John 1 ~ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome

Top Box Office is Dunkirk.

Has the USA recently had anything remotely similar?

Severe Weather
Over 26 Inches of Rain Triggers Record Flooding in the South, Including the Sabine River

20 Parishes Louisiana

March 18 2016 05:00 PM

And all of this does not Touch the months and months Houston Churches Harris County Churches and Montgomery County Churches did, themselves, to feed all the people in the Astrodome and Reliant Arena for Months and Months. The Civilians who helped during Hurricane Katrina's Recovery in Louisiana and  Mississippi. A vast portion of these meals came from the Churches.  Months of cooking, cleaning and serving for Jesus Christ's people.




Record flooding occurred along a sizable stretch of the Sabine River along the Texas/Louisiana border, due to record releases from Toledo Bend Reservoir, first put in service in 1966.

Aerial view of the Toledo Bend Dam near Burkeville, Texas, on Mar. 10, 2016. At the time, a record release of 207,644 cubic feet per second, or abou 1.5 million gallons per second, was occurring. (Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Rusty Bailey)

Aerial view of the Toledo Bend Dam near Burkeville, Texas, on Mar. 10, 2016. At the time, a record release of 207,644 cubic feet per second, or about 1.5 million gallons per second, was occurring.
(Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Rusty Bailey)

The river crushed a previous record crest near Burkeville, Texas by over 5 feet, topped a 1913 record east of Bon Wier, Texas, and topped an unofficial record from 1884 in Deweyville, Texas, Monday.



In just six days, the cooperative station outside of Monroe (26.96 inches), picked up half the average annual precipitation of Monroe's Regional Airport (53.71 inches).

Suffice to say, this was one of the heaviest March rain events on record in this area, more reminiscent of a tropical storm or its remnant.

We all know this is a disaster. But where is the Joy in the few number of deaths. The willingness to get in the amazing rain and go out and help one another.

What causes people to risk the weather to help one another?

John 1

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.




Philippians 2

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant

6,900,000,000,000 gallons of rain in one week

The catastrophic Louisiana flood is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago.

"Thousands of people in Louisiana have lost everything they own and need our help now," said Brad Kieserman, the Red Cross' vice president of disaster services operations and logistics.

"This disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy, and we anticipate it will cost at least $30 million -- a number which may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation."

Tens of thousands without homes is testing local hospitals' operations, especially in light of reduced federal funding for hospital preparedness. The hospital system was full tilt ready from the experience from Hurricane Katrina Triage Hospital experience.

Officials at Medical Center-Baton Rouge, concerned storms might cause them to lose electricity, transferred about 57 critically ill patients to affiliated facilities across the state on Sunday.

1,000 Year Flood.

13 lives were lost.

7,000 Rescued. Civilian Rescues. Volunteers willing to see all situations - in terrible weather.




James 2:21-24

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

The devastating floods in Louisiana stretch over 20 parishes.

What created the pathway to so few deaths?

Obviously, Dunkirk had bullets, missiles and bombs as peril. 

The civilians and the government rescuers face drowning, lightning, snakes and wild creatures. There is always a potential for violence. Seeing death. Trauma to face. Dealing with despair. Hardship. And praying for a good long time for recovery. It was said there were as many rescuers as rescued and some people still waited a day or even two for help.

Knowing this - the massive rescue was a miracle of God Himself.

In our day and time.

Father God,

We need to see, understand, proclaim, and pray knowing this Generation calls in Prayer to be stronger to meet Challenges of Life.

Today.

Remembering Encouragement is to see the Positive.

We need to take the time and say the grace was given in this 1,000 year flood. The rescuers who did not think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

In Louisiana we have seen,

One body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

They, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Having gifts of faith; service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.


Rescue  time and time again:


Genuine Love. Holding fast to what is good.

Loving one another with brotherly affection.

Let us not forget to outdo one another in showing honor.

Let us have zeal, be fervent in spirit, let us Serve the Lord. Seeing the Good. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. More prayer is needed for recovery.

Let us see them contributing to the needs of the saints and seeking to show hospitality.

We give thanks Father God, this is today and these are Your People. We ask for even more abilities to help people like this in need. And give thanks for the times we helped.

Calling faithfully to Father God, praying with asking Jesus to pray with us - for the people we Love. For all the people we have ever prayed for. For our needs and cares. For cysts to be healed of the cause.  Renewed healing and love provided for by God's Willingness. For our employment and life opportunities. For our Churches. Schools. Jesus covering this Nation. And the World. For Christians covering the world faithfully with prayer - Pleasing our God. Blessing our God. Praising our God.

In Jesus. Amen.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016) - IMDb

92%  Rotten Tomatoes 

The extraordinary true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss

Doss saved 75 men in Okinawa, during the bloodiest battle of WWII, without firing a single shot. Believing the war was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon. As an army medic Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines - braving enemy fire and putting his own life on the line.

He was the first conscientious objector to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 21:24-25 ~ the world itself could not contain

The Lord God Almighty is Vast. He may be the entire Universe we live in. How would God build the Universe and Love us. Knows the stars by name. He does Love us. We would not know God, except our Father would delight in us. His Child. His Children. His Beloved.

John 21:24-25

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.


Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;
 it is the gift of God, 
not a result of works, 
so that no one may boast.


The Word of God will endure always.

John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.


John 14:26
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.

In Creation, The Father and Son placed the Holy Spirit above the waters. And Delight filled our Father. Jesus, God's Son delighted to see the master work and the variety and beauty. Our Father delighted in Jesus. Jesus was the delight of our Father. And our Father saw Jesus delight in...mankind.



And as we consider the Love God is. We realize Jesus has brought our Father a new Heaven and a new earth. To bring the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as we seek Father God. Genesis did not bring the Holy Spirit into mankind. Jesus has brought His Holiness into dwell within our souls where we delight and love and hope and yearn and lean to our Father God's unending and steadfast love.


John 14:26
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.


We have seen with the eyes of our soul. Jesus would today go to the Pool of Bethsaida. And go back again to the man waiting for healing for 38 years. And Jesus would continue in His Father's Willingness and we would know today the name of Bartimaeus.

The willingness Jesus cried out, "If you have seen me, You have seen the Father."

The Father running to his belabored and brought down child. The widow who would be alone. And God brought her son back to life as he was carried to his tomb.


Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus forgave the thief on the cross with Him. Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery. Jesus forgave the tax collector who was known to take more than owed. Jesus forgave Nicodemus who would not stand with Him. And Peter. Jesus forgave the Synagogue official who was not following Jesus and gave his daughter her life again for her parents.

Jesus Son of God. Jesus Light of the world. Believers see the Light of Christ in one another. Jesus became so filled with Light, He left His accusers. God gave us His Son. Who opened His arms to all the pain and suffering and rejection to be our Salvation. God of Love. God of Encouragement.

10 of the Disciples stood apart. Jesus would not stand apart from them. Jesus would not stand apart from His Beloved Child - you.


What has God Given? Life. Love. Healing. Renewal. Eternity. Because of God's Love. Welcome into His Life and Love and Heaven.




Abba,

You have given us all. And we are able to give You thanks, worship and Love. Only this comes without Your Gift before.

What has God Given -  All of eternity with Love.

Dwell in us, Abba, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, I will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I praise You Father God. Your Love is pervasive. And Your Will is Good. Your Will is triumphant. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Dwell is us. Let us know daily Your Willingness in the Holy Spirit. Let us be like Isaiah saying, "Send me!" And in the Call of Jesus Christ, I place those I love. The people You have given me. Knowing in Your Love, Your care, Your Good Will - we dwell loved, cherished, tenderly listened to, Beloved of God. And in this Goodness we trust in Your answers and in seeing someday, in Your Glory, know all things work together for Good for those who Love You and work according to Your Purpose.

And we will dwell secure. You are Good.

In Jesus we rest these beloved people, their cares, needed prayers for cyst healing or removal, ears, feet, eyes, allergies, and know Thanksgiving for Your answers.We uphold the families of our Churches and Community, for this Nation to be blessed with God's Love. God's Wisdom, Joy and Blessing in His Churches and the Bible Studies.

We ask for provision for needs met and prosperity. Peace in our schools and places of employment. Recalling this joy in Jesus. And His Love and care. Knowing His Love spreads across this Nation and around the world. 

We are upheld in the Power of  His Living Word. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 ~ our God and Father Himself

12/4/14

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, 
to establish and exhort you in your faith,
that no one be moved by these afflictions. 

For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself,
and our Lord Jesus, 
direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, 
as we do for you,
so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, 
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

James, the Brother of Jesus. The man who ate dinner with Jesus. Bothered Jesus sibling style. Goaded Jesus in life recorded in His Word. Lived to Love Jesus. James said this Word of God - We ask Father God to give wisdom. The result is - He will.

We want to say to Jesus when we arrived at our Heavenly Home ~ "I stood for Your Great Love, Jesus."

Our standard is Jesus.
He is the one to look for. 
Would Jesus do this?
This is the frame of all reference.

And Easy to Remember.   

1 .Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Our standard agrees with God's Word. God's Word stands very firm. God does not need our belief for God to be God.

2. We want to be in daily relationship with God and read His Word. Expecting His Word to make a difference in your heart. Spiritual roots. Prayer. Small group Bible Study recorded in Book of Acts - encouragement.

3. Open mind to God and His Will. Not our established pride. 

Believing God would want to have a good plan for you. We ask God to be Open to Him. Give HIM time each day to let His truth soak in us and have truth established in our soul. More than emotion. To be like Jesus moving to Capernaum to be near the faithful.

3. Speak the Truth. God's way says follow Him.

4. Solely self or doing God's Will. He gets you out of trouble. He puts you on your path of His.

5. Do what is just and right in integrity. We put forth God's way and let Him decide the fate of the seed. God is sovereign.

6. This would please Jesus as His Child. Jesus called us His Beloved. When we trust God, His plan for for us is good.

7. Bring thoughts to Jesus. Pray constantly, casual conversational prayer, to be centered in Jesus, to please Jesus and in firm expectation that He is going to help.

8. Bitter, hurt, grudge envy and selfish ambition is not from God; creating a cold heart. Let it go. Avoid what isn't good for you. Like bad TV or fuzzy noise. Peace, loving, considerate, impartial and sincerity is from Jesus.  Do the Good Will God has for your life. Work in His Will.

9. Record the truth. Write this down. Not to be choked out by the concerns, glories and riches of life. Be still to know God.

10. Trust God when we don't understand.

Father God,

Please, You are  welcome to dwell in me.  Bless me to cover my transgressions. Bless me with Your Grace. Bless me with all Your willingness. Thank You.

Asking Your blessings. Your forgiveness. Grace to others. God guide our nation, state, city. Our Church leaders. Our family. Our friends and loved ones. Help us best do Your will for our day and lives. Your mercies renew and repeat. Help our open minds see You at work, Father God.

Asking health for Edward and for me as we suddenly both have cysts. Good health for all with health concerns, knowing Your Goodness, Father God.

Open our eyes each day to see Your blessings and remember the blessings. Let us live in love each day saying Give us this day for all we Love. Knowing as we rest this evening - we did please You. In Jesus let Your Will and Word be done. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 6:17-26 ~ He went down with them and stood on a level place

Luke 6:17-26

He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

20 Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.

Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

This  post is chosen, before finding out the message.  It is apt. My son is going to Law School across continent. My husband has a nuclear brain image showing his Frontal Lobe is in severe damage. And is fine with the move saying our son has moved forever. My husband is doing ok and played 3 locations of disc golf on Saturday. I am happy my husband is doing well, but sad for the lack of depth of emotion.

God's Peace rushes over me to keep enjoying today. Even the parts that were sad.  Blessed to have God who Loves. Blessed to be His.




Take the culmination of our life
To God.
Then take you  as you really are.
What you like that makes you the person you are
What could make you more of that Person to Him.
What you Love.
What you really are forgiven for.
What makes you worry and fret.
What you can do for those you Love
What makes them more of what You Love about them.
And makes something you say as you go to Jesus - I did this.

What is your best and real self
God gives us joy within us for our strength - for our hope and endurance and our compassion.

God allows us to place who we are before Him, be real, be forgiven. Have Gratitude 

And do that with the discipline you have. What God will be with you to do. Thank God.



This passage is like God. Very real.




Father God,



We can look and find passages where Jeremiah complained. Paul died. And David was very sad. We can see Rehoboam mess up Heaven and bring life.

Noah got drunk. People get mad. They don't care what your life is - they want this to be tidy and without feelings of discomfort.. We mistakenly say God to act as if God was running for President.

Not creating Your Son in scandal and being born in a barn from a town were family dwelled. Not seeing brothers rarely got a long in the Bible.

Joel Olsteen said a lot of life feels like life passed you over. And these are the moments that we can actively seek to do pull ourselves up only in belief God is for us. Only God creates in us the goodness to Love and Go Forth in hard circumstance. God is for us.

The message of the Bible is to do our best. Base self worth upon God. God covers offenses not with cheap and easy grace but with Sheer Love and Compassion when we pour our earnestness to Him.

This is why we connect to  You, Father God. God is told to be and is - God of Love. God of Encouragement. God of make a Way, Truth, Life in Jesus.

 God covers us with His Righteousness.

Father God, I ask Your mercy on my family. For help in Your Mercy.  And in sheer gratitude for this family who daily help one another. Thank You for Today. Thank You for what You give me. In Jesus - who is Good.

Thank You for going with us on the Journey and giving us Faith, Hope and Love.  In Jesus Christ. God with us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Acts 13:22 ~ I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart

The cave where David was merciful to King Saul

Jerusalem looked like Jerusalem for millenniums after David created the City of David.

Ziklag, David lived in a ditch with his own mercinary army.

Portions of the Palace David created remain.

Acts 13:22
I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do


Shepherd, musician, King's musician, victorious of battle, popular among the nation, married the king's daughter, told to be anointed of God, persecuted as a criminal, dweller in caves, fed by priests, priests slaughtered by King Saul. Mercinary. Family kidnapped, killer of kidnappers. Chosen to rule Judah. Unchosen by Saul's son being crowned. Chosen to rule. Upended by Saul's concubines' children. Killers of Saul's concubines' children. Repented of killing those sons. Commander of Armies. Vacationed a day, found adultery. Used war as a cover for adultery and murder. Discovered by a prophet. Later had son named after that prophet. Extremely poor father. Extremely Proud Father. Extremely poor father of daughter. Extremely erratic father. Builder of Nation. Reclamation of his tribe's land. Builder of tribe. His own sibling family is not mentioned. Incredible Prosperity. Civil war instigator. Civil war solver. Worrier. Griever. Blessed of God. Amazed. Truly humble. Planner of His Temple. Poor husband. Alone with hired help at end of life. Rejoices to see prophet. Rejoices at conclusion of his own life to have a good son to give to. Leaves his son with a situation with the brother. Sleeps with his fathers as a welcome Child of God.

This is a son - who had so many extremes.

A brilliant man with a Light of God.

With this many mistakes and huge blunders, he probably drove his parents bat-tastic. They are out of the picture about the time he has a mercenary army of malcontents.

God creates the universe.

1 Corinthians 14:40
39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

Hebrews 7 explains something David understood about a compassionate God. God created order all over and then God says He can do anything new He wants to do. Jesus will our Great High Priest is not going to fit in the mold. Jesus will not be a Levite.

Hebrews 8
1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.


7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

8 For he finds fault with them when he says:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”


We are given the Law of Liberty. And told the Holy Spirit dwells within us and we will love the Lord our God and love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus adds a "Commandment" to Moses. Love one another.




Abba,

We need the Help of God. David had this Almighty Help.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:16-17
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

And How did David do this?

Luke 1:46-47
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"

and like David...

Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled

Believing God is Capable. Believing we put our loved ones and cares in His Hands. Asking You for rain on parched areas. For our Nation to have more peace and joy. Good health for the people of God.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †