walking

Incorruptible Inheritance

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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…

I walked a section of the park that I had never walked – and only 20 minutes from home. Pumpkins carved and glowing – beautiful. And I never heard of this event until this year – wow – so festive and fun to just walk and see the pumpkins both day and night…

Really, ALL the pumpkins were amazing – I walked up and down the hundreds twice (once in daylight and then in dark) so I saw them as a thousand opportunities – and so festive a feel of the event. I also loved the one in the tree, the polkadot pumpkin, the artistic ones carved amazingly. Awesome…

I loved the event – and remembering LOVE endures forever even when these pumpkins will dry up or be eaten by the wildlife… And wildlife was still holding on in this stretch of park between busy developed spaces.  I saw a heron – and a turtle – and kids on bikes with fishing rods – then saw some neighborly kids chasing each other in life-filled squeals. I saw flowers and fruits, gardens and (fake) graves and cute displays. I walked for exercise in new sneakers and found them to be fabulous in support. I loved looking and looking and looking – feeling the warmth of the day and the cool of the night – more than just all the pumpkins and leaves – I was hearing the sound of children far away cheering at a baseball or soccer field – and then I was hearing children close-by squealing looking at cats and SpongeBob and what not – and hearing the parents say “stay on this side of the pumpkins” as it WAS getting darker and darker…

Especially hearing the people’s excitement was an opportunity to hear a connection to our excitement in life… And that is life – thousands of opportunities to look – to be – to feel – to know – to hope. And the we are to know that although HOPE is eternal – the life here on earth – well it is all temporary – that is a mind-boggle – and yet we are reminded of this temporary nature of life each year as the seasons fade into each other. And we learn the shortness of life as these kids growing will be whole other creatures in 5 or 10 or 20 years – life changes so fast…  I myself thought – not morbidly but in truth since it was my birthday recently – that who knows if I have 1 or 10 or 20 more seasons around the sun… Who knows…  Best to make the best of each day. Remember God’s support is renewed – His Mercies fresh each morning. And I am glad for taking time this year to realize that each day.

Pumpkins will only be good in this carved state for a week – the colorful leaves are falling – and the history plaques themselves also tells us that it was only a hundred years of work on the water in boats before trains took over – and then trains faded too…  We live in temporary advancements to only realize our  quick lives are also like this scripture from 1st Peter – from Isaiah 40 “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.”

And then we have to remember – that we have an “incorruptible inheritance” – through Jesus – one that will last forever – as His Word lasts forever. We will see fading leaves and lives – but the spirit and the spectacular will endure… Due to God’s abundant mercy – God has begotten us 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…

Yes – Heaven reserved and the Word never-ending and HOPE forever. This will help us survive the trials and though tested pray our faith will endure – 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.

So – if we have an Incorruptible Inheritance – let us not worry as much about the fading colors and failing lives and lostness of time and commerce and whatnot – sure we are concerned for everything – but take a moment to walk with the Lord and still HOPE – in the day – and in forever…

AMEN (and OK ready for me to start my day in those new sneakers – pounding the pavement and pumpkining – I mean pumping the flesh in handshakes at a networking event today… it will be a good day either way as God is with us.)

AMEN 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.” [from Isaiah 40]

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Hey Flamingo, Witness While You Walk

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Blessed.

It was a BEAUTIFUL Florida vacation beach day, both facing “the Gulf” at Siesta Key and inside the “intercoastal” at Casey Key, with an “old Florida” feel of open air restaurant and tiki bar buzzing with activity in this “snowbird” season. I loved the atmosphere and the people, it’s like vacation time for everyone and you expected a Jimmy Buffet loving character to be chatting it up everyday everywhere… (I even navigated a sticky conversation about the naming of the gulf, but I wasn’t here for an argument, and the Lord gave me an apt witty reply. Thank you Lord for restoring the peace.)

Yes, I am enjoying this decompression week. I came to Florida for peace, yes to BE the flamingo, and be pretty peaceful in pink like a feathered friend fluttering along, while sunblocking not to get too pink in skin. I was fine in the water once I got used to it. Actually it was great, white quartz sand, smooth high tide tiny waves, safety in lifeguards and flat beach that stretched out gloriously. 

In the water, looking at the horizon and the sun and the blue sky, I said to myself and in Praise to the Lord: “Jesus, You Calmed my Sea, here in Sarasota Key.”

I know the Lord gave me this peace. 

The Lord also gave me a good few chats with snowbird people in the water, we are people who like to connect… and at lunch I got to chat with another (a local) and actually give my testimony (7 minute version) of how God changed my life… it’s in that moment when God opened a window of opportunity, I could hear God say: Hey Flamingo, witness while you walk…

Yes.

Yes, a flamingo is striking in the visual in pink, even when quietly walking, or at least being one of the birds which the Lord takes care of. God takes care of us too, very much so. We are also to walk in JOY, the JOY of the Lord.

I wrapped up my vacation day in the pool and hot tub. My friend mentioned that Flamingos need to walk, that if they don’t move enough they will get depressed and die… oh… yes we also need to move, to interact, to be, to praise, to know God gives us good stuff, grace too.

And let us witness our JOY while we walk.

Amen 

Also the farmer’s market is awesome.

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!”

Make Use of the Time Your Given!

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“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

 WOW – an 80 year old did what is a dream of mine is (well I have many dreams) – she did the Appalachian Trail – walked the whole thing – and honestly I simply need to start walking more and exercising and wow what a difference it makes to stay active! The 80 year old said to make good use of the time you are given! TRUE!

I was at an event recently and a friend of a friend said she best start getting in shape – she had just turned 72 – it is not like I don’t have the tools or the place to get in shape – I just don’t take the time and well, that is where I need to start – taking the time – numbering my days – being aware of being better… It’s not just me, we all have this motivation to muster up! Right?!

Yes – I had a moment of a few years of being in MUCH better shape than I am now and I am not asking for perfection but wow if I could get back to that shape, that motivation, that energy level…  Yes, if I could get back to making the most use of my time in many aspects of life. At least I should try to start walking again… Especially with a few trips that I have coming up – I need to walk into them to walk on them!

And walking was my fix – both physically and mentally a few days ago where I was in such pain of the hips and legs and back and thought – “I really need to walk this out”  – TRUE – and I felt so much better on that walk – and it was also when I saw the “999” sign on that walk – and I also knew God wanted me to start with me and “turn my frown upside down” – and just get back out and live – ONE MOMENT AT A TIME!

May the Lord bless us in each of our walks – and may we continue to walk and make the most of our days. “establish the work of our hands, Lord” – from Psalm 90 (and our feet too!!!)

AMEN

Here us the link to the 80 year old – she also makes advice to not walk alone but sometimes she had to: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/oldest-woman-to-hike-the-entire-appalachian-trail-reflects-on-her-journey​

Psalm 90 NKJV 

The Eternity of God, and Man’s Frailty
A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass which grows up: In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers.

For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.​

A Fulfilling Faith Focus, starting VBS prep in Matthew 3

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I was grateful to have a good ride home south from home north. And I took the back way skipped the major highway most of this trip just because. I stopped for my favorite travelling ice cream at a farm dairy and looked over my VBS booklet. It’s good to let your mind wander in wonderful views. It mimics a vacation mindset – and honestly I feel like a need a big vacation – and yet small vacation doses are suitable for now. We restart our days knowing our identity. We need to know where we stand – often it is in our walking with the Lord that we find this the best. A fulfilling faith focus.

My friend just did 5 days hiking on the El Camino. It is something I know I would enjoy – a trip to find myself deeper in faith – And yet I wonder if I could just drive it, like I drive these most beautiful winding roads in the northeast… Hmmm…  Could I take a tour of just plan sitting – that would be a faith find too….  Well, no matter where we are, we best take the time to decompress… then fill up with the good stuff!!!

When is the right time? Well, in this season it is now PREP time for Vacation Bible School – and my first day reading the day one scripture for my second VBS – TRUE NORTH – and the TRUE part comes with Jesus being TRUE – TRULY GOD – TRULY HUMAN – TRULY OURS…

And the first day story is of John the Baptist – of Jesus’s identity revealed – of God’s Promise fulfilment – and of the appreciation and recognition of IDENTY in a TRUE NORTH faith-compass pointing moment to when God came down as the Dove and said “This is my beloved Son” – TRUE STORY – Matthew 3 – read it all below.

John knew his identity and that of the deliverer in the Messiah – but not yet knowing the visual of his cousin to walk in – (even if we know that the Holy Spirit in John knew Jesus when John was in his mother’s womb) – and John could tell the people: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”

Jesus knew His identity and was likely aching to be the moment when the world would start to know – not because of a “Look at me” moment – but because He knew the world would be saved thru Him – and therefore He wanted to teach the Way – the Truth – the TRUENESS. Jesus wanted and wants us to repent and to be more forgiving and be more understanding and to understand our place.

I will start to “dive in” to Vacation Bible School work – and this is a GOOD PLACE – because this is IDENTITY and the drive and true calling to be working with Jesus for Jesus for the kids and their families – and to know the WAY…

May we all find our fulfilling faith focus in HIS WAY – Our Faith Walk is just beginning – new each day…

Amen

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John the Baptist Prepares the Way – Matthew 3 NIV
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

You Have to Play the Cards Life Gives You.

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Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

I enjoyed the day yesterday, even if I didn’t understand it all. I stepped through it one BINGO number at a time, one moment at a time, one step at a time. I had many moments to think, all day. I had work, worked from home, but first wrote my devotions. Then hit the news of a bridge collapse, BIG one, and videos plus speculation, news conferences etc. Then I shut the news off. I worked on what I could work on. I thought about it occasionally as I stepped through my day, which was blessed ordinary and extraordinary but far from an ordinary day. I worked, laughed, ate, pondered, prodded, purposed, planned, put aside my schedule (which honestly I saw how God cleared curiously for me to be in new places), and pondered again. I had much time to meet up with God moment by moment, which is unusual, and yet always wonder where I misstep. I did feel blessed by my company and moments, even if I didn’t understand them all. Jesus wants us to walk through the day in His Way – listening to Him. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

At lunch I was talking about a bridge between Jesus and us – independent from the earthly bridge that fell down but will be rebuilt – but isn’t that what Jesus experienced? a knock down for the lift up… A fitting Holy Week thought… Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Wrapped up work and took some time off to get the cat to the vet (an ordinary thing on an unordinary day). In the evening it was interesting playing BINGO with my friend at the fire company, just plain fun as a fundraiser, but wow it is WORK! Fast paced and mega boards given. I’ve been here only once before. I mixed myself up a few times. Accidentally, I called BINGO once (it was a coverall nor regular, oops), and I enjoyed the time with my friend. I was an observer of people and their routines, who they knew as regulars and what little things made this a regular scene for many. I enjoyed thinking about my Dad and Mom in our BINGO days growing up catholic and the required work at the fundraiser if you had kids in the school. REQUIRED. My Dad called the numbers maybe once a month and mom sold cards, and I hung out to work the concessions – with those candy bars and glass soda bottles.  Fun but yes a true reflection of how money influences the world. It is a tool – may we always use it wisely. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

It was my Dad’s birthday yesterday too, was I tickled when his birthday showed up? Yes. But was it proving some connections in the universe? Nah, because I already know connectiveness for the universe. I already know life pops up like BINGO numbers, but you don’t always have them on your card and you just try again. I know that with God there are no coincidences. There are some games you sit out, to take a ‘bio-break’ or stretch or take a concession visit. There are some hecklers in fun. There are rules and rituals that are invented and confusing, but most people here understood them. There was lots of money spent and lots of money won. I bought a dollar snack and thought – this is enough. My cards were enough (too much actually). My time was enough. My moment was enough. I felt not stuck in time but sitting inside it and outside it at the same time. I didn’t win BINGO but I didn’t care – I already won life with a good family and with the Good Lord. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

In life – we have ordinary non-ordinary days. Like BINGO, you have to play the cards that life gives you – you have to make the most of it – you have to know Who (God) makes life livable in good and bad – and God is also good at the same time reminding you that life on earth is temporary and worldly. Oh how we bridge to the real life in Heaven? Oh, Jesus. Yes… One day at a time, one number at a time, one step at a time. One Savior always. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Play the cards the Lord gives – and call out to Him for numbering your days… Enjoy Life…

AMEN

Paul to the Colossians 3:1-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Jesus Walking Way

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Well, my agenda is just that: ‘my agenda’ and we need to check our agendas more, sometimes at the door but sometimes at the floor, when kneeling at the feet of Jesus.

My experience will tell you, His plan is what we should explore.

We need to check the plan against His plan of the day, against His say, along The Way.

I am sad to say – my back kinda went out today.

No i didn’t’ throw it out and away – it walked then just RAN away.

I have been here before, I know I will be OK.

But for now, I just have to say “Hey! 

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I understand Lord, when you say You wish for me to have plans to go YOUR WAY.

So at Your feet I now pray.

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OK
I appreciated yesterday – 

I read the Jesus Calling later in the day – 

when I was checking with the Lord – “am I being too ambitious today?”

Well, I kept moving as I waited for Him to enter His opinions and His Say.

And I am glad I was ‘allowed’ to finish my work and call it a day.

I was still allowed to move my moves throughout the day.

I even got in a quick walk – because I am way out of shape – WAY!

When my back goes out – or any day,

The Jesus Walking Way is Best Medicine, OK and Hurray!

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So, yesterday, as I finished a project late in the day, 

I slid into the car knowing there would be much pain today.

And now? Well – close to home is where I will stay.   

I did sleep last night but a few times yelled “HEY!”

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So what did Jesus Calling blog say yesterday?

To get out of your own way.

Seek My Face in your day.

I will turn your attention to My Way.

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Amen – and thanks Lord – everyday.

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Jesus Calling – March 8th

Save your best striving for seeking My Face. I am constantly communicating with you. To find Me and hear My voice, you must seek Me above all else. Anything that you desire more than Me becomes an idol. When you are determined to get your own way, you blot Me out of your consciousness. Instead of single-mindedly pursuing some goal, talk with Me about it. Let the Light of My Presence shine on this pursuit, so that you can see it from My perspective. If the goal fits into My plans for you, I will help you reach it. If it is contrary to My will for you, I will gradually change the desire of your heart. Seek Me first and foremost; then the rest of your life will fall into place, piece by piece.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV 

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.