grace

Harvesting Hallelujahs

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In this fall season, and beautiful blue skies and warm and yet crisp temperatures, we start to become very thankful and I know we always should could would be thankful, but in the harvest season it feels more imperative…

As I rethink the past few months, the summer and the situations of this year, and even scenarios of past years (which my pollyanna brain removes from my angst), I again revisit times when God rescued me, when I questioned the struggles and why they seemed very rough but I knew in my soul there was a bigger purpose in the pain… Because of past success on God’s part, I trusted God to get me through, and He did, He surely did and now my memories are cherished of His going before me. The trials to me were real even if to others the testing could be considered trivial… Everything is relative. Our easy is someone else’s trial and vice versa. 

So in harvest season, the colors are vibrant and the foods of hearty stock. A pumpkin or dried corn or apples will preserve for months. There are flowers which will withstand cold and dryness compared to fragile spring. The dried corn stalks are even repurposable. The harvest season is filled with lasting value. 

So does God alsp get to harvest in this season too? What about us making a bouquet of thankfulness for Him and His gifts? Surely God wants to and will harvest a “Hallelujah!” from each of us after His blessings of rescues, of guidance, and of rest. And hallelujahs for the harvest of present day. And hallelujah for the preparations of what life brings around the corner. 

A Hallelujah from me. A Hallelujah from you. These feelings are gifts to God’s ears, TRUE!

And I am reminded for us in any saving grace, merciful moments this season that it’s not a gloat of victory which should fuel our praise, but a humbled glory-gained good motivation and momentum for going forward, accepting an honored ability to keep keepin’ on. Believing this Light shone for us will stay lit, we must “make hay while the sun shines”.

God is true and there’s nothing else He can be. We must believe in His follow through and also know in each season of our lives that God goes ahead of us. Our next hallelujah is always already in the plan. Yes!!!

Amen 

There is a touching song which helps summarize that the best thing we can give back to God: our appreciation, our love and our Hallelujahs. Brandon Lake: “Gratitude”

Lyrics:

All my words fall short

I got nothing new

How could I express

All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs

As I often do

But every song must end

And You never do

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So I throw up my hands

And praise You again and again

‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

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And I know it’s not much

But I’ve nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

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I’ve got one response

I’ve got just one move

With my arm stretched wide

I will worship You

So I throw up my hands

And praise You again and again

‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

.

And I know it’s not much

But I’ve nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

.

So come on, my soul

Oh, don’t you get shy on me

Lift up your song

‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord

.

Get up and praise the Lord, hey

Praise the Lord

.

So I throw up my hands

Praise You again and again

‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it’s not much

But I’ve nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

Which War are We Fighting? Keep Praying! 2nd Corinthians 2

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In my recent travels to Canada, the probably only frowning face I encountered was at the orthodox church where I went to purchase candles to light in memory of my friend. Yes there was sadness in reverence of the mini service going on for remembrance of people who have passed away, but the frown on the one lady behind the counter became that classic grumpy frumpy face known universal, saying: “10 dollars minimum” to tap my debit card. So no, not upset of me being unknowing of customs like covering my head in the building for the service, but of customers covering the service fees for the banking transactions (trust me I was thrilled that I saw the tap machine like at every restaurant and gift shop). We are fighting an economic war more than anything in earthly life, aren’t we – universally.

Yeah, which war are we fighting, being disgruntled with – Spiritual? or with Sanctions for earthly living? I quickly grabbed more candles to bring myself to 10 dollars minimum, and donned the scarf borrowed from the very sweet lady who was blessed to see me visiting. See it is better to humble ourselves and keep fighting the spiritual war with prayers and praise and the power of Jesus. The war we wage against evil is continuous in all our heavenly and earthly realms. We must keep praying to fight that war by LOVING, by watching, by being in the right place to be the nice person and the friendly face of forgiveness and grace. 

So, no I was not put off by that grumpy face – which you know as well – that is the price of customer service often – the customer always thinks they are right and they aren’t. It was OK. We must be aware of our customs and that since we are covered by grace from above we are covered by grace to each other. 

Covered and covered. I got the candles and the LIGHT for them. I was covered in grace with my nice scarf borrowed and covered in humility for being able to enter the beautiful sanctuary as a foreigner and covered in hope with the LOVE of Jesus which we all shared. And with extra candles I added extra prayers.

And oh the lilacs – not native to this area but still smelling sweet – are like us – here for a short time – not native to this earth but of heaven – and still smelling sweet by the covering of Christ – “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” 2nd Cor 2:14-17

Let us keep fighting God’s War in prayer and praise and BELIEVING! 

Amen

Take One Trip, Two Views – GRACED and Grateful

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The waiter should have taken two trips, the plates were super heavy and not stacked for the long trip through the garden cafe. Or perhaps not have stopped by our table while carrying the load, and just stayed single minded going back into the restaurant. Because our sidebar conversation about putting the credit cards in his apron may have set him off-kilter, distracted, and he was off-kilter already, as I mentioned, with the big heavy plates. Not the action but the conversation. Well an averted disaster as I grabbed plates as he set them down on our open table. It would have been bad, with broken plates on rocks, but we didn’t have that happen, crisis averted. I suggested that why not scrape the plates camp-style and stack, but he was too embarrassed to absorb that info. He also was trying to explain that he couldn’t take the bill and credit cards, each table had to go up front, OK… OK and I’m sorry and grateful for the whole situation of almost dropped plates truly grateful for not dropped plates. This is taking two looks at the same situation. One trip, two views. Grateful and well, grateful. Graced and Graceful.

One trip – the waiter’s view of pain and embarrassment, let alone strain of those plates (I mean like 8 really thick plates) – and my view of helping or of two views ‘almost crashed’ and ‘not crashed’ – of helpful and not helpful – and my ultimate view of NOT spoiling the idyllic view, and atmosphere in the garden, in the shaded sunshine of a place I always wanted to be. Grace in all things.

There were ladies who lunched who came with their bicycles surely coming off the nearby trail. Their bicycles so neatly lined up. Such a photo in my mind that I took one with my phone camera. Two views to one trip – my photo and my mind, which the view with our eyes always seems better. And these ladies had a great view of their bicycles outside plus surely a great view riding. They also had a return trip in front of them after a big lunch. I hope they had a wonderful time, I’m knowing we were all appreciative of being outside. Imagine a view of dreaming enjoyably about being in their shoes with this privilege, but then not needing to be and zipping in the car more easily. Privilege either view… Graced and Grateful.

This scene within a short hour provided many views , including memory of the situation. I think we should walk through each day with two views, ours and how the Lord views our steps and missteps.  We know that He will guide us. And we know that he will forgive us because his love is unconditional, no condition for granting love. Privilege in both views. Graced and Graceful.

We are very conditional as we view the world, make plans and bargains, and fail to just sit and enjoy the present. What if we were to take God’s view, having already been given grace to then keep moving through the day KNOWING that. Then being able to share that. No need for hurt memories or second trips rehashing ‘what ifs’… What if we sat in GRACE like being in the shade on a sunny day, and just said THANK YOU LORD. One trip, two views. BOTH IN GRACE. Let us not mix them up. Focus on things GIFTED from above.

Grace and Grateful – and Graceful to share…

AMEN

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

AMEN AMEN

Better than a Pot of Gold, the NEW JERUSALEM and Bride of the Lamb, Revelation 21

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Oh the smiles at work yesterday, St Patrick’s Day awesome. We hid tiny resin gnome leprechauns all around the building for finding, sharing…  People did pursue them. We had a fair number of people wearing green too. We still got our work done, don’t worry. I helped hide them and take pics, people expect that of me so I embrace the days of fun. I love the people. My family raised me that way, it’s ingrained and encouraged. Also doing one’s day job is so important, we do good stuff at work. 

I saw a newspaper article interview with my dad, he said: “I enjoy working with people, I enjoy living and I enjoy helping others. I’ll never understand people who ask me what the payoff is, as though they’re expecting me to point to a large bank account. What I do has nothing at all with a personal return other then a deep sense of satisfaction out of knowing I helped someone somewhere.”  (AMEN TO THIS!)

So in our spiritual lives, shouldn’t we also continue to be an encourager as well? There’s no leprechaun’s pot of gold in heaven, there’s going to be something so much better! The NEW JERUSALEM!!! AND “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” are there.

I encourage us all to read and reread Revelation 21 for hope to go thru the days that aren’t so golden and those which are – and wow appreciate not just the opulence in the heavens coming to us, but be in awe of God with us – REALLY RESTORED with us. And Jesus the Lamb will be with us all, as the Bride of the Lamb. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”

For our Lamb portion of March Weather, the warmth yesterday and calm after the storms was palatable. The spring coming is palatable. So how about the future we have? We need to find Jesus finding us. He will never let us go, but life is best when we look directly at Him. We need to accept the new life Jesus offers as forgiveness, grace, mercy, hope, rest, life. This is worth more than a pot of gold – this is everything. 

The Lamb’s Book of Life holds our names, our Shepherd wants us with HIM.

Amen and thank You to the Lamb Jesus !!!

—-

Revelation 21:9-27 NIV

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD, Amos 4

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It’s gratitude, not attitude, the Lord God Almighty wants compliance over complaining. Listening over lame excuses. We should be thankful for we do know God’s thoughts in His scriptures. We do know what mercy is. And we should know that without God’s mercy and grace, we would not be running this race. Really, how many times do we know this already, but God wants us to know Him intimately, really know, Him. Intimate not ignorant.

He is truly reminding us to be ready to know Him one day at His judgment throne, but really to know Him as ALMIGHTY ALREADY.

Israel’s people in the wayward days and years, hundreds of years, as re-told by Amos, prophet during the divided kingdom years, called out the obvious – the people would actively sin but make the sin offering sacrifices as rote duty, then go back sinning and worshipping other gods. They were arrogant, not ignorant. They knew better. They did not act better. Their history included prophesy of a Savior in David’s line, a rescuer and ruler. So paying attention to the real and realness of God is required.

We should know this too. We should keep God in our undivided devotion. Does this mean we don’t live? No, contrary, it means we live ACTIVELY and live actually more ABUNDANTLY, knowing our job is to LIVE and LOVE, so we love VIGOROUSLY and with VITALITY and PURPOSE.

Best phrases in the Bible include this one, told to the troubled souls: “PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD!”… Well, surely our Savior in Jesus calls our names and saves.

Yes, Amos knew we and others needed this truth for reminding us of God’s power.
“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IS HIS NAME.”

Don’t confuse the knowing of God’s thoughts with freedom to forget them.

I’ve seen arrogance as a play and a ploy, but it IS being in God’s service I will enjoy.

Amen, and thank You Lord for forgiveness in Jesus. Thank You Lord for showing us the Way.
Love over listlessness.
Shepherding over sleep-walking.
Home over hassle or hustle.
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Waking us for Walking.
Forgiveness For Forevermore.
Again and Amen

Amos 4
Israel Has Not Returned to God
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!” The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his holiness: “The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks. You will each go straight out through breaches in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,” declares the Lord. “Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings – boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,” declares the Sovereign Lord.

“I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

“I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

“Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, destroying them with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

“I sent plagues among you as I did to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

“I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

“Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.”

He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IS HIS NAME.

It IS in the Thank You, Daniel 9

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A poem of thank you after my growing/grown son wasn’t feeling well (he is really OK – no need for worry), and he turned to me for help. At the very end of my helping, he breathed out a heartfelt ‘thank you’ – one that makes a mom’s heart WHOLE.

But even if you don’t hear a thank you from a child, God knows and strengthens you… so keep mom-ing, keep parenting, keep loving. 

The poem – about thanking God… “It IS in the THANK YOU”

“It IS in the Thank You”

I think that God’s heart must want what I just got.

A “thank you” from a child, from the finish and from the start.

A child grown and yet not,

who just acknowledged that I love them a whole lot.

Oh joy when they expressed that gratitude, 

without past clogging attitude.

Even take on a little humility,

in their grown yet needful fragility. 

A “thank you” heard little child true,

and surely uttered as a grown up too.

That’s the joy in the thank you from children to mom,

And to God from mom, a thank YOU, from His child too.

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Mom moments want both to be needed and to be not.

Mom moments like to be wanted and yet to step back a lot,

Free to step in undaunted.

Yet to step aside and be OK, moms needs not be flaunted.

And then as moms of grown kids slowly slow down from the chase.

Moms mom-ing simply want to know their children are well and safe.

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God moments are different and exquisite.

God never ages out, He’s NEVER far away nor indifferent. 

God wants and needs to be needed, AND wanted. 

God faces evil undaunted. UNDAUNTED

God never did not have His children in His Embrace.

God IS and God WILL help, a gift to us to continue our race.

God gives MERCY

God gives GRACE. 

Daniel was taking up the prayer of a nation, in the humility of a servant. Daniel could see the people rebelled against God, and begged for mercy and appreciated grace. A lifetime was passing of the struggles and yet they had to sit tight… perhaps Daniel can be an example of knowing that God is in control in the ruins, and praises Him anyway. 

May we praise God in the trouble and in the rubble and look for His Face to guide us into Grace. 

Amen Amen 

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Daniel’s Prayer chapter 9 NIV, v1-19

In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom – in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

“Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Amen Amen

Abide in God, Daniel’s (and Our) Due Diligence

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We are human, God is sovereign and SAVING. Our Lord is approachable and eager to take our burdens. We must be willing to ask for help and give up our worries that we aren’t worthy, because God says we are worthy because He is worthy. We don’t ride coat tails, we get His Grace and Mercy with the power of believing in Him – asking His correction and direction. 

Daniel (an old testament prophet and exiled Israelite in Babylon, serving the exiled kings), prayed many times each day to align with God’s Will, even under threat of persecution. 

We have both direction and a rescue in our Savior Jesus, Whom walked the earth to teach and fulfill prophecy. Jesus took the burdens and we walk mercifully in God’s Grace.

Apostle John wrote to encourage and warn to keep abiding in the Lord. The author of Hebrews reminds that Jesus PERFECTS us. “your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” John wrote for us to love our brothers and sisters as well. In this day and age we must not turn against against each other but rise to His level of forgiveness.

We need to abide in the Lord, worship and want. Not for finding a sacrifice, but realizing He IS our Savior,  Saving Grace, and Shepherd. 

Amen

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Daniel 6:10-12

Now when Daniel learned that the decree [against worshipping any but the king Darius] had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

1 John 2:1-29

New International Version

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Reasons for Writing

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

On Not Loving the World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Warnings Against Denying the Son

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

God’s Children and Sin

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Hebrews 10:5-7, 26-38

New King James Version

Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ ”

…

The Just Live by Faith

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Survive Thrive Be Alive, The September 11th Survivor Tree

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3 years ago I took the metro with my daughter to see the 911 memorial in the World Trade center complex. The new life there was undeniable, activities, people, life. And RESTORATION!

In addition to the Oculus – the new Freedom Tower – the Water Pools – my eyes gained joy in seeing the metal globe reinstalled and especially the “Survivor Tree” – a pear tree still alive, transported for recovery then replaced here at ground zero for living out its days fully – showing resilience and beauty. 

Survive Thrive Be Alive

That’s a lesson from God’s grace and mercy and life call. When life knocks us down, we can rise from the crumble, put behind us the stumble, and squash the evil rumble. In God’s Power, Grace and Mercy we shall kneel humble, then in God’s Work we will rise to SHINE and LIVE, in the days He DOES give.

I pray all who passed away that 9-11 day to be given that grace and mercy, allowing God to replenish and replace their wholeness in His embrace. 

And as for us still here, let us CONTINUE LIVING in thees seasons, be prepared in and out of season for we are to be PRESENT wherever we are, sharing in the days and moments gifted, and CONTINUE until we FINISH THIS RACE, in Mercy and Grace. 

AMEN

“my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace”. Paul in Acts 20:24

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” Paul to Timothy, 2ndTim4:2

Jesus Scored our Eternal Victory!

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You would have never known looking at the celebrations and the accolades that the team that won the Super Bowl didn’t play up to par in the first half. I watched it and the turnovers etc – no one mentions that now – only that THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS.

It was a game of foibles and slow starts and not too exciting for the team that was “supposed” to be spectacular – not too exciting for either team (although the method of running the ball and keeping a steady game going – eating up time is certainly a strategy that was working for a while) – really the first half was a slow game with low score – AND THEN…. 

And the second half found the teams really finding their grove – and things got tied and the nail biter was all the way up to the end – and either team could have pulled it out.

WOW.

OK – what about that first half that no one now cares about – what about becoming “Spectacular” – “Flawless” and “Amazing” – well isn’t that just like us in Heaven???? YES – our game on earth is beset with bad plays, foibles, missteps, fumbles even. Our lives are marred with humanness – and understandably so as broken people. We just ain’t perfect – we are sinners in the need of a Savior. AND THEN…

Heaven and God sees us PERFECT – SPECTACULAR – AMAZING – FLAWLESS – all because of JESUS – because He sees our faults no more – our sin is taken away as far as the east is from the west.

HEAVEN MUST BE THE ULTIMATE – ‘NOW THAT JESUS HAS RANSOMED YOU – WHERE ARE YOU GOING?’ – ‘I’M GOING TO JESUS’S RENEWED WORLD – HEAVEN BOUND!’

Do we deserve this championship? No. Do we expect to be called such marvelous things by our own doing? No. This is what GRACE is. GRACE is the unmerited gift of God.

Dead in the game no more – we are alive in HOPE and DRIVE and LIFE – and when we ask Jesus to be Our Lord and Savior – we ‘cross’ into the afterlife WHOLE, because HE CROSSED us past that evil of sin and death.

THANK YOU JESUS – for scoring our Eternal Victory.

AMEN

Made Alive in Christ – Ephesians 2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Grace Gifts – We are only human after all

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I bummed myself out last weekend oh how STUPID I felt when I went through the automatic car wash with my winter decorations (plastic blue snowflakes) still zip-tied to my roof and they all half broke. Bummer… bleh… STUPID… I’ll get past it… snow melts, right?! yes it does…

I often get embarrassed because of my humanness. (and that feels worse than losing the snowflakes). I sometimes get embarrassed because of my lack of remembering. And yet I never want to feel embarrassed to ask questions and learn more – I would rather look uninformed than remain uninformed….

So, no, I didn’t get in trouble from the carwash place. And really importantly they DID break off easily and no damage incurred to the car either, nor to my wallet (cheap things), only to my pride. Pride however is a sin in itself, if we can’t forgive ourselves or if we ignore too freely without remorse, it’s prideful. Like I did this – or I didn’t. Pride can be sin brushed aside.

While vacuuming the car with the free vacuums, which is actually why I went to get a wash anyway, I thought to myself about my own vanity getting myself into this, but you know, it’s normal to wash a car. It was dirty. I like to support this shop. So all in my sorry-ness, Lord, for vanity and pride too, I can justify my actions even my forgetfulness… HUMAN!!! 

Now, I could certainly hide my mistake (or not write about it to process) OR rebuild 2 flakes out of one to seem like nothing happened OR whine forever on something so unimportant (which I know I shouldn’t). So I thought of how trivial this was and me making a big deal out of it was pridefully trivial too. It’s not right for me to whine because infinitely worse things are occurring in the world, like war, disease, hunger, etc. 

But anyway, while cleaning I found the scripture card that means a lot,  “For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of work, so that no one may boast.” EPHESIANS 2:8-9

YES! 

Although I can’t fully wrap my head around “Saved by Grace” – as I haven’t made it up to Heaven yet, I am starting to appreciate that it is forever that has started NOW because Jesus already Saved me. WOW – saved. and wow, I can appreciate “Forgiveness, by Grace” – and “your oops is no big deal, by Grace” – and “cut yourself some slack, by Grace”. (Because yeah grave stuff is also forgiven by a forgiving Father when we repent)… Grace by the blood of Jesus.

I also found a few lost things while cleaning, like money that fell out of my pocket, and I did achieve a cleaner car inside and out. There are some things that are necessary even if trivial. And I decompressed some more by reattaching a couple of snowflakes back up – in pairs this time to mask the lost sticks, and it looks fine, it will make due to use these last bit of their usefulness, which is to make people smile. I achieved a compromise of my guilt and frustration. And I smile too. God however IS the One Whom achieved that “the show must go on” feeling in me.

“I achieved” is not a term we use for Grace, however, that IS a gift. Grace is a gift by God’s grace for God’s grace. And if we can’t achieve it, then no one else can lay down rules for it. God can, yes, and His forgiveness through Jesus satisfied all His Law. So we must hold onto Jesus. God waits and wants our love. We love that He loved us first. Great God.

Jesus – because we are only human after all.

Grace. “For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of work, so that no one may boast.” EPHESIANS 2:8-9

Thank You Lord for Your Grace and for Your gifting…

We do need it (I do) because we are only human after all…

Amen

Amen