Genesis 1:1-45 ~ your soul may bless me +

Genesis 1:1-45

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” 

11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” 

13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.”

14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 

19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” 

20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” 

He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.” 

21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” 

He answered, “I am.” 

25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son's game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son
is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!
28 May God give you of the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and plenty of grain and wine.
29 Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me.” 

32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” 

He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 

33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 

34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 

35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.”

 36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob?[Genesis 27:36 Jacob means He takes by the heel, or He cheats] For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 

37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?” 

38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:

“Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be,
and away from the dew of heaven on high.
40 By your sword you shall live,
and you shall serve your brother;
but when you grow restless
you shall break his yoke from your neck.”

41 Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 

42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran 44 and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away— 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?”

We could follow this very laden Word of God many, many, many directions.

Isaac is a Saint of God. Handling Abraham's Blessings with Yar - Trepidation and Reverence for the Word, Holiness and Power of God. Spiritually blind because Isaac believes God is limited, Jacob believes God is able to multiply blessings.

Malachi 3:10
Says the LORD of hosts, See if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.




A year ago a movie came out about Mother Theresa. She had kept a Journal speaking to the Lord of her doubts. Hateful of a jealous believer to taint the good done by Mother Theresa, I felt so sorrowful, I skimmed the letters and refused, always, to see the movie. There is a balance to live a good life and do good works captivating the godly to propel them upward. And then in the spotlight moves becoming appearances, which cuts off the sincerity most people need to relate to God - who sees our flaws. Loving earnestly over friendship with the world.

The Bible is easy to read with any real interest sparking us along. The saints are palatable and create hope for our own inner honesty. If God can tolerate a silly goose like Isaac and remember him with such love to give him a long, long life after this sad story - then perhaps there is hope ... for you and me.

A point to ponder when we all loved Mother Theresa and her need to have her place among the world - to inspire more. There is good reason God says He assigns mankind work to believe God. Rebekah earns her place giving God the 'business'.

If God looked like Humphrey Bogart - He surely would remember this day with a sardonic shake of His Head and a Majestic Chuckle.

We should stop and consider Esau. He forgave Jacob whole heartedly. And in that forgiveness, Esau seems to have a good life. When was Esau's blessing taken? When he willingly gave the words to release the blessing to Jacob. Esau simply was not interested in God - very much apparently. The Words of God came true. Of course. Down the generations. And we can see that makes sense. More important are the people who want some of God with a cry in their voice. God bless them, Jesus love them, Jesus bring them forth in His Glory! I guess we all know a few Esau - and the purpose of prayer is bringing them closer to that day they wanted the blessing.






http://www.hopepointe.org/sermons/2017/1/22/living-together-in-the-goodness-of-god

Bishop Clark's good sermon today - God sees us as we are. Psalm 100 tells us we are His and this is God who made us, and not we ourselves.







We always seem to focus on Esau as being so fixated on food - surely this was in the family. This group of people, family, war and live together. All in serious nearness to the Living God.... The New Testament assures us - we all have this proximity with faith. The exact same access.

Isaac is sure he understands God. And has a streak of sheer mercilessness. Which carries over into Esau - bragging about killing. Rebekah is not about to let God triumph in His birth order, she will 'fix' "God". Jacob is urged by his authority to buck authority. And in this chaos, the dynamics we would never hope to see in our family - and relate some to total flesh and not Spirit - We see Triumph. God interweaves the faithful - making Good - bringing His Plan forth.

We all get this choice. To see God as Good and be as open as He really is - or we can go selfish like Esau - and plan to kill.

We can trust God to be Good and fix what we cannot - or we can  plot, plot, plot like Rebekah who was going to tell God how to get this done. Did God need the help of Rebekah to bless Jacob??? Really, God blesses those He Wills to Bless.

David's father Jesse and the sons were content, on the day Samuel called, to leave working David away from the Blessings. And David was more like Jacob, Israel, believing God is Willing. The Goodness and the Joy and the Parenting of a Joyful Father. Makes me have misty eyes to contemplate the Joy of God Willing to Bless. David never felt a need to steal a blessing. David simply went to the Good, Good Father God Almighty and said, "Please use Your goodness to help me, I am trying, please. I leave the answer with You."


Saints are sinners.
Saints have all kinds of flaws. David worked for the nations surrounding Israel and took lives in acts he was paid as a mercenary marauder. That's a little bit astonishing. A vigilante.

Saints are Saints.
When David was blessed, David's blessing poured and poured out Blessings. When Jacob was blessed, Jacob poured and poured out Blessings. David and Jacob encouraged the faithful.

We seem to think a saint shouldn't have flaws. This is simply not possible. The Bible would be difficult to read if we could not relate to the common struggles God brings ~~~~,  :) , with total willingness. to have faith overcome.





Father God,

Romans 1 tells us we know the Majesty of God. Help us to bring the words of our mouth, the meditations of our heart to believing all Your Kingdom, Power and Glory making all things work together for good - joyously possible for bringing Your Good Will forth to the earth.

Father God, we all have prayer requests. We pray not just for life and health - we pray for blessings to overcome ill health. We pray Jesus as Abundant Life to overcome even aches and pains. Drawing a Blessing today, saving us from health upsets tomorrow. Seeing Rebekah draw fire upon herself. We pray for Your Willing Blessings to establish us in good paths.

On Your Path, help us to do Your good works. To be aware of what You have placed around us. And to have Your blessing and protection.

We take a moment to find the miracle the faithful have all seen in their lives. To recall, not an old story, to rejoice in the Living God. Abundant God. We thank You again with our souls and hearts. Bless us not to overlook Your Majesty again.

Recall with supreme Joy when Father God saved you from trouble and gave you another encouragement to endure, to hope and overcome.

Your Word Father says to rejoice in suffering - rejoicing the Word of God - triumphs - Jesus living in us - helps us to have this within us. Abiding in the Word of God. The parables tell us life has seasons - let's remember we are here today - because of the Grace of God, grace upon grace.

Father, You tell us we cannot give a gift You have not given us first. We give thanks our salvation comes purely and simply from Your Call to us. Thank You for calling me to Life Abba and Jesus Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit. We lift those we love and have been given to us by You (Esau and otherwise) and see Your Blessings. Praying earnestly for this assurance as we Abide in Your Word. Father I give thanks for the good our Nation has prayed about. Thank You God for the prayers of the faithful blessing the faithful. Jesus the Lord, our Alleluia. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 4 ~ O God of my righteousness

 

 

Psalm 4

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
 
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
 
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

 
Super Fast Solutions 
We all are confronted with times we need a solution faster than we know what to do next. The Psalms David wrote are filled with the nature of mankind.



On Quick decisions -
Isaiah 11:3
He will delight in obeying the LORD

Please God and later you will be pleased.

Moving away from pain is one of the strongest human motivators. Truth is tactful. Love is kind. We all know this verse in 1 Corinthians 13.This is how God loves us as our Parent.

Practice honesty in the little things.
Luke 16:10
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.



It’s okay to say nothing.
Proverbs 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

Pick your battles.
Proverbs 17:14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.


Jesus certainly moved into more peaceful surroundings sometimes.





Always choose the high road - Love covers a multitude of Sins. 
Ask God. He does this for us in Jesus Christ. Honestly emphasize the positive. Being honest doesn’t mean that we are obligated to express every feeling we have on every subject. Don’t confuse preferences with need.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.


To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must
be credible; to be credible we must be truthful. ~Edward R. Murrow


Honesty requires courage and tact ~ Honesty usually makes our self esteem grow.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”




Honesty has the healing option 

 ~ of emptying the self  of pride in order to find honesty and truth that surpasses social game-playing.
~ A desire to cover up lack, sometimes of caring. And being cared for.
~ Lies become cunning weapons of revenge in a psychological battle to inflict pain on those who hurt you.
Honesty creates a higher path benefiting those around them to grow up to the Lord.


1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.


Any time we are blessed to be in God's excellencies - we are going to be happier people within Him - on the Path of God - filling ourselves with a healthy self esteem. 






Set the record straight! 

AA does this as part of healing.

~Honesty involves learning how to express the fullness of your inner experience, by setting aside  psychological defenses. Although a well know children's novel would say a fool wears his emotions on his sleeve. Appropriate trust is required. And to inflict useless information on others merely wears others out. Mercy is to train conversation to be mutually beneficial. 

~ Expect to share your information with those you trust. Expect to be their confidant and be interested in the cares of others.
~ Name your emotions.
~Learn your psychological defenses and why they are employed.
~Look at fantasies to see if you are prodded you into acting in ways you do not aspire to be.
~Resist the temptation to fall into old defensive patterns, and train yourself to act with new and different behaviors.


Deuteronomy 28
9 The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.

2 Corinthians 1:21
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

 



Abba,

In Jesus, we have obtained access by faith into this grace, in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us, we know God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus our protector, saves us from wrath. We are saved by His Life. We ask each day to receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness through Jesus the Christ.

We bless You for Your Righteousness. Help us to move in Your direction, as Jesus did as He is Grace upon Grace, Mercy and Truth.

Bless those we love to remain close. 

For Your Spirit to pour forth Love. Creating Harmony and remembrance. Jesus brings us within His Love. His Mercies hold us tenderly. Help us to see this. We give you Thanks. You bring us from where we ask to where we have gratitude. Blessings surround us, help us to remain mindful.

We lift up our Jobs, Communities, Churches, Cities, States and the Joy of National New Doors. Thank You for the system where we have new opportunities.

Thank You we tenderly hand You all our prayer requests. 

Jesus our Lord God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 16 ~ I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

Calvary Stone, showing the Earthquake Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Psalm 16

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after [acquire] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being [glory]rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption [the pit].

11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Luke 23:27

"A great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for Him"

Luke 31:

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

43 And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Matthew 28:

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, 

for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen

Jesus Lives!

Abba,

This day and every day,
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being [glory] rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to death.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We give You Thanks, for Your Glory, Your Power, Your Kingdom.

Protect and bless those we Love. God, Thank You, You have. We ask the prayers of the people You have given us. Bless the path of this Nation asking Your help so determinedly today. We rejoice in Jesus and rely upon the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 7:31-37 ~ Then he returned

Mark 7:31-37

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately,
he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

36 And Jesud charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”





Kamiyah Mobley found out her mother Gloria, had taken her from a hospital almost 20 years ago. Her real parents actually lived 200 miles away, and had been missing her every day since she was taken from then.

Now, her paternal grandmother, Velma Aiken has spoken out about the traumatic events of July 1998, revealing to Good Morning Britain that the family are getting used to having Kamiyah back in their lives.

As a spokes person for the family, this story is unique. Her grandmother said she had suffered terribly for the baby wondering what would happened to a kidnapped baby. And now it's such a joy to have her back. To find she speaks well and does well and loves her unusually adopted mother.

Velma Aiken says she has no feelings toward the abductor, but forgives her.


The Good News about this case - also - no one has stepped up Columbine Style to ask if the rest have forgiven the kidnapper - giving the family time to process new events.

I love that Velma Aiken has repeated the Solomon story of being glad the child has lived and thrived. God bless the families that represent trauma with a spokesperson of forgiveness.

Velma Aiken went on to say the only advice she has for her granddaughter Kamiyah is that she should pray for all the people involved. This is beautiful.




Father God,

Help us all to have private times to grow.

We give thanks Christ has been represented in this family with a spokesperson bringing forth goodness and gratitude. Advocating forgiveness with restitution of their child. Prayer for all of those considered.

We give thanks no one has jumped down the throats of the others asking for pushy forgiveness instead - restitution and fairness in justice. With compassion and prayer.

How beautiful to see a story uncomplicated by joy and goodness.

Let this continue around the world as an example to us all.

Blessed be the Lord! For He has heard the voice of their pleas for mercy.

The Lord is our strength and shield; in God our heart trusts, and we are helped;
our heart exults,and with this song I give thanks to Him.

The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage!
Be their Shepherd and carry them forever.

Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 14 ~ Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe

John 14

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 

2 In my Father's House are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.


15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, 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 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.” 

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.

31 I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. 
Rise, let us go from here.




Having a Ball with Social Media???

Enjoying all the fb you ever wanted???

Jimmy Kimmel did an amazing one week series on well known people reading the tweets expressed by fans; should we use the word 'fans' for what was tweeted? Ok, the tweets of twits. Wow. To see the hurt on the faces of "people". I won't forget.

 

I'm thinking based on the Social Media of alllllll the people who Refuse to Play for Trump's Inaugural - we might need to take count - surely, surely, surely not this many people have actually been invited. Wow. And some of the people who tell us they have turned down the President Elect, or commenting, have said they'd be living out of the country.



Today.
Yahoo news tells us NFL Jay Cutler's wife shuts down his body shamers for his NFL flabby. Kristin Cavallari has been there - done that - before - July 4th her children were very criticized for being starved. Starved. Kristin tweeted in July she had never before blocked so many people for saying her children were starved. We all feel a little sorry for someone being slammed both ways.

To the newly engaged couple - I hope this picture finds you! Congratulations!

Yesterday.
Reddit, yesterday, showed a couple getting engaged and the photographer wanted - the foggy NYC water surrounding the tea lights in the shape of a heart and the faces of Joy - to have reached the engaged couple. Man the 240 comments were - awful.. After reading about 50 top comments - I quit. I asked two really huge Reddit fans about this and they shrugged and said, "Meh, Reddit fans, Meh. Regular commentary." Ok, we get that - this is where we rail on each other - but - maybe this carries out into the permanence of what is 'ok'?






HGTV Stars Joanna and Chip Gaines Suffer Brutal Media Attacks headlines report.

Eventually Joanna and Chip said give us some slack, we won't be baited to respond with hate. Chip Gaines: Joanna and I ‘Care About You’.

“That’s all fascinating, but it cannot add or take away from the reality that we’re already pulling for you. We are not about to get in the nasty business of throwing stones at each other, don’t ask us to cause we won’t play that way,” he wrote.

Gaines said the past year was “tough” and he couldn’t “recall humanity being more divided.”




Kelly Clarkson Won't Be Fat Shamed, Tells British Twitter. This woman had the nurse delivering her baby saying she was fat, fat.







And what would Jesus do?

Well, I'd like to borrow Jesus' brain, because He would definitely know what to say.


Jesus says don't worry so much. Look John 14!!!   Well, we say - that's fine for Jesus. This bully part of life is actually pretty worrisome. And besides - really - honestly - who is going to get to actually, really, truly, brutally honestly - us - c'mon - this is me reading the Word of God and doing reality applying God's Word to - my - friggen - life CMON who is going to get to LIVE IN THE HOUSE OF JESUS???  Then we might say, not me, so forget this whoooole Chapter.


Let's look at that - go with that. 'Live in the House of Father God'.

The Bible records seven layers of Heaven. St. Thomas Aquinas famously said that the top level is for the Patriarchs of the Bible, the Martyrs and the infants who died very, very young and stillborn babies. Sooo - basically - not all us. Not exactly.  Jesus is saying that there are multitudes and multitudes who will live in the "House of God". His Kingdom. Jesus is saying this - this is important. Jesus is saying that you are more precious than sparrows and the GOD who Created ALL - knows when a Sparrow falls. This God, this Father, who gives us Wonderful Jesus is saying - the God who creates the Universe is - is - IS going to find you a place with tender love.

Is He able? Yes. God has named the Stars. Commanded the path of the Planets, Understands how Gravity Functions. Completed DNA. And says life is in the blood. God understands blood being made and the hairs on your head.

And your place in the "House' of God - His Kingdom is specifically designed for His Child - you. Recently I have been smiling over Revelation Chapter One. John is sitting in old, old age upon the beautiful hill Father God has provided him - looking at the harbor of Patmos. And suddenly John is in God's House. John's reaction is he does -  something very human - he is Terrified. And John throws himself on the floor preparing to faint with total fear. He records - I was sitting in my house on a Sunday afternoon.  I love that. I really do. Jesus says with completely the right amount of comfort - "Don't faint, John - this is me, Jesus." The Words and the tone and the comfort make John - understand the key has fit the perfect lock within John - to make John fruitful, happy, and comforted - to continue in Father God's Path.



Dying is far away - why worry about ol' God.

Well, really this post is about Life. No one is going to get out of life without being bullied. Jesus dealt with that. Donald Trump just really did poorly in the first Presidential Debate against Senator Clinton - she laughed and was poised and scoffed at him. Donald Trump went home looking a little lost that night.

Is John 14 about this? Yes. This is about the trouble we face in this Life.

Ok, you worry. Jesus had times where He looked at bullies and He said, "Never mind, no thanks." Jesus told His own brothers - No, thanks, not going to the Festival. Jesus went on His own terms. Jesus had times He knew to stay out of Jerusalem. Is this a good response? You betcha. If Jesus employs this - this is Jesus.

This worked for Joanna and Chip Gaines. They had time to let the emotions calm down. Smart people knew not to be baited.

I had this done to me on the job once, by the boss, who referred to herself as "The Queen". Smart people know to keep their mouth shut.

This worked for Donald Trump. He knew he couldn't win that debate and he did his best. (I have not always pulled for President Trump - like during the election with Jeb Bush - but I am praying for him - along with denominations who didn't pull for him - and we Believe in the Power of God and expect good things. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Curry says we are called in the Word of God to pray for our President. Believe the best of him and the power of God in prayer. Amen!)

Jesus was not really meek and mild.

Jesus said Try Not to Worry. This is Not Permanent. And I doubt Jesus thought causing a 36 acre stampede in the Temple was permanent.

We might picture Jesus asking rather softly to Thomas and Phillip about His Words in this Chapter... Really? Jesus took on the Sadducean Council regularly. Jesus was rather to the point with Nicodemus.

You know it's really possible to experience so much trouble in life - that life begins to - not be so bothersome. I know a Fortune 500 CEO who said that really the problems and situations of the day - are interesting.

It's not permanent. And Priorities of what really matters...


Jesus dealt with the Glory of John 1 - The Transfiguration and arrival of His Father. And then went down the mountain to deal with regular life. Jesus is good at dealing with the highs and lows of life. This is the same Jesus who lifted Peter back into the boat, securely. This is the same Jesus who called for Calm upon the Storm.

 


If we put God first and see clearly what is important - Life might not believe in a free lunch - yet Life wants to eat your lunch and lunch money - however - - - If we put God first. Look to Jesus. Read the Bible. Seek His Answers - we are going to end up with Love, Joy, Peace. Because in the ability to see God first - things that do not matter - tend to fall into place.

We could now spend time bemoaning the culture. But we are the culture. We are the Lights of Jesus Christ.

Be salt. Be Light. Be in expectation of God. Bounce.


Rise, let us go from here.

Our Abba,

Father God, You walk with us. Ethiopians know God walks with them. You are the God of All. Creator of All. Vast. Wise. Loving. Good.

Help the ones I love, the people You have given me - to find Your Love and Your Loving Words - the key to fit the Light of God You have placed in All of Mankind. Let us look at what is Noble and Good and rise from here.

John tells us You are Love. Paul tells us You are Love, Joy, Peace. Luke, the Glorious Physician, who stayed with Paul and Peter always in the love God has for us - tells us You are Encouragement. Help us bring all of You to our lives, words, work, faith, heart and soul - seeing more Heaven on earth - this day. Until we see Your Kingdom, Power and Glory. In the Wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †