Oh – the news of a local legend DJ, Pierre Robert’s unexpected death Wednesday 10/29 has stuck such a chord in this community – my phone was blowing up with texts and calls – unknown that his death was overnight on Tuesday to Wednesday and reported just then. A local celebrity but man of the people – his attitude and life and longevity had struck a chord in our collective lives and in my life too… I was blessed to run into him at concerts a few times and this moment after we saw Pope Francis. “Great day in the morning” a catch phrase on his radio show on WMMR – it was a great day when you ran into him or was able to catch some of his noontime to 2 radio show – and especially the vinyl cut at 215ish… There was a lot of “ish” time with Pierre being late to everything… the radio listening public realized that we were listening to one of the last DJ’s – real DJ who loved the music and the people – and at age 70 showed no sign of slowing down…
But the lateness of Pierre came to an end when he died early – in our time frame – 70 is now early – and yet the lateness of Pierre was right on time when surely now he has gone to be with the Lord – and that time is always on the Lord’s time. Never too early or too late – but Lord’s time decided… Solomon would write: As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.” Ecc 11
As I was driving home yesterday, at the beginning of my long trip (carwise and lifewise) I heard the news of Pierre from a friend – they knew that I loved Him – and well perhaps that is the best thing for us to know about each other – is who we all and each love… and I loved and love Pierre Robert, collectively with the city and world, and personally in loving what he stood for – which was peace and love and knowing our fellow man… Pierre wanted to know what was making you tick – what excited you – you got that from his interviews over the 40 years on the radio…. I only met him a few times but I listened religiously when I could – which always was never enough since it was during my work day – but when I could – or had gotten in the car – I would linger to hear his voice… Linger is something we get to do so infrequently here on earth – but so necessary at times.
Now Pierre is right on time to hear the Lord – now that IS Peace and Love. Yes, Pierre Robert has gone to Peter’s and Jesus’s Care.
Oh for us to linger with loved one – oh for us to linger to hear the Lord’s voice – and to consult Him and to love Him as He loves us… Tell everyone you love that you love them – today – no delay – love you all…
I want to share 1st Peter 1 and Ecclesiates 11 about living life not as in “your days are numbered” – but in “let us ask the Lord to help us number our days…” life is short – share the peace and love of the Lord for His people…
Amen
1 Peter 1 NKJV Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
A Heavenly Inheritance Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
Living Before God Our Father Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
The Enduring Word Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because
“All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
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Ecclesiastes 11 NKJV The Value of Diligence Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.
Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. Seek God in Early Life Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.
“One Day More” the sensational song from the musical Les Miserable (or Les Mis) keeps running through my head. I listened a little bit yesterday when hearing of the new presentation coming to the east coast next summer. “One more day, one day more”… It’s a catchy tune…
(How exciting for me that 10 years after I bought Les Mis tickets for my daughter’s first Broadway musical, she bought me these tickets for next summer – time goes fast – enjoy the slowdown in those formative years of raising kids/adults, time flies…)…
Summer will be here soon knowing how fast life goes, yet it is so far away, since this is October… Life does move fast… and/but life does move slow when you are anticipating changes that you don’t know will ever come (like those French revolutionaries in the musical)… Either way we are to live in the present. We best walk the road the Lord is leading us on, now…
That section of lyrics goes like this at the very end: “Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in Heaven has in store – One more dawn – One more day – One day more”… This is a song of anticipation and hope as well as perseverance and determination to survive. And it seems in French revolution times it was tough to survive let alone thrive… yet they did. We survived too as a nation – and a people – and ourselves – but many didn’t so we are to count our blessings…
In the movie version, there’s a wonderful scene of people stepping into Heaven when they pass. And isn’t that our blessed destiny with the forgiveness of Jesus and our willingness to repent, repent from sins and from going our own course in this battle of life. It’s one day more trudging through tough life and/or one more day until Heaven awaits… we get to choose our attitude. Let us chose a good attitude.
The spiritual battles would give pause, but Jesus ALREADY gave His Life for our cause.
One more day in enjoyment is also wanting one day more with loved ones and friends and/or one day more is just making it another day until reunion with loved ones, here and in Heaven.
We can hold on… we can sing our way there…
And personally for me, there are many, many steps that I’m thankful to be finally getting to step – blessings can give hope one day at a time. Knowing something exciting is coming is something to hook our hopes on. It balances out the pain of life, which we also should take only one day at a time… we also may count our blessings in being grateful as so many would be grateful just for one blessing today… we best remember to pray for those others in strife of this life.
Our consolation in this world and in this life is that the ultimate war has been won by the Lord, and these battles in Heaven and on earth are but temporary, intense but temporary. And our travel through the valley of the shadow of death is best by following the light of Jesus out of the mess, sometimes into the mess, but ultimately Home… Ultimately Heaven with Jesus awaiting – walk each day knowing our future is secure and Jesus has already validated our tickets. Let us pray that we are listening and be directed by His Word – making a light to our path…
One more day – one day more…
Day by day!!!!
Amen
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
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Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Ask, Seek, Knock “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
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Psalm 119:124-135 NIV
Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. It is time for you to act, Lord; your law is being broken. Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. …
Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
It’s Memorial Day and although it’s universal for wars to happen, it’s also universal for wanting peace enough to fight for it. It is good for us to remember a sacrifice from those committed to serve without questioning, to fight forward to advance a cause, and to retreat when cutting losses.
We often feel it makes no sense the wars we often fight, but it makes perfect sense the wars fought for peace. Wars happen. It’s a strange situation of human brokenness to fight, and yet the Lord has warriors fighting on the deepest levels, the highest grounds, the lowest lows. The war in Heaven for us is the peace-making power the Lord employs, strange but sacred, tested but true.
What are we to do? Work in the peace already garnered. Work for the peace and work at the peace for wars already won. Be the peacemakers in life, negate the strife with LOVE.
And remember those who have been fighting for us all to have a better life, especially those who’ve passed away. This is why we celebrate Memorial Day – in humble thankfulness. They fought under command. They fought for love of country and of man and prayerfully they were reaching out to God for guidance. They sacrificed so we could live, so we could keep loving.
Wars will cease one day. Let us not wait for then to begin to love our enemies. We love under command too. Don’t let love grow cold. Don’t let love be forgotten as the greatest power.
Amen
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Matthew 24 NIV excepts
Jesus says: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…
… Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
This writing is #206 of over 2000 now – a great reminder to keep blooming because you never know who God has to put in your path and you theirs…
I appreciate now that I was 10 years ago realizing that God put these thoughts into my head – it was up to me to move my fingers faster and capture them..
Thank You God for making me and making us BLESSED IN THE BLOOM…
…
God Wants YOU in HIS Bouquet in Heaven, 08July2015 #206
I’d like to take the wonderful opportunity to say thank you to God for placing such certain people in my path. I have and had so many wonderful people to learn from, pull the best characteristics from each one into my bouquet of life…. Blessedly more amazing people, than terrible people… But I learn from those folks as well… Learn to delineate the good from the bad traits within each person (because we all have both), the roses from the thorns, the grain from the weeds.
Matthew 13:29-30 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
When God choose me, and when God choose you, He let all the seeds grow, grain and weeds alike… good grain people and weed people/temptations (planted by the evil one). When it is time to harvest, the weeds are set aside and burnt… And the best in you will be taken into the barn of God… into HIS eternal kingdom!!! Yes, you see God let those bad habits grow like weeds alongside your best grain characteristics. He dare not pull the weeds that intercalated into your being, entangled all around you, because the grain of who you are is/was not yet mature, it is/was not yet firmly rooted in good soil.
When you are mature enough, which does not depend on your age, God will call you louder by name… God will lead you to Jesus… maybe others will cajole Him to come into your house and raise your life spirit like Jarius’ daughter (Luke 8:41-56)… Maybe you will cry out in painful screams of angst… When God says it’s time to wake up, you sometimes snooze thru the alarm, then angrily realize you weren’t ready to get up but God called you anyway. When you wake up earlier than the alarms, it’s refreshing and peaceful to see God coming for you, and you can be ready and waiting for HIM. You can work on your root growth deeper and obey his Word.
Before harvest God says: it’s time to get right with the Lord…. It’s time to start pulling those weeds within you, so hold on tight to your roots planted in ME… God’s harvest of the good in your crop will become easier and less painful if you cooperate with God and not work against him, if you identify and start eliminating the weeds in your life… If you dig deep and get to the roots of these vice-causing traits and clean out your soul.
It’s ok if you can’t get out all the weeds or invasive roots out before God takes you, it’s ok because God knows any harvest, no matter how small is still pleasing (Matthew 13:23). God will take you as you are. Be grateful and let God bless you with HIS joy.
God sees the Jesus within you, and takes you for HIS bouquet of heaven. God loves you and will keep you forever…
Whatever you do, don’t worship the beast, not even a little, not even in jest.
Don’t let the devil nip at you, don’t let him disturb you in your rest. (IN JESUS).
.
And that’s true, isn’t it? We tend to joke around. We have a tendency to jest about ourselves as being bad. We both forget God’s mercies and we think “I’m not worthy” – Well, God says you ARE WORTHY to be saved – that is why Jesus is the Lamb Slain from the Creation of the World. Let us not let the evil one confuse us. We are worthy because of Jesus.
If we stand strong in our faith and demonstrate faithfulness – then perhaps others will see HOW important faith is – for them to take it seriously too. SO don’t play with fire, don’t jest with the joker, and don’t give the devil anything to latch on to. Jesus wants us 100% reliant upon Him, and not fear evil – even unto death.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” That’s what Jesus said as he calmed the storms…
Isaiah foretold that we would have trouble in this world. “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.” – because the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world BEFORE it all went down. And Jesus Came so we will rise up again. Just like waves of the water. Don’t let the Devil rock your boat in between. Rest with Jesus. Rest IN Jesus. Rest because of Jesus.
Remember the Isaiah 53 scripture: “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.“
Amen
Rest in Jesus, our Lamb. Keep living LIFE in His Peace.
Amen
Mark 4:35-41 NIV Jesus Calms the Storm That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
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Revelation 13 NIV The Beast out of the Sea
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
Whoever has ears, let them hear. “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
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 !!!
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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.
I didn’t know the snow would stick, it’s BEAUTIFUL!!! Just enough to be pretty, will probably melt later, won’t stick around for a white Christmas, but technically I can say we have snow! It’s even on the winter solstice!
It was sort of predicted, without the hype this time around! I had just gotten my “SNOWBARU” car decorations on, a new wreath this year with big flakes when the real stuff came, unexpectedly, and I appreciated it melting on a busy Christmas-time preparation day. Still much to do…
Expectation and appreciation for a White as Snow situation was unfolding in a manger in Bethlehem, in the Christmas gift of Christ. Isaiah forecasted this, he predicted in prophesy, and became a scribe of the Lord’s special message, for a Savior would come, Who would cleanse the sins of all “WHITE AS SNOW”…
Reading Isaiah, it is clear the earth’s people would take a while to respond, as the prophets told of Jesus coming, but only a few saw the light through the hundreds of years passing… Only a few knew to look. It’s so clear now IN the LIGHT, but for those who walk in darkness still, we pray they see. It’s still a long winter, so much to do before spring. If only we can see the preparation time as purposeful.
Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow”
So, in an AMAZING Way, the Lord brings as CHRISTMAS SNOW – His mercy and grace to last forever – to forgive us – to bring us into His fold. Jesus was prophesied to come to earth and shepherd us, although His physical body melted as snow, pain and sorrow in a short 33years before crucifixion, HE ROSE and rehydrated our lives with His Living Water, and separated our sin far away from us. WASHED CLEAN. Christmas, Easter and Forever.
A gift of a Savior is SALVATION FOREVER. Thank you Isaiah for your forecast. Thank You Lord for the snow, and You as our GIFT.
Now that is perfect Christmas preparation…
Amen
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Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 51:1-6 NKJV
The Lord Comforts Zion
“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him.”
For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
“Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ – I appreciated this bracelet they gave out at my friend’s memorial, Philippians 4:13.
This was so true for how she lived her life – and a good reminder that we need to live through – we really CAN do all things we need to do through our Lord – and we can also MEET HIM. We certainly saw and met and loved knowing Jesus thru my friend, She was the most loving and caring to others – and yes the place was PACKED – in bright colors as her daughter requested.
Was nice to see so many people present and former members of this church too. I knew it would be like old home days and it was. Our former choir director played piano and a member sang “In the Garden”. We sang beautiful hymns from the hymnal and the new Pastor was so wonderful, eloquent and touching, comforted with great Bible lessons and passages. The flowers and ashes arrangement was beautiful.
Place was packed at lunch too – which was great, Big sandwich and fruit trays donated by her son’s work, plus desserts donated. And her daughter made her mom’s famous taco salad and rice pudding, YUM.
Everyone’s eyes spoke volumes of memories and love.
I can do all things through Christ: Especially share LOVE.
We know we will meet Christ in our heavenly life. I dreamt last night of end times because I had some conversations yesterday with people about heaven and not really knowing what heaven has in store – like “will we meet the people we didn’t like?” “will I be bored in heaven?” These seem so unlikely – we are to know heaven has healing… heaven has hope… I guess we will find out when we find out – so glad THESE friends will be there and we will start our new learning of everyone IN Christ – oh how we all will change!!! Oh what great reunions – looking forward to it even if I am in NO RUSH! Who will we meet first in Heaven? Has to be Jesus!
I can do all things through Christ: Especially KNOW His LOVE.
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Especially LIVE.
I can do all things through Christ: Especially share HIS LOVE.
An array of trash and treasures this past weekend… too many thoughts jumbled but they do relate back to counting our blessings – and storing up treasures in Heaven not on earth…. And relating this all back to Ezekiel’s warnings to the King of Tyre…
We are to enjoy our stuff while here on earth as we live. Just don’t get hung up on amassing treasures in earth over those in heaven. A treasure to one is trash to another, and vice versa. There are treasures in little things, like memories, like the smile from 80’s south of the border bumper stickers, still usable, so I stuck one on my “beater car” over a scratch.
Then there are valuable not precious, and precious not valuable…
The precious items we have, are worldly precious and yet the heavens appreciate preciousness too. Heaven’s preciousness is in valuing worshipping God, creator of all. And the gemstones mentioned in the Bible, especially in the New Jerusalem that the Lord will bring for forever *see Book of Revelation*, acknowledges that we are to understand treasures, God has treasures to share. It’s the hoarding to make one seem god-like which becomes the flaunting easily corrupted by evil (like the King of Tyre in Ezekiel). Wealth is wasted if not directed appropriately. There are blessings in good living – and the excess, we can share the rest….
I recently saw a museum for a great collection of gemstones, and yet the burden of these millions of dollars of gems and jewelry requires extra security, resources and what do you do with them, except look! It’s a marvel that they even exist, the world so intricate and vast. Pockets of particular wows. This collection is of broaches and necklaces. No one wears this collection of gems now. There are times that we see in Hollywood that jewelry is lent out for gala events, but this collection likely will stay local. Museums help maintain what normally could be hoarded is displayed. Interesting dilemma that wealth brings, it also corrupts individuals, it’s perhaps our brokenness to NOT hold treasures in collective sharing, but amass them to hold power. Power that is fleeting.
So in Ezekiel’s time, the King of Tyre was known for acting as a god himself, and God, our real and only God, said: ‘because of your wealth your heart has grown proud’. God saw the precious stones were adorned on him as a baby but his arrogance and greed was wickedness. The wickedness did him in, and God will see that the King of Tyre will lose his worldly empire.
The description of the gems and the cherubic existence but influenced by wickedness could certainly be read as if also talking about Satan’s fall from grace, fall from the garden. Satan will also lose his world empire that he meddles in now, won’t it be eternal separation that will finish Satan, and evil will meddle no more. We know this war is won, but we still battle in matches each day, until the Word of God is taken into each heart.
That is the treasure that will grow and appreciate – the treasure of the Word – the blessings of no burdens – the hope of Heaven – the salvation from sins. Evil always will lose, for God and worship is Who we choose…
Amen
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Ezekiel 28:1-19
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.
“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. Will you then say, “I am a god,” in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a mortal, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”
This is not simply a diamond in the rough story, not so simple because diamonds have to be cut and polished anyway AND because not everyone is filled with flawless beauty, well NO ONE is, so don’t condemn yourself for not being so…
So, I have been thinking about this geode filled with quartz that was a gift from a new friend, a seasoned geologist, who gave it to me today. Yes, this geode rock is filled with shimmery quartz, and she hammered this piece open to reveal the treasure in the light of day. I had really never talked to her before this – it was just sort of the polite smiles in church when we saw each other. So, I found it interesting timing and a God-for-sure-intervention that last week, when after I gave my sermon (about witness and if we didn’t praise that the rocks would cry out – and told the story of my friend who prayed while wandering to find home as her guide dog was not in harness, and she ran into some familiar rocks which signaled to her the way to go) that this polite smiling person HAD to speak to me – that she EXCITEDLY told me that she was a geologist and she had been bringing rocks to our friend’s son each week at church – SO COOL… And then this week, again so cool, that she was all talkative and showed me lots of rocks she had tumbled to shiny-ness, and then gave me the geode. Sweet. This broke-open rock was and is beautiful – but what was MORE beautiful was the SHINE I felt and heard in her smile and friendliness and openness. BEAUTIFUL!
Isn’t that the blessing of finding new friends – of finding out new things about people, about finding common interests, and about just seeing the SHINE in their souls to be shared. I find this to be the case over and over again – and with so many. I avow that as my mom says: “There are nice people everywhere!” – TRUE!
One other nice person that brings me joy when I see him, is our local homeless institution of a fellow: Mike. I often was seeing him before the weather got cold and last fall promised him I would bring him a lawn chair – but never saw him all winter. So, as a friend told me she saw him, I kept an eye out and sure enough he was at a local place along our main road this afternoon. So, after I ate my lunch, I packed a little extra for him and headed out with the chair – and best yet, I sat in the chair to chat with him for about 15 minutes. Mike knows me by sight – calls me the ‘singing church lady’ – and always has a smile… Mike is unique and never seems to ask for anything – unless you ask and then he does share the certain things that would help him – like the chair. Not that there is any room in the shelters (there really isn’t as they are filled with kids and moms), but we know Mike is a loner. Social, but a loner, not into living under a house with house rules – he just wants to stay out of the rain if possible. So, of course because of his friendliness, people shower Mike with gifts. It is both our wanting to help and make it all good, but it is also fitting Mike into cultural norms that don’t always work for everyone… Well, I do appreciate Mike as a role model of joy in perserverence. As I was sitting there, among his couple grocery carts worth of stuff, a man named Al came by and brought Mike a big bag of deli food and drinks. Mike does share with others he sees in the homeless camps. He believes in the “pass it on” mentality. Me too.
And Mike’s smiles and openness are the TREASURE in interacting with him – good encouragement, good affirmation of ideas, plans, and excitement in life. He is also a man of faith and we have intriguing interesting conversations there too… I know that the lawn chair (which I picked up from a neighbor’s trash in decent working order) – and the other items Mike has – will likely not last and may be removed by a yet-again move of his living corner in this region. These possessions are functional and temporary – just like everything we have too.
So – treasure – Jesus said don’t store up worldly treasures – but put your hope on treasure in Heaven. Treasure is found in the Spirit of the person brought to the light of day – God-polished rather than world-bruised. Treasure is the Shine that you may not have seen before. Treasure is in the ample hope given to us that we should share. Treasure is the moment that is placed in front of you to live in. Treasure is the JOY in your heart – and that of the Lord breaking through you to shine His Glory to the world.
Treasure is the Light of Day – the Light of His Way. Let us share the Joy of life and love. And no matter what, keep smiling!
Amen
Jesus said: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Yesterday we had an earthquake and an aftershock. Everybody is fine which is great. My phone exploded. A friend texted from Florida, Facebook was crazy, but my favorite event was that my daughter CALLED ME seeing if I was okay. Yay, my daughter was worried about me and reached out. I loved that. God tilted the system just enough for the slide of rocks to worry us and stir up LOVE.
TILT.
Now, a full-blown tilt of a pinball machine is what I have experienced growing up. I rarely have done it, but it’s from shaking it too much and you have to unplug the machine and plug It back in. But in the old days you really had to wait for the manager of the pinball arcade to do that unplugging and plugging back in, AND for them to give you your quarter back. You then could restart. Another example, sometimes bowling alley situations had to get restarted, because the ball would get stuck or the pins just froze. I remember that button often worked, but sometimes the manager had to go back to the back. RESET THE TILT.
Now, personally, sometimes my dreams early in the morning will get stuck. Resetting fruitless dream threads bring God to wake me up to say ‘ick’… reset… TILT the system and restart. Go back to sleep or stay awake, either way it’s the Mastermind of God restarting your system, clearing your mind, and saying ‘whew’ that craziness can stop. TILT, because Love has no evil in mind. God instructs angels, I’m sure, to send a cat to wake you, sometimes lately with a cough or a hot flash I readjust and reset. I’m glad sleep is set for restoration. Naps too. REST THROUGH THE TILT.
One last interesting personal thing about the earthquake, I did not notice until I got home, but Mastermind the game box must have been jostled out of my cabinet, pushing the door open, or more open, slid onto the floor and spilled a couple pieces. That is my only explanation of why it was out. Yes, normal gravity would do that too… Precarious stacking gives way, like sliding plates… ah, where is this in the scripture? NOT this minor inconvenience but a warning of times to come? The whole interesting thing about our world is that the Lord Himself is holding it together and the ‘loosing’ of the forces holding it together is natural prophetic fulfillment… Things are going to get worse – things don’t slip by accident but by design. TILT is prophetic but done in love, and Jesus pretold to us to not let it worry us, but for us to keep working to the last minute that the BIG reset of the system goes on. MORE THAN JUST A TILT.
Did I feel the earthquake yesterday? Nope. I was driving both during the earthquake AND during the aftershock… What timing!!! So I was doing my normal thing and kept going… That’s what our Mastermind Lord wants us to do in life: keep going, keep working… We can keep asking our Manager Lord to reset the system and help us in restoration.
He has. He can. He Will.
God is our All in All. Mastermind yes, but always with LOVE in mind. Don’t let the world distract you – shaken or not shaken – keep working for the Lord.
Amen
Daniel 7 NIV – in a dream
“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.) In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Collosians 1:9-23 a letter from Paul to the Collosians
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of the Son of God
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Matthew 24 – The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times NIV
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ – “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Revelation 4-5 NKJV – The Throne Room of Heaven
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
The Lamb Takes the Scroll And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
Worthy Is the Lamb Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Then Israel will drive out those who drove her out,” says the Lord.
You might think that’s a headline of the day, but it’s thousands of years ago. God preserves His remnant of Israel, always. It may be a long road – winding and wandering – but God’s people are preserved by God’s Power
And others are condemned by God too: Your fierceness has deceived you, The pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,” says the Lord.
God means business – this scripture is but one meaning business for the these village areas and peoples around the scattered areas of Israelites are but a few of the wrath-recipients from a God, Who means business. He destroys and He builds up too, but chapters 47, 48, 49 of Jeremiah are pretty harsh. Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa – Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam – Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa.
“I will set my throne in Elam and destroy her king and officials,” declares the Lord. “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,” declares the Lord.
SO, God destroys what He warns He will be against – there’s no stopping God’s Plan.
The destroyer will come against every town, and not a town will escape. The valley will be ruined and the plateau destroyed, because the Lord has spoken.
I can’t give you much of my own wisdom as to why, scholars (I am not) could trace all these lineages I know. There’s a reference to Esau, and we do know that God divided the brothers, Jacob and Esau, and their offspring to be in coexistence but against each other.
We could look at all this as ANCIENT history, buy it’s not. Conflict arises always. Remember the parable of the grain and the weeds, Jesus told, the evil is planted in the fields by the devil from the times of Adam. Evil and conflict is nothing new under the Sun. We just have to be our Shining best despite the challenges of the day.
God builds up too.
Pausing to Process God’s Power, we should remember God’s got this, God’s got a plan, God will send help in a Messiah. God uses evil even for His Advantage. It will all finish at one point – and peace will reign when Jesus comes again.
Go God Go! But Mercy please Lord, rescue Your people and protect all the innocents in the crossfire – yes Lord, protect me and protect all, please, under Your Wings.