Nehemiah 8:10 ~ send portions to them! †

 

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them, 

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, 

and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:

 for this day is 

Holy unto our Lord: 

Neither be ye sorry; 

For the Joy of the Lord 

is your Strength.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We live in an amazing time Historically. Biblically. And in the 500 year mark for 

pretty wild Histories.

And as we prepare for Thanksgiving, we begin our food lists. I try to think of something new to add in. One year we had Asiago biscuits, this was the year I bought molds for the biscuits and the muffins. Later it was voted down as out of tradition. 

As the menu is prepared, I think of the many Thanksgivings I've had. We had Tomato Aspic jello for years. My father loved this. If you haven't had this, it's like Bloody Mary in Jello without alcohol. And Mary from Church told me she added in shrimp and horseradish. The perfect addition!

Edward's famous uncle, opened the door one Thanksgiving while I was a youthful teen, threw open his arms, bear hugged me and told me to call him, "Uncie!" He was completely one of the most entertaining and generous men I've ever met.  A family man without children, who lavished upon his nieces and nephews. Uncie decorated for the famous, and was in their famous books. Everything Uncie touched was Michelangelo. His favorite food to add in was Orange Jello with Mayonnaise and tiny diced carrots to look like carrots. A treat in the middle of serious food.

My grandmother Bit only wanted one thing, other than Turkey, it was a casserole made of Velveeta, Asparagus and green olives. It was really quite good, she shared this passion with my Aunt Margaret in Rosedale, MS.  They would talk and ask if the other had had the casserole. 

Today we would adapt this to more like a Bruschetta Asparagus and have plenty of olives.

Our family friend Margaret, wife of our favorite Pennsylvania Episcopal Priest, taught us over Thanksgivings about her Sour Cream Cranberry Salad with two types of Cranberries slices and pecans. The most unusual color and absolutely wonderful:

Edward's family had two generations of good cooks who lived with the family. Hazel made the best small spoon biscuits. Rarely did they make it to the table. The secret ingredient was Butter Flavored Crisco. And Mayo.  This was only disclosed 3 generations later.  Causing a huge lull in the conversation. And then lots of laughter with memories of the most biscuits eaten at one time.

Edward's mother always tells us of Oyster Stuffing her grandmother made. The recipe is lost to time. Sadly.

My mother won so many awards for Creamed Corn Cornbread with canned, mild Jalapeños, hatch chilies and a secret white, not stringy cheese. Only her black iron skillet could make them!

My brother ate almost all the Pecan Pie, until he got into college and found this was Karo Syrup. He charged me to remake Pecan Pie for all time as something like chocolate cake pie with Chocolate chips that you don't miss the Karo Syrup. Okkk. But I did discover the Homesick Texan combined left over Pecan Pie into Rice Pudding and only God could do better dessert. 

2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois 

and in your mother Eunice and, 

I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Send Portions to them

Ecclesiastes 11:21

Cast your bread upon the water,

in many days, it will come back to you

1992, One of the reasons I really love holidays is the memories of the ones I love. Treasure in Heaven. One year after Grandmother Anita died, I didn't have more room in the kitchen. Mother and I shopped and bought a beautiful woven basket to put all of Grandmother Anita's barely pink wine glasses from about 1930.  After the dinner week, there was a tremendous crash. Edward said, "OH NO. OH MY GOD." And I knew he had just tossed all of Grandmother Anita's cherished glasses. I cried for a week. 

Mother and I drove to visit my mother's first cousin, later my ward, Maxine, who told us she had spent Thanksgiving alone. Silence. We had nothing to say. Dead quiet. Finally, I burst out, "How did this HAPPEN?"  My mother was angry and said, if you wanted company, all you had to do was make a phone call. I think we shocked Maxine to find our reactions. Maxine assured us this was her wish. Mother said, speaking of what is broken, tell her. I burst into tears and told of Grandmother Anita's glasses. Maxine said, how many did you lose? All but 3. 

Maxine said, "Hold tight, sit here and DO NOT move". 

Gave my mother and me time to rapidly discuss, who didn't find out where Maxine was for Thanksgiving. Maxine surprised us and said, it's what I wanted. I wanted a day to remember. Remember being alone???? No, to remember all the Thanksgivings of many decades. And she said she had a gift for me. 

SUDDENLY, in front of me, 12 identical pink glasses. Maxine came back in and said your grandmother had those glasses for decades!!!!!! More than a lot of people live.  Sad. Assuredly so. Maxine was giving me a Christmas present: Maxine's mother, my Aunt Eloise, had been given by my own Grandmother Anita, about 1931, which were the 2nd set of 12 wines, barely pink, glasses. 

Maxine said, "Now! You have your Grandmother's wine glasses back!"

I cried with joy. Maxine said she'd never given a gift that gave her such joy to give.

A wonderful miracle! I've never forgotten. Edward was completely thrilled and said, 

"This is a Miracle." 

1 Thessalonians 3:6

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

There are always new memories to make. Adults usually discuss dishes like we have had, and don't make them. Time passes on and now one is yelling for Jello. I'd wonder why the children didn't all pick out a dish to have. And new memories are made. 

One year at the Holidays, I decided to donate all the food ingredients of these dishes. Making a memory last for others.  The Pecan Pie was probably the best hit with brownies. 

Why do the Holidays always involve food?

Psalm 34

I sought the Lord, and He answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to Him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

    and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who reverence Him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste 

and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, reverence the Lord, you, His saints,

    for those who yar Him have no lack!

For many, this doesn't seem a season to celebrate with a lot of Joy. 

Even in the Scriptures, people sometimes need the God of Encouragement to have hope.

Nehemiah 8

9 And 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. 10 Then 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.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people

Let God have our deepest cares

 Psalm 50:23

The one who offers thanksgiving 

as his sacrifice glorifies Me;

to one who orders his way rightly

I will show the salvation of God!”

The Only Thing we can give God,

that He did not give us first

is our THANKS

Abba, Father,

Fortunate and Blessed to have 

Antibiotics. Our dog has had weeks of ear infection. 

 Please, Father, the Joy again of Good Health

for All.

Help the flu season to pull out hand sanitizer.

My friend Dee says she has had Flu once in 

her life for keeping her hands washed upon

getting home.

Bless the Children

with Respiratory Illnesses.

TAKE ASPIRIN

for

For Blood Clot

Prevention!!!

NOW

Help us REMEMBER

to do all this!

Abba, Father!

We do not know all You know.

We do not have the omnipotence for a complete prayer.

We can't surround every person

or every issue

to bring the healing we know Jesus does.

You are the Light of Heaven.

Jesus, You are the Light of Nations.

Jesus Christ,

Only Son of the Most High God,

You are the Light 

of mankind.

We have a heart for the difficulties

facing

our own lives,

the lives of those we love,

This Nation,

and Ukraine 

and Poland Helping Ukraine

GOD Bless POLAND

And the plight of the hungry

and this Good Creation of Yours.

For the help and comfort of 

Flooded Pakistan. 

And all those recovering from

Flood and Hurricane.

And in the hearts of mankind

You have delighted in,

we ask Jesus Christ

to be our Blessing,

Teacher,

Healer,

Lord of us all.

God of Love.

God of Encouragement.

We Thank You

for the Blessings

You give us daily.

And ask for You

to dwell in us

and provide

Grace and Mercy

for our trespasses.

To heal us,

the Heal our Loved Ones,

to Heal the Nation,

To Bless Ukraine and Russians

with Peace.

Love.

Joy.

Jesus.

Help us to seek You first

And in Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

Amen in Your Son,

the Highest Name of Jesus,

Amen.

 

God reminds us

Blessing us with prayers for more Heaven on earth,

His Good Will be done.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Our God is an Awesome God! Amen

and Alleluia

in Jesus Christ and His Glory!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

 

Psalm 15:2-5

He who walks blamelessly 

and

 does what is right

    

and speaks

 truth in his heart;

3 who does not 

slander with his tongue

    and does no evil

 to his neighbor,

    nor takes up a reproach

 against his friend;

4 in whose eyes a vile person

 is despised,

    but who 

honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt

 and does not change;

5 who does not put out his money at interest

    and does

 not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Over the last 50 years, the percentage of adults living without children has climbed 19 percentage points from 52.5 percent in 1967 to 71.3. (Really? Actually, about 2016 the Pew Report said this was higher.)

A study in 1997 explored family relationships in later life and found that 7 percent of adult children had cut ties with their mother and 27 percent from their father. 

In 2020, research by sociologist Karl Pillemar showed 1 in 4 Americans are estranged from their families—roughly 67 million people. That's a lot of people.

Since the Pandemic, those who do not want children and have no children has increased 3%. To 26%

Covid. The Giant Cold.

What will we do with bad news?  

One of the Sermons we heard this week was about dealing with Judas. Not something that generally perks our ears up and caused me, to mentally frown, to hear this. A very great Christian, I knew named Peter, who was also a man who could become very, very down recalling his experiences in the Vietnam War, said anyone who preaches Judas should be avoided. And I had to agree with his emphatic ness on Judas never being an example. 

But actually, this was a college addressed sermon about not feeling we add up to Righteousness. A Sermon against the ease of self euthanasia. Suicide.

Even the very kindest of people I know, have adult children problems. We didn't know our children were being told their Christian parents were idiots and the world of the next generation was so much brighter. And worried.  They worry their parents didn't teach them the right soul tools. Or too many soul tools. They think their parents didn't have enough money or social influence. Not enough fun. Too many chores and rules.  Not enough of a clean, orderly life. You name it, parents are to blame. The parent used to be right. 

PTA or PTO, in elementary school you can't be a room mother because all the mothers want to do this. But no cupcakes, it offends the sugarless. No actual Christmas carols because that's "religious".  We see the problem almost immediately. No jungle gym time after 4th grade, education is serious. And the children get into more disagreements.  By 5th grade, the PTO moms are about half. They work. Like they didn't in elementary school? By 7th grade, the public schools have a hard time finding a volunteer. We witnessed a school push to buy dance tickets that required the football coaches to get in and "get physical", to restrain the crowd from a push point requiring injury. Not to mention the language in Texas football that puts brain dementia or damage to blush. From... the coaches! It's rough out there. I tell ya, it's rough out there. Remember.

We did so many youth ministry Bible Studies. I say the Light of Mankind is still shining, even if so many are still sorting it all out. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and Nations. Jesus Christ is the Light of mankind.

Poor Judas of our day really is worried climate change is the Cuban Missile Crisis. And so worried he or she isn't righteous on so many fronts, it's like a merry-go-round. Fails on every circle.

What's Wrong? The Systems are all screwed up. Why? The Book of Judges calls this the era of chaos and crime because everyone decides for themselves. And why do they? Because the world of internal chaos is in each family and each individual. When our light is dim, who do we follow? Because it's likely they are screwing it up too.

Why? We have all faced too much change. Our last 3 generations have seen such development that when Television was finally able to do breast cancer scares and reality on the nightly comedy hours without whispering the word, "cancer." Edith and Archie Bunker led the way.

Why? We have tried to find so many codes to fit in, we are like Cotton Mather about eating ham on Christmas.  We are joyless. Pressed in perfections. Joy less. And finding everything resembling order or not order had a hateful comeback. So many, in fact, this Sermon was addressing not fitting in to your very own God given place in life. We mentally tell ourselves we don't measure up.

If Life has suddenly become a fruit smoothie, how are we going to get the raspberries and blueberries back into the basket without going bananas?

As I was reading the verses of Psalm 15, I was trying to decide who reminded me of this with what we know of their lives.

Who do you think of from Psalm 15?

Joel 1:10

The field is ruined; the land mourns. 

For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails.

Joel 1:12

The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; 

the pomegranate, palm, and apple

--all the trees of the orchard--are withered. 

Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.

Joel 1:18

How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion 

because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.

Jeremiah 12:4

How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, "He cannot see what our end will be."

We have all had times when the Bible seemed to be farfetched. Perhaps now we realize why the Bible explains anger so much!!!! How beautiful are the expressions of the human spirit our Father has actually experienced! The generations of Kings and Chronicles in the variations of outlook and faith. The sadness of those without true hope in faith.

That's some sad life experience in the Scriptures. Some true and real life news.

Jeremiah 5:17

They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust."

1 in four are estranged from families. One in five have participation in Abortion. We can see the sword. 1 in 3 say this economic crush is stretching them to breaking in

 necessities.  This is a world in hurt, pretending. 

Where is the GOOD NEWS?

Jesus. Jesus tells us He is the Good News.  Where is the Good News? There it is! Jesus brings us Salvation. Hope for the sinner in us. Hope for those lost in their sins. We are Not Alone. Jesus has Not Forsaken us.

Jesus gives us His Word. Joel lived in the 9th Century B.C. and he wrote of sorrow. Overcome. Jeremiah recorded History so well on March 11, 597 B.C. we have the Cuneiform of Babylon easily read of sorrow and trouble and weird politics and bad behavior Overcome. Micah gave His Word about recovery of Hope and Faith by His Word in 700 B.C. after all Jeremiah knew was lost and recovered. 

Paul knew. So did the actual Brothers of Jesus. The Disciples knew.

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, 

but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:9

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, 

but not destroyed.

Recently, in September, Canada discovered a mummy of a dinosaur. But in fact, Hollywood would call this a dragon. This is a juevenile of 13 feet. Duck-billed Hadrosaur.

Chilling.

Mummies were discovered to be 6,000 years old in China. 

These mummified people came from India, Denmark, U.K., and had beautiful customs, horses, beads and artifacts. People were circling God's Good Creation for many, many years. Why and how did this juvenile Dragon Dinosaur get to be mummified. Probably they had someone on hand who knew about mummification around the world. Why did they mummify the beast? Lucky enough to have killed a 13-foot juvenile and not the 32-foot parent. Why? "Look Martha, Martha it is a Duck-Billed Hadrosaur, I didn't just make it up!!!" Beware of Dragons. They are real.

Jesus tells us He will never leave or forsake us. Climate Change was something that Elizabeth I of England knew of in the late 1500s A.D. and this wonderful Elizabeth II did also discuss. As did Joel and Jeremiah.

Perhaps our best verse of thinking about this would be........ Habakkuk telling us, "Martha, Martha, Jesus is our best portion."

Habakkuk 3:17,18

Though the fig tree does not bud 

and no fruit is on the vines, 

though the olive crop fails 

and the fields produce no food, 

though the sheep are cut off from the fold 

and no cattle are in the stalls, 

yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice 

in the God of my salvation!…

Which brings us back to who does Psalm 15 remind you of. I am remembering... Elijah. We are all sometimes alone. And yet, we are not.

1 Kings 19

19 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree.

 And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 

5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I,

 even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 

11 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?” 

14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Be still.  And know the Lord, God of mercy and encouragement, is the Lord God.

This is His Battle. We are barely Motel 6, we just leave the Light on and Pray. A Lot.

The Lord is going to work all this all out. We have read the last pages of the Bible, His Word about His Good Creation. Preach to all of Creation. Mercy. Love. Joy. Hope.

In the middle of all the histories,

God would entrust us, today,

His Son,

and infant in the middle of mankind

Born in a Manger

to be 

Grace upon Grace

Abba, Father,

All have fallen short of

Your Glory.

Your Steadfast Love

fill us with Hope

in this walk with Jesus

help us to walk blamelessly

and do what is right.

Be our Mercy and Guide us.

Help us to speak to You

with truth in our heart, always.

Help us with your Plan 

to know You.

Let our words be truthful.

Help us to be so

filled with You

we do not slander others.

Give us such Love

to do no evil to a Neighbor

Help us to walk the straight

path of Love

and not the path of reproach

as a diversion from 

our own fears, worries and plots.

To be a true friend

to ourselves as well.

To know to despise evil.

Honor those who reverence the Lord

Understand we all have our hurts

and listen well enough to one another

to hear, hear

the details don't change.

Just as the Lord is unchanging.

Not to seek our advantage always

 and invest in one another.

Never take a bribe

or plot in groups against 

the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell in those we love, Jesus Christ.

Help us to seek You first, Holy Spirit

and in 

Jesus our Savior,

we will finish well.

Jesus the Lord

Our Father

Honor, Glory

Love and Mercy

are Ours in Your Holiness.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †