Revelation 4 ~ living creatures

Revelation 4

David Cochran, English Standard Version

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

The Annunciation, painted by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859 – 1937) first African American to gain international fame.

Luke 1:19
And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news."


Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.


Luke 20:38
Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him."


Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Paul were all given visions of heaven. All of them spoke of God as being a God of the Living.

Jesus is quoted 118 times telling us of Heaven in His 4 Gospels. 31 times Jesus tells us Heaven is a Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. When He was asked who would get into Heaven, He said:

Matthew 19:25-26
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Only in Jesus Christ, whom we wait upon in joy and in anticipation. Jesus brought us Life.

Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.






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Luke 1:39-45 ~ believed

Luke 1:39-45

³⁹ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰ and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴² and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."


John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:46
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"

Luke 1:56
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Matthew 1:4
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife

Luke 2:15-18
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:22 [Jesus Presented in the Temple ]
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

Luke 2:21-23
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against"

Mark 6:2-4
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

John 19:27
and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.


Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

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Judges 12 ~ judged Israel

Judges 12

David Cochran, English Standard Version

¹ The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire." ²And Jephthah said to them, "I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. ³And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?"

⁴Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim and Manasseh." ⁵And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, "Let me go over," the men of Gilead said to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" When he said, "No," ⁶they said to him, "Then say Shibboleth," and he said, "Sibboleth," for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell.

⁷Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in his city in Gilead.

⁸After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. ⁹He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. ¹⁰Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.

¹¹After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. ¹²Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

¹³After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. ¹⁴He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel eight years. ¹⁵Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

Part of our sermon last Sunday was learning to answer the call of Jesus Christ - loving the not loving. And asking prayers for the family we'd rather not gather with over love and joy. Or the neighbor at the neighborhood party that would look good stuffed over his own mantle.

This was our reading for the sermon:


Luke 6:32-35 (The Message)
32 If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. 33 If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. 34 If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. 35 "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst.

I am not the best at doing this. The Romans liked their dignity. Hey. I do too.

The Message explains pretty well why the two tribes of Israel were fighting each other -

⁴ So Jephthah got his Gilead troops together and fought Ephraim. And the men of Gilead hit them hard because they were saying, "Gileadites are nothing but half breeds and rejects from Ephraim and Manasseh."

So many conflicts are because we try so hard to place each other on the totem pole ranking system. And lots of turmoil results from it. Innuendo, hearty joke and jab with retaliation not far behind. Trouble. Each year, we all gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with our families. And there will be 'opportunities for a solution'.

I'm from the south - raised most of my years in Texas with parents from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. We moved to Pennsylvania for 4 years and I had really always wanted to be in a snow fight. What could be more Christmassy? Let me tell you, if you have never participated in a snowball battle, you have to pack a snowball for it to fly. That happy, happy song about snowflakes that fall on your nose and eyelashes - has nothing, nothing, nothing to do with being hit with a snowball in the face in a snow fight. Even the word snowball is misleading. Ice propellant would be more accurate. So suddenly you are not just cold to pieces, you are now hit in the face with a baseball ice propellant. It is just plain fun like falling off of the roof. I clearly remember watching some 8th grader guys from my class in Emporium, PA very happily take time to set up battle grounds over Christmas trees set out for pickup. Oh, yeah. It looked like a movie studio scene for a little while and then there was jumping over "the fort" for a fist swinging 'good' time. And I thought... there is the reality of it all.

Judges 12 is actually a great passage for this. Jephthah is swung into reaction. So, so very different than David. David complained a lot. Read the Psalms - not everyone was great to wonderful David all the time. David in his complaining - to the Lord - not everyone he could find on the telephone and text and FB, was actually coming to grips with the reality of mankind. David was doing something important - He Was Growing Up. In David's vast life of hero, husband, fugitive, crazy man, and outcast, expatriate killer to king - David never forgot to invite the backsliders to be on his side.

Okay - sure - fine - Jephthah was Justified. Nasty Ephraim didn't help out, Never Did Call, and then began to shovel out fresh hell of totem pole judgement. Nasty, nasty, nasty Ephraim. They've Always Thought that They Deserved More Ever Since Grandpa Jacob Mentioned Them First. Those guys can't even pronounce things correctly. So.... we are going to kill 42,000 of them. Christmas colors are red .... right?

How did Israel feel after the fields ran red (and Christmas was over?) Ibzan of Bethlehem tells us. Overall Israel was Not Pleased. Ibzan starts out doing everything he can to reach out to be inclusive. Kind. Mixing people together. And was it reaction? No. It was a plan. Ibzan knew that trouble is part of life. Like David did. They decided that something was Larger in the mix than being ignored, mistreated and an ignorant comment.

So here's the Christmas thought from a real hero:

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

He is kind to...me. Maybe just, maybe I can drum up some of this kindness stuff. God willing to grow His Holy Spirit within me. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


Merry Christmas!




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Matthew 22:23-33 ~ after them

Matthew 22:23-33

23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”

29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Today, we don't spend a lot of time wondering what happens to a woman married to 7 brothers. Perhaps we don't even spend time wondering if the people around us will be given Heaven. We, fortunately, live in an age of increasing medical knowledge and antibiotics. More & more people wonder if God would be so cruel as to have a Hell and place His creation in Hell if we don't believe Jesus Christ is His Son. I've had two people say this to me just recently.

The Sadducees believed in no resurrection. The Pharisees believed in religious appearances, and all were told by Jesus daily - He believed more in mercy than sacrifice.

We, this generation, are more like Genesis 2 & 3.

We are vastly different from God - God looked upon emptiness and -

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

God called the expanse Heaven. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. And God saw that it was good.

God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them.

God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

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

And God blessed them.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

At least the Sadducees were astonished at His teaching... God sees emptiness and gives, gives, gives and creates. He sees His Creation with gratitude. He blesses His creation. We - look upon our Spiritual ingratitude - and feel full.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Can mankind really feel comfortable judging the LORD? In our ease, we de-bunk the validity of Scriptures, usually without being informed. Relying instead on our own limited time and intuition on earth. The conversation continues today:

3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “ 'Did God actually say', ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

(Emphasis color change added to represent the seed of doubt sown prolifically.)

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

We invite the LORD into our conversations about Jesus being the only way into Heaven. We invite Him to be part of the "how can God be so unjust"... conversations.

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."

Romans 11:15-23
For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

16 If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.

Notice this passage!! The saved are not to be arrogant or proud. We cannot judge God's plan of salvation for the unsaved. We shine as lights, not as wet blankets. We do not allow Jesus to be pulled from His Divinity, but we are not placed to judge God's plan of salvation for the weak.

Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

What do we say to the lost, the wondering, the pensive? .... Ask them if they don't limit God by the limitations of human weakness.... they will find answers for themselves if they will seek, knock, but the first step should begin.

God has the power to graft them in again.

Jesus spoke on salvation - Who gives us salvation?

Matthew 19:25-26
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 18:1b
they ought always to pray and not lose heart

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Journey of Faith performed a Christmas "Flash Mob" at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach on December 18, much to the delight of local shoppers. Thanks to all who participated. Merry Christmas everyone!!


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Psalm 138 ~ my strength of soul You increased

Psalm 138

David Cochran, English Standard Version

¹ I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple and
give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
³On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
⁶ For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
⁸The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

This is the week we've feted the Needlepoint Group, the College Parents Prayer Group and the Couples Group, we've been in for 11 years. 3 parties in 5 days in our home. (My youngest son chipped his left front tooth with a longboard accident, I went in with him to the dentist to recover my right front tooth! Again.) Covered Dish - many hands make the work lighter and the joy more lasting. Last night I had 3 hours of sleep. Yet there is real joy. It has been a year of looking forward with hope and so much better from the first two Christmas' after Isabelle's death. The Scripture says we look forward to the future with a smile.

Not even the traffic has put a snarl in my heart.

As Christmas Day approaches, we also think about what this year has brought us.

God gives us time to heal. To give us blessings to fill our heart. Lots of reading Scripture for the comfort. So many small matters have really been placed in perspective of importance. Really learning not to fret. In the middle of all of that trouble, God has saved my life. It wasn't lost; sometimes we just need to remember how saved we are. I am stronger. My strength of soul, He has increased. In His love He will continue to fulfill His purpose for me.

And for you as well.

Merry Christmas.

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Psalm 84 ~ how lovely is Your dwelling place

Luther College Nordic Choir singing "O Lord God" in Leipzig, Germany. Simply Stunning. Wouldn't this be wonderful for Evening Prayer.

Evening Prayer, by Jean Francois Millet



Psalm 84

Max McLean Audio Bible, English Standard Version

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

With God, we always have a great opportunity..... look to Him to lift us UP!


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Hebrews 1:1-4 ~ appointed heir of all things

Hebrews 1:1-4

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

¹ Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³ He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

This man - Jesus - called people to give up their lives, believe Him and follow Him. They did.

John 18:37
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice

Philippians 2:10
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 10:13

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Jesus plainly and clearly bore witness to Himself.



Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus repeated what God said to Moses:


Matthew 22:31-32
And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:
32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living."


Matthew 28:22b
Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.


John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."


John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.


John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."


John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


John 8:18
I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.


John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.


John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.


John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.


John 10:38
but if I do them [works], even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.


John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."


John 12:32
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.


John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


John 15:1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."


John 17:9
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.


John 10:30
The Father and I are one.


John 4:26
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he [Messiah, he who is called Christ].”


Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, "I am [the Christ, the Son of the Most Blessed] , and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."





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1 Peter 4:1-11 ~ judge the living and the dead

1 Peter 4:1-11

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

¹Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As I grew up, I attended several Episcopal parochial schools. Running through winter rain to Church or seeing spring starting. Edward & I sent our children to Episcopal and Catholic parochial schools when we lived in a large city. Every day in Morning Prayer, where the The Apostles Creed was said a lot.

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

Born of the Virgin Mary,

Suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Was crucified, dead, and buried:

He descended into hell;

The third day he rose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,

And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;

The holy Catholic Church;

The Communion of Saints;

The Forgiveness of sins;

The Resurrection of the body,

And the Life everlasting.

Amen.

And as a child, there were Many mornings I found the Apostles Creed.... Much more interesting than the morning sermon. Sitting and drowning out the sermon after gauging from the first few minutes of it. The Apostles Creed contains all of the personal beliefs we are supposed to hold as Christians. But I really didn't believe until I was 15.

So, for the point of this discussion, more or less I was spiritually dead and having the Gospel preached to me. How old was I when I started guiding my own path... about 4th grade. It was as likely as not, the beginning of this blog. I could sit and think about judging the living (the quick) and the dead. And in my mind, it dollars to donuts looked a lot like Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. About then I discovered I liked old movies.

Or another day... I'd think about conceived by the Holy Ghost. And the Christmas Art Contest..... What angels looked like. Or descending to hell. And it made me think, I just wasn't sure you could believe all of this as I was growing up.

But I have to say, I liked Morning Prayer. Singing the songs, walking to the Church, and no one was going to call on you and ask your opinion or a religious fact. If they did call on you, the answer was always Jesus. It felt great to just sit in the Church and be quiet. Even to just think or think of old movies.

And I remember hearing as an adult - in my thirties - from a wonderful Catholic Priest - when your mind wanders in Church, it's okay to just come back to what is being said. Just rest and come back. Years of feeling ..... bad... about all this was wiped out by the Priest smiling and telling us this. Father Bierchenck just was smiling in this beautific way and he said, "It's like Jesus says, just come back. Like Jesus making breakfast for the disciples on the beach, just come back. The door is open. Rest."

Just like this passage today. The Gospel was given to one who wasn't ready or attentive or all that interested or worthy. But it was given. As a gift. Not in judgement ( I never really remember anyone having a hush up problem in Morning Prayer with any great fuss), but it provided a way to be quiet. To enjoy the beauty of the day or the crash of weather or wind. To find shelter in Church. Steadfast love given. Earnest love covering a multitude of doubts. The opportunity in self-control to enjoy peace. Hospitality of God's House. To learn and become the person God has created. To rejoice, find joy and be at peace.

John 21:7-12
That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

⁸ The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. ⁹ When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."

Our Church Needlepoint Christmas Luncheon. Look at those handmade scarves Mary made us!! When was the last time you had a homemade, beautiful gift! (And my dog is doing just great - Vet said to expect no healing and all the spots are healing with new fur - this doggie is pulling and running with me on walks! Better than his photo.)


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Hosea 14 ~ He shall take root like the trees of Lebanon

Hosea 14

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

¹ Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
²Take with you words
and return to the LORD;
say to him,
"Take away all iniquity;
accept what is good,
and we will pay with bulls
the vows of our lips.
³ Assyria shall not save us;
we will not ride on horses;
and we will say no more, 'Our God,'
to the work of our hands.
In you the orphan finds mercy."

⁴ I will heal their apostasy;
I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned from them.
⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel;
he shall blossom like the lily;
he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
⁶ his shoots shall spread out;
his beauty shall be like the olive,
and his fragrance like Lebanon.
⁷ They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;
they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine;
their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

⁸ O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress;
from me comes your fruit.

⁹ Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the LORD are right,
and the upright walk in them,
but transgressors stumble in them.

Cedars of Lebanon - built God's Temple


Ezekiel 17:24
And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it

Isaiah 60:13
The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 40:11
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.



May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.






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Matthew 1 ~ the genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,[a] 4and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,[b] 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos,[c] and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,[d] and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.


What are we to make of this list? For starters, all of these people, whether we know their lives, stories, hearts - all are important to God. Very important.

And all of the people Father God placed in the genetics of Jesus where flawed. Two prostitutes. Thieves, liars. And all of them loved by God. We know most of these stories from the Bible. From Sunday School even.

Boaz was so loved for the way he cared for Ruth and adopted Naomi, as Mother-in-law and adopted Grandmother, Solomon named the pillar by the front door of the Temple - Boaz.

And the list of Kings - some did well with what they were given and some made spectacular mistakes with their lives and the lives they were entrusted with. Remember David was a Shepherd and David's descendants were Shepherds as well. All Kings are recorded nicely for the rest of mankind to read. No pressure.

v. 11 Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.


One of the clay tablets revealing the presence of the Judean royal house as prisoners in Babylon. Excavated from an arched building near the Ishtar Gate of ancient Babylon. The cuneiform texts, 595 - 570 B.C., contain lists of rations of barley and oil issued to the captive princes and artisans, including "Yaukin, king of the land of Yahud." This is a direct reference to Jeconiah. The other tablets mention his 5 sons accompanying him to Babylon. Staatliche Museum, Berlin

v. 12 ~ Zerubbabel marched or trudged back with the freed slaves into Israel with high hopes from Governor Nehemiah for Zerubbabel to become governor next. The people hope the curse God gave Zerubbabel will be removed, the sentence on his father, Jeconiah, for his impiety. To Jeconiah He had said Jeremiah 22:24, "though he were the signet upon My right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; and I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life."

Haggai 2

¹ In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, ² "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, ³ 'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?

⁴ Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, ⁵ according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

⁶ For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. ⁷ And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. ⁸ The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. ⁹ The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.'"

What a blessing. Who wouldn't hope for that Word from the Lord.

It was a blessing indeed. Yet Zerubbabel did not rule. The blessing was for him and also for Jesus.

The mercy God had for David continued. Zerubbabel did not make the history books. Perhaps that is a blessing as well. But God's word cannot be broken.

But Basically. All of these people were called to be Shepherds.

Luke 12:48
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Romans 8:27
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.

Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?


Gratitude is a major component to understanding blessing and living it. We are given gifts by God to live the life He gives us to have. Jesus called this abundant life. Jesus was a King who did not live as a King on this earth.

Something to think about.




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Nehemiah 3 ~ built, repaired and restored

Tunnel under Western Wall (Broad Wall) today


Nehemiah 3

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them[a] Zaccur the son of Imri built.

3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.[b]

6 Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah.[c] They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of[d] Jerusalem, repaired. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.

13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits[e] of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate.

14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

15 And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. 17 After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 18 After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19 Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress.[f] 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress 25 and to the corner. Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.

28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate,[g] and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.


Footnotes:

Nehemiah 3:2 Hebrew him
Nehemiah 3:5 Or lords
Nehemiah 3:6 Or of the old city
Nehemiah 3:9 Or foreman of half the portion assigned to; also verses 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Nehemiah 3:13 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
Nehemiah 3:19 Or corner; also verses 20, 24, 25
Nehemiah 3:31 Or Hammiphkad Gate


Ancestor.com is running a commercial of an African American man who has used Ancestor.com and he says he, "Found his great-grandfather was born a slave, but died a business man. It meant everything to me."

This is the Biblical version of this. And it happened in the Second Exodus - we even know the date of the Siege of Jerusalem. 2 Adar (March 16) 597 B.C. From the Babylonian Chronicles photographed below.



These are the slaves who left Babylonian enslavement with all the Temple Tools made by Moses. 3 Babylonian Emperors held the people as slaves and the Temple Tools, yet they were made free. This is a monument built to King Darius explaining he decided to release the slaves and return the Temple Tools..... And to finance re-building the Temple. Only God.

Israel has had 3 Exodus events - one from Egypt (See Impuwer Document in the Netherlands Musuem) and the next from the Babylonian Empire. And in our grandparent's lifetime from the Holocaust. This rebuilding of Israel from complete destruction, regathering exiles from around the globe is a sign of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. No other nation. Only God.


Ishtar Gate - located in Babylon, where the slaves entered and left 60 years later. And 3 Emperors later. Located now in the Berlin Museum.
Arch of Titus in Rome - Mosaic of the Temple Tools taken from the 2nd Temple - minus the Ark of the Covenant that Jeremiah records hiding on Mount Nebo.



Temple Institute, located in Jerusalem today. They've rebuilt the Temple Tools waiting for the 3rd Temple.
The table for the bread

See the size of the Menorahs, these are raised on tables. These were used like we use Street Lights.
Model of the Temple by Alec Gerrard. Notice the Menorah in the model.
These are the people completely privileged to build the Temple

Ezekiel 22:30

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

Ezekiel wrote these words during the Babylonian enslavement. You would think the people - who were now amazingly free - would have built the Gates to the Temple willingly. No. This work of God had to go through human hum drums and tedium. There was a political tattle tale and religious methods of persuasion. The Governor of Israel had to get permission all around.The people were more interested in themselves before the building for the Lord. It is still an amazing act of God.

What is left of it today?

The Western Wall is prayed at because no other walls are standing - False. All four walls are actually standing. Why specially pray at the Western Wall? The answer is tradition: for long periods of time, this was the only side of the Temple Mount Jews had access to. Even today, the other walls (except for the South Wall, which was recently excavated) are dangerous, because they are in areas hostile to Jews.

The nation of Israel makes the Western Wall open to pilgrims from around the World.

The Western Wall for prayer is the entire western wall - False. The wall continues in both directions - the traditional "Western Wall" site is only a small portion of the actual western wall. The only section of it, is the one Israel has access to.

The Western Wall is a wall of the destroyed Temple - False. The four walls of the Temple Mount are not Temple's walls - they were the surrounding walls of the Temple, the outer walls that separated the Temple from Jerusalem.

According to Nehemiah, The whole assembly of people gathered was 42,360. This work took 52 days. At the culmination -

Nehemiah 8

¹And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. ²So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. ³ And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

⁴And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. ⁵And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. ⁶And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. ⁷ Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places.

⁸They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

⁹And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.

¹⁰Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ¹¹So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." ¹²And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.


Be with us, Father God, as we have our mustard seed of faith grow to become the largest tree in the garden. Let it be the increase of Your Holy Spirit within us. Help us to do the good works You have prepared in advance for us to do. May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify us through and through. May our whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.



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