Revelation 1:9-18 ~ He laid His Right Hand on me

Revelation 1:9-18

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.




The Bard is said to be the basis of every story ever written. I'm ... not so sure. John 21 tells us Jesus is really the Cornerstone. The Rock. The Foundation.


Because the History of Papyrus like 46 - we know Paul was writing while the Temple was still in operation. Before the sack of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

We can surmise John had last seen Jesus about 63 years earlier based upon his exile and the Emperor who exiled John to Patmos.

At some point in the later decades of life - we decide something important. We decide we have lived a life worth living. And in having this gratitude - we blaze a candle held for the Path of Jesus for ourselves, friends, loved ones, family and people yet unborn.


"Peggy Sue Got Married"  1986 explores a middle aged woman in the Hospital in the middle of a divorce. Peggy Sue has the opportunity to re-live her past - to seemingly decide - if she would change her life completely and utterly from the start of her adult years out of High School. Asking the question - was this a life worth living.

A movie of profound ideas of infinite hope and love. Love prevails. Surely a message of God Himself.

Setting the Scene ~
We find Peggy Sue - a married woman of about 20 years is discovering she is back in High School visiting places gone and people departed. In perplexity - awe and wonder - suddenly - the Phone rings - her daughter Beth's namesake is on the phone.

We find Peggy Sue's Mother gives us the immortal lines of Youth Group Leaders everywhere. As well as reminding us to do the right thing every day.


Exploring Life worth living!


And off Peggy Sue goes to see the dearly beloved.

The Journey...




And we have arrived at Revelation 1!!!

Complete with Herod's thoughts on John the Baptist as Jesus in 2:08. So much of life has been considered before.

With a glimpse of what John found in finding Jesus.

Ephesians 1:10
A plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Psalm 119:105 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Abba Father

The Blessing of God fall on us.

When we rejoice - we are happier.

When trouble in life comes - with You - we overcome.

When we see life multiplied - we Rejoice.


Your blessings fall on us and the ones we love. Upon the people You have given us.
All over our culture, all over our nation.
Soak is with the Steadfast Love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Worldwide we pray this and have the joy of thinking as we go to sleep -
Our Father God - You - cover the planet with the prayers of the believing hearts.

For the prayers we hold to us so closely. For the prayers of good health.

To know ech day - we have opportunity - to have meaningful life - building our soul - to You.

In Jesus Christ. We Love Jesus and Bless Him. Thanking You for our Blessings and asking You to
uphold and heal our concerns.

We abundantly lift up Napa County for healing and rain.

Jesus is Willing. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 130 ~ Hope in the Lord!

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents.


Out of the depths 
I cry to you, O Lord!

2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

We were so blessed to have a light shower and hear thunder again today in Texas. Although the display was not of Heaven, surely this is splendid and spectacular to know the Creator of Lightning and Beauty enjoys His Creation.


Revelation 4

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and rolls of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal in the center and around the throne







Our elderly dog was having back and leg pain and this led us down to the pond - swimming the pond bringing relief and joy to life.

Reading Matthew Henry really is a warm place to be. The refrain of his good life seeing good - is a joy. The Peace and the Love he brought to life around him.

I've always felt Psalm 130 is one of the best places to be. The Power, the Glory, the Mercy of God. His Mercy Billows. Enfolds. Entwines with life. Abundant Life.


And, really frankly, the photos are not all that of Heaven, however - taking what is a regular day and finding God in the day - is the place to be. Alexander came home from hiking Colorado today - adding blessing to the day. To see your grown son when the vacation has finished - is truly blessing. We went to the art museum with a favorite friend and professor of Alexander's and we looked at all of the Impressionism. My son loves art and isn't a huge fan of Impressionism.

We loved looking at the paintings and finding the skin of the new baby differs from the radiance of the toddler and the young mother. Impressionism - why does the tree have purple in the bark? The color is there = to find and just to be studied to find the Blessing. Like an Easter Egg Hunt.

Taking the message of God and applying His Words to our day - and finding His Promises and Blessings.

Finding to walk the poor dog - Jackson hurting - seeing his pleasure to be taken from the yard and the house - seeing a wider pond - the joy to move freely - to be free. To run run run after a flyaway duck. The pleasure of deciding on his own to splash and swim swim swim to the other side without boundary or leash.

In the dog's open adventure - he is young and free. Happy. Seeing the water make circles on the pond for a coming shower - hearing the deep rumble of thunder and the changing of the light. Was an adventure I'm so happy to have. Back into the house - with a happy, happy dog. The ordinary is the Gift of God.

Abba, Father God,

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

As surely as the Heavenly Host appeared to sing to the Shepherds abiding in the fields,
just as the Holy Spirit did abide upon the waters of Creation,

We have the evening call of tree frogs, cicadas, baby Cardinal songbirds. The serenade of summer.

The echoes of thunder, God of Wonders - in Texas Summer.

Deep calls to Deep.

We are blessed. We are very grateful.

To be in Jesus.

Taking all of the day and letting our Father God of All

Carry us all in the Holy Spirit

Our Father God is God of All and God of the Heavenly Hosts

All Healing, All Hope is in Jesus

 Amen, Amen and Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Matthew 19:24-26 ~ easier

The Lord saw fit to provide us with lightning! August in Texas. 

Matthew 19:24-26

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”



 Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.



Today we are going to follow this Incredible Change with some pop culture.

"MIB" K said, "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it! 1,500 years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was the center of the universe. 500 years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow."







We aren't salmon, we are meant to be unique with unique opinions. 

We tend to go down our schedules the same way. With hardly a second glance.



Deep thunder when you are on the patio or near the window - will move something even in your chest. Making you realize the God we take as caring and listening is really God.


Psalm 42:6-7

Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.


I am profoundly grateful for God of All Things,
who forms us and names us all,
takes His time to create
ordinary events - when we look for the answer
as God Himself - we have profound change in us.









Father God, 

We pray for an increase in the Holy Spirit. A rising up of God's Love.  We love this Nation and ask for God to bless us, please.

The ability to put anger down. To let compassion exist without need for gain or immediate gratification. An idea God does prevail.

Our Daily prayers, being alive with curiosity to find what God is doing with Prayer.

In Jesus Christ, we make our request. Amen in Jesus. And in Jesus we are covered!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 2 ~ Registered

Luke 2

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.


8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

So we'd say Christmas is a fond thing. It's not.


The fact of Jesus Christ's Birth is that of Life. The Determination Life is good.


And if we thought Christmas was a fond thing - what of Peter Pan? Peter Pan was so enjoyed because many women had lost young children prior to antibiotics. The thought of a place for children.  Let's not put the Birth of Christ into a comfortable fable.

I was asked once if I thought Father God celebrates Christmas in Heaven. For anyone who has lost a child - the years of joy and expectation are remembered with far more Joy. Yes, I firmly believe in the Joy of the Life of Jesus Christ. And believe the beginning of God's Son is of profound interest to God.

The process was so far from happy - God provided many, many people to show Mary and Joseph and all of Israel signs of God never to be forgotten.




And in fact, the signs of God were questioned as time went by. Mary set out to bring Jesus home on several occasions.

We want to believe God works in comfortable ways.

This is probably why 9 lepers did not return to give thanks. God could be just a thanked from the head experience. Dislodged to comfortable.



And what God has said is
it is
WORK to believe God.


Who would attend to this Celebration of God's:

Isaiah 45

The Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him:
“Ask me of things to come;
will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?
12 I made the earth
and created man on it;
it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,
and I commanded all their host.
13 I have stirred him up in righteousness,
and I will make all his ways level;
he shall build my city
and set my exiles free,
not for price or reward,”
says the Lord of hosts.


Jeremiah 33:22

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.


Nehemiah 9:6

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."





Abba, Father God,

Keep us on your Path and Plan. Encourage and Strengthen us. Lead us in to be filled by You to do Your Great Works You have Planned for us to walk in.

Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

We ask for this for ourselves, our loved ones, the people You have given us.


Help us to see - the extreme gratitude to see the people You have given us - today. To celebrate the blessings in our lives.

In Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 106:1-18 ~ The Lord, for He is good

Psalm 106:1-18

Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
3 Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!


4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
help me when you save them,
5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory with your inheritance.


6 Both we and our fathers have sinned;
we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.

7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,
did not consider your wondrous works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
that he might make known his mighty power.

9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry,
and he led them through the deep as through a desert.

10 So he saved them from the hand of the foe
and redeemed them from the power of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them was left.

12 Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.
13 But they soon forgot his works;
they did not wait for his counsel.

14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness,
and put God to the test in the desert;
15 he gave them what they asked,
but sent a wasting disease among them.
16 When men in the camp were jealous of Moses
and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord,
17 the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
and covered the company of Abiram.

18 Fire also broke out in their company;
the flame burned up the wicked.


400,000 British men, near the French, were on the beach of Dunkirk and about to be killed.

A few German planes were sent out to sink every ship. Red Cross ship or not.

The British Government asked for Light Civilian Boats to rescue 400,000 men. The Battleships were being easily sunk. The Harbor was a disaster for loading men.

The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, also the Miracle of Dunkirk - the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, north of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940, during World War II. 330,000 were saved after being sitting, starving ducks on a beach from May 26th to June 4th.





The Book of Daniel tells us we are surrounded. Just as the Dunkirk Beach. The war begins within - then, opinions are fortified and held down. Good is cast down and packaged as a new good. Accept the new 'good'. As the spiritual war builds and seems to lose ground, this becomes visible. The physical war takes place.




War is a program.
Put on a uniform.
Know your side.
Know your job.
Know your weapon.
Know to kill.
Evil isn't creative.


The Work of God is much less planned and much more Creative.

Victory.
Victory is when Good must be sustained.
Evil is sought to be eradicated.
When life may be tossed away to benefit Good.
Danger is put behind, because Good must not die.
Victory is messy. And is not safe.

Victory has a conclusion. Good is upheld.

The ships have motors but also sails - looking like a Cross.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe?

‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
― C.S. Lewis

“Courage, dear heart.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

“I have come," said a deep voice behind them. They turned and saw the Lion himself, so bright and real and strong that everything else began at once to look pale and shadowy compared with him.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Abba Father,

We need Jesus and we need the Holy Spirit to live in us to give us faith, hope and Love.
We need Your Blessings every day, every breath. Your Word upholds Life. For all we love and for all You have given us.

Please, Father, dwell in us and those we love, we invite You.

For you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.


NOW, may the Lord of Peace, Himself,
give you peace
at all times
in every way.

The Lord be with you all.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Romans 3:10
There is no one righteous, not even one

Luke 18:19
Why do you call Me good? Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.


Jesus is God and we need Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Matthew 15:21-28 ~ Great is our Faith

Formerly the Island of Tyre.

Proverbs 21:31
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Matthew 15:21-28

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 

23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 

28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.



So what's new is Sidon?

Ancient Origins Reports:

8 JUNE, 2018 -
Secret chamber hidden beneath an ancient temple in Lebanon surprises archaeologists as the digging is completed from 2015.

Nothing ignites archaeological and historical curiosity more than an unexpected and mysterious discovery.
A secret room uncovered by researchers at a Bronze Age temple in Sidon, Lebanon, is such a find.

Buried within the ruins of the temple, a “deeply concealed room” was found by a delegation from the British Museum in 2015, writes the The Daily Star.

The walls of the hidden underground room were “monumental”, almost 15 feet (4.5 meters) high, and the floor was 24 feet (7.5 meters) below ground. The room, believed to be an extension on the ancient temple, held pottery and wooden vessels and utensils for eating and drinking, as well as artifacts for rituals and celebrations. It is thought that it may have been reserved for high-status people of the community.

The Daily Star reports that a previously discovered chamber at the Sidon’s Frères archaeological site, dubbed “holy of holies,” dates back to 1300 B.C., and researchers believe it was where the ancient community worshipped their gods. The mysterious subterranean room is adjacent to this.

Head of the delegation, Claude Serhal Doumit, says the find is significant, announcing, “Sealed by the imposition of a Persian period building constructed on top of it, this new room is of the highest importance in terms of its monumentality and untouched pottery material, both [domestically produced] and imported from Cyprus and Mycenae,” in a statement released by the delegation.

Later excavations also revealed a model tabernacle, incense burners, and more artifacts used in ancient banquets. Serhal explained , “Active feasting activity took place within the temple as shown by the quantity of local pottery as well an assemblage of Greek banquet wares, including plates manufactured exclusively for export to the Orient.” Serhal also said that the charred altar found in one of the rooms unearthed at the site was likely used in animal sacrifice rituals.



What else has Sidon reported?

The Alexander Sarcophagus is a late 4th century BC Hellenistic stone sarcophagus adorned with bas-relief carvings of Alexander the Great. The work is remarkably well preserved and has been celebrated for its high aesthetic achievement.




Matthew 11:21

Jesus said:

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had happened in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

Why? Ezekiel spoke Prophetically of King David's great ally, the nation of Tyre - who supplied many of the items for the Building of The Lord's Temple by Sidon. Ezekiel said the island nation of Tyre would be filled in by a world leader who would then go to Jerusalem when learning of the prophecy to bow to the Priest of the Temple because he learned his life was foretold of by the Word of God. Ezekiel went on to say Tyre would remain in ruins - which it is to study this monumental work.


Jesus had this same effect on Alexander the Great. Alexander was not part of the Jewish Caste. And he rode to find a priest and bow down to God's Representative.

Joel 3:4
Now, what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done.


Joel 3  

3 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, 3 and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.

4 “What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily. 5 For you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my rich treasures into your temples. 6 You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their own border. 7 Behold, I will stir them up from the place to which you have sold them, and I will return your payment on your own head. 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a nation far away, for the Lord has spoken.”

9 Proclaim this among the nations:
Consecrate for war;
stir up the mighty men.
Let all the men of war draw near;
let them come up.
10 Beat your plowshares into swords,
and your pruning hooks into spears;
let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”

11 Hasten and come,
all you surrounding nations,
and gather yourselves there.
Bring down your warriors, O Lord.
12 Let the nations stir themselves up
and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
for there I will sit to judge
all the surrounding nations.

13 Put in the sickle,
for the harvest is ripe.
Go in, tread,
for the winepress is full.
The vats overflow,
for their evil is great.

14 Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon are darkened,
and the stars withdraw their shining.

16 The Lord roars from Zion,
and utters his voice from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earthquake.
But the Lord is a refuge to his people,
a stronghold to the people of Israel.

The Glorious Future of Judah
17 “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God,
who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.
And Jerusalem shall be holy,
and strangers shall never again pass through it.

18 “And in that day
the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
and the hills shall flow with milk,
and all the streambeds of Judah
shall flow with water;
and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord
and water the Valley of Shittim.

19 “Egypt shall become a desolation
and Edom a desolate wilderness,
for the violence done to the people of Judah,
because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20 But Judah shall be inhabited forever,
and Jerusalem to all generations.
21 I will avenge their blood,
blood I have not avenged,
for the Lord dwells in Zion.”



The Lord our God, our Father, is filled with wisdom.

When He says He delights in mankind in Genesis - He is in full awareness of all of mankind.

Jesus has given us His compassion when we rely upon Him.




The multitudes were fed because Jesus met a child with a few fish and barley loaves. And really - millenniums have been nourished and held.

Mere glass survives from faithful Medieval workers from 1100 A.D.

Charlemagne present at The Basilica of St Denis consecration in 775. Most of what is now known about the Carolingian church at St Denis resulted from a lengthy series of excavations begun under the American art historian Sumner McKnight Crosby in 1937.

The building was about 60m long, with a monumental westwork, single transepts, a crossing tower and a lengthy eastern apse over a large crypt (parts of which survive).

According to one of the Abbey's many histories - a leper, who was sleeping in the nearly completed church the night before its planned consecration, witnessed a blaze of light from which Christ, accompanied by St Denis and a host of angels, emerged to conduct the consecration ceremony himself. Before leaving, Christ healed the leper, tearing off his diseased skin to reveal a perfect complexion underneath. A misshapen patch on a marble column was said to be the leper's former skin, which stuck there when Christ discarded it. Having been consecrated by Christ, the fabric of the building was itself regarded as sacred.

Abbot Suger (c. 1081 – 1151), friend, confidant of French kings, began work around 1135 on the rebuild and enlargement of the abbey to which he had been given as an oblate at the age of 10. In his famous account of the work undertaken during his administration, Suger was careful to explain and justify his decision to rebuild the church, explaining at length about its inability to cope with the crowds of pilgrims visiting the shrine of St Denis, particularly. Suger's fascination with light was not merely aesthetic. Like many French clerics in the 12th century AD, he was a believer, like many with Dionysius the Areopagite, a 6th-century mystic and they equated the slightest reflection or glint with divine light.

John 14:14

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.



Abba,

You have said to trust and believe in God is what pleases You.

We will do this. You are our Hope and Future.


Our faith in You is the one Nebuchadnezzar believed God was with him. And was in his many seasons.

Our faith is one Ezekiel held out as a slave in the Babylonian Chaldean Empire.

Our faith is the one Alexander put down his arms and went into a highly judgmental society to honor the God of All. 

Our faith is like Suger - architects of the Basilica of Saint Denis Paris, who was so captivated by light all of his life - dedicated his life to building the Cathedral.

Our faith is the one causing kings to build Cathedrals.

Our faith is one causing stained glass to remain from the 1100s. We have the faith of the artists.

Our faith is the one of a small wooden Church loving those within.

The Light of Jesus Christ passes through the millenniums and is alive in us today.


Your Will be accomplished. All things work together for good for those who believe in God and work according to His Purpose.

May our faith last longer than glass from the 12th Century. We celebrate the prayers covering this glass.

Amen in Jesus for ourselves, the ones we love, the people given to us. His Compassion and miracles. For our Nation and the Nations trusting in God. We are the people who call upon the Lord God our Father for His Gracious and Good Will to be achieved.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Mark 6:14-29 ~ daughter of Herodias

Guido Reni's "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist", 1630-1635, Corsini Gallery, Rome. Please notice Salome's expression, not the victory of blood conquest, but that of a used child. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

Mark 6:14-29

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."

15 Others said, "He is Elijah."

And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally, the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." 23 And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

24 She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"
"The head of John the Baptist," she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

 29 On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Herod Antipas was known as a builder. Tiberius, the city was built to let Caesar know - Herod was his man. Herod Antipas lived on a stage, where he liked to create images; fittingly this ruin survives the best of all he built. This is a fitting image of Herod the image crafter.

Jesus called Herod a fox.

 A fox - typically live in small family groups, opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey. Jesus loved and forgave all of us. Jesus could see into our hearts and Jesus sees straight into Herod. Unless a fox is killing your livestock, it's a great pleasure to see a fox. Splendid apparel with a shrewd face. Jesus could appreciate Herod, even for his flaws. There are many ruins in Israel today - built by Herod - causing Visitors and Pilgrims to see this for the History this is.

Herod's agenda - push, pull, turn, destroy, harm and abuse for self glory.

The Justice of God - Rolling

There is a cost for this type of behavior. Herod Antipas did forfeit ....his whole kingdom; his small family group included Herodias' brother. Herodias' brother convinced Caesar, after 42 years, Herod Antipas was a failure. Herod Antipas and Herodias were cut off and exiled from Israel. 

Herod was indeed the fox Jesus knew him to be. Jesus understood Wisdom of His Word aptly spoken.

This coin of Herod Antipas was carefully created without images to please the Jewish Kingdom, the Bible does not want Kings on Coins. No Images.

We have to fight for the ability to believe. To say - "I have seen the work of God in my life, and I will believe God is present here today." I've also seen in the belief - like Joseph - accepting mercy towards Mary - in the work of belief - God becomes as apparent as the Road to Emmaus.

The Scriptures tell us - the disciples were always halves. Half belief this is God and God alone can do these amazing acts of Life. And then they believed the old life, the old every day, the old disappointments would prevail and this Awe and Wonder of the Lord God and His Majesty - would fade off and they should run for the hills. Just like the Children of Israel in the Exodus.

Herod played his halves and the halves went up against the middle.

Rather like the painting - Salome. Coins try to be good representations.

And Herodias' daughter? Not heard from again, with world significance - mentioned by Josephus. Except on Wikipedia - Salome. Coin of Salome (daughter of Herodias), queen of Chalcis and Armenia Minor. Seemed to do well. What if she'd asked for freedom for John or literacy programs? Because. There are many, many written messages on the walls of Peter's home.

What we do with our prayers is important too. We cannot hide from the LORD. Sometimes we don't feel like praying for someone, we do it anyway. Sometimes we want something we should not. What can we do but be honest with the LORD. We can always stand amazed at His Grace. Forgiveness.

Jesus -  John 21 - lived with so many coincidences and Acts of God the world couldn't contain all the impossibilities proving nothing is impossible with God.


Matthew 13:55

The List of Jesus' Brothers
James, Joses, Jude, and Simon as brothers of Jesus

And we know Simon Peter became central in the life of Jesus and His Church. Simeon blessed Jesus, Mary and Joseph when Jesus is presented as an infant in the Temple. And God filling those who seek find - God fills Jesus' need and gave Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross of Jesus on Good Friday.



The name Salome appears in the Bible on Good Friday. Mary Salome was a follower of Jesus who appears briefly in the canonical gospels and in more detail in apocryphal writings. She is named by Mark as present at the crucifixion and as one of the women who found Jesus's tomb empty.

We wonder if Salome - felt sorry for her part in the death of someone all of Judea saw as Holy. God would know. One day we will know.

Abba, Our Holy Father,

We are asking You, Father God, bless the families of this Nation to continue to be blessed by You and rise up to have another Great Awakening of the Holy Spirit for Your Glory. We ask Your Holy Spirit to sweep Awakening to all Nations and Your Children.

Lord Jesus is willing - help us to be willing. In His precious name. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †