It was seemingly fitting to listen to the Hamilton musical while doing my family history project, I have been scanning and copying precious letters from my family history, and even though it’s like an unknown payoff of taking my time, it’s ONLY time, and only a matter of time, plus just a brief moment of time in the big scheme of life. And this slice of life is worth it, I just feel it. A good project in the AC at night. And at the same time as my scanning, the actress speaks on TV over my shoulder the last words of the Hamilton musical, it’s a breathtaking moment and she (Eliza) sings: “And when my time is up, have I done enough? Will they tell my story?… Oh I can’t wait to see you again It’s only a matter of time…”
Yes, time – I feel this level of bringing these people’s history alive, their memories, and my excitement for meeting them again in heaven IS worth the TIME. It’s JUST a matter of TIME.
While scanning, I’ve been reading them and interacting with the stories of them, I can feel the love and pain of their tales, relationships, hopes. Even when they talk about how Santa Claus will be for them and their little ones, it’s relatable. And these letters are over 100 years old but one can picture it, sometimes tragic things but not too over stated. They speak too of how time does fly by. These letters talk about going to the new talking movies, talk about the trolleys, about ice skates and hanging out on the NYC streets as kids as their normal activities in the 1920’s 1930’s… an older time… We forget the simplicity and yet the harshness of those times. They write in the depression of how bad times are. But that they still have their health. Except for the part of one cousin who got sick and wasted away, “You would have never known a year ago “… and the car that hit a cousin and his medical treatment free on Welfare Island (now Roosevelt Island alongside Manhattan).
Well, more on time, I was thinking how much I still forget, yeah… I forget so much, we all do. And I don’t know or understand this reading from Zechariah, even if I read it before. That bothers me a bit but it shouldn’t because wow all of scripture is SO detailed, SO intense, and covers ALL of time, even the future – there’s no way to know it all. Zechariah is no less complex [Bible Project link below explaining these are dreams, prophecy, and God’s in charge of time – and much the rest is strange symbolic visions].
Yes, what I can gleen immediately from much/all scripture, including from Zechariah 14 (link below from Bible Gateway), IS THAT GOD WINS. GOD IS IN CHARGE. IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME. And God wants our devotion.
Yes, well even now, God is STILL in control.
God gives us so much, including time… it’s not for us to understand it all but know the underpinnings that God does, God is in charge, and God loves us.
And whatever happens in life, God will set it straight, it’s just a matter of time. It’s JUST time. God makes that happen or stop!
Amen
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Zechariah 14:1-9 NIV
The Lord Comes and Reigns
A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.
I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.
On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. …
To say my time not working (at a job) has been WORKING OUT for me, is an understatement. It’s been a PRODUCTIVE time, I’m blessed to have had this opportunity and temporary reassignment to “OTHER” jobs – not just travel, which you know I’ve been doing a LOT of. (It’s 2 weeks until my biggest summer adventure. Yes I’m almost packed.)
And as for work: “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever” – I believe this Psalm 138 verse SO MUCH – He Will in HIS TIME.
But so SERIOUSLY and with CERTAINTY, instead of a nine to five job, how ELSE have I FILLED my time (or seen it filled for me)? Well, I’ve had a few adventures with my kids yes, and a BIG one with the farmhouse finds. AND HOW AND WOW!
We have items, yes, newspapers and photos, baby dolls and even 48-star American flags. We have a FULL house of finds… But it was the “draw” of the pull mentally of getting to “the back corner”, an artificial goal with natural faith to finish that sorting before summer made that attic region unbearable in heat, THAT was an achievement in my mind that has paid off BIG TIME. Essentially we found letters and postcards, we found that we have HUNDREDS of cousins we did not know about. Letters and letters and letters. WOW.
AND I’VE BEEN SCANNING AND COPYING FOR A MONTH. Plus online research.
Most surprising, now that I’ve connected census research and ship manifests, I discovered that my great great grandparents came to America after their old-enough daughter (my great grandmother) and old-enough son had established themselves here, bringing more children. And I found photographs and maps to their gravestones. WOW.
Auntie, we knew of her from one photo, but now her many children plus more uncles and cousins are discovered. In these letters, yes, the writings ache your heart in the depression hitting their lives as workers, bakers, farm stand folks, seamstresses. Even though times were tough for my direct family back then, they had a farm and they still ate. My grandpa told me once that all they ate was potatoes every day. Makes me count my blessings.
And in this, I see the RESILIENCE of a generation, the love especially in the writing, and also the normalcy of their situations. IF WE STUDY THE PAST, WE ARE THANKFUL GOD HAS PULLED US SAFE THUS FAR.
I will write more later about what I’ve found, but for now I will say THANK YOU LORD for this time I’ve had to dig into the project, to devote to scanning and copying, online digging, to now know their names, even a couple photos, but most importantly their love. And I THANK YOU LORD for once again making me count my blessings of provisions and a plan.
I stopped my “ancestry .com” research after my one month $25, I think I milked it pretty good, loose ends and and rabbit holes accepted. I’ve colored coded my scanned letters and sorted by time and person.
Will I find relatives who live in this era? I don’t know, but I’m going to leave that for another time. This was a big enough project for now.
And I will appreciate what I do have, God’s grace and mercy for these moments of openness… (and appreciate a whole bunch of people whom I hope to meet in Heaven!)
Now I plan on SWITCHING GEARS to typing up the new family tree, for me, my kids, my family. The “artificial goal” I’ve set is to complete this to a stopping point before my next travels. It’s a good goal to gain and then move forward to the next BIG thing.
Yes, LIFE gifted by God. Got to live it and love it!
Amen
Psalm 138 NKJV
The Lord’s Goodness to the Faithful, a Psalm of David.
I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.
All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, When they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, For great is the glory of the Lord. Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Ah – isn’t it great to be in summer and specifically for us in church this morning to be in our Pentecost season – where we are actively remembering that God in the form of the Holy Spirit is with us ALL THE TIME – and we are talking about EMPOWERMENT in this series and this season – and well – it surely IS the right time for us to feel empowered to do things but also to know that God loves us so much that He is with us – Be still and know that He is God – He helps us – He gives us His power – He plugs Himself into us – He gives us the juice of the battery to keep moving – He gives us the wind under our sails – and the pickup in our steps. And THIS for His purposes which when we align to Him – we are blessed.
Jesus often must have talked about these sentiments to the disciples (like in John 14:26-27), speaking to them while here on earth but soon to go: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
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So in our study this season, last week spoke of the sermon spoke of walking by the Spirit – and we often talk about the fruits of the spirit from Galatians – I had a sermon last year when we made the tree and hung the fruits on it: the fruit of the Spirit – are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What great gifts to tap into when gifted – and for us to strive for.
And in our scripture this morning – we also heard that familiar passage from Jesus (chapter 15 of John, the beginning verses):
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – THIS IS NOT A PUNISHMENT BUT A REPLENISHMENT!
So – you know it is a great season for props – I mean planting… so showing prop 1A – a bag of tomato flowers and tiny fruit – I want to mention this pruning I did this morning – specifically for my tomatoes. Well, gardeners know (or someone taught me) that one has to remove the early flowers which are on the young plants – they grow fast out of stress – the goal of plants (not an emotional goal but a botanical one) is to bear fruit and seeds to fill the genetic pool with their own offspring – but we know, as gardeners – that we are to prune off these young sapling’s flowers and maybe even a small fruit – in order to have the plant devote itself (again not emotionally but physically) to making heartier branches – longer vines – better bigger fruit… Peaches are like that too – in that I read the orchard’s Facebook posts and they have to remove some of the smaller flowers and fruits to have the biggest best peaches. They say the first is called the King Blossom.
Pruning – and what about us? Ever feel pruned by the Lord – yeah – ouch – yeah – necessary even if we don’t see the reasons immediately. Pruning – yeah – emotionally and speaking of our EQ like IQ – to be stronger in spirit – to rely on the Lord more – to be more abiding in Him. And pruning can also be a focusing experience – like shutting a door on something – and working on a task at hand. Jesus DID say – to take life one day at a time – let tomorrow worry tomorrow – today has enough to stay tuned into.
And here is ANOTHER prop to help tomatoes (prop 1B) – the tomato cages and stakes – and clips – tomatoes are vines as we discussed and it will help the fruit if we give them a support – just clip the vine and support the growth upwards…
And don’t we need this support too? Don’t we need the direction to Look Above? Yes, we do – I do – we need help in holding up these mighty fruits of God’s gifting – we are given His help to be stronger – God actually would prefer that we don’t “go it alone”.
This next scripture section is probably the most comforting of this whole passage: “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. – Whew! We as believers and Jesus’s disciples are already clean because of the word – because of Jesus – because we believe in Him and repent to know Him better – to know the way He wants us to go – to be in connection with Him – and to be cleansed by Him – you know what He can give us – through His Vine will grow us and mature us and cleanse us.
Which brings me to this prop – “Technu” – I love this cleanser – it takes away the oils of the poison ivy and also that itchiness of tomato plants too! After I get inside, I clean my tools, my glasses and especially my upper arms and wherever I may have touched my face – (I leave my gloves outside – wash them later). Technu gives me that peace of mind – I did what I could do to prevent poison ivy.
And regular soap too – my cousins on my recent trip to VA and NC had a soap dispenser that said “This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be GLAD in it.” PS118:24. The scripture reminded me to stop and cleanse my hands of course – but my thoughts too – and cleansing thoughts becomes the opportunity to praise – to pause – (stop our complaining) – to say and hope to “BE GLAD”.
A recent devotion I read and thought of as I was looking at the soap – was to PURIFY – The Author asking: “are you daily doing the work needed to keep your heart purified and guard it from being contaminated?” 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out reverence for God.” [ In our botanical examples, this could mean don’t touch the poison ivy on purpose…]
It is about realizing who we are in Christ and then walking in humility and awareness. James 4:7-10 speaks to this: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – Just like our branches to His Vine – and just like those Tomatoes.
Jesus tells us to resist evil by standing firm in our faith. Jesus knows we need Him to do this!
Jesus tells us: we are clean BECAUSE OF HIM – isn’t that an EMPOWERMENT to keep trying our best – to keep going – to do what we can. To REJOICE in today and in forever that the Lord as He washes and covers us with not just the fluffiest of towels but in His forgiveness in His Blood – in His overlay to our sins. God cleans up our acts – so it is best we try too… (Our friend Deacon Don would say we are to watch our: thoughts words and actions – TWA.)
And another advantage to staying vined with Jesus is that we want our lives to try to be less choked by the weeds too. These are the distractions and they take up our time – just like weeds in the garden take up nutrients, water and sunlight – blocking the best growth – we need pruning and sometimes we need the big tool – so that brings me to Prop 3 – a small garden hoe and this landscaping fabric – we clean around our precious plants – why not clear and clean our lives too from distractions if possible. Paring away and coming nearer to God… We often have to thin the seedlings – like for radishes – many growing will not be as good as one BIG radish…
I am not going to go through all the many distractions we have in life – but we are to know to look to Jesus – and everything else will fade away as less important.
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ABIDE in Jesus – SO – for this abiding in Jesus – we need His support, yes, need to listen to His words – about pruning – about resisting – about being less choked by weeds – and about Jesus feeding our branches. So with all this – we will see that His fruit grows. It grows on us and then we’re empowered to share from this bountiful harvest of His Help – we are to give as God has given us.
” Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. – My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…”
We sang this morning: ‘Empty Me’ (so we can be filled) – we sang ‘Abide’ (so we can follow) – we sang ‘Breathe’ (so we are given life). We NEED Jesus – we want His help. It IS a strengthening to keep going. So it should not concern us of HOW we are going to bear fruit – but protecting it – like those hot houses I saw in North Carolina last week – and I saw watering systems too – for the tomatoes and for us too – helping our branch to the Vine be out in just enough sunlight – be protected from scorching heat – and not be too far from the water source… I loved the farm feel – a reminder of home at our pick your own places – a chance to be outside – and a chance to get the freshest – I mean the FRESHEST produce.
I stopped at a separate farmstand – just a cart – on the side of the road for this corn (prop of an ear of the real corn he gave me) and well I only had 2 dollars – thought I would get just one or two for snacking but the gentleman just gave me 4 ears – just for free – asked where I was from – and probably thought my accent was funny. It was so nice of him to share the fruit of his harvest – and his smile. I wanted to pay but not only did he give me this for free – he gave me double what I asked for – now isn’t that like Jesus – giving us so much.
And then what about the spiritual fruits for us to share – we have to figure out what we are going to do to share our skills, our talents, our encouragements – so many options. So, we need that wisdom from God too – from Jesus giving direction – empowered to share – it is OK – it is good – it is right – and honestly if we don’t share our fruits, how will the seeds – the seeds of faith – how will they spread? We are empowered to share.
We don’t want fear that freezes our fruit away – just keep trusting and just keep knowing He has this – and just keep moving forward. It is sinful to stew – let us keep our fruit fresh…
Well, God doesn’t feed and leave – no – God is always with us. Just like when Moses has passed – Joshua was chosen by God to finish the leading – to lead the wandering folks into the promised land – and God said: 9 ”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Yes – we are to know God is with us. We can ask for His Help in living our lives for Him.
Amen – Won’t you please pray with me?
Lord, we do pray that You do help us to prosper and be fruitful – to listen and obey – to put others in front of ourselves – and to put You, Lord Jesus, above all. We know Lord that You do have plans to prosper us – to give us a hope and a future – and You DO want our help in sharing the fruit that You give us – In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Benediction – read excerpt of Psalm 139 – God loves us – He really does – and He wants to help us and empower us! (also read and handed out the names of Jesus on a bookmark.)
“Sweet Jesus” is spoken many times in the musical I am watching (about 3/4 thru now) sometimes as a prayer but sometimes as a swear and sometimes as a mockery of the one who said it all the time – “Sweet Jesus” is spoken by the Congressional custodian Andrew McNair – played by a particular actor who played it in the musical on stage and then in this 1972 movie version – he is so good at his role. Ben Franklin (a hilarious portrayal) says it once too – but it is the custodian who is very importantly saying it in frustration and disbelief. And I think he is also saying it in “I can’t believe it – I need some help here in believing this terrible stuff”…
And so in this musical, the song that drew dramatic attention is: “Oh Momma, Look Sharp” – a poignant song about young people in war – both musical 1776 and emotional reality 1776 war – about a sore subject we don’t talk enough about in that war – nor in 4th of July frivolities and fun. So in this musical, it is sung by a young soldier who is a courier back and forth with dispatch letters from General Washington from the field – or from other war places. The young courier speaks about his 2 young friends dying in Lexington (The shot heard ’round the world) – and their momma’s running to find them when they didn’t come home that night. Oh – ugh – awful thought…
Yeah, war brings death – of young folks – of momma’s sons. Sweet Jesus, we will never understand war or wars from a humanitarian side – but we do know war – and we do sadly understand death and the sting felt by those left behind.
Sweet Jesus we say that in disbelief of so much suffering and death in this world – the beginning of sin – the Cain killed Abel disruption – the dark prince of this world – the evil uproars that cause differences in people who should live in harmony – and the unknown of why we are the way we are. This is where we need you Sweet Jesus, Prince of Peace.
I cannot make any philosophical and intellectual professions of understanding or defending or not defending war, not going to try to engage in debate. And just as a audience member of the movie – they speak of a tyrant who is king – and that when a king becomes a tyrant, people will reject this person as not their king. In scripture in the old testament, God warned against putting human kings into the equation of earth – not to want an earthly king – God knew the consequences. And God “I AM” Sovereign really wanted (and wants) the people to understand Him as their King – and their everything – and yet the people rejected (and reject) Him.
The people in Samuel’s time (before King Saul was picked) said “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
God IS the one who judges and goes out before us and fights our battles. We must remember that “God’s got this”…
Sad for the ones who don’t know that when we reject not only God as sovereign but also reject the Salvation offered by Jesus’s sacrifice, we reject the opportunity to be saved – and we do want salvation, right? Given as a price paid by Jesus – offered to us – we do want this. Sweet Jesus thank you for this gift!
We pray in any war on any year or any day of any era of time – that the Lord will see us through – He Will – and we pray that we remember to focus on the ONE who saves: Sweet Jesus.
Sweet Jesus.
Amen
1 Samuel 8 NKJV
Israel Demands a King Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”
So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord. So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.”And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”
I am enjoying this America 250 simply from the fact that there is much history to be learned and places to visit – and yet, 250 years ago was only the beginning and there were many dark days and many bright ones too – between then and now.
And while watching and reading about the musical 1776, I found that the folly of the facts both fascinating and foolish. (especially funny the parts of Ben Franklin and his quips…) – well this movie is historical fiction for sure.
But most fascinating is how I appreciate the main character, John Adams, in the story – NOT because of his role but FOR the actor portraying him – the same actor who was on St Elsewhere much later – William Daniels – and that brash stark and demanding character he is in both shows. Yeah – I had to look him up as soon as I started watching – and it is the storyteller who conveys the attitude you take for or against the character. (and trust me this movie from 1976 for 1776 has a funny set of characters!)… And so much pleading by John Adams to make it a dramatic movie.
It is also interesting how they portray Thomas Jefferson – and say he has “A happy talent for composition” – and funny how they have a quip by Jefferson to Adams about assuming a role like God in creating – well – no one can create like God! And Jefferson so far (I only watched half the movie) is stuck with writer’s block. Glad he got over that!
Now, I am grateful that Our Lord and the Word Himself never had writer’s block – and not a happy composition but a HOLY Composition in preparing the Bible… And we remember and know that God IS God – and it is not like He has a talent for writing but IS the Word Himself. Jesus brings not just His best but HIMSELF to the EXISTANCE of God on earth – not just a role that He plays and fulfills – there are no checkboxes but pre-written plotlines and twists and turns that we can’t understand. There are not commands just for drama – but dramatic reasons to be commanded. Jesus IS – and wanted to teach – and writers of the Word were chosen to write to explain – to challenge – to inspire.
In 2nd Thessalonians letter chapters 2-3, Paul urges the letter readers to STAND FAST and hold on… and to know that God Himself chose the chosen to believe and to act – not to be idle – and to be not disorderly but a follower of Jesus. – Love and obey – there is no other way. And treat others both fairly and like Jesus and if they do not go along with the Word (at Paul’s urging), don’t treat him like the enemy but as a brother – to bring him back to the fold.
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Yes – I see that “the happy talent for composition” – is more of a RECONCILLATION – bringing Christ to us and us to God – and to each other in brotherhood of love. It is a HOLY Composition for LOVE.
Let us remember to LOVE most of all.
Amen
(ok – back to the rest of the movie…)
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2nd Thessolonians (2:13- 3:18) NKJV
Stand Fast But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Pray for Us Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Warning Against Idleness But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Benediction Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Well, I know you know ‘footprints in the sand’ where Jesus is carrying us… and He always is… But this tire track next to a footprint on the trip I took, from an official beach vehicle, reminded me of Jesus as Rescuer with the POWER – Tire Tracks in the Sand – Jesus is not without the POWER to pick up everything!
Cleaning up – picking up – big messes and small – Jesus will rescue it all.
‘God’s Got This’ is a great thought, but it’s actually one hundred percent the truth!
And so Tire Tracks in the Sand, His Real Power in His Real Way. Jesus takes care of it without delay.
I pulled in home about 10pm. It’s so good to travel, but it’s priceless to be home. Travel often makes you long for home, your bed, your bathroom, and doing laundry… home until the next adventures…
I was so thankful to get a power nap, I did listen to my body and when pulled up in the Maryland rest area, I set my alarm for 22 minutes. It was less than 2 hours to home, still daylight and the weather cooled down and I locked my door and pulled out my pillow and reclined, a friend gave me this pillowcase of NYC taxis, she and I are both from NY, but wildly different parts, she downstate, me up. It’s what makes remembering home as home, different things but same desire to remember.
And home eternal is also what we long for, enjoy the joy in the journey until then, and hold onto God’s peace, even more than that steering wheel in DC metro loop traffic, whew. We all will say WHEW when we land home in heaven.
And on this trip I enjoyed remembering my childhood trips, touring the east coast and seeing both cousins and tourist stops, including historic places like Yorktown near Williamsburg. I went to Colonial Williamsburg as a child, Busch Gardens too, but not Yorktown, so on this trip that brief stop for me was for new memories of a place in time which was crucial to America independence, and understanding the battles atmosphere. Well for me it was hot, 90’s, so I walked only to the monument and got back to the car to keep moving… my cousin’s house and big dinner then home was awaiting…
Meanwhile driving I spoke to at least three friends/family and then I listened to excerpts on YouTube for the American Revolution Ken Burns series, they were education on the go, and mind engaging for keeping awake, but still I needed to stop and rest. And then after 30 minutes power nap, I was up, ready to go. It was so good to recharge and not just for driving but for when I did get home, having the energy for showering, putting in laundry, and talking to my youngest all about the day, including the community theater production for which props were needed, and yes, I had stuff to share and had to dig them out.
Then crashed into bed, ah home…
Home is temporary here on earth, I’m off to my next adventures soon. But here’s the devotion worth remembering: Permanent Home is Heaven Home, where God has prepared for us an amazing banquet, to sit at HIS table. And there’s no hassles or tiredness. And while here on earth, we foster connections that we want also in Heaven.
On this last driving day, a visit I had earlier that day, I got to go see my other Virginia cousins, a brief stop for early dinner it was great. It gave her also that connection to me too. Brief but beautiful and quality over quantity. And I gave her my scripture of the moment, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “
AND may we believe that… day by day plans from the Lord… Heavenly forever plans especially…
Mightier than the waves of the sea is HIS LOVE FOR YOU – Psalm 93:4
I teared up yesterday – oh the blessed feelings I have had this whole trip “my cousins world tour ” and then yesterday adventure day while driving north – from my cousin’s place to Kitty Hawk in upper NC outerbanks. “OBX” they call it – the outer banks. Well, I feel that God was putting money in my memory banks for this day of the trip – and yeah – teared up in the beauty and in the ability and in the going.
I started at 6am with the sunrise walking the beach with my cousin – what a fast pace and great exercise – and seeing the turtle nests and the turtle people checking them – and the mailbox “Kindred Spirits” where I wrote a note “God bless you all” – and then I drove up the coast on route 17 where I felt like I could stop where I felt like – you know when you are in the car and see these places but then I stopped – even took a photo on the side of the road and a sherrif checked on me – so sweet – but yeah good stops like the farm cart of fresh corn and only had 2 dollars but instead of getting just an ear or two – the old farmer guy gifted me 4 ears – and didn’t take my money – asked where I was from and just smiled in the giving … Yeah… yummy too – i love eating corn raw as a child and now as a child of joy. And then around the bend I saw the real tobacco plants planted, wow, and beans and corn and more – so much farming still – and found the off-road farm stand at the farm itself where I got blueberries and peaches and oh the yummy ice cream for lunch. Then at the boiled peanut place – oh my those are so good these were freshly boiled salty ones completing my “farm to subaru” lunch – there was a placard: Mightier than the waves of the sea is HIS LOVE FOR YOU – Psalm 93:4 – and that is not just for fun or frivolous stuff like so much we do – but He loves us down deep for our faults and our foibles and our faith – yes – IN FAITH – He brings up the tears that He then collects – it is how He lubes our system at times – hydrating us with Living Water to then make our eyes (and appetites) re-wetted for more – MORE OF HIM. I love this trip and love the Lord even more and feel like I am riding on His coattails and joyful happy trails.
I would say that if you never experienced much travel, then please get out and do it. I have to say that traveling alone is wonderful in that you can stop when you want to stop and experience and rest and then also see so much – and not alone because not only is God with you – but you can make phone calls from the car and talk and talk and talk. AND YOU NEED TO SEE THE FARMS BEFORE THEY ARE TAKEN OVER BY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS!!! Gas has been inexpensive $3.30 – and travel is priceless – and there is SO MUCH HERE – I went from Asheville on th efar west to the OBX on the far east – so worth it…
And I did have dinner with a high school friend – 40 years – and thank God for Facebook that keeps us connected – we had SO MUCH to talk about – but also SO TIRED – and I knew I was running on fumes and including watching the sparks of the heat lightening which was going to bring real storms sooner than later – and well I was fully in my hotel by then and the downpours were immense but the solid cement of this hotel (near the airport and more inexpensive with my points redemption) kept me more safe than safe and sound – it was safe and sage knowledge of Knowing the Lord had brought me “safe thus far” – that IS Amazing Grace in the practical sense – and yes His Amazing Grace is for our every next step.
So – photos – including the words on the Kitty Hawk Big Kill Devil Hill monument that state “UNCONQUERABLE FAITH” – yeah – they must have had this faith – they built and then they drug the apparatuses up this HUGE sand dune over a 1000 times in testing and perfecting their flights – and wow you have to be here to feel the wind – oh my… you might get a sense of it. You need to visualize the hill and the markers where they got their distance – and I was grateful for the park ranger who told me they were closing but there was a free parking spot behind the park and that people could walk in and take all the time they wanted – wow…. near the airport strip just behind the monument… sweet…
As for me and my Subaru (over a 1000 miles on this trip and newly oil changed in Virginia), we will serve the Lord – and seep the tears of joy and unbelievable blessings in feelings to have these days – not just of leisure but of travel and mission – and wow will be my 4th cousin grouping today – as I am on my way north to DC and then home… But first I plan to stop at many historical markers and well, whereever I feel like – that the Lord will make me appreciate in the going…
Thank You Lord for Faith in Flight and Knowing Things are All Right!
I really appreciate driving a shorter 3hr distance to my next set of cousins on my “cousins world tour “. These cousins live on the southern coast, not far from the beach. The sunset was amazing, the pool was soothing, and the conversation was enlightening. See you need to sit with people often to catch up.
See, on this trip I have really witnessed and experienced that you actually have to visit people to hear ALL the news. And trust me that we lose touch so easily with even our closest cousins…
Yes, our closed connections, whether it be with cousins or community are crucial, even fun. The community in this neighborhood had a pool party for Father’s Day. And you could tell that the community enjoyed being together. We floated in the pool, and you could just feel the joy in the chit-chat that rose above the water.
And we were having some of our own chit-chat later in the evening, when we were interrupted by something even more beautiful, it was an overwhelming amazing sunset, even startled us. I said that God makes even a sunset more beautiful than we could ever imagine for things made on earth.
And if we listen to the closeness of God, we will hear His Plan more, for our lives, for answered prayers, for next steps. Stay in His shadow…
And when we stay in communication with our Creator, we will see how creation and the creatures and the crazy goodness are compelled to be in God’s plan and grace.
Oh, the place and pace of God’s Grace… Let us connect with God and each other in God’s way, and keep the connections strong.
Well Happy Father’s Day to everyone dad and dad-like. Happy father’s day to my own dad plus “uncle-dads”, as my cousins have called many of our 6-brother dad uncles. All heaven held now, in Jesus’s hands. In the Love of the Almighty Father.
I know that I am blessed with perspective and certainly travel right now, so on this father’s day I am with family to whom my dad would travel to see as well. We are all getting older so those of us who are mobile best mobilize. I’m driving to other cousins later today. I say, “God willing, and He usually is…” (I liked looking at the state flag stamps with my cousin, and realizing that instead I would make state cousin pictures stamps if I could. I love traveling and being a connector. )
My grandparents lived in much tougher economic times than we do and raised 6 amazing men and fathers. Really isn’t that the blessing God gives, is the ability to appreciate what we can do to be wise children and respect our elders, and be teachers to our own collective children. Remember we pass on our willingness to engage, to help, in order to see them, the next generation, pay it forward, play it forward, LOVE IT FORWARD…
That is the wisdom of the day, be wise and teach wisdom.
And do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. Proverbs 23:22b-25
Amen and Happy BLESSED FATHERS DAY TO OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY FATHER.
I knew it would be so good to see family, but I guess I just didn’t think about that time blessed to have to view the amazing scenery. And so after a long drive from Virginia, down to North Carolina, I got up the next morning and rode with my cousin and my Aunt (age 90plus) over to the mountains, up to Asheville and the Biltmore house and amazing grounds… oh mountains and amazing views…
Walking this morning back here near central NC, I appreciate street signs of Blessing, Mountaintop, Good life, Joyful noise… and I especially appreciate it a billboard yesterday that said “JESUS IS the answer to all our problems”… THE IMAGE I GOT WAS FUZZY, BUT THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR.
Yes, thank YOU, Jesus, for helping us clear our minds, realize what’s important, take everything day to day, hour by hour. And thank you for these safe passages, especially the tiredness in driving at times.
Thank you Lord for giving us the best view… YOU!!!
Amen
The very best thing I could tell you these last 4 and half months is to go see family, go see exciting things. And one hundred percent follow where the Lord is leading you. Jesus is the answer to all your problems…
It was an AMAZING visit to Berkeley Plantation Virginia, I just “randomly” picked it off Google maps, wow…
And the tour guide so amazing. The historical significance is remarkable but the scenic views are the most breathtaking. The proximity of the wide river, the weather favorable to crops, the now grown-up trees, the careful caretakering… and then the history, from the natives in the area, to the “first recorded” thanksgiving to God, thankful for safe passage by ship in 1600’s, to the revolutionary war resources of the wealthy Harrison people who also took the heat for separation by the turncoat Benedict Arnold destroying the place, to the revamping and restoration by next generations. Lincoln visited the 140,000 troops camped here. The writer and bugle-est penned TAPS here. Wow…
And then there’s the current resident, George the cat, so welcoming…
A wealth of history and artifacts and place of pondering. And that thanksgiving to God for safe passage. Yeah, me too…
The tour guide did talk about the indentured slaves, how they themselves did gardens and create items of value to trade with the household. She told us that the slaves stayed near where they worked, so separate groups, we’re working hours away in the thousands of acres of tobacco or corn, etc… she said that all this labor for a big place made the wealth for these inhabitants. It’s an anniversary today for Junteenth, to celebrate freedom from slavery, it’s a continuation of realizing many thanksgivings for safe passage in life.
Safe passage, how interesting for us to have our modern conveniences, do we realize we’ve had safe passage to this era? I think we need to thank the Lord and count on Him that we continue to have safe passage in His arms even through hostile times.
All of history, back to Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel, all of history has had incidents of strife as well as amazing safe passage forward.
Let us thank the Lord today for everything He’s done for us and will do. Let us learn perseverance from Him. James 1 talks about the testing of faith producing endurance.
Amen
And prayers for safe passage forward…
James 1 New King James Version
Greeting to the Twelve Tribes James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
Profiting from Trials 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The Perspective of Rich and Poor 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Loving God Under Trials 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Qualities Needed in Trials 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Doers—Not Hearers Only 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
I loved the scriptural soap container in my cousin’s bathroom: “This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be GLAD in it.” PS118:24. The scripture reminded me to stop and cleanse my thoughts and not just my hands – and cleansing thoughts becomes the opportunity to praise – to say BE GLAD. The devotion from Bob of the Daily Dose also was on my mind as I was looking at the soap – his devotion was to PURIFY… Asking: “are you daily doing the work needed to keep your heart purified and guard it from being contaminated?” 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out reverence for God.”
And one of my big mental purifications (again) is Jeremiah 29:11 – which was written on my cousin’s shower curtain: “God’s plans are for you to prosper, to provide you a hope and a future.” And so yet again my fear that freezes me for a second is washed away – just keep trusting and just keep knowing He has this – and just keep moving forward. It is sinful to stew in spewing stuff… Keep moving forward… REJOICE… BE GLAD…
REJOICE in today and in forever that the Lord washes us both inside and out – and covers us with not just the fluffiest of towels but His forgiveness in His overlay to our sins. God cleans up our acts – so it is best we do so too… We can scrub and sing praises, trim and praise the pruning, believe and dispel unbelief. It takes a “daily detoxing” to cleanse our thoughts and our actions – and let the Lord lather up our lasting lives.
AMEN
(and oh the wonderful peaceful morning I had sitting on the porch in pursuing peace – hearing the rustling leaves and feeling the breeze…)
Ahhhh… I was so tired last night when I penned my devotion about the postcards – but MUCH BETTER NOW – AND WOW I appreciate this trip down here… And wow I have now made a post (not postcard) of photos in an album from this first leg of my trip to see cousins on “my cousins world tour” – here is Virginia since last night. Tomorrow will be down to NC for more cousins – it is simply good to have this time to take and good to take the time.
I also have to say that Virginia is for Lovers, like the old ad campaign said – and that being in Virginia I love God even more it seems day by day when I got to experience the why I came here when I stepped out of the car and wow felt embraced by this place of peace in the woods (really out here) in deep Virginia – and acres of woods and the birds and the deer and the trees and wow – the nature – the creation growning for the Lord and me sigh-ing for Him too – it is just so good to be here – AND TO BE WITH FAMILY – and walk their property and drive to a local town famous in an old way…
(and wow we sprayed the repellents on for the walk in the woods – and yes I checked for ticks !!! Ticks and their diseases are the frustrating part of life here now – and we do have to tolerate and prepare and take action – just like the rough parts of life… that’s the brokenness of life here – hoped to be healed sooner than later by Jesus returning – Lord please come)
And so from just this small trip so far – we know that ‘Virginia is for Lovers’ – and for Lovers of God – and so it also is time for us to Love God no matter where we are – as God and love of God surpasses time and place.
So while resting after our hikes I checked over my recent photos from back home and I see the beauty of the photos of the lovely vintage Valentines that I photographed from the family farmhouse collection. AND I also found a letter nearby – which I read and photographed – an evangelism letter – send to my grandfather after his dad passed away and he had to fly to Florida to get his effects and him – in the mid 50’s. The letter is truly a blessing of scripture of encouragement – to “the bereaved one” – I read it truthfully and in love of the ability to use the Word in word sense in writing to people – and in sharing no matter what the age. “WE WANT TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT JOY THERE IS IN TAKING JESUS FOR YOUR OWN.” – yes – JOY…
Joy is in the journey always – and to know God is to wait on Him and accept the amazing and the not – and keep moving forward…
Here is the letter typed out (just excerpts): “When we are born into this world, we come into it as sinners. In Psalms 51:5, David writes, “Behold I was shapen in iniquity… “But in John 3:17 the Bible says that God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. II Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise….” … “Accept Him today as your Savior and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and mind through Jesus Christ.”… “WE WANT TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT JOY THERE IS IN TAKING JESUS FOR YOUR OWN.”…
It’s the treasure trove I didn’t know about. We all enjoy old postcards, but this stack contained the correspondence too, wow… Yes, cleaning up the family farmhouse, we opened one box, and here are a hundred postcards from 1909 to the early 20’s. Wow… The romantic images are for a cousin from a particular suitor, a couple being together, or the simple direct question on a card: “When Will I See You?”
(That’s the same question to a Savior, Jesus sees us and wants to know when we will come to Him.)
You know, the Lord asks for us. He is our Suitor suited to be the Groom for us as His bride. These cards may fade, but His Love (and He) never will!
The cards show love. The Lord? HE IS LOVE!
I’m tired from traveling, but the Lord? He never sleeps and He energizes us.
The postcards talk about the weather, and happineings. He has told us from alpha to omega how He is loving May we take His postcards seriously. He is our Suitable Suitor.
I got to see the BIG BOY – the big train that rolled into Scranton yesterday – there are many plenty days to see it – but whew I got to see it before it was open to the public today which they said were crazy crowds. I saw it because I like stalked it and with about 500 others we came late in the afternoon to where steamtown was being set up with both big boy trains. I was already driving through the area and it was only a 10 minute detour for me – so worth it and now I don’t have to keep chasing that train. (and funny that I took lots of trains in the cities these last 2 weeks – caught a lot of them “just in time”
Yes it was cool to see the big boy – but have I seen trains before? ah yes – both moin and in museums – big ones… And so I loved seeing that other people from kids to grown ups were thrilled! And I really enjoyed the train for the sake of trains which runs in my family.
And as for my train connection with the Lord – that is what I named the chapter I wrote for processing my own dad’s death. wow it is 5 years ago – and below is the first of that series that brings in a train… God is good that I don’t have to track that train down – He brought the Healing Train to earth. He has punched my ticket and His train will be ON TIME. HIS TIME.
When my dad passed away, he went so rapidly after a long steady pace of decline. The Lord’s timing is the Lord’s.
I did talk to my dad twice that morning. When he passed unexpectedly just after lunch. I was over halfway driving there, he knew that I was on my way. I am SO GLAD that I did have 4 days vacation to visit with him, and my family, WITH the kids just 2 weeks prior, a great trip. I told the kids that I needed to see their grandfather watching their grandmother giving them hugs. And THANK GOD for post-covid vaccination timing! Whew.
I had this devotion in my head processing about my trip while driving up (I thought in time), about me being the caboose and getting up there after a steady train, a parade, of friends in a farewell tour of love, but the Lord (once again) showed me that HIS Timing is above my timing, HIS Ways are well above ours always so we should always expect His timing, not ours.
Everyone asked “Did you get there in time?” Well, NO but YES. Not my timing, never was. Not my Dad’s timing either, he probably would have stayed in this world longer but his body gave out. It was and IS clear that when the Lord leaves the station, He pulls out. Can you catch the ride late? YES, Jesus is continually grabbing every hand He can, one soul at a time. And Jesus is EXCELLENT at making the catch.
Could my timing have been better? Of course, but clearly I was being my human self in a human world. However, our Lord is LORD and it is like my processing about being that caboose: God does not need the caboose to run the rail, but oh how blessed that He does want us to ride with Him.
My Dad LOVED railroads. My Grandfather was an engineer, a fireman young then the engineer. My Dad the youngest of many sons. Everything train train train has been awesome in my life. Except getting stuck behind one. My Subaru even has a railway spike in the pen holder. And the VBS theme this year is Railroad! And I will track alongside with friends. My Dad’s life embraced trains, he sometimes got railroad passes in the 1950’s and 60’s to ride anywhere. He loved the caboose. Me too.
I thought while driving up, I was like the caboose of the family, right? I was supposed to get there before He passed. I am the youngest right? The caboose? The end? Nope… I was both human in my timing and held up by getting my ducks in a row, getting my cars on the tracks aligned. I got to the house, but he had passed away like 2 hours before. I processed that with the Lord immediately for me to feel not surprised. They didn’t want to tell me, I was driving 5 hours in the rain, they wanted me safe. I had planned to travel the following day but it was a sudden shift in his health. Got the call, packed, showered, put oil and gas in the car. Called twice while on the road. They told me he heard me, motioned that he did. I walked in the door, then learned he was gone, I hugged mom and her tears so needed, I went to sit with him. Surreal. I then did the math, no, I could NOT have made it “in time” for his final breaths, no, not without me AND my car out of breath. I did the math, I would have missed his last minutes by 5 minutes if my timing was perfect. Well, my timing is NEVER perfect. Plus it was POURING RAIN, so of course I slowed down as my dad would have me slow. (Yes Dad, I have good tires on my car too). Yes, my Dad 100% would have had me be safe, make sure my kids and work duties were ok and to NOT RUSH. Important work calls I needed/wanted to take on the road, I took them. I settled my kids schedules too, made sure all emergency plans fell into place. My Dad 100% said to take care of my kids. I did. I did.
My Dad AND Our Father God both like us to have our ducks in a row so that HE can clear the path forward. He wants us ready to go. God doesn’t need me loaded onto His train to pull out of the station, but He WANTS me to catch a ride.
I did that math like 3 times, whether I had or should I have had time to cut, but I didn’t with the kids, the work, the rain, the car, me, and especially God – no you CAN’T stop the rain or a train. I was also stopped at the last moment by (you guessed it), a TRAIN. I was stuck waiting for a TRAIN at the same intersection where my Grandfather’s train ran for years and years. A TRAIN – oh, I SAT… oh, Your Ways Lord, Your Ways... I took a pic, cute Lord cute. You are telling me (again) that this is YOUR TIMING, not mine. You don’t punish Lord, but you certainly do instruct.
You. Your rest, Your mercy Lord, Your Peace. There is none higher. You are the engineer, the engine, the WHOLE track. You are running this line on Your Timetable. I’m not the actual caboose as much as I am simply standing ON the caboose waving at the people, encouraging them to join a ride. I’m NOT driving myself in this life, I am a passenger passing thru this world. And the baggage car? The Lord left it at the station. He only wants us on board.
Most importantly, my Dad is now on Your Train, Lord. You had your sights on him always. You punched His ticket. He’s got not a free ride but one bought by Your blood, and pursued by all those in prayer. What a rally we pray for those running to catch the train, His Train. Those strong grips You provided on the caboose, Lord, are golden. Thank You.
The caboose is cute, but it IS the ENGINE that pulls the load. I am happy to be on Your Line Lord. Power our lives. Let us hear Your whisper whistle.
I love Reunion weekend, love my Alma mater, love my friends and the new friends who we meet here. Last night we (4 of us in our class) connected with a new “Reunion friend” from another class year, while watching the fireworks! Connections were made all day really, as we did all weekend, with those who share this same love of the place and how it shaped our lives.
Is not that even MORE true in Heaven? Oh we connect and will connect with unbelievable numbers of believers. And a blessing to connect now. If we ever doubt where we are in life, let us just check back in with the Lord. Just like new friends can be forged, with people who are like minded, and have genuine interest in you, we can connect on the freshway every day with a new mindset (and the old) with the Lord, Who already knows you best, and longs to know you and have you know Him.
I have really enjoyed my summer morning, old friends and new.
I’ve added more photos to the big album:
Including yesterday looking at the equestrian area, new all sports fields, the nearby lake, having breakfast lunch and dinner with fellow alumni, and of course, a visit again to the local watering hole… it’s so good to be back.It’s so good to have had these memories, and it is priceless to make more…
All while still remembering, our citizenship is not here on earth, it is Heaven, the ultimate Reunion…
Amen
Philippians 3:17 – 4:9 NKJV
Our Citizenship in Heaven
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Be Anxious for Nothing; Think These Thoughts
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
A poem after seeing the beautiful stars in the dark sky. To the tune of “when you wish upon a star ”
Written after the opportunity to see the observatory, for which I got, because the golf cart rolled by and asked if I wanted a ride, just as I was admiring the beautiful stars walking back from the local watering hole. It is truly a blessing to be here at my reunion and especially timely. Weather it’s great in the 70s… After after breakfast, we took a walking tour. Which led us to a gentleman who toured us through the kilns and glass blowing, and then another tour of the industrial arts printmaking, and everything like that… sat with alumni for dinner, who were very familiar, very familiar with my hometown. Then, walking past the band stand and down to a hangout place, then, the observatory, then home to my freshman dorm… so blessed…
Here’s my my song:
When you wish upon the Lord, doesn’t matter rich or poor
Psalm 19 was perfect to read when I woke up early morning and perfect to read now… it’s perfect, because the Lord is perfect. And the heaven and earth declare Him so, but most of all, He Himself shows Himself as AMAZING…
I am up enjoying a long weekend at my college reunion…
AMAZING…
And the Lord more so…
It’s so good to be in the Lord’s Hands!
Psalm 19 NKJV
Perfect Revelation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors; Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
“And whatever it was that ye’ve done to be here, It’s the sum of yr hopes yr despairs and yr fears, When the last ship sails.”
Oh these lyrics from Sting’s the Last Ship, yah… I just left the theater, New York City Metropolitan Opera, I bought the ticket way back in November – just snapped up front row of the balcony for inexpensive, and just for me… ohh I love to see Sting and I saw this musical when it first came out on Broadway. And wow, it’s an experience, it’s a thrill, it’s a Holy Spirit chill when they talk about eternity, death, crossing both into death and saying the cross prayer (in the name of the Father and the Name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit)- yes in all three and the work that they’ve done… I love Holy Spirit chills… ( and you should have seen the cross projected on the ship)…
And I love that I got here and everything…
And yes, the musical was very moving. And I love the lyrics…
“Oh the roar of the chains and the cracking of timbers, The noise at the end of the world in your ears, As a mountain of steel makes its way to the sea, And the last ship sails.”… “And whatever you’d promised, whatever you’ve done, And whatever the station in life you’ve become. In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, And whatever the weave of this life that you’ve spun, On the Earth or in Heaven or under the Sun, When the last ship sails.”
Now, now, here’s the interesting dilemma, which is not really a dilemma, but an observation… (Spoilers ahead)…The woman to the left of me had never seen it and didn’t know the music. And she REALLY enjoyed it, we had a very nice conversation. And the woman to the right of me saw the original version ten times and knew all the music (and trust me the changes from the original version to this version are so dramatic, including to make the whole show less dramatic…)… and they changed the characters, weird rewrite but it worked, and it’s a little crazy to have the OTHER guy get the girl, and oh well, but hey, it’s Sting, who wrote it, and he has all the privilege to change whatever he wants… so the woman to the right of me, I could completely relate and we did all of our complaining and our comparisons and whew!
And then, and then the third lady in line with me on the way out said she was ready to come back and see it tomorrow…
In other words you can’t please everybody, and if you have no expectations, you can enjoy a show that you don’t know is changed, and if you have LOTS of expectations and think it should be done the way it was done, then you have a chance to be disappointed… interesting, huh?
I enjoyed the show very much and again, I think Sting has the ability to change if he wants…
But it isn’t that a dilemma for us in life, we expect certain things, we expect the lights to turn green when we want them, we expect the train or the bus to come when we want them. And we expect the Lord to help us with what we want… and we are in different stations of life…
Perhaps, the best station in life for us to be is just grateful… and SPOILER ALERT: God wins, Jesus comes again, and we live forever in the love grace forgiveness of our souls…
I am grateful to be an observer of life as well as a participant… and as we say so many times: we’re gonna have to trust the Lord in everything…
My friend from a church event in the spring found small sprigs of this plant “sticky weed” or “cleavers” Galium aparine, and in childlike fashion, playfully slyfully attached the sprigs to various people’s backs (and someone got her too) – and we all laughed… Classic fun with no harm – because a sticky plant is just that – sticky.
Wouldn’t you know, that EVERYWHERE I now see this sticky plant, and the weather must be so good that behind my shed I found the LARGEST growth – about three foot by two foot high – wow – and in my effort to clear the chaos behind the shed – I grabbed it all and bundled it and got so attached to not just the leaves but now the small hitchhiker balls of seeds – yeah – sticky… Every time I see sticky weed I remember my friend, her joy, her playfulness, and that sticky-ness is what Jesus wants to be to us. Not just sticky but INSIDE the VINE of His Strength and His Power. (John 15)
Jesus is here for many reasons – the ultimate one of saving us – and He is here to help us – to be that source of our strength: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
I have also been trying hard to remove the burdock leaves in my yard as those make the HUGE hitchhikers – and we should marvel that both of these plants are native and “smart” adapted plants to end their seeds around place to place. My cleaning is dual purpose – to clean up and to get to an unfortunate other good growing plant – the BIG patch of poison ivy – ugh… I found my bottle of spray killer and am going to spray that now that I can see it. And that is also devotional – the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13) – that good and bad exist in the world, but Jesus will pick out the good at the end of days for the Kingdom… “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom…”
Now granted both these plants are weeds to me but a food source to other animals – even the sticky weed or broad sized burdock leaves must be a nice shade for the critters below. I actually take a burdock leaf and use it like a glove over my glove to pull out harmful purple nightshade vines – but the poison ivy? I am grateful to the sticky weed in that it overgrew and blocked out the sun to the poison ivy… But now I will leave that removal to the weed killer. And MOST importantly, the tares of the evil in this world? I will leave that to Jesus to remove – and just keep moving…
Yes – let us save the hard stuff for Jesus and we do the good sticky stuff – SHARE THE LOVE – Share the stickiness of LOVE – with others – with ourselves in grace – and keep moving…
“Love is patient, is kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not easily angered, always protects trusts hopes perseveres. LOVE NEVER FAILS” 1 Cor 13
Consider yourself tagged with Jesus now go spread Him – spread the LOVE!
AMEN
(PS – this is a sticky devotion – so if you would like, I invite you all to reply back in a comment and give me a devotion or a thought about Jesus sticking with you and with us – and also strengthening us – and also removing the poison ivy in our lives or at least making us aware of it… THANKS! )
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John 15:1-12 NJKV
Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you…”
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Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 NKJV
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. …Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
I had a close call Sunday night that I realized the next morning. You know in all my travelling I try not to worry. I assess situations and probability, keep moving. So I also trust that my gut feeling is valid, and although I could have spent another fifteen minutes with a friend over the weekend, I felt the crowds the tiredness the timing, and I continued with this massive crowd to get on the express train, which we had been waiting a half an hour for..
Yes, THAT crush of people, well honestly I’ve been in that situation before, so I seem to accept, just click in and keep going.
Turns out that probably within five minutes, a crazy man stabbed half a dozen people, roughly where I was standing. I saw on the news the next morning. It was a close call. I pray for those people and I pray for the crazy man who police subdued very quickly and with a bag on his head, chained him to a chair to transport him out of that train station. Close call – yes.
And my friend getting another train saw the man with the bag being wheeled out by the police. He assumed also it was a crazy situation, and we thank the police department for their efficient work.
And how many close calls do we miss? Ones that we’re not even aware of? How much bliss do we have in the miss?
One call that wasn’t close but was WIDE – A SURE THING – is that Jesus came and was successful in His mission, and He wasn’t gonna miss that. And there was no close call and everything there was in God’s plan. Even calculating in the given of evil – evil turned around for the purpose of good.
Jesus knew, knows, is.
We have many things that seem like happen chance. And me saved from that train scene is just another in a thousand day to days.
Had friends visiting and went to see more friends –
Now Saturday was a thrill,
Seeing friends, 35 years still.
Yes buddies are we!
From north and south east and west,
These are friends who knew and know me best.
“For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past“
Psalm 90 says memories stay fresh, they last…
We yapped, ate and walked,
rose up tall buildings and gawked.
Finished the day in a sweets way
Even walked in the rain,
And took the train…
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Sunday – Walked to St Patrick’s Cathedral, by Radio City, Rockefeller Plaza. Walked up to Tiffany’s for brunch. Wow… took the subway back and then got to that train. And I sat blissfully on the train happy to be going home.
I teared up in the emotion of feeling the blessings of being together and treating ourselves to this weekend – felt it both walking in the rain at chelsea market the night before, and this morning while sitting for breakfast at Tiffany’s – BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS and I LOVE whom the Lord has given me as friends…
HONESTLY, WE HAVE QUITE CLOSE COUNTERS WITH SO MANY PEOPLE SITUATIONS, BUT I’M GLAD THAT THE LORD DOES NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT US WITH FRIENDS.
AND HE NEVER WOULD HAVE MISSED.CONNECTING HIMSELF WITH US…
AMEN
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Psalm 90
New King James Version
The Eternity of God, and Man’s Frailty
A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
3 You turn man to destruction,
And say, “Return, O children of men.”
4 For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
5 You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
7 For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
8 You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord!
How long?
And have compassion on Your servants.
14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
16 Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
Corpus Christi – Jesus is the Bread of Life – amen to the truth and believing in it. This was a feast day, and the wonderful message we heard on vacation day yesterday.
We had a marvelous weekend in NYC and us early birds walked over to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for Sunday mass. It was beautiful and full. The priest sweatedly wiped his brow early in the service. We sat close up front, and I prayed away any coughing fits, I listened more than sang, and the meaning of the words of The Word resonated. Jesus IS the Bread of Life, He reminds us that He is all we need. True. My friend pointed out the amazing Holy Spirit Dove sculpture on the heights of the rising arches. The ornation grand but not overdone. The candles we lit for devotion were knowing we were carrying the Light forward from our loved ones.
We loved simply walking into the space, the place, the grace.
The weather has been hot and sticky and if we were actually proofing bread dough, it would overflow in the conditions. That’s a good thought of how we should celebrate Jesus who came as proof, rose as promised, and IS as Bread of Life. Jesus then should overflow from us. Jesus feeds the need, our need, the world’s need if only the world would hunger for Him more. Like the 5000 plus fed, many marvel but do they understand? We all chase other threads of distractions. We need more to hunger for Jesus’s trueness.
We, we need to hunger for Jesus and trust and be filled by Him. Jesus told us that ALL we truly need is Him. John 6 gospel recounts in wisdom how Jesus said that those who don’t see Him but know Him, believe Him, trust Him, are truly blessed. And that His role is doing God’s will, His will, to SAVE. To raise up with Him.
Now ‘coincidentally’ John 6 is the theme of the Bible study I participate in on Sunday nights. Never a coincidence obviously because obediently we must believe that God has everything under control and uses all teachings all scripture to sharpen us, encourage us, inspire us, and comfort us.
Jesus IS the Bread of Life WITH PROOF, PURPOSE, PLANS, AND POWER.
PERFECT PEACE PRESENCE.
Raised up Righteousnessly, Really.
Amen
Verses 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.”
I’m in NYC with friends, so blessed to be together. My hotel view has beautiful skyline, including the Edge, which I stood on yesterday… now I can appreciate the sound and sight of a city (which never sleeps) come alive this early morning… (and I can nap on the train home later)…
and I would have missed it if I didn’t open the window, or get up before dawn, or even switch positions for viewing from the bottom of the room vs to top. It’s about changing perspective.
And that is us as well in knowing we are loved. Live in this love of the Beholder, God, from His perspective.
Basically, if we remember Whose Love it is to love us, we remember God LOVES (REALLY AND SACRIFICIALLY) and God MADE love and God IS Love, therefore we need to live IN this love of the One Who loves, the Beholder of love.
God LOVES us and it is up to us to accept HIS love with gratitude over any level of push-back attitude. Our acceptance needs to be inhumility over nonchalant brushing off or even refusal. We best accept the love, at least acknowledge it, minimum know it exists. Ah but how much more blessed to be the sheep of the Shepherd, the loved of the Lover, the children of the Father. Accept the love.
The book of James reminds us not to boast in our will. Change perspective and attitude. I’m reading a study guide, and interesting that the pamphlet is mostly the scriptures themselves. God is clearly loving enough to lay it all out for us plainly. James and a particular passage from Luke, on this page shown, are combined for a MAJOR point in this guide – GOD IS IN CHARGE NOT US.
So, let us think about being loved from God’s point of view. He must love, let us be loved. He must guide, let us be guided. Let us be HELD in love by our Beholder.
AMEN
(PS Don’t let others nor yourself tell you that one isn’t worthy or one doesn’t need God, nor His guidance and LOVE. Yes WE NEED HIM. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. PUT YOU TREASURE AND TRUST IN HIM)
Amen
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This is a paragraph from the study guide:
“… Our Lives Are in God’s Hands
“Discussion of conflicts and disputes, desires and cravings, friendship with the world, and humility before God takes on a new perspective when viewed in light of the real situation of human beings in the world. We are not the ones in control. James takes to task those who boast that they are going to a certain city to trade for a year and to make a lot of money. He says, “You do not even know what tomorrow will bring” (4:14). Jesus’ parable of the rich fool makes the same point. After the rich man had planned larger barns to store all his goods, he said, ” Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ” (Luke 12:19-20)
“James says to those who think they are in charge of their lives, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (4:14c)….”
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James 4:13-15 NKJV
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.”
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Luke 12 NKJV
Beware of Hypocrisy
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Jesus Teaches the Fear of God
4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Confess Christ Before Men
8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Worry
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Christ Brings Division
49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Discern the Time
54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
Make Peace with Your Adversary
57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”
I’m taking just a brief moment to pause my house cleaning, which is five years overdue. My friends are coming in and we will visit together and then travel together. I’m giving them my room to stay in for 2 nights, so you could imagine I have a lot of de-cluttering and cleaning to do. I DO have (well have had since I have been cleaning for 5 hours) a calamity of clutter, a disaster of a dustbowl that should be ditched in the dustbin, but I want to scrub the stuff even if they are trivial trinkets… (Not don’t even get me started on having too many t shirts – that is not today’s trouble)…
(And I thought the pollen was bad enough for my allergies. This dust and yesterday’s old papers must – whew it’s a sneezing wheezing gust!)
Now there are dishes to discard, charms that can’t compete, even a chik fila cow that I’m moooo-ving out. Donations for someone else’s cleaning of clutter. Just way too much… and then there’s rocks and sea shells, so sweet at the time, trust me, I don’t remember half the rhythm or the rhyme of their collection time. Just wanted a memory, but all I remember is that I must have enjoyed the moment.
Yes, I’m organized but I do have too much, we do in America – we are the results of depression era moved into collection era and now crushed by it all era. And yet, I love my stuff and so Lord, please don’t take it away, just help me sort to straighten and patiently purge preciously, as my mushy memories are in play.
So within these piles are precious papers, truthful tons of tomes: and special these include my own spiritual special biblical writings AND my many biblical books. And now my recent acquisition of a 1950s set of the “Story of the Bible”, from a friend who saw it in her parents home for years. These are tremendous treasures of tome. (Not my beach reading rags.) These are to be read religiously and absorbed spiritually, and appreciated aptly. Then pass them on, as God’s Word is to be heard and reheard.
Whew…
And that’s why we enjoy scriptural sentiments and biblical books, because they are matters of this moment, not just of the past, but of the future and of the now… so I will shake off the stuff and save the sustenance of substance. SCRIPTURE IS SAVING FOR SAVORING.
Okay back to dusting, dusting off my memories, my hopes, and my hallelujah’s!!!
I love these Christmas cards from the early 1950’s – they simply glow in beautiful colors and sharpness and in classic style. These were in my cleaning up of papers in the farmhouse – what a blessing to know that so many neighbors and family members and even the insurance company sent these cards in love and celebration of Christmas. These cards were produced even before the song “Silver and Gold” for the Christmas TV show “Rudolph” – but they sparkle in colors so bright!
Also in the cards, which stood out bright, were beautiful testimony pamphlets for evangelism from one particular friend (I saw these in multiple years from these lovely people). These speak truths of how to ask yourself deeply if you want to be Saved, reminding you to ask Jesus for His power to save you (save us). Bright and Bold – the questions are really BOLD. “JESUS ALONE CAN SAVE YOU. ARE YOU SAVED?”
The one pamphlet states: “All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are saved! The value of the work of Christ is put to their account by God and they are cleansed. They are put IN CHRIST and are ‘accepted in the Beloved’ (Eph 1:6). It is a matter of great comfort to the believer to know that God sees him IN CHRIST ‘clean every whit,’ a ‘new creation.’ ” – “HOW DOES GOD SEE YOU? Does He see you in your sins? If so, this is a dangerous condition to be in; for to die in your sins is to perish. But you need not remain in your sins. Avail yourself of the sacrifice of Christ. Make the Savior yours today and you too shall be ‘created in Christ Jesus unto good works’ (Eph 2:8-10).”
That Lone Ranger mini comic book from a box of Cheerios cereal was also among the papers – so cool – “Hi Ho Silver” the Long Ranger would say – speaking about his horse “Silver” – to get up and get going. The Lone Ranger on TV would restore order and bring peace to a troubled situation (in under 30 minutes or in several pages of the comics). But isn’t it even better that we know that Jesus will come to restore order – to bring us to God – to have each of our tears wiped away – and to bring us peace.
Because in ETERNITY – we do want Jesus’s rescue.
The scriptures stated on one of the pamphlets included:
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Matthew 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.“
AMEN AMEN AMEN – Let us Hi Ho to our best rescue in Jesus. And then celebrate each Christmas SO BRIGHT – with a Savior’s Glow – Jesus is for us to KNOW.
Came across this poem for blessing Grandmothers and it brought me to tears remembering both of mine. These past few weeks have been sorting so many items of my one grandma from the farmhouse – from her hope chest to her wedding cake topper to the birthday surprises to the catalogs and bills from Sears, Wards, and Pennies…
And now including her sketch book as a girl – with these beautiful vintage figures – 1920’s heyday outfits for sure. I took photos and have included some.
My Grandma was wonderful – and my mom said my Grandma could not wait to look after our family. My mom would bring us over while she went to work part time – it was a wonderful time to be on a farm as well as learn baking and sewing and travel and play outside – idyllic now that we look back on it. I even remember laying back and watching clouds go by – ah those were the days. My grandma died while I was still in my teens – it was a tough time for my family – she held so much together. And oh the fun items we have found now in the attic of our cleaning at the farmhouse… I am blessed to be seeing so many of my Grandmother’s letters from her cousins and aunt from the 1920’s to 1950’s as well – and to see this sketchbook.
And in this 1940’s newspaper, I found this poem – so true…
God bless Grandmas everywhere!!! Then and now and let us be inspired to be Grandma helpers always whether we have kids of not!
Do you ever think you were on Candid Camera? Feel like someone is pulling your leg?
Today it seems more likely that we are ALL on Candid Camera because there are cameras everywhere. But the thing about the TV show Candid Camera is that they were trying to see your reaction to something strange – whereas we simply live in times that are strange… what a relief as well as embarrassment when Alan Funt came out…
And the thing about someone pulling your leg? Well, life seems that way doesn’t it? Sometimes you just feel like you’re being picked on – or hit a rut… “Isn’t it ironic?” That’s a song that covers that sort of thing, those annoying ironic or other things that go against your wishes or progress. (Trust me that things could always be worse – and we do both need to count our blessings and not sweat the small stuff – but I talk about little annoyances because we are really living in a world of brokenness and whatnot…)
Well, recently I was in the laundromat, because I like to accumulate all my icky garden gloves and old crocs and old sneakers, and so I prefer not to wash them in my nice washing machine (go ahead and judge me, but well that is what I do…)… So it may seem a little cruel to bring it to the laundromat, but for a few dollars, I’m treating myself… So I went up to get some change, and a lady had just lost a twenty dollar bill in the change machine. UGH… She and a gentleman and I discussed it… We urged her to call the phone number listed (and she got her money back don’t worry). She packed up at that moment with no more money and left apparently without doing any laundry. I got my change okay using the other machine, but then my washer wouldn’t start. UGH… I’m like, is this double candid camera? Is there an electricity issue? I don’t know, but I truly felt like I (we) were being picked on… why Lord why?
So I go back to the machines to find that phone number and call it. Meanwhile, I look at the change machine and the twenty dollar bill had spit itself back out. WOW! But the woman was nowhere to be found. And so since I was on the phone with the very nice gentleman who is sending me my refund of three dollars, I said – what should I do with this bill? So I decided to slip the twenty dollar bill in the back of a picture on top of the change machine and that way it was secure and hidden, but known… it was a picture of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is actually my favorite artwork of Mary. I texted a photo to the laundromat attendant, and he said he would tell the lady.
Okay, I packed up my stuff and I skipped that laundromat… (I went to a different one and yes today got all that washed!)…
So then I get a phone call, and the laundromat gentleman says the lady can’t find the money. And both of us speculate that it would be so awful if the guy watching us had taken it… so the laundromat man was going to check the video camera. And isn’t that a funny thing we get upset about being videoed normally. But in a situation like this, we were happy there’s a video camera… same with those people who like their dash cams, but I digress…
Well, back to that twenty dollar bill… the laundromat person texted me back to say the lady went but she was short, and she never took the photo down. He said he would check it out later that afternoon. Yes, he found the twenty, tucked still into Mary’s keeping. He will send that lady a check. And I was grateful that we didn’t have to suspect the third person… all is good… good!
Perhaps we should remember that no matter whether there are video cameras, or not, that there’s no bigger Entity in this world watching us ALL THE TIME than God Himself. And for whatever happens to us, whether we feel picked on or in a rut, He GOD picks us up. If we ourselves are not the goodie 2 shoes citizens we should aspire to be, and we ask for forgiveness, admit we are sinners, well, He will also pick us up. So regardless of being picked on, remember we are PICKED UP!
I appreciate Mother Mary in her willingness to be the Lord’s handmaid and serving, by accepting being chosen (not just she carried that 20, LOL). I appreciate that the Lord chose her, and that the Lord chooses us for random tasks and sacred ones.
One more thing about feeling like we’re picked on, well, seriously we need to stop our grumbling… I need to stop my grumbling, and we collectively and personally need to take a bigger picture attitude in this broken world. We need to frame and reframe things that look and appear like tests, and change them into testimonies of trust.
Debbie Upper 