Luke 4:38-44 ~ He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve

1960s view of Peter's House in Capernaum. Graffiti found on Peter's walls proclaiming Jesus as Lord and this as Peter's home. This became a House Church and was added on to later.

Luke 4:38-44

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

View of Capernaum

We read in Scriptures, when people were fed  loaves and fishes, they wanted Jesus to stay. A similar thing happened in Jesus' Adult Hometown Capernaum. When they saw  HE healed all, they wanted Jesus to stay.

Matthew 8:16-17
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Matthew 12:15
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Matthew 14:36
And sought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment

Mark 1:32-34
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 3:10
For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

Mark 6:56
56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Luke 5:17
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.

Luke 6:19
and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Luke 17:12-14
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed

Jesus is recorded as being an amazing healer of many people - nine times.

Isaiah spoke of Jesus 700 years before this happened.


Isaiah 42
Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare



For our sake - Jesus sacrificed His Life to give us the Promise of God's Forgiveness.

Zechariah 13:6
And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back, on your chest; wounds between your hands?’ He will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

Matthew 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

Jesus is Merciful.

John 19
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”



The Mercy of God is Overwhelming.




1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Matthew 9:13
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Father GOD, we open our hands in prayer, that You, the Light of the World - would be merciful to our prayers.  That You would bless us. Saying to us "Bless you and keep you, My people." Shine Your Face upon us and be gracious to us. Lift Your countenance upon us and give us peace. Put Your Name, Jesus, upon Your people and bless us. Please let the blessings You would give us be plentiful and let the Blessing of Forgiveness be first. Your Goodwill be done. In Jesus the Lord we pray. Amen

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Luke 4:31-37 ~ for His word was with authority

Luke 4:31-37

31 And he went down to Caper′na-um, a city of Galilee.

And he was teaching them on the sabbath; 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.

Alphaeus the son of Zebedee, the son of John, made this column, may it be a blessing to him. This is a 4th century column. Romans, people under Roman rule and Southerners tend to keep names in the family and repeat. The Sons of Thunder, Zebedee - James and John - were Disciples of Jesus, from this area.


33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 35

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 37

And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

I have to say I took poetic license and used the Hand with Light. Jesus used His Spoken Word.

His Word is Living and Active.

Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues

So does this happen today? I've seen very odd things in Church twice and heard of two locally and recently. One was in the 1970s and was someone who decided they would be far better off not coming to Church after a Freak Out at Communion. Personally, I think if Communion Freaks You Out - you best keep going More.

The next time was a United Church gathering and a man got heated up and started spewing. His Church kept people near him, to pray for him and to comfort him. This was done so well that only the people close by saw this in the huge Church Service. Those who witnessed this wanted to understand the precision of this. We were told - this young man came in various Churches to rant. This Church decided to help him and befriended him. I was told that the decision to pray for him each week - Succeeded. This Diligence of Prayer was rewarded. And was a gradual procedure from Screaming the Whole Service - Heckling - to beginning to listen - then telling them his rants, "Overcame him." And they became smaller and smaller as the people praying for him encouraged him to come each Sunday - Wednesday - and explain to them what the hate was.

The other I was told about. A growing Church had an unknown come blasting in to accuse - falsely - the Pastor and others of misdeeds. This scattered the young flock. From discomfort. Another friend said, that as a former college football player, he was asked to make a Screamer sit down and did. The Prayer Team prayed and the Screamer was comforted. How glad we all are - Jesus is in the House.

Jesus probably made people less uncomfortable by confronting the Screamer. I would expect this happens from time to time. And to suggest to the Family of God to pray and remain diligent. God is Sovereign and this is His Church. Each day pray for His Church and the Leadership. His Blessings never cease. His Mercy Endures and Heals. Look to the example of Capernaum - this Place of Worship has existed centuries and centuries, people come to worship today.

Father GOD, You are Sovereign. We thank You for Your Blessings. Pour Your Holy Spirit over our Worship Places.  Allow the miracles of Jesus we adore to be plentiful - the deaf hear, the lame walk, the blind see and the poor have good news preached to them. We pray for Peace in our Worship and the healing of all hurt. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

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Luke 4:14-30 ~ on His Way

Nazareth

Luke 4:14-30

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.

He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”



24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

What! People have problems with Jesus disappearing. When Mark composed his Gospel (sort of the most talked about parts of Jesus' life in the late 1st century and discussed the most by Peter) - Jesus didn't walk through their midst. Didn't Hide Himself from them. John, who stayed with Jesus. Matthew, Luke and John record this several times.


So I ask you...

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Luke 1:37 2
For no word from God will ever fail.

Romans 4:21 3
being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Job 42:2 5
I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Isaiah 50:2 6
When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Jeremiah 32:17 7
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 4:1-13 ~ Man shall not live on bread alone.

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.



Deuteronomy 8
2"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3"He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

Hosea 11:1
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son"


We wonder about Jesus fulfilling Scriptures - did this come later - it's whispered in our thoughts. Did the disciples and the orators fill in.

No. Ryland's Papyrus are fragments of John's 90 A.D. Gospel not destroyed by 367 years of Roman Empire persecution. And natural destruction of fragile papyrus. Early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus on Patmos. Historians B.W. Bacon, Martin Hengel and Henry Barclay Swete, maintain these references to Papias are credible. Papias also has recorded John's support for the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. Papias wrote five books interviewing the accuracy of the sayings of Jesus by speaking with witnesses. Eusebuis quoted Papias from time to time.

Now let's look at layers.

God sent the family to Egypt. The Magi believed Jesus would be at the Palace. Fulfilling Scripture. God used literal truths and faith to set King Herod on his course. Herod did so much good for Judah and this Herod is remembered for the slaughter of twenty or more innocent infants. God used Truth to further His Plan.

Bringing us back to, Jesus was called from Egypt. Literal truth.

Jesus had His own Exodus. If God had merely let Abraham's children be princes on pillows - would they have adhered to the Law and we get so 'OH not Deuteronomy, not the Books of Moses'. These are AMAZING. God centers His Blessings on the Law. The rest of the world was pretty much 'live and let live - be at peace' like the rich man in the Gospels. People trying to be Kosher raised grandchildren and gave birth in the desert. God was teaching them solutions for their diligence. Jesus healed all the time saying - go there, pick that up, walk, don't tell, go home.

So... Jesus had come from Egypt. And then like the Children of Abraham - Jesus had to make His Metal.

Telling us Psalm 11 is True. God wants us to mature, to make choices, to go out of our comfort zones. To adhere. To hope. To Expect. To Grow up and Go Home. Expecting Him to deliver on His Promises.

We are told

Romans 8:28
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we know that he helps those who love God in everything for good, those whom he preordained to be called.


The devil according to Matthew Henry is subtle, spiteful, and very daring; but he can be resisted. It is a comfort to us that Christ suffered, being tempted; for thus it appears that our temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, they are afflictions only.

Jesus was tempted and told what to expect. He had time to think - these are my pressure points - this is the way it would look. Jesus made up His Mind - before Palm Sunday.

We have clearly learned - God allows Life to Test us. Making us Grow.

Proved this.

Patmos beach looking up at John's residence - today

Now for some delving.


So. If we want to wiggle a little more information about Jesus - Jesus who created the loaves and fish with the help of a young boy's donations - had a funeral Lunch for His Cousin (boyhood friend?) and fed the multitudes. Matthew 14, 15. We see Jesus - liked a good meal. And then your recall with me, Jesus walked and sailed (which is work) and recorded meals. Jesus is recorded as being a drinker and an eater!

Jesus' reputation was being hauled into question by the 2nd Century. Gnostics were screaming you had to be "in the know" and other sects were screaming Jesus was not man, was only divine "a God." John was battling this in vast old age - living like a Hobbit on Patmos. (It's probable John was not having second breakfasts, but the view was and is spectacular!) Early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus on Patmos. Jesus was not another 'god' but Jesus Christ the Man - made wine - His First Sign - thanks Mary!

Luke 7
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

Luke 5:30
And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

The Feast in the House of Levi, Paolo Verones

Now did the party actually look like this that Matthew threw? Possibly. This was the Roman Thug collecting way too much money. Corruption. Matthew and Zacchaeus both promise to quit over charging. The party is lavish enough to draw a lot of criticism. Jesus had a PARTY THROWN!


Jesus is recorded as having dinner with Peter and his healed mother-in-law. (And Jesus never said, "Oh if only you were not married Peter!"). Nice men eat with mother-in-laws.

Jesus has another dinner party - after He healed Lazarus from Death - Lazarus, Mary and Martha gave Jesus dinner. Imagine - Jesus is THANKED!

Jesus was know to snack as He taught. This time He was teaching about David living God's Work and the triumph of Good over Law. Eating grains of wheat from a field.


We could go on with the loaves and fish, New Covenant, but basically we hit the high points. God sent His Son as a man. Jesus had rough times and proclaimed Mercy over Sacrifice. Choosing the Right Path. Jesus told the Samaritan Woman 'Worship with Truth' or Sincerity of Heart.

For adults - who have been tempted - who battle this - Jesus never did jump up and down screaming He was Tempted. He expects us to be honest. And do as He did - move down the Path of Life. Knowing Forgiveness is the Reason Jesus arrived to be a man who lived grace and truth among us.

Thank God, He chose to include the Temptation of Jesus. We have another clear example that life isn't an easy thing. Jesus picked - just like God - to be surrounded by people. And God chose Aaron - not even perfect (ha) Moses to come into the Holy of Holies making the mess we abhor most - blood everywhere.

God believes mankind is worth the effort. He celestially scans us all - declaring His Creation to be Good. God still intends to save the planet. Because HIS Son chose to make Scarlet into White.

The World knows once a sinner always a sinner. Yes. God does too. Yet God sees further. And that looks like a better view for most of us. Those among us still kicking the goads and waiting for Jesus each week to reaffirm us in Church proclaiming His Love. Be fed. Worship the Lord - who Forgives. Know Love. 

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King of Kings

That's My King, by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

Luke's Gospel the 4th Chapter

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Kings 19:12 ~ a gentle whisper

1 Kings 19:12
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

What would Jesus say:  I Love you.

Exodus 33:19
And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.


Exodus 34:6,7
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

What should we reply:

Psalm 16:2
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."


Psalm 104:31
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works -


Because -

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Luke 13:34H
How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings

Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.


Matthew 9:36
He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

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Memorial Day Affords us the Opportunities to be Grateful. 

John 15:12-17 ~ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends

 

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John 14:15-21 ~ HE dwells with you and will be and is in you

John 14:15-21

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,^{[Advocate, Counselor]} to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be and is in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Our Lord God, Father Almighty is just not a tame Lion.

HE is our - Advocate!

We pray for Peace. And Life moves. Wiggles. Shakes. Terrifies. The New Testament was not filled with peace. But conflict and discussion. Opinions. Hassles. Convictions. Counter convictions.

We can hear the same Biblical Passage and be convicted of this separately. Paul heard Syria and Cilicia. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. A Flaw? A Plan!!!

What if - what if - the flames seen in the Holy Spirit discussed in the Acts of the Apostles were God telling the men to go towards their gifts, abilities, innate desires... and HE did. The men took His Words and carried them far. United and with different paths. Fire moves any way the Wind carries Fire. God surely used the appropriate symbol.

When someone discusses the Holy Spirit - what we remember - the best part - is our soul speaking within us.

Paul spoke of his future in God - Many others did as well - GOD Wants us To Witness What HE has Proclaimed for Millenniums -

Job 22:26
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

Why should we seek God - with our heart? Many witnesses Give us this.

Job 22:26
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

David's Psalm 21:2
You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

Isaiah's 58:14
Then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Peter - who swam to see Jesus - 1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory

How available is His Holy Spirit within us?

1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Does God Really answer our prayers?


Isaiah 65:24
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

God is this close to all the people inviting HIM to be there.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?



Elijah - Great Elijah - THE GLORY

1 Kings 19:11-13
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

The GLORY of GOD in Elijah - a low whisper - "God Loves you."

Let me proclaim to you with Joy - Good News.

When I was a child - the Christian World I knew predominantly answered the question, "Are you a Christian?" With! With! With! Their -  appropriate - - - denomination.

Today - We change Churches a lot - Why - According to 'The Pew Report' and 'US News and World Report" - because we want to Hear the WORD of GOD - Proclaimed with Faith.

We are pressed and hammered by the world - and believe He is Sovereign. Today - people routinely say - not just "Have a Nice Day" but intend to bless saying "Have a Blessed Day."

Our Churches use to be a club for paper saints. Wearing their Sunday best. Today we are a Church of sinners. Why? God calls Sinners. (We just should not hand our Hero Jesus our clean up broom willingly.)

Today we see more people sit at home alone. More People really intend to deliberately go to Church.

I hear more about hassles at Church. More people are - More involved. Here is the Church - Here is the Steeple - Where are the people - HERE!
Expect Discussions.

I'm asked with some fervency - can you find me that special person for me? My answer frequently is - sure if you want a Pregnant Woman. Did you know I'm still pondering the man who was telling me about his kids and wife and suddenly said - "Oh My God, I forgot I was divorced when I was telling you about my kids!" And he praised his ex-wife and her very supportive husband saying with regret - "I was so young. So young." This man went on to say, "Pregnant? You bet. Find me a very nice redhead who wants her baby."

I'm thinking of James. Who came to help us move plants - heavy plants and said as he went out of his way - he wished people helped each other more. (You have to like "That Guy" who doesn't even see that.)

I like knowing I pray for blessings for people - and feel Heard! GOD Bless those two MEN! GOD BLESS those who spend A LOT of TIME going to HELP Someone!

I want to Proclaim I see people in Crisis - and they - Expect to do the Right Thing. There, there the Upward Path, walking up the slopes - is in their words 'I'm Doing Okay! I'm Doing Fine for my Child!"

I'm surrounded by saints. And when time passes - they look both ways and confide they are Saints. And have deep thoughts. Oh I'm Glad To Be One of Their Number!!!

"I wasn't raised and told about compassion." One told me. "And now I'm forty. And I realized. I'm sort of filled with compassion!" Said with honesty and forthrightness, and actually, genuine humility.

Today, my brother in law drove out of his way to bring us fish. He didn't even want a beer. (By the way Angry Orchard rocks!)

My family is far flung - and we are Going Far. We have a Family Wedding Coming Up. My mom has bought five dresses to choose from. Let's Celebrate Weddings! Be they BBQ and a Picnic!!! - or Dressed To The Hilt!!!

And Lately - we have had Weddings of Adopted Family - Long Delayed and Sweet. Celebrating the Joy God Gives us. What is more stirring than Celebrations of Long Time Love! Tell them again - Wow!

Let me Go On.

What about the cousin who didn't marry and felt life had not given her the desires of her heart. She adopted a little infant girl. And loves her daughter. And the adoptions was finalized. Then. Her daughter's fully biological infant brother was needing a mom. Now she has a daughter and a son! Family.

The Phone Rang at PACN one day - a woman cried and said surely the Pregnancy Assistant Center would Understand! All she wanted was a Baby! And she and her husband can't and they can't afford the years and the tens of thousands of dollars that adoptions can Truly Cost. I said - it is my great pleasure to tell you - "The Arrow Project" in Tomball, Texas on Hwy 2920 helps place children abandoned at birth. Children born in adverse circumstances. Children who need Christian Foster Families. All ages are in need of Love.

Recently, I had the Supreme pleasure to see - a jaded bartender - with That attitude. A young woman projecting her chin and declaring she was so hung over she might still be wobbly - fiercely. Telling how Church makes her angry. Then opening her heart to say WHY. Jesus held out HIS hand to that heart. That Soul of HIS - asked Him to Live there. And I have the joy of knowing - I saw that! Witnessed the Birth of Eternity in Love.

I'm surrounded by Saints.

Sometimes I meet them - Sometimes I hear of them. I Love to Hear about Saints.

I heard this week about a failed Pastor from an orphan.

Yes. This Pastor has failed. His Church has not panned out. The Pastor works in the Pipeline Oil Industry because he has to provide for his family. His whole neighborhood has heard - this Pastor just isn't making it. What they don't hear is this guy - unnamed - does go to the Prisons.

At 14 years of age, this young saint, was told never to contact his parents again. You can't get blood out of turnips. He tried the family fortune - getting into trouble and found Jue-V. Juvenile Detention. Started looking like he was bound for the Adult Prison.

Now. He can stop by and see the Pastor at his house and just sit. And this 14 year old has - gotten his GED - no one looked over his shoulder - with no car. At 14, Someone believed in Him. At age 15, this young Man, got a job with a construction company doing clean up job - at night. At 16, he has been employed for a year. At night. Cleaning up sites. The day, the very day, he turns 18 - just like that - the Pastor is getting him a Pipeline Job. And the Pastor will.

How do I know this 16 year old Saint. He cried in front of me, wiped his eyes and said, "You have to feel the way you really feel. Acknowledge it. Live it. Overcome that." He wanted the tiny baby feet pin we have, accurate 10 week fetal feet. Because his 3 year girlfriend is pregnant. Don't worry too much. They are actually pretty thrilled. Mom, not quite as much. But Mom, in her thirties, is watching them do Homework on Parenting. Youth might just not be wasted on the young.

And I say. Alleluia to God. God doesn't mind numbers too much. Thank GOD the Pastor failed.


The GLORY of GOD in Elijah - a low whisper - "God Loves you."

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