiled and said: Oh – I was just in the pool… LOL – not soaked from the rain but from the pool. And isn’t that what we should be too – in life – busy and blessed from the interactions – soaked in stories and sweetness like talking to a child. Being engaged in each other’s burdens…

There are times to step away from situations we can’t help (and 4 more sets of people I offered rides too said thank you but no thank you) – and then there are times we just are available to chat. Sometimes we need to express (says the expressive in me).

Jesus said to let the children come – Scripture in Matthew 19:13-15 NKJV: Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

OK – back to the collating of previous collecting of my thoughts. I DID get some food – as my youngest called me to pick him up and we grabbed some fast (and warm) food (PROTEIN yay) for the ride back to the hotel. I am nestled in for TV watching – more gym and pool tomorrow maybe – and maybe just maybe I will investigate if they have an ice machine…

God bless Inquisitiveness!

Amen

(thank you for listening to my rambling in the rain!)

Pleased as Peace. Oh Canada day 1

I had a good night sleep and really enjoyed breakfast with my youngest at a nice pancake place – it was good to spend time together before the festivities start for the comic-con thing that my youngest is attending – I am just hanging out today and tomorrow – and Sunday he said he told his friends that he was “going to hang out with his mom!” – wow! Time is precious!

In the meantime well, the hotel is a good homebase – with wifi and good clean room – nice shower and in a safe place – which is also walking distance for “the con” (short for convention) attendees. I like seeing their costumes (called “cos-play” for costume-play) – and I like the good kids in geeked out gear just having fun – I mean what would you want to do if you were 21? you would just want to have fun…

I’m older – 56 – well, I like fun too – but honestly I like peace more now – and I like travel – and I like a good bargain and I like not wasting time – and there are lots more things I like, now that I am older, and things I don’t like… like – TRAFFIC – and after a wonderful peaceful half an hour – I did like 2 hours in random traffic trying to see what I should do next (nothing) then come back to homebase for something after doing nothing – couldn’t even find a decent grocery store – here it is all sprawl sprawl sprawl – and the airport… oh well

I think that we always have to remember that the short stints of fun are surrounded by the mundane or maddening or messes – but when we get that small window where everything is OK – well that is our ponderance and pause and slice of peace.

So for me – after nice late breakfast and then forcing myself to work on the computer for a couple hours – I drove out and found the one place I wanted to see – the Village at Black River for the bliss of 30 minutes – oh nice – oh SO nice – it was a dream spot – it was heavenly peaceful and the weather was perfect – and for the last half an hour before they closed – I left the hustle and hassle of the traffic here and stepped into a whole other world – one that made me: PLEASED AS PEACE…

I really think that is what the Lord wants us to find in HIM – the moment to pause – the moment to ponder – the moment to be IN PEACE – peace amongst all the particulars of problems…

Trust me the time spent was so short but so worth it – both with my youngest at breakfast and with myself at the village with the beautiful buildings and the lilacs… I know it will rain tomorrow – but I plan to return with winter coat on and peace in my palate to pursue…

Pleased as Peace to pursue precious peace…

AMEN

I Can Through Christ, Not by Me Nor My Might

Well! Not only did I survive the ride, I mean the drive, to for the long weekend, I am blessed to watch my youngest grow more and more mature, including in driving… Yeah.

And trust me, even though you might think that my last couple days were slightly interesting, with the headlight thing, there’s no more tighter grip one can have in a car than on the “oh God”-bar, holding on, than when one is riding with one’s kid, newish driver but really a good driver, but WHEW, in pouring rain and winding roads for the first few hours. Whew… I prefer that I drive myself in my car… my hand still hurts from gripping and griping… whew… (but seriously I taught this “kid” on winding roads on purpose, they are good…) now I understand more of my own mother riding with me still, even though I’ve been driving for forty years, we just want to drive ourselves…

So yes, we made it safely, it’s a nice getaway.

But seriously, the scripture “I can do all things through Christ Who STRENGTHENS me” by Paul writing to the Philippians 4:24, is for much more than just for riding with your kid in a car. It’s for life it’s for everything. And ot is through Christ’s strength, not our own might or determination. I Can Through Christ, Not by Me Nor My Might.

Yes, it’s our weakness where He is made to show up as strong, because you stop relying on one’s own opinion, attitude, life-plan, et cetera – and instead find His Strength to push pull prod and ply…

And this is especially true when we want to be in the driver’s seat. Maybe this strength we need is seriously and simply to let HIM take charge, “Jesus take the wheel”…

Just add Jesus and trust…

I can do all things through Christ, especially TRY to.

Amen

A Blessing of Attitude

New photos yesterday of the car and the impaled headlight – just crazy – and this post will hopefully finish my complaining and move me to processing and then out to a new thing – and trust me there are new things everyday to get excited about.

So, my wonderful neighbor said the right thing to remind me – that it is a blessing of attitude to find as a “hidden” not hidden blessing in a situation like this – the attitude is what drives our actions and reactions and non-actions and how much more chaos we decide to put into the world or to refrain from doing so… And so my attitude started morphing from being mad to being resigned to “it is what it is” to being reworked to see that this attitude of gratitude and blessing of attitude is what will keep ME most calm and productive.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

And as for the first productive thing today, I cleaned out my purse while waiting at the car dealer for my inspection and the plan forward with the headlight. And with an organized purse, I then placed out many of my faith scripture cards from my purse for a photo – including the most important reminder to “Let your LIGHT SHINE” – yeah… It is OK to be angry and frustrated – but we should not let it damper our shine or let our whine affect our shine…

The funny thing about that headlight impalement is that it didn’t break any bulbs – actually my whole car passed inspection with no bulbs out – which is unusual for me – and well, the LIGHT will shine – and I even wrapped my broken headlight up in plastic for the rainstorm – and thank God for the break in temperature. A cooler life and cooler head helps keep a cool attitude instead of red hot headed.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Reading the scripture cards and also having the nice interactions that I had today – well that was so good – and the clean purse – and the time on the laptop – and the ability to sit and think – and oh yeah, the time to file the insurance claim – good…

And so let me and let we to pray for a good attitude towards life in all it’s minor hiccups. And my tshirt? a homage to the Grateful Dead: “What a long strange trip it’s been.”…

The Proverbs 17: 19, 20, 22, 24, say:

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 25:26-28 NKJV

A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

AMEN

Maybe the Blessings are for SOMEONE ELSE

Boo to the frustration !!!

I know Jesus suffered all our emotions too – and one that I suffered from yesterday was frustration along with anger and impatience and being rushed. Jesus, You understand, I know You do.

So, my frustration came from both the hit of a piece of plastic edging from a truck, likely, and my frustration came from the impaled piece of plastic into my headlight – yeah!!! Frustration and anger came from 1) hey! it hit my car – my beautiful blue car (I am not usually vain, but I love my Subarus!) and 2) I hardly ever run on those roads anymore but that route is a nemesis to so many, and 3) ugh – the expense and insurance claim (again) – but maybe not – we will see this morning when I take it in for my inspection… and 4) me NOT seeing the blessing in it – because I am always looking for the blessing – and yet know that we don’t always see the blessing – even if it is divinely just pulling closer to the Lord – in either concern or care or “Can’t believe this!” ugh…

Yeah – but yeah – all that truth of “it could have been worse” – “glad it wasn’t your windshield” – ” glad you are safe” – yeah yeah yeah – in the moment that IS the blessing that people care and the blessing for people to reset your emotions and your focus – we want to stay angry (I still am but less this morning than last night)- and I do appreciated the best wishes, but geez – the impaling of plastic rubber into my headlight (and the small piece that flew over my hood, hit my windshield) – well, it was just plain annoying… Geez, I STILL asked the Lord:where is the blessing in this?

Well one blessing was this lady who saw me paused in the parking lot and with that worried look on her face said: “do you know you have something sticking out of your headlight?” (5 minutes had passed and I didn’t know – did not see it. And we co-commiserated – I am glad that the Lord puts those kind people in our path. And I recounted my story to her, saying I thought only one piece had hit and flew over me. Well, no… but it is a blessing of processing we have. (and trust me I am thankful for the safe landing of this piece in my light and not my windshield)…

And then I thought of another blessing last night (also from a justifying processing – not that I was bad but there must be a reason somewhere) – and I was remembering another subaru thing a few years back – maybe this blessing was BOTH the above of not being hurt – AND the blessing is that this plastic impaled into MY car and – and NOT into someone elses – yeah – yeah yeah – that is how I will frame my thinking – my subaru clean up crew gave it true – it took the plastic away from the roadway… Maybe the blessing(s) are for SOMEONE ELSE… yeah…. yeah – and thus I remembered my red car and someone side-swiped it while I was stopped and they missed everyone else and hit me without injuring me and I thought at that time – maybe it was me taking the impact to protect others… maybe this impaled piece is that too… blessings for others – subaru sweep up team…

And that is a suffering that Jesus understands – taking the hit for someone else – actually for EVERYONE… Taking the hit and consequences and paying the deductible too – insuring it would all work out by His plan from before time – Jesus is the Alpha and Omega – there from before we were – and with us now – and with us forever…

Thanks Jesus for understanding our being suffering (even if ours is trivial like this is for me) – Thank You Jesus for understanding anger and frustration and feeling rushed (I felt rushed and not able to look up the road situation or call the highway department – as I was on my way to a science event which was worth it – and much better seeing friends and new friends than worrying about the light – just parked the car and walked away for a bit (and yeah I put the impaled piece in my back)). And THANK YOU Jesus for your grace and mercy of any of my sins of speech from those feelings of anger and all that – and thank You Lord for forgiving us for ever – thank You Jesus for everything…

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:18

OK – onto today and remember to deal with the feelings and not let them fester – and remember to think about the others – and thank you for letting me ramble this morning – life is full of flying fluff and hard stuff.. Just keep rolling…

(and yes I already have an appointment at early at my favorite Subaru place for an inspection… God pre-prepares our path)…

Amen to Jesus – and not to my rambling…

Connections over the Ages, part 2 – DIRECTION CONNECTION – Luke 1:38

A most important find in my family farmhouse sorting last week, a real believable connection showed up. I found this small plastic cross with Jesus, a child’s necklace perhaps, 1930’s 1940’s 1950’s maybe? Not sure but real and alive and a REAL GOD TO PERSON TO PERSON TO GOD connection. Imagine now, I can feel and pray that I WILL see my ancestors in Heaven one day – my grandparents to my great-grandparents to beyond… WOW. It’s a reconnection worth talking about and feeling. A moment for connecting now and knowing we are connected in Christ, Holy Spirit helped in our “howdy to you!” greetings to believers old and new. (I’m pretty sure I wrote that before, the “howdy spirit” we could be in our greetings)…

Well, I have letters now to cull – I am “called to cull” – to see if my family history is developed more in these letters – and also to sort out the stuff that can be tossed – and also connect more with family who can translate them… And this activity is not new to me – I have helped friends before with their cleanouts and honestly culling through letters and papers is a good sit down activity – I liken it to shucking peas on the porch in the olden days – take the time to rest your bones but keep your hands busy. And this will be a good evening activity or early morning quiet activity – and yes, there are times of extra time this long weekend that I can work on it too…

It is just one more activity that I feel that the Lord has led me to – being a steward of stuff – a person to cull the clutter – to sort the so much – to listen day by day for the directions.

And so last night as I walked in my house – thinking about this time that I have been spending in my own family mission mindset – I see over my shoulder a framed scripture and I got the holy spirit goosebumps when seeing it – the scripture (Luke 1:38a KJV) – which was something my daughter made for me on the computer and printed out many years ago – I consider it my life-verse that I must hold onto – and obey: “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” – YES, yes… And so be it unto me – this stewarding of connections that I understand IS my role – among many roles right now – and doing things like helping clean up the farmhouse – advocating for my family – sorting the stuff (also to send some of these letters I will sort to my cousin because they were written from her father to our immediate family during WW2) – yes sorting and stowing and slowing down to appreciate CONNECTIONS…

Thank You Lord for the DIRECTIONS IN CONNECTIONS…

AMEN

Connections Over the Ages, part one

A friend and I had a discussion about how the Holy Spirit puts the right messages right in front of us, when I picked up a book on electronic communication, which my blog is… I took one book at that time, but/and then when I took home the REST of the leftover books home for possible distribution at a church event, these 4 BIG HEAVY books with thick covers INTRIGUED me instantly because I LOVE understanding the history of the Bible and how it got to be. My questioning of the history back 11 years ago is what pulled me in to God’s prompts to ask Him more, which gave me the moments where the Holy Spirit opened my heart and mind like in an amazing awakening …. SO, I thank the Holy Spirit working in these book donations, and I am going to pursue them and maybe use them as a prompt for writing. And I expect that I’m going to start in the Gospels then go back to the Old Testament. I call the old testament: “Jesus’s old home movies” – because Jesus wants us to be educated and intrigued and entertained too, about how HE set up HIS family history…

As for the book pile, I set the books up at my own table at the yardsale portion of an event, along with SOME excess of the modern treasures from my family farmhouse – and one woman at the very end took one book, one that I had added to the pile, one from author and singer Michael Card, whom I love and she said she loved. It was a Holy Spirit connection that I witnessed and participated in, and that was so heartwarming for me. God showed me that moment.

That’s what God does, He makes the connections and shows up to complete them.

Connect us Lord!

Amen

De-Fluff but LOVE

Home from home, I’m happy to have had a good trip north to home – working again up at the family farmhouse sorting stuff… Got to the recycling center. It is 100 years accumulation, happy to sort, happy to have this time now for the time being. I know that the Lord helps me appreciate His help!!!

Weather was nice and cool for sorting and nice rain for keeping pollen low!

I also appreciate the old writing and photos, correspondence and collectibles which would have come in the 1920’s and 1930’s. An old typewriter, clothes, tools, magazines, etc. There is a tea towel which says “Sea to sea I will not find anyone like you, my home.” Translation so quick that I can send a message overseas to my generation of cousins – we are connected from great grandparents who were siblings. We had a 50 year gap in time of lost connection, now we reconnect in love.

I’m back home south now. Today we have a FULL subaru of goods that my aunt allowed me to remove to sell at a local flea market then donate, and I plan to give her the money… We are stewards of trust, of stuff that WILL rust into dust. So we best de-fluff… but keep the love while donning your cleaning gloves…

As for a scripture connection, let us know that we are treasures to God. Jesus said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV

As for cleaning, Jesus reminds us that everything will crumble, but not love. Let us love intently and intensely and intentionally. Let us love and live.

Let us live the love we were gifted.

Amen

Just Us, and TRUST

It’s hard to know,

Which way to go.

But if we must

Let us trust.

Trust in GOD is a must

When life seems good or a bust.

Skip the mush, the flush, the blush, and the rush. Let life be the lush, deep good life in trust…

Trust is a must.

Trust in the Lord becomes mysterious love gush.

Lush gush of love’s trust…

It’s just us, and trust..

Amen

BREATHE

What kind of life would we lead?

If we forget to breathe.

What kind of life would be in play?

If we forget to start out our day.

What would we know?

If we forget to go.

God we often praise in pleas,

When we are on our knees.

Life will fail to add up,

If we don’t refill the cup.

Love will prevail,

And THEN we remember it will never fail.

Love will NEVER fail.

Amen

If I Could Churn Back Time

Sure, cue Cher singing this song: “If I could TURN back time…”

Well I sorta did TURN back a little time, I’ve traveled north to see family and they still have the last of the daffodils blooming alongside their tulips, like 3 weeks behind in weather, and the redbuds and forget-me-nots are beautiful. And the pollen would be high except it’s raining, yay, and it’s still too cold at night to put gardens in. I think the temperature will jump this weekend, and yet my feet on the register yesterday and today feels good, good heat, good memories up here at home.

But honestly I wouldn’t really turn back time, because living in the present is a present. God reminds us, as He did Queen Esther, we are made for a time like this. Begging for the old days misses the point that God’s got us moving quickly. But yet, oh if sometimes, if I could turn back time, it would be here…

And looking at these family farmhouse finds, now I’m singing: “If I could CHURN back time…” as in a butter churn… Found one of those today cleaning up my family farmhouse. A short one, probably great grandparents, as my grandma’s was wood and taller… Churning cream into butter, HARD WORK!

And to churn up, or churn back, time means we are working up being reminiscent of good times, maybe forgetting hard times, and trust me there were hard times for our ancestors. These memory-filled items in the farmhouse are from 1920s to 1980’s, which we are sorting, including today found my grandmother’s trunk that contains her wedding things and other clothes. She even had a corset, now tell me those times we’re tough working in a corset!!!

Photos of my family are fun, and letters from family remind us of tough times, but especially of the love that they shared. I found a few spiritual items too, made me happy to know that they had faith.

I think we are to be present in the present. And let’s keep turning and churning now… remember hard work will get others reminiscing later…

Keep trusting God’s plan for the present and the future.

Amen

The Sandwich Generation

The Sandwich generation – we are the people who are in the middle of growing kids and aging parents – some of us are further towards onr side, or becoming an open face sandwich than others – but speaking in all these analogies, I hope you understand what I mean. And we can use the sandwich generation terminology for more than just family.

But in the classic use of the phrase, I hope you understand what I mean. These are people who are sometimes responsible – and often/should enjoy the blessings – of having both sides of their lives – pulls on their time – in 2 worlds… the kids and the parents… and often there comes heartaches and stretched time schedules for all folks.

Now, let’s conceptualize us in between the layers (where I am, blessedly) – not playing both sides, but in engaged in both sides… both sides with freshness and savoring inserts to my sandwich.

On the kids side – well there are fresh new adventures, spicy and dicey conversations and continuous needs – so fresh lettuce, tomato slices, some onions just half that side because differing kids have different lifestyles and preferences. Fresh, novel, and even if not always appreciated, maybe that freshness will be, someday…

On the parents side, (for me it’s just my mom now, plus aunts and uncles, all over 80), I’m savoring these years, their golden ones, so I’m adding to my sandwich some appreciated aged cheeses, smoked bacon, maybe a pickle or two, savored preserved, appreciation… always add appreciation…

As for me? The meat in the middle? Sometimes I’m the rarest of roast beef. Well, what about beef on wick, being a local favorite back home. Or some exciting falafel even tofu. Maybe just extra veggies. Turkey seems so bland but sometimes we do feel that way. Ham is a standby! Personally, I like to travel. So what about some Lebanon baloney, or Trenton pork roll. Maybe you just need some schnitzel, and a passport…

Now let’s not forget the condiments. Sometimes I need that garlic garlic aeoli, to give it some flavor and moisture. Ugly yellow mustard is my favorite, but sometimes you need some dijon, special touch. And don’t snub your nose at ketchup, but maybe heinz 57 sauce or maybe barbecue… mayo yes, relish? Well, relish that you are in the position and that you have the blessings.

Obviously the most important infusion into all of this is LOVE. FOR WE ARE FAMILY MADE FROM LOVE MADE TO LOVE.

God gives us an opportunity to be the love in the middle on both sides, and from dust we came to toast as dust we shall be, let us love love love love in every space we’re in…

Sometimes love until it hurts. But always LOVE to keep the flow flowing…

Amen

Cleaning is Not My calling!

Cleaning is not my calling.

And Sorting stuff goes out of style.

Although I love gardening, it’s not my guru.

My baking bubble burst.

Sewing just sits.

Rearranging furniture rules, but is so rare.

How to unhinder my hangup is hard.

Tote bag take over,

And boxes bursting,

Giveaways galore,

Please distract me from what might come in my door.

Prayers against my pack-rat nature, I will try to ply.

But if cleaning is not my calling, what is?

Carrying out and on God’s Plan and place for me. It changes season to season you see. Seriously, I say scripture does save me.

Writing wrangles my worry away.

Teaching is a tasty treat.

So books of biblical beauty I now buy.

To give away to inspire, yes I will try.

And most of all, I remind myself, ask Him to rekindle my fire. Remembering that God has bought me for hire.

Find your calling to be true. Actually God is calling you. Find out TOGETHER what He wants you to do.

Amen

My Sermon – a Season of Renewal

Blessed to share my sermon today (with a call to worship too)

Call to Worship – with Mother’s Day tie in…

It’s a season of renewal and wow what a spring?!!! Achooo….

But without the pollen, we wouldn’t have seeds… I HAVE MOVED FROM SNEEZING TO BREEZING THE SEEDS IN THE AIR – like this past week, I was throwing whirly gig helicopter-like maple tree seeds up in the air and watching them spin, just like I did when I was a kid up at my house. I’m still a kid at heart, and so is my mom!

And speaking of MOMS – WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY TODAY BEING MOTHER’S DAY – CELEBRATING MOTHERS – and we keep in prayers those who lost their moms – those who don’t have the relationship with their mom that they wanted to – or that society influences them to say it has to be – and many prayers for those moms who are estranged from their kids – God knows the brokenness in our society and we pray for everyone to draw closer to Him and hope for forgiveness at some point.

So we do wish, in the spirit of God’s Reconciliation, a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO OUR MOMS ALL MOMS WHETHER ON EARTH OR IN HEAVEN – AND HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO US – PERHAPS WE ARE MOTHERS OURSELVES OR Perhaps we strive to be those mother-figures to others – and I would have to say that THERE ARE MANY MOTHER-FIGURES IN OUR LIVES THAT HELP US ALONG THE WAY –

(even reminders that we put in our lives – we mother ourselves along the way)

And speaking of THE WAY – after the foundation BIRTH OF US BY WAY OF OUR MOTHERS – we have another NEW BIRTH – WE ARE BORN AGAIN IN JESUS – IN THE SPIRIT AND THRU RENEWAL – WHICH WE ALSO CELEBRATE THIS SPRING – we continue to be Easter People – renewed every day – and today in worship let us praise: Jesus Messiah – the rescue for sinners – redemption and renewal… – so let us stand and sing and praise. AMEN—-

Sermon – A Sprit of Renewal – and the Scripture Roadmap we can follow. – TODAY – I am back to many PROPS

– these many props are from my family farmhouse. I am planning to go back up this week – and in the spirit of renewal which takes a long time – years for that farmhouse – my mother and I – my family are all working hard to both continue it in upkeep and give it a renewal… we are cleaning and cleaning and wow the treasures, the unbelievable treasures… BUT REALLY THE TREASURE HAS BEEN IN VISITING WITH EACH OTHER. AND REMEMBERING – THE LOVE from my grandparents and my relatives, including the grit and determination of my great grandparents to come over on the boats – and then PUT IN really REAL hard, hard, hard work. They paid it forward for our lifetimes. THEY HAD THEIR HOPES IN REBUILDING FAMILY HERE.

AND THESE TREASURES ON EARTH – WELL WE ARE BOTH A BIT OVERWHELMED WITH THEM – BUT WE PROCEED ONE DAY AT A TIME CLEANING IT UP – AND MY MOM TOOK A MOMENT TO SAY – WOW, WE WERE LOVED IN THAT WE WERE GIVE A LOT OF TIME TO PLAY AND LEARN AND READ AND COLLECT WHAT THEY LIKED – this is a blanket that probably nestled all of us – for almost 80 years – and someone along the way put an embroidery on it.

AND TRUST ME THERE ARE VOLUMES OF THINGS from Roy Rogers and Gene Autry comic books to toys when I was a kid, which is crazy for me to even now say was 50 plus years ago – and OH the baby dolls, the strollers the paint sets… Pre-electricity, they were using the kerosene lamps. Electricity came in the 1940’s. my AUNT SHOWED US A RENEWED AND REWIRED LAMP FOR ELECTRICITY. We found volumes and volumes of books and volumes and volumes of toys speak to an era where entertainment was engaging oneself – LEARNING IN SCHOOL – as well as playing with siblings and cousins. And oh the magazines, Life magazines stand out in brightness, the 1950’s women’s magazines had every imaginable crochet pattern, baby necessity, food recipe, and then some… treasures found in the storage rooms, including ice cream makers, repair kits for kids’ shoes, tricycles and bouncy balls, bow and arrows, nets, freezers which held ice cream pops, and don’t forget all those outside joys of swingsets, a pond of tadpoles, a field of butterflies, a snow-fence enhanced snow caves, and how can I not mention that we had a whole farm to run around on…

TIMES MIGHT HAVE BEEN POOR, BUT ENERGY WAS NOT. LOVE WAS CERTAINLY GIVEN OUT AND LIFE WAS WHAT YOU MADE OF IT.AS WE SORT THE STUFF – we safeguard all the memories, It’s important to us to remember but most importantly remember that LOVE started it and kept it all together.

One treasure that I took home from the multitudes of treasures was a plastic nativity set that my Aunt had – AND THIS WEEK IS AUNT’S Heavenly BIRTHDAY – AND SHE WAS AN EXTRA MOM TO ME AS an AUNT – THEY TOOK GREAT EXTRA CARE OF US – AND OF THEIR YOUNGER SIBLNGS AND COUSINS ALL THROUGH THE AGESTHIS NATIVITY – it is the giant sized one that matches a tiny plastic one that I have.

This is truly a treasure to me as I honestly didn’t know the spiritual mindset that my aunt had. And when she passed and still now, I pray and pray and pray that Jesus said to her, remember me, I’m that little baby you used to decorate with… and I will save you now – and I pray her such spiritual renewal in heaven.

——————–

And what about us personally – Our season of renewal includes reminders that renewal is possible. We don’t have to stay stagnant, we can prune off the dead wood in our lives, just as God prudence us to bear better fruit on our branches to his vine.

And like the farmhouse or not – Our spirit of renewal also takes a long time – years for that farmhouse – and years and for forever for us – we will never be completely renewed until Jesus calls us face to face with God in heaven – so we continue to renew each day more and more.

Here is a turn in this sermon – still about renewal but for both us and for others – and the scripture we shared from the book of Romans – written by Paul who enjoyed a trip or few – let us now think of our faith journeys and these scriptures that we shared from the book of Romans as a “road map” – of spiritual renewal…

Paul as the author of Romans was on his own journey when it became a faith journey – if you remember, Paul was Saul and on the road to Damascus and hellbent to rid the world of the Christians – the followers of Jesus – who were called people who followed the Way… Paul could not have imagined Jesus Himself calling to Him in striking him on that road – and the recovery and the restoration of Paul’s life – nor could Paul have imagined what his life would turn into – Paul became one of the most prolific writers which became included in the bible – but because of his travels and others – we ourselves – gentiles here in a new world which is pretty young – the bible gospel messages reached people who came here too. Because Paul’s road took a twist in it – well many – we can now understand WHY it is important for rebirth and recovery and rework – and all that good renewal.

And yes – I brought more props from my family farmhouse – these maps are cool –

And I loved travelling as a kid and now – love seeing new sights – and those of us who don’t travel in actuality still have an opportunity to see places by books, movies, brochures – and imagination.Here is a map which details the three big trips of Paul and trust me they were fraught with tough times.Happy Mother’s Day – and my Sermon – a Season of Renewa

And where Paul could go he did – and where he couldn’t go – or needed to remind people of their mission – or where he wanted to go – he wrote letters which explained what it was meant to be a follower of the way – to talk importantly about the Salvation that was for Jews and Gentiles alike – and why Jews didn’t have to cling to the Law and the Old Covenant as the only way to salvation – Paul was teaching about Jesus. Paul even travelled to Rome eventually but by God’s Way not his – that is a whole other story and I suggest you dig into the travels of Paul in the book of Acts – amazing trips.

So – Paul’s roads are also our roads – and roads to realize a path forward. Also to realize the beautiful hope in the Lord. We need a road – we need to follow – not like my teabag saying this week that a walk in the woods with no roads is awesome – cute concept – that sounds idyllic in the moment – but then um – you want to get somewhere… And we are people who need to move – love to move – and yes even need to survive

So let’s get back to trips – not for pleasure but for necessity – and even migrations – there is one road that is historic and written about many times –

From Chicago area of Illinois, to Missouri to Kansas to Oklahoma to Texas to New Mexico to Arizona to California – with California thought to be a promised land for work and good farming – food and jobs…

Do you know the road I am speaking of?

Yes, ROUTE 66, often called the mother road (fitting for mother’s day) and a reminder of the hope for renewal (an

God bless those with basic survival, those on the dust trail…

https://www.route66roadtrip.com/route-66-facts-faqs.htm

In his Pulitzer Prize-winning 1939 novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” John Steinbeck wrote a chapter about Dust Bowl migrants traveling Route 66, which he nicknamed “The Mother Road.” These were people escaping the desolate and dusty farmland that was stricken with drought – these people were determined to find a better life – not unlike millions in the years of migrants or refugees.

In modern folklore Route 66 takes on a spirit of reflection draw – which you may remember from the animated Cars movie – Lightening McQueen travels inadvertently onto the OLD route 66 – realizing that the original road that gave so much life to the cities back then and took care of the travelers was now neglected and forgotten – people forgot to take the “slower road” – the road less travelled – which was originally the major hope thoroughfare

—

And so for this last section of our time – I want to look at this scripture as a road map… to our renewal and our future. Paul was writing for the Roman’s to understand – the necessary renewal of their mindsets – to acknowledge Jesus and let Jesus be the SPIRIT which would change them – we have that challenge too – so (asking the audience and handing out Route 66 placards with scriptures from Romans 8:1-11) – who here has been to Missouri? to Kansas? to Oklahoma? to Texas? to New Mexico? to Arizona? to California? (I can take Illinois since I was just there few weeks ago visiting my cousins – and took that time for renewal) and I will model our activity – going to read my road map section from these scriptures and say how I have been challenged to renew: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (personal testimony – short –

Rte 66 – Illinois: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Rte 66 – Missouri: For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.

Rte 66 – Kansas: And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Rte 66 – Oklahoma: Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Rte 66 – Texas: The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Rte 66 – New Mexico: You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Rte 66 – Arizona: But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

Rte 66 – California: And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

In closing –

Our road out here was just repaved –

Likewise, a newly paved road is great, but unless the foundation underneath is good, eventually you’ll get potholes. Potholes in life happen… Let us fill our potholes more than just with junk. Let us look deeper to the Rock of the Lord who wants to be our stability.

For life is about the inside, and how we express it out. Inside is where we keep our love and where we share our love from. The scripture says “guard your heart, because everything you do comes from it.” And that’s the truth. Recognize that we are temples and God loves us the way we are, but is always improving us by including Himself, into our mix. And when you’ve got God inside, you can glow…

So let us remember today to address the cracks, face the facts, and live better. Don’t just splash fresh paint on things but look at the foundation underneath and make a choice. Let us today, remember that God loves us and let us keep Him as our Rock (like in Psalm 18).

And as Paul would write in another letter – “you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1Cor 3:26

He’s our Temple built for praise. AMEN – (Prayer)

A God Who Never Quits – Nor This Mom

I don’t know about your mom figures in your life, but I was watching one today, and then riding with her, back home up the crazy highway of construction, stressful stretch of road anytime, and a car full of the loudest of the loud girl scout girls who were just enjoying themselves, but oh I think my ears still ring, and oh I was happy to retreat to my nice quiet house. I’m not saying a quiet house is better, because certainly the loudness indicated the scene was full of life. It’s just, sometimes we have to admit that what other people can tolerate or celebrate in their season of life, we can’t so much, at least not in a time if we are in different season.

So this mom and mom-figure is a crazy awesome girl scout mom. Not only a troop leader, she’s the service unit leader and wow she’s got hundreds of girls, not just these forty that came today. Give that lady applause, ear plugs, the night off, and a million dollars. And it’s amazing she keeps going…

Mom figures in our life are admired because they keep going and going and going. We also know people who simply don’t have the energy or tolerance, so we should celebrate those who do.

In that same spirit, we should remember the spirit that never quits, our God who never forgets, our Savior who never lets us go. If there’s go, go, go in life, then let us credit God God God. And if there’s rest, peaceful, quiet time and rest, let us credit a God who got us there. God never quits.

God never quits.

God never sleeps.

God never not loves.

God never goes away or is weak.

God is good, ALL the time, and especially now.

Thank God for our moms and our mom figures.

Figures God, who makes all good things, made them for us!

Thank you God!!! Thank you moms!

Amen

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Exodus 34:4-10 NKJV

Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.

Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. Then he said, “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”

The Covenant Renewed
And He said: “Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

What is the Worst Thing I Could Do?

A poem!

Don’t worry I DIDN’T do the worst thing that I could do,

Because the WORST thing that I could do was NOT PRAISE the LORD through and through.

This week I ALMOST touched poison ivy, DID pull out bad plant nightshade on purpose, and then stepped on a rusty nail oops – well yay tetanus shot – well with bonus CVS coupons, hooray!

But the WORST thing I could have done, this that and today, was not remembered to pause and PRAY.

I now feel better than OK,

Because I paused to pray.

Life gets scary.

Situations get hairy.

But better than any pretend magic fairy,

Is the Lord, the Lord is Who of us will CARRY.

So give Him your tears

Be honest with your fears,

Yet let’s save Him any sneers,

Because He still loves us, over our jeers.

LOVE YOU LORD. Whew…

The worst thing I could do,

Was not trust YOU.

Thank You Lord for being TRUE.

AMEN

Calm the Fear, Know God is Near

Calm the fear,

Know God is near.

Hold Him in cloudy days and clear.

He holds us close and dear.

We must know that His Love is SINCERE.

Clear Your Longview

It’s a common theme in bible teachings – take a LONGVIEW – don’t get clogged by day to day craze, but take a longer wider gaze…

This was in our devotion Jesus Always for May 3rd (Sarah Young) – stating that “there are times you will have to look THROUGH your circumstances” to see God’s glorious radiant presence – imagine looking at a beautiful garden through dirty glass and only seeing the dirt on the glass and not taking that LONGVIEW out to the garden beyond. This is us not looking at our forever home and secured sanctification and salvation but instead being too clogged in view by our current circumstances.

We need to take a long view.

Yes and AMEN!

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:28 NIV

Dolly Parton has a song (Clear Blue Morning) which take a similar take – and it is from 1977 = lyrics and link below. “‘Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning – I can see the light of a brand new day – I can see the light of a clear blue morning – Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right – It’s gonna be okay”

Watch “Dolly Parton – Light of a Clear Blue Morning ft. Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah & Reba” on YouTube

Dolly Parton, 1977

It’s been a long dark night

And I’ve been a waitin’ for the morning

It’s been a long hard fight

But I see a brand new day a dawning

I’ve been looking for the sunshine

You know I ain’t seen it in so long

But everything’s gonna work out just fine

And everything’s gonna be all right

That’s been all wrong

‘Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of a brand new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay

It’s been a long long time

Since I’ve known the taste of freedom

And those clinging vines

That had me bound, well I don’t need ’em

Oh, I’ve been like a captured eagle, you know an eagle’s born to fly

Now that I have won my freedom, like an eagle I am eager for the sky

And I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of brand new day