A poem of praise:

I have to give God the credit and the praise – He has given me Jeremiah 29:11 to rave.

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Every time I start to worry – about jobs about money – well, He gets that scripture to me in a hurry.

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In cards and items written in English and in Spanish – His HOPE will not vanish.

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I know there is the right match out there – for my work – for my time – but I must listen to Him – to phone Home for His advice, in His Word, He gives me His Dime.

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In time, in time…

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I bring that scripture with me, SMART – I see it on bookmarks and in my heart.

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And while placing Spanish scripture cards out in a Spanish church, I paused with a friend to talk about my journeying – I took one to translate and wow – Jeremiah 29:11 it was – seriously – I mean God knows my heart, and my yearning.

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Then again right now, I was questioning both the if and the how.

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The scripture came once again – this time in a devotion from a friend.

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Jeremiah 29:11 is God saying “I’ve got you EVERY DAY” – there is a time for exile and there is coming home in MY WAY…

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So I will keep quiet in grief but know His relief.

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Keeping in step each day – and we will learn more about God’s Way.

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KEEP THE PRAISE KEEP THE PRAISE KEEP THE PRAISE.

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AMEN AMEN

I am travelling and pre-writing these devotions

It is hard to imagine how VAST God is – and in the travelling that I have done, I know that this world is HUGE – and it is not concievable and how much grace and mercy our God must have. It is impossible for us to realize that with the millions – billions of people that He can know every hair on EVERY head – not just our one head – and we are very human-centric but we must remember that God is God so much bigger than our beliefs of Him.

Isn’t it AMAZING that God knows SO much – and there is SO MUCH to know – everything of just me is already mind-blowing – wow – that is what makes a whole world of knowledge, grace and mercy – and especially LOVE – so impossible to wrap our heads around. But God is God and we are not – and wow that is comforting too.

Psalm 139 is the psalm that brings it to our knowledge – right clearly stating:You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;     you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue     you, Lord, know it completely.

This was true for David who wrote it – and true for us. God knows and God cares.

And Jesus was sent to bring this message even more clear to us to tell us directly – both the knowledge and the glory of God. In John’s Gospel we remember about Jesus being Truth – being the Word – being God – knowing all and all knowing to come help and save – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

In Vacation Bible School for Day 2, the study is for David and how he was relating to God at that moment – and remembering past situations and sins and saves. And we have to remember that we too are ever loved by God – for we too are known. 

God wants us to know HIM – and know Grace and Truth – forgiveness and friendship – care and caretaking..

Thank You Lord for loving us.

GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! WOW GOD!!!

Amen

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Psalm 139 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

I am reminded so many times that we are thinkers of this world in the way of our center of the world – like we think God is OUR creator – which He is – but first and foremost we must think of and know that God is God first and foremost – the “I AM”.

God is not just foremost or before most – He IS before ALL – because He IS. So, in our Vacation Bible Studies for Rainforest Falls, by Group publishing, Day 1, based on the scripture of Genesis 1, we learn that the “ultimate origin story” means that God “fills the emptiness with light, land and life.” The lesson speaks to how God is the Light that shines on, over and through. God creates life from NOTHING – not just filling an empty room or space but making the whole space of everything – by speaking it into existance.

And then God created us – and He had a purpose and love for us before we were even created – God has formed us “intentionally” – “in His Own Image” – we are His “VERY GOOD” creation – and He loves us.

In a devotion poem I wrote many years ago – I wrote God is God and God never ends and God only begins.

TRUE!

Here is the Bible Verse for Rainforest Falls Day 1: “Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom.” Psalm 103:22

AMEN

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Here is that original post as well as the scriptures for Revelation 22 about Jesus, One with God and One God, and our NEW beginning (again) as well as Genesis 1 (the beginning of beginnings for us – but a constant love for God to make new beginnings)

https://debbieupper.blog/2021/09/19/god-is-god-16sep-1249/

God is God.

In the BEGINNING, God created the Heaven and the Earth. In the end was a new beginning. In the new beginning was the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with us. With us was Jesus, in us Jesus and will be with us Jesus. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, first and last. At last there is a new beginning. In the beginning God was God and God is God. In the end God was God and God is God. There was a “It is finished” but that was no end that was a NEW BEGINNING. God never ends. God only begins.

God is God.

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Revelation 22 – King James Version

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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Genesis 1 King James Version

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the third day.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

I started stressing again, just for a moment, and the Lord gave me the visual, I needed… it’s a pink bag which has Jeremiah 29:11 scripture.

The bag was folded in half, but God knows how to unfold the truth, so I enrolled the bag, and the truth is, HE STILL SAYS: DON’T WORRY, I have a PLAN. Jeremiah 29:11 yes!

Jeremiah is writing to encourage exiles – telling them to keep going and live prosperous lives even in this exiled location…. and we are also exiles whom God has promised to bring back – after a prescribed time of exile (earth) – live well – prosper… life liberty and the pursuit of happiness in this patriotic summer season…

In those days, God employed empowered extolled exiled prophets to encourage all. Today we need to be the encouragers to others.

But the people must have been concerned in Jeremiah’s day, and we too get very concerned (frightened even) even though we know God is trustworthy. And we are to work at a plan, go with a plan, trust a plan, hope in a plan. 

Recently, with Fourth of July excitement, we went to a local farm for fireworks. We went late because it was a hundred degrees, and the people were certainly having fun. And it was interesting because it did cost to go, which kept crowds manageable, and because it seemed like a family picnic, as opposed to a big municipal firework show. Someone bought me the ticket so I didn’t mind the price. And then the clouds started to popcorn up, the radars showed the worst weather north and quickly passing east. By the radar, we’re very fortunate and not in the bullseye of the storm. But oh we saw it!

Families with small children were smart, and they got their kids in the cars. My adult kids and I could have actual adult conversation about the situation and the weather and our response. The wind though kicked up, and as I helped the local brewery, grab their tent and collapse it, somebody in line was so oblivious audacious to say: “are you still serving?” as it was not registering with him the fierce weather activity at hand… oblivious… and we too tend to be oblivious to HUGE workings of monumental ground shifts and weather fronts, if it not immediately in front of us or under OUR feet. This is also true, and why we need FAITH when things are not going well, because God’s got SO MUCH going on behind the scenes, unseen and seen. We must have faith. We must keep going…

After the tent and things settling down, we stuck it out and waited, most did but in their cars. But then the most amazing ball lightning arose. So spectacular dancing across the sky!!! And it was in the distance and yet close enough that I thought we should wait in the car too. We did. We watched. And then rolled back out for the fireworks, which were spectacular – oh amazing and close, (and well worth the price!) The intensity of the BIG boomers shook you and we loved it.

The ball lightning while we waited it out was serious strength in the sky. And it was like the fevered pitch of the weather just had to let go. (Whew not directly over us.) And can you imagine how we emotionally and mentally also often have to VENT, because our energy angst frustration just takes over. GOT TO BLOW STEAM. And weather and whether we are in that fury or not, we often it. 

Now let us not just imagine, but believe how much MORE POWERFUL God is. So powerful and yet so gracious too. We celebrate with explosives! And we explode with celebration! God rules with Power and God Powers His rule! And He is both the spark and the sparkles.

So next time, we are in a fearful situation, whether real or our minds have carried us away,  let us cling even MORE to the powerful God we have WHO KNOWS ALL! Keep a close watch on the weather for safety, don’t tempt faith, fate, fireworks or fronts of storms. But DO trust that God will pull us through. Unfold the truth: 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.”

Keep your cool and keep hope.

Remember God does have a plan!

Amen 

A Letter to the Exiles
29 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

I am pre-writing as I am travelling…

My local family have remarked how they longed for the 1950’s and a great time – that their childhood and everything much simpler then… Well, that is awesome – but it does mean that things were simpler then simply because they were kids, and as a child, one is really cared for and usually sheltered. So probably not because times were simpler or easier for society – but society (and/or the powers that be) blessed them/us with joy…  Granted, the 1950s economically was better in the American economy after pulling out of the depression – and my local family grew up on a farm and had more food than most in big cities, and yet we tend to see popular movies and society making an influence on “these were the good old days” – but in reality every time is different for different people… ignorance is bliss can be said in every generation. 

Amazing play I just saw, local theater production, and my youngest is on stage crew. Oh exciting for me to see set changes, and also what we donated from the farmhouse, newspapers magazines and they actually used them in one scene slamming on the ground, as the show touched upon tough topics while the couple tried to “pretend” they were living in the 50s. Oh fun and then the cliffhanger, then the 2nd half touched upon TOUGH subjects for any generation, including relationship norms, financial crisis, infidelity flirtatious, and fear of acceptance in the workplace, fear of change and wow… it was a show that made you think and squirm enough, but with a resolved ending (WHEW!). Yeah, life is precisely life, no matter which generation. 

As for my extended extened family in the big city in the 1930’s (for whom I have been learning about first time) living in the depression era in NYC, it was TOUGH – and yet they survived – survived with MANY mouths to feed too… The letters that later came in the 1950s showed happier times economically but the 30’s were tough. Also without long drama detailed – all the generations when family members are sick and dying are tough and sad… Yet the letters at the end said “love and kisses” – they still shared the love – as did they send Christmas cards that mentioned Christmas joy – even if Santa was poor those years…

Here is where we have best joy in God – we are His children and sheltered and we are taken care of free from sin and death – from illness and tears – in the time when we return HOME – to Heaven. We are also sheltered now so that we CAN experience JOY and explan Who gives us counsel. God does. Jesus carries us. The Holy Spirit moves us.

So for the meantime we need to tough it out here on earth, and we can make it BETTER for others as we live life… Life here has ups and downs – but we are to focus on His blessings – especially the ability to draw close to Him – remember happiness is fleeting but JOY is forever.

Were Times Simpler “In the Old Days”? Hmmm not so sure – but what I DO KNOW is that God’s Love NEVER changes.

I will always remember the LOVE in these letters – through the tough times and the reality of the real world – we KNOW that the most important thing is LOVE.

GOD LOVES US ALL  – we are HIS family.

Amen

Here are some letters from them which we found in our family farmhouse – letters dated in the 30’s:

“…got a new radio from our Pop for Christmas so that it keeps us in nights for a change and he likes it too because he at least has some company when he’s home alone….” from one cousin…

and from another cousin – about that same radio: “One day last week, Dad was up by Uncle Frank and they have a new radio and Dad said it is very nice…”

There there are sorrow writings about the times: “… writes they don’t get much for their milk, eggs are 12 cents a dozen there. Here we pay 29cents for a lb of salt butter, and 39 cents for a dozen grade A eggs (that’s in the A&P store)…” (I think these are high prices to buy but low prices for farmers to not get money for their goods)…

Another letter: “We are all in good health although things here are poor. I have been out of work a long time so that we get along a best we could.”… “I hope you are all well and happy and we are. We are all busy now preparing for Christmas, which is just around the corner. Things here are pretty bad and lots of people are complaining but we have our health.”

The the nitty gritty of the death of family members too: “were quite surprised to read the note enclosed – Pop was quite unhappy to know when Aunt.. died… He was also sorry to hear about … but I guess we all have to go sometime.”… and another letter: “…We are all enjoying good health and Pa is picking up slowly. He asked me to write to you to let you know that Uncle … is very ill. He has been complaining for some time about his arm and as he could not stand it very much longer he went to the hospital and they found that he had some kind of lump under his arm. Before they could operate it burst and all the matter spread on his lungs so that he is a pretty sick man. He was operated on Friday night which happened to be his 63rd birthday and they didn’t let us know until yesterday or I would have written sooner…”

I am travelling and pre-writing these devotions.

During the beginning era of Covid and then for months afterwards, my friend and I would remember to count our blessings by counting the number of types of cheeses in our houses – and don’t forget that green can of parmesean which might be lost in your fridge. See, if we are SO blessed that we have food, let alone have THIS many varieties of cheese – just like my recent drawer reminded me (hey half these cheeses are for my adult kids – not me), then we MUST remember that we are blessed…  SO MANY CHEESES but even more blessings – even in covid era – even in hard times – even today. It is so good to count blessings and BE GRATEFUL (haha grated and grateful cheese – a cheese joke)…

I also recently had a turkey dinner made by the before mentioned adult kids who also enjoy cheese. (It is cool huh to have adult kids who adult!!!)…  Well, we had the extra free-ish turkey in the freezer since thanksgiving or christmas and well, time to use it up…  (It seems so long ago can’t even remember if it was a $10 10lb turkey or free) – and we enjoyed ice cream after, LOL – and popsicles for the 4th of July…  and sparklers… and since we feel like this is a staycation around the 4th of July and the HEAT, we are also thankful for air conditioning…

So – how do we show appreciation to God for our blessings? Well, we could grumble less, fear less, and not be so apathetic to the causes of others. I know this sounds like a soapbox but honestly it is also a pep-talk to myself – to complain less – is to remember the blessings.

(and while I am at it – I remember my blessings for this extra time during my time off from work – as well as the vacation trip that I am on – but also feel that need to DEPEND upon God for my next steps – really need God more than ever to reveal a plan! Meanwhile I will count my cheeses and count ON Jesus…)

I found a new to me sign in the trash – I have always been a trash picker – and it was overnight and then buried under another thing – it was a sign that was perfectly good and should have been donated (in my opinion) which said “Grateful for Blessings” – yeah… Well, I will keep it – maybe hang it outside since it is wood – and remember to be GRATEFUL – and to see the situations as opportunities to depend upon God…

Grateful and blessed…

Keep counting on God…

Amen

I am pre-writing these as I am travelling.

It was no joke, the weather, the temperature – early July and 100 – wow…

But under the tree in the walk that I attempted early one morning (only 80) – the temperature was SO MUCH COOLER – whew…  Then I noticed the whole hill was lined with trees and if I placed myself just right, I could/should have walked all morning in the shade – with a good hill for a good workout. I know that shade is a blessing – especially when you forget a hat.

Ah – but the shade of the Almighty – He IS our shade – our protection – under His Wing we best keep.

Psalm 91 NKJV 

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

AMEN AMEN

I am writing ahead – I will be on vacation traveling:

I have barely been keeping up with world news but certainly when one hears of an earthquake – it is big new – no one has an explanation for why some regions are more prone – sure there are scientific reasons but it is one of those broken earth – broken world – situations…  And so we pray for those lost and those left behind – and this headline is one that always grabs your attention – baby and mom pulled from rubble in the venezuela earthquake – wow – the mom felt the first tremors and quickly went to her son’s crib and grabbed him – then they both fell with the building – and she realized she was in a hole – stuck – rocks holding her legs and against her cheek – and her baby was in her arms and a bible under her leg. She said that the baby kept her going – if he was alive then I was alive. The earthquake was Sunday and their rescue was Thursday. She said she would just touch her baby’s nose to know that the baby was still alive. Whew… Wow… The dad who was unharmed and not at home, after their rescue said when I saw him I felt that I was born again… Yeah – wow!!!

Link to news story: Venezuela earthquake: Mum rescued from rubble with newborn baby tells BBC how he helped her survive

Yes, we live for our children’s futures – and the future generations – and we have to remember that by others, our whole lives and before we were born, we have been under prayers – lifted up in prayers – held in prayer. Surely our great grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles – surely so many who came before us (even the government or church people from long time ago) were thinking of these generations – our generations. I love that phrase that if you are happy and blessed – remember that others were praying for you…  This is our encouragement to pray for others.

Well, the One Who knows us best – God – His Psalm 139 reminds us that He Himself has known us from before we were formed in our mother’s wombs…  Yes…  

Thank You Lord for everything – You live for the future – so can we.

Amen

Psalm 139 NKJV

God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting

Love is Thicker than Paper. I am pre-writing these devotions because I am traveling.

​​In my family farmhouse finds, I have no less than 2 inches of paper in a ziploc, sole stacked for a massive set of postcards for an ANNY – whom I have discovered is my great grandmother’s sister – whom got most of these cards from a suitor – and they are sweet – ​from 1909 to 1910 – she must have been a fine young 20yr old lady then but so sad that I found she lost her life early on – as the gravestone shows she was only 27 years old in when she passed.​ The cards are in the old language and I can not read them – and cursive is not so conducive to the google photo translators. Hmmm…

She was one of three adult children who passed at young ages – after their father and before their mother (in their 70s) all recorded on one of the family gravestones I recently “unearthed” on the internet… I hope to visit this place one day.​

I do feel sorry for the situation – and for that suitor – I mean that IS a lot of postcards (like I said – 2 inches thick)… I am sure Love was much thicker than paper.

Another set of papers that found were these religious mailing inserts – inside Christmas and Easter cards​ – these included Moses and two of Jesus – one at the Garden of Gethsemane and one from Luke 15 – of the lost sheep and the lost coin – urging repentance of “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

God wants our repentance and our love – following Him. His Love has been through thick and thin of our faith – His LOVE is THICKER than Paper – Thicker than blood – or at least just like the covering of our sins with blood of Jesus – who went to the thick of death for our lives give in grace and mercy.

God pursues us – God does – God is our suitor and God is our Savior. One day our Bridegroom will come for us – His Bride… To Him – we are the BEST – because of Him…

Amen

I am on an adventure vacation trip and pre-writing these devotions.

I enjoyed perusing and photographing this stockpile of newspapers from my family’s old farmhouse – just enough papers have been saved to make it manageable – of interesting things – especially war and weather.​ They are preserved so well and really really meaty reads.​

For war, it is WW2 – both papers local to their city and those sent from other cities – including from Honolulu from my uncle who was deployed there before the South Pacific. Many papers with the big headlines were saved but we did recycle crumbled papers that were not saved to be saved but just “stuff” in stuffing. (you can’t keep everything) And yes – all these papers were BIG and Wide and detailed and interesting.

I could tell that my family and surely all the newspaper readers of the time paid attention to the progress of the war’s front lines. Troop progress maps were published in these papers – history and geography was studied. And surely the readers (including my family) were concerned both for their family members at the front lines as well as folks back in the old country – it is hard to ignore the importance of the times when you have many connections. It must also have been so tough to participate in the war machine when family may have been inadvertently in the way. 

(My Grandfather was a farmer and older and not in WW2 but maintaining the home front – and growing crops – but still part of the mix of the American people paying attention, sacrificing, and producing.)

And then I found that there is an interesting stockpile of clippings that my family kept from the Lindbergh baby kidnapping – and the trial of the alleged perpetrator – it was truly the most captivating scandal and sorrow of that time – and in a time when people had newspapers and radio – not TV nor social media on demand – they hung on every word in the records.

Weather-related news making headlines was also saved – hurricanes and 100-year floods that come much more often these days… And these papers also had society sections and puzzles and comics and ads – especially ads that showed the fashions of the day. Side by side with the hard news. Interesting that we seem to have minds that can flip flop like that too – from serious to silly. And oh – those sport pages – surely those were read intensely and the stock pages too. ​

All the news that’s fit to print made for a jam-packed newspaper. I found them filled with patriotic encouragement too! Like women being recruited into the Navy.

And then I bet that people, after they read the papers, had discussions of the news, surely. People would certainly have taken the opportunity to take it all in personally while reading – then mulling it over later – and then discussing it. Especially if someone was reading a paper over one’s shoulder there must have been immediate conversation. The news and the newspapers – they were  also a route for teaching – that the parents could explain what was going on without reading the paper verbatim – then again that was a great teaching tool for vocabulary and sentance structure – and also condensed news. The newspaper was a big deal in the day…

We can re-read these papers now – or read fresh for news that we didn’t realize we didn’t know. They have a depth of history – and yet refer to so short a time frame for what these newspapers and our lives span – so short compared to forever – and time changes so fast for us.

So – what news is UNCHANGING? Ah – the GOOD NEWS… Ah, yes all the news that gets INTO print and is FROM print – as Jesus IS the Word. All the news that’s fit to print – and fit fittingly healthy and good. And unchanging – Jesus Himself says don’t add or subtract (see Revelation 22:18-19) to the Word or the prophecies – don’t be misled by the message either. Take in the truth and let the truth work in you…

If people are obsessed and save Headlines that are BIG and BOLD – how much more we can save the Word in us as truth and not splashy but salvation-y… And isn’t it grand that the news that comes and goes about wars – as bad as it is – will all fade when Jesus returns and all knees will bow to Him. Now there will not be a newspaper headline for that day – but a head-line in sight of the real news – the GOOD NEWS – forever…

Amen…

​

I am travelling and pre-writing these devotions – and right now (planning a Sunday release to this post) I should be in a the midst of the unknown feelings of known travel – and known fear but unknown fun – and known fun and unknown unknowns…

YES – for 9 days we are travelling with scouts – thanks for your prayers! Traveling with friends is always an adventure!

It is going to be a GREAT trip no doubt – it is going to be amazing as it can’t be anything but amazing… Every time I travel BIG – to another country – it is like as soon as I let go of that car door or realize it is just me and the suitcase and my passport and all reliant upon me going – well that is when I take that breath – whew – yeah this is really happening… And I can do this – I travel all the time – even out of the country – I do jump when I jump – and I am usually wearing my bracelet of this scripture: “I can do all things through Christ!” Phil 4:13

And so I was watching a recent video of an Eagle taking flight – the first flight from his parent’s nest – well, it matches my feelings right now in travelling (could be any new venture for us) – might be a wobble for a second and then GO. It is a feeling of both unknown and known newness – the whole world in in front of us – we feel both  – I feel both – both apprehension and excitement – either way it is TIME TO GO! Admire the view and then be part of it!

(These screenshots are images from this video – first the eagle looks then flaps his wings in prep – then goes: https://bbc.com/news/videos/cp3x257qkx9o  )

BUT ah we need to remember that we never go without God – as He is already in the place we are going as much as the place we are from and especially He is really REALLY with us when we are thinking of Him at that moment… At THIS moment Lord, thank you! You know me – You love me. (Psalm 139 for sure)

Yes, Lord, TIME TO GO – by car train plane boat and feet – well time to FEEL the Unknown and Keep Going!  Be Strong and Courageous !!! 

KNOWING GOD IS WITH US EVERY STEP!!!

AMEN

Psalm 139 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

It was a great trip up to see my mom and family. And to bring back up family history, a stuffed shoebox-sized treasure trove now all paperclipped and organized.  It was a project that was a joy, I told friends it was like me hiring myself to do that job… and it was a joy job…

So I’m home now and tired – a good tired…

And this noon we spent just a half an hour at the local waterfall, where I could have waded in the water, but just dangled my legs. I really, really wanted to get my bathing suit on and just take a dip.

I think we often I need to not just wade into water, but to go in completely. The people at the diving board were having the best time! Ah, we should jump into FAITH that way and we should never wade in worry, and too many times we go full in freak out mode. We shouldn’t. 

And preparing for one vacation Bible school lesson. I am reminded that Jesus gives us the power to be bold. Bold in faith, bold in trust and bold in not worrying…

Maybe next time, I will bring my bathing suit and go full in the water. And prayers for what I should go in full in faith in life. Let go and let God. Wisdom over worry..

Amen 

I got the window of opportunity and urge to go, so I came up home,  north, yesterday morning, will go back home, south, later today. It’s a blessing to be here, it’s a blessing to have a place to be. “I LOVE NY” is both a statement and a place of mind. And I found it funny when the gentleman whom I asked to take a photo of me with the I LOVE NY sign at the visitors center left his finger in the photo and it looks like he is pointing “THIS” – yes THIS – I love NY.

One urge in this window of opportunity of course is to see family and get the gist of them which comes better in person than on the phone – and everyone is enjoying summer, doing ok. My aunt is getting thinner, she realizes this too, prayers are appreciated. I do appreciate that they appreciate our visits. Everyone is not getting any younger up here.

And my other motivation to come up was to bring up all this family history research and materials BACK to the farmhouse, to share it with her and my family, to basically explain that they had dozens (now hundreds) of cousins that we never knew we had. My family wondering if they would be looking for us too. I don’t know but I would hope so – there are probably many hundreds of folks now – I wonder if they have our (my grandma’s) letters too. It’s the connections that interest some folks, or simply the possibility, but really my blessed ability here was just to take the closer look into our vast family and their plights, and trust me that I felt like love for my grandma and family from her aunt and cousins through these letters and cards. And help us appreciate counting blessings from our opportunities and commiserate for our collective sorrows. My aunt said she appreciated my sorting and hard work, she felt like she was in one of those family ancestors finding your roots programs. Cool. I did hope she and my mom would appreciate it – but honestly I felt the drive to research if just the people in heaven were saying “hey, someone spoke my name”! I do believe I will meet these people in Heaven – I can’t wait (but I am in no rush!)

And ANOTHER motivation for my trip up here, which is both practical and selfish – is to put a bookmark or pause or “finished for now” placeholder on the research – both because it is time for me to travel soon and because I have “milked” the bulk of research our of it –  a box which is the size of a shoebox – but the information to fill a lifetime of research. I have to pause and say “done enough” – wrote up a big report on the census findings too – 36pages – and pause. Of course it is ALSO time for me to find work OUTSIDE the home – which is what my family in the depression (according to these letters) was wanting to find. It would make for a better “Santa Claus” as they would say… When people ask “how has your job search gone?” I have to say it is the connections that I have made over the years that are being renewed are my favorite part of job search. A friend just redid my CV for me in AI-lingo – and that was so nice of her – looks so much better. And honestly I have counted my blessings over concerns and kept going this five and a half months as if I was doing “other work as assigned” by the Lord. And for this I am truly grateful… GRATEFUL! (and yes, I have NO regrets on travel and time spent.) 

(and one has to have both a tough skin and “to guard your heart” – from the Proverbs – because when you feel it is your mission, don’t let anyone dissuade you – and also don’t worry what others think…  Guard your heart – and get wisdom to know (from the Lord) whether each step is worth it – and don’t let the fear of folly dissuade you from keeping going.)

And a different kind of “closer look” was lowering down upon us yesterday too when a hot air balloon drifted and dangled and dazzled from the sky – they lower to touch down at a local park down the hill – so this particular balloon is seen a few times a year by my family – I think it was the closest I have seen it myself – so cool…  I have video too. And close enough that I was looking for their faces – but no one was leaning OVER – they must have been looking AROUND. And isn’t that our joy too – for a closer look – to take the time to look around at our situations and opportunities – from a new vantage point. The balloon people saw us as specks – and then we drifted out of their view, same with the balloon, same with life – YEAH!

Yeah take the OPPORTUNITY for A CLOSER LOOK – then keep drifting to the next view. You won’t regret it… won’t regret being “in the moment” – to have the Lord’s Finger pointing to THIS. I never have regretted it when the Lord has “made me look”…  And I thank the Lord for keeping me close as I try to look closer towards HIM.

Yeah – a closer look – and daily a closer walk too…

Amen…

(Thank you for prayers for traveling mercies!)

—

Proverbs 4 NKJV

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.

I watched America 250 coverage and wore a bicentennial dress while watching a show of an immigrant worker who kissed the top of the Statue of Liberty – cool…  

So, yes I wore a 50 year old red white and blue dress that my aunt made – for 1976 – fits me well now… And fittingly I was working hard at her and her mom (my Grandma’s) boxes of between 50 and 120 year old letters from our family – including learning what I now know is my Great Grandmother’s many siblings, plus their children and grandchildren. I’ve sorted by year and type, and person and family branch – Auntie gets red ziplocs and a red folder – and other get yellow or green or blue – and labelled – and paperclip or binder clipped – and well, yeah – I wrap up this one month plus journey of working hard on researching and scanning and copying. I am not contacting current relatives – this was a deep dive to just know (and now know over 200 new cousins).

I worked hard – as if both working for myself and for their memory – and seeing how I think this was not a distraction but a mission – then I think I was also working for the Lord in all this – which also meant that I understood that it was a project that one had to find an end to – which I did – and everything is now boxed up ready to deliver back to the farmhouse with copies to my family – and yes I look forward to explaining it all. WHEW! (and I wanted it done before heading off to a VBS and then my BIG trip – and then another VBS).

And what a blessing too – to know my family members joys and struggles – to know what a community brought to them  – seeing census records which showed that they were MANY in NYC – and great in family. What brings me sadness is that my grandmother moved away from her many cousins and their letters must have been a comfort but also a reminder that she would not see them again maybe once or twice… And they were in the same state!

Well, I am crossing the state too again to deliver these items – organized so well and well, in all the scanning and the organizing on my google drive and then the printing out of them for both my family and for physical paper copies to go with the letters – well it was sort of me working for myself this last month. I think that is what I realize – is that I knew the JOY – and the mission – and the motivation too – the motivation comes from somewhere – well – but from WHOM was I being motivated? I checked in with the Lord often in the last month and questioned myself and Him – and still felt the peace of this pocket of opportunity – which I have been taking all along. So, if it feels like I was working BOTH for my project and for myself – I was. And was it like “work” well, no – just a JOY to do. And was I  or am I – working for God – well I hope so… I hope to state that this helped me know the names of faithful to meet somedays

I think that God gives us time = and freedom = and we have to decide what to do in it… And yeah to ask for and accept God’s Grace when we realize we need it. And to stand “be still” and know that God has all this under control.

In one of the postcards, there is a peasant woman looking in a small space and seeng an halo-ed figure.The kneeling shows prayer and maybe conversation. That’s me too – I kneel to the Lord – in THANKS – that I got this window of opportunity – had the window – opened the window – and took the window of opportunity.

Thank You Lord for this time of me hiring me for my projects – which I do believe You placed in front of me…

Thanks Lord for my family – and me…

AMEN

Ah… Hope you all had a great 4th of July – America 250 – and that this jovial spirit will continue!

I know that we talk about “the American Dream” in a self motivating manner – WE need to achieve and get out there!!! We also self envision a lifestyle and well like everyone would have their own place – usually… As we leave home and yeah we also imagine kids who fly the coop – and then we are sometimes surprised that children come back home – or never leave – but this is not new… This is not new…

Every situation is unique and works (or doesn’t work). I know that many people would like their lives different – but we deal with what we have. Honestly, many famies have benefited from multi-generational families – not just Grandma living with us watching us – but also like my grandparents and aunts babysat me when I was young. And yes sometimes the whole family is together in one house. I know grandkids who have THRIVED MORE because of Grandma and Grandpa. This is the norm in other countries, so why do we tend to let the media or society tell us it is not “normal” here… It’s all good – and as the song goes: “Anything goes”…

The truth here is that LOVE is what makes a family into family – and being together is a functional but fundamental structure and off-shoot of Love that works.

I’m entrenched in the reading of the census of NYC 1900-1950 and know from reading incoming ship manifests of my family members that we are the recipients and results of them entrenched in the “American Dream” – they essentially were “taking care of family business” first even though they themselves left home. They were immigrants making it and then making it work out for their better – and the betterment of their children in America – by their hard work… (and for my family, at least one set of adult children sent back for their adult parents to come to America too. Taking care of their extened family and I can imagine great neighborhoods of families together).

We found American flags that would have been my great grandparents – and have their naturalization papers too. Reading my extended family letters from the farmhouse – I do see family growth into the “American Dream” – but also financial sacrifices. In the readings and in the Census reports, I have read often of examples of family members moving back in – kids to parents – parents to kids – siblings and cousins to each other… MY grandparents built a house for my great grandparents to move into – down the road from their farmhouse. My other great grandfather on that side built houses and as he built one particular one, he moved in with my great grandmother because this was her “dream house” and then he built or renovated another house for one of his sons, just across the street. Family helped family. 

For this current treasure trove of letters in english (from the America-residing generations after their parents settled in NYC after coming from the old country), the letters do talk about these multi-generational homes. The letters show the love and sometimes the strife of these households (probably because it is tougher to have conflict when you love someone than when you don’t)…  In all these structures, it is LOVE which is the glue that holds life together.

And they mostly took care of each other. (with the exception of a family dispute only lightly touched upon). In one letter in 1931, the talk is about Great Grandmother’s brother, who was a baker in NYC when the family business was booming, now not working much mid depression – and instead making lunch for his grandson as the other daughter works:  “Dad isn’t working much, maybe 2 days a week, but he always has something to do, he cooks he cleans and gets (grandson) lunch for him. (Other daughter) is working but not the whole week but it is better than nothing.”   The rest of the letter states there are thousands of people out of work in the depression…

“I go by my Father every day as he isn’t working much now as pretty near all the bakeries are closing no business. (Daughter) is working so Dad takes care of (grandson).”

A different cousin writes: “I was glad to hear that your Mother and Father are able to take it easy now…” – “We are all well here, (sister) and I are working, my Father is home and does a little cooking and marketing. He has the time of Riley, but I guess he has worked hard enough for one life time…”

Well, these letters do often conclude with love and kisses – and well wishes to their extened family… I am glad that the letter recipients, my Grandma and Great Grandparents, felt this love. I hope we all do – and that we share love with whomever God has put in our paths.

Our American Dream shouldn’t forget who brought us to this place where we could thrive… God bless America…

AMEN

Romans 12:10: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Hebrews 13:1: Let brotherly love continue.

1 Corinthians 13 NKJV – The Greatest Gift –Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I appreciate the 4th of July and this 250th anniversary….

I found paperwork recently of my Great Grandfather as naturalized as a US citizen in the early 1900s – he (and all my great grandparents) had to renounce citizenship to the Austro-Hungarian empire – the ruler Frances Joseph – acting like a King – was “Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary”. My relatives there were raised on the border of an old country where this A-H empire was the political force in the region. 

Wikipedia says: “The Lands and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had a complex relationship. During the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which existed from 1867 to 1918, the lands were part of the Austrian half of the empire. This era was marked by a struggle for autonomy and political representation…” In other words, it was ALWAYS complex in government – and complex in who they WANTED to be aligned with and who they DIDN’T.

​My Great Grandfathers (both on that side of the family) as well as SO MANY left to not have to fight FOR the emperor – AND to be able to find a new prosperous life in America – AND to live an American dream of freedom from persecution. They certainly could not have known what also made a difference in the lives of their children to move from city life to country life – as not only did my family’s life differ than our cousins because we were in America, but we had a different life because we were in the upstate NY country compared to our family in packed busy NYC.

In the naturalization paperwork, they also pledged (like all others at the time) to not be an anarchist or polygamist. These folks who became naturalized US citizens gave up any allegiance to foreign powers. “and it is my intention in good faith…”

In Good Faith – means to have have faith that is real – and to act upon a good intention in one’s decisions. And surely my relatives made sacrifices for family. Even coming to America meant not having family from the old country any more – unless you brought them with you (as did my great grandmother). In Good Faith they did what they had to do… “SO HELP ME GOD.” in CAPITAL LETTERS!

I pray that we all “IN GOOD FAITH” have faith in what the future holds – my family in the late 1800’s early 1900’s could not have foreseen the great depression – or the twists and turns of political football passing in the 20th century. They only know “to live in faith”… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

May we renounce Anarchy and keep realizing rejoicing God’s Reality above any regency. May we know God as Lord and King – and Savior and Solution. May we always “In God We Trust” TRUST and act.

…”and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Col 2

Amen and Happy 4th of July!

“SO HELP ME GOD.” in CAPITAL LETTERS!