Isaiah 55:10-11 ~ it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it

Isaiah 55:10-11
 
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

In the coming weeks, we will experience something I really look forward to all year. The spring rains. The earthy smell of the rain as the earth experiences the washing away of winter. Is there a better aroma.

The Word of the Lord says:

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

2 Thessalonians 2:16
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope.

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead





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Colossians 2 ~ having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities^{[Probably demonic rulers and authorities]} and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him ^{[that is, the cross]}.

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.


This Scripture passage tells us- clearly - in Jesus we are free from the law given rules, especially rules doing away with love. There is a contrast of the elemental spirits of the world. Let's compare and contrast. In Three Parts of this Scripture:

As we look at the perfection of HIS goals for us, let's not forget we are forgiven. We are to bring His will to earth.

You are filled in Jesus, who is the head of all rule and authority. You were also raised with Jesus through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Jesus from the dead.

We are : 
to encourage,
knit together in love,
reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding,
proclaim the knowledge of God,
rejoicing Seeing others good order,
Live the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Abound in finding thanks to give.

God made Alive
forgives us all our trespasses,
by canceling the record of debt = stood against us with its legal demands.
This he set aside,
nailing it to the cross.



This passage talks about sensuous behavior.

We are in time period where we are alike in the Roman Empire and different. The Roman Empire was astonished to find people who would live goodness. What proclaim something politically incorrect? This was a surprise. The Good News was new.

Today, we are a politically correct nation displaying a word-respect for Christian values, yet giving respect to power, money and an elbows out strategy. Is it any surprise so many Roman style buildings are being built?

What are we subjected to in our television shows and music? (We can turn off our televisions not merely castigate them. The incentive to produce the programs would change. That is called being the solution. Not the complainer.) We as a nation have aged just since the 1970 Watergate episodes when the President would resign because it was in the interest for the nation. Say what you would about Mr. Nixon, he did not allow the nation to suffer a trial. We trusted the government.

We are river rocks, being molded by screaming political shows with No Answers, just the joy of screaming about the problems. We wonder what marriage is. Surprise. The Romans were establishing the laws of what marriage is - when Jesus Christ was being born. This is not a new question to HIM. Is there anything new under the sun? Solomon asked.

Slavery - being so in debt will we ever clear it.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you

Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch

a sensuous mind, not holding fast to God.

We should remember this era, the followers of Jesus Christ traveled with a wife. If we were to see an important change in the Roman Catholic Church, it would be the early Church said Peter and the Lord's brothers traveled with their wife. Marriage is encouraged.



Now the other part of this passage is this:

Not according to Christ -
is merely human tradition
elemental spirits of the world - captivity to philosophy
empty deceit - delude you with plausible arguments.

let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink - rules

God says study spirits for truth in Him. Spirits of judgement, look at with fairness, but not roll over acceptance. Growth requires correction from Him.

Substance belongs to Christ.

Let no one disqualify you

insisting on asceticism - the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.

God is not about hair shirts, masochism. He is not about failure in trying to communicate. Turn the other cheek does not mean constantly accepting judgement. Humility requires seeing we are limited, still having gifts He gave us. To enjoy seeing gifts in others. He is Holy. Whole. Love yourself and love others. Tussles will happen; to dwell on them is not to forgive. Communication. Understanding. Give and take in gracious generosity.

Deceit frequently revolves the love of money. Which allows the comfort and glorification of self. Not about HIM. False philosophy proclaims self - going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head - God Himself. Listening is a trait of His.

We always see Jesus proclaiming mercy over sacrifice. Jesus tells us again and again the substance of Father God is righteousness, holiness and forgiveness. Jesus does not allow people to stone the woman in judgement. He fights for tolerance. Not of the sin, but of social injustice. Mean spirited blood lust. Jesus corrects the woman privately. In public and private, Jesus is about the Golden Rule.

In Jesus Christ, we are part of the Vine - The LORD God Almighty. Who wants HIS whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.



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Psalm 81 ~ In distress you called, ayou; I answered you in the secret place of thunder

Psalm 81
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.[Musical Term] Of Asaph.

Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.

4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a rule^{[just decree]} of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph
when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known:
6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”


People hardly ever sit down and ask you - why are you a Christian. What makes you interested in intransigent Christianity?

abiding, age-long, ancient, constant,
continuing, durable, enduring, evergreen, hardy,
immutable, lasting, long-lived,
long-standing, long-term,
of long duration, of long standing, perdurable, perennial, permanent, perpetual, persistent,
persisting, steadfast, tough, unfading, vital

Christianity has not had a changing message since the day the Book of Acts was becoming part of this planet. Jesus Christ loves us that much.

What possible blessing is there really in believing in something you cannot see and taste?

When I was 16, I went from being slightly snide about my grandmother's rock solid faith and was asked if I believed all of the impossible claims about God, His Son Jesus and the promises of the Written Word in Scripture. I discovered when asked to really decide I could and did. I accepted an asked for promise to read His Word every day. And I have. A couple of times, sure, I've been stuck somewhere without a Bible, but I have repeated the Lord's Prayer.

So what is the benefit of being a Christian. Eventually the line between faith unseen and imperceptible begins to dim. And perception becomes part of the continual prayer language of everyday. People say they have a hard time praying, after years of thinking and praying I think prayer and thinking to hand in hand. Like having a thought and turning that thought towards the ONE who is always listening to us anyway. Prayer isn't so much about a form as it is sharing in a heartfelt way, our thoughts, the virtues, flaws and sins.

In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder

There have been times I've wondered why hard things happen to good people. Only to realize God weaves what isn't good into His plan. Surely one of the purposes of life - growing up to go Home to Him - is not giving Him so much to sweep up. We really should not treat Him as if He was a waiter or a servant of ours. And even if we aren't praying for the sterling aspects of our lives, its important to remember we do ask in the Lord's Prayer for His will. And one of our purposes is to bring His Kingdom to earth in our lives, actions and words.

1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us.

Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This summer I was in Sam's with my son, Cal. It was a day I was trying to decide if I was upset enough to cry. Just about all of it all the time. And the clerk in the check out line said to me, Very Cheerfully, "Today is sufficient. God gives you JUST what you need today. Learn to be grateful and trust HIM." You know I was leaving the store, I had to go back and tell her - "God Bless YOU. You are just what I needed to hear." And being a person of faith - she smiled as bright as the sun at noontime.

You have to really appreciate the Light. Especially when He speaks to you so clearly. You know you have heard from Him. The words spoken to me have radically changed my life. Speak up even if your voice squeaks. Hold on - with gratitude - when you hear from HIM. Always look to HIM with awe and wonder.

I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith."

Mark 2:5
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"



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Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23 ~ the one who offers thanksgiving

Let us be Light bringers



Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;

your burnt offerings are continually before me.

9 I will not accept a bull from your house

or goats from your folds.

16 But to the wicked God says:

“What right have you to recite my statutes

or take my covenant on your lips?

17 For you hate discipline,

and you cast my words behind you.

21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;

you thought that I was one like yourself.

But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;

to one who orders his way rightly

I will show the salvation of God!”

Father God, help us each day to put our hands out to do Your will in a way that stretches our lives and our will to find Your Will delightful. When we wander in paths that are far from pleasing to us and to You, call us back to You. In gratitude, let us remember all You have done for us. Being so very grateful for the people You bring us.

Thanks for Vacation. For the eyes that see the beauty of Your creation. For time. For the beauty of a storm blowing in. To have shelter from the storm. For a mom to call on the phone. For knowing I have healthy children. For prayers asked for and given. For the people I can count on both hands, I'd like to go on vacation with. For the joy of now and eternity ahead.

For the patience to bounce away from criticism. And petty conversations. To be a joy bringer.

Help us to find honesty within ourselves. To be light bringers rather than light absorbers. To see what we need to see in the people around us to admire them for their good points and to find our own good points leading us away from what is easy and convenient. (For instance, having generational cursing and allowing that to influence our own conversations.) Learning to be encouraging instead of fault finding. Yet not white-washers. To love with our heart and to love with our actions when the heart is not stirred. Bringing with our efforts, joy to the people around us. And wisdom to be the people we are created to be.

So many areas pull us, Father God. Help us each day to sort out the priority. In Your Love and Wisdom. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.



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Psalm 126 ~ He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

Well, do we call this late winter or early spring? In our Houston area, we have great weather days and some really damp chills - the weather bounces back and forth like we always talk about when The Gulf of Mexico's God given winds determine a lot of our weather. And we are so fortunate to live in the piney woods, running from Houston up into East Texas, the pine forest continues all the way across the coastal south until Florida dead ends into the Atlantic.

Our winters are not brown like most of the country experiences. Houston is a great place to retire and have a great day of golf almost every day. And still February, with the exception of St. Valentine's Day, brings the doldrums of winter. I'm seeing people drag around - not much seems to change. Results of those around us dragging our feet as well. A domino effect.

The Bible knew there would be days like this.

All art today is from Vincent Van Gogh

Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

We had a small Valentine celebration in my Needlepoint group. Small amounts of sharing seem to make the whole week brighter.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

What is the harvest, there are many harvests in Psalm 126

Luke 8:10-11,14-15
He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.

14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.


1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We could name the Victories. And, I think, we would enjoy that.

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As I went into the Pregnancy Assistance Center I volunteer in, there was an encouraging note from Focus on the Family. The note went on to say don't be discouraged. His Plan is working. The day is fulfilling His Plans. We walk by faith.

Acts 14:9
He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed.

Matthew 9:28
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.

That is us in Jesus Christ the LORD.


John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear

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Psalm 102 ~ Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.

Psalm 102

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
let my cry come to you!
2 Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3 For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my flesh.
6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,
like an owl of the waste places;
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
8 All the day my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread
and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;
for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.

12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favor her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear
and have pity on her dust.
15 Nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16 For the Lord builds up Zion;
he appears in his glory;
17 he regards the prayer of the destitute
and does not despise their prayer.

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;
he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away
in the midst of my days—
you whose years endure
throughout all generations!”

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.

Have you ever thought about how many times you hear the Lord's name taken in vain. And you have to wonder, why do we invoke Divine Wrath? I know lately when I hear this, I pray silently HE feels welcome here and He opens hearts, instead of the curse. We reach Lent touching Valentine's Day.

Lent is a time of holiness. A great time to pray not only ourselves, but the ones around us.

The LORD God Almighty does not just exist as the Alpha and Omega of time. He exists touching all the people of this generation. He travels from all generations. Those old enough to know better and those who have yet to travel down their journey completely. It's not far fetched to even pray for the media when we hear the curse.

We do not have to let the curse fill our lives like smoke.

In our prayers and hopes in HIM,

You are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.



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Psalm 18:1-20 ~ Out of the brightness of His presence clouds advanced

Psalm 18:1-20

1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

5 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.

7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.

8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.

9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.

10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.

12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

13 The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.

14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.

15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.

19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

20 The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

This Psalm of David is rejoicing, with an overflowing heart, in the mercy of God. 

Psalm 18 remembers the deliverance of the Children of Israel. Written 1,000 years before Jesus’ death, verses 8 to 14, describe the earthquake & events of Good Friday, after Jesus forgave us and dismissed His Spirit. 

Because Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit, the Psalm is about us, individually. In our day of trouble, we call out to Him and He saves us forever.



John 5:17
Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."





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1 Thessalonians 2 ~ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ

Proverbs 20:24
A man's steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?

Benedict is much maligned, as more formal and austere than John Paul II; Benedict should have some more appreciation.

Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD

John 3:8
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.


Pope Benedict XVI has resigned yesterday, the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII, in 1415. He stood down to end "The Western Schism", which threatened Roman Catholicism as two rivals declared themselves pope. The current Pope's namesake Benedict IX resigned in 1045. Only five Popes have resigned.

This Pope brought a mission to the Catholic Church. And he leaves because he believes the job requires someone younger and fully mobile. I cannot find the quote that caught my heart from Pope Benedict but I can paraphrase. Pope Benedict met with survivors of sexual abuse, at the hands of clergy, and he said something like this: "Jesus Christ Himself knew something of your suffering upon His Cross. He died for you. And He knows your pain."

According to John L. Allen, Jr., Pope Benedict "acquired a familiarity with the contours of the abuse problem virtually no other figure in the Catholic Church can claim" and "driven by that encounter with what he would later refer to as 'filth' in the Church, the Pope prior to being Pope seems to have undergone something of a 'conversion experience' throughout 2003–04. From that point forward, he and his staff seemed driven by a convert's zeal to clean up the mess". In his role as Head of the CFD, he "led important changes made in Church law: the inclusion in canon law of internet offenses against children, the extension of child abuse offenses to include the sexual abuse of all under 18, the case by case waiving of the statute of limitation and the establishment of a fast-track dismissal from the clerical state for offenders." As the Head of the CDF, Ratzinger - Pope Benedict developed a reputation for handling these cases. According to Charles J. Scicluna, a former prosecutor handling sexual abuse cases, "Cardinal Ratzinger displayed great wisdom and firmness in handling those cases, also demonstrating great courage in facing some of the most difficult and thorny cases."


Placing Jesus in the proper perspective, Pope Benedict shared this:
"The evangelization of the person and of human communities depends totally on this encounter with Jesus Christ."
- Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican City, November 13, 2007


Many people are encouraged with Pope Benedict's philosophy on the Joy of the Lord as our Strength:
"If Jesus has become your hope, communicate this to others with your joy and your spiritual, apostolic and social engagement. Let Christ dwell within you, and having placed all your faith and trust in Him, spread this hope around you. Make choices that demonstrate your faith."
- Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Youth Day, February 22, 2009

“Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? . . . No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.”
― Pope Benedict XVI



Not shaken by waves of life. Let 1 Thessolonians 2 stand for Pope Benedict's detractors saying he did not do enough for the media images of important Christian matters.


1 Thessalonians 2

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,[f] 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Pope Benedict will retire to a cloistered monastery to have a life of prayer. Surely this is the Lord sending forth saying the Pope is a priest forever.

Psalm 110
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”

2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at your right hand;
he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will execute judgment among the nations,
filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs
over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.

What is Lightning to the Lord our God?

Job 36:32
He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark.


St. Peter's Dome was struck by Lightning.

Job 37:4
After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

Daniel 10:6
His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

Pope Benedict has followed in the words of Simon Peter, a fisher of men.

John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Benedict has resigned, sighting the good of the Christian Kingdom.

1 Peter 2:17
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.




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Deuteronomy 6:16-25 ~ He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in

"The Ten Commandments" Movie is well worth the time. Cecil B. Demille cast Charlton Heston for his Amazingly, remarkable visage comparison to Michelangelo's Moses.

Deuteronomy 6:16-25

“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. 18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers 19 by thrusting out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has promised.

20 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23 And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. 24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. 25 And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us.’



"Why is this night different from all others?" Has been asked for millenniums.

Why would the Lord God Almighty go to all this trouble? To be in relationship. To fellowship with us.

How can we be sure? The Creator of the Universe would again bring the Children of Israel back to their homeland from the second exodus occurring March 16, 597 B.C. How would we know the exact date of the second exodus? In London’s British Museum, there is a baked clay tablet (just under 3¼ inches) with cuneiform writing (wedge-shaped characters) recording important activities of King Nebuchadnezzar between the years 605-594 B.C.   91 times Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in the Scriptures. King Nebuchadnezzar marched his army the capital city of Judah. On the second day of the month Addaru, [the capture of Jerusalem, dated precisely to March 16, 597 BC.] he captured Jerusalem and its king. He appointed a new ruler [Zedekiah— 2 Kings 24:17] and took heavy tribute and sent it to Babylon [2 Kings 24:13]. Another remarkable archaeological confirmation of biblical record in the last 60 years.

We live in a unique time in His story. Israel exists after 2,000 years. God, has again, brought Israel back from the dead.

His Story points, always, to Jesus Christ the Lord triumphant over death.

As many times as we have been saved by Him, we tend to act like the Children of Israel in the desert. One sign was not enough. Please keep telling us. And He does. Finally, after years of small innocent animals killed to show us the seriousness of sin, the sacrifice no one was pleased to have, was ceased. When did the sacrifice stop? Another amazing coincidence, 70 A.D., the lifespan of Jesus Christ living to his natural old age. Millenniums of sacrifice just ceased.

Jesus, as God, sought us and conquered death. Giving us the promise of relationship over perfection. The law points out we can never be as Holy as He would have us be. Jesus gives us brotherhood and adoption, saying My Father and yours.


What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded?

Zechariah 1:3
Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.

He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in. We are redeemed from the desert. When we earnestly and sincerely say - My Father, I've been wrong. 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'

1 Timothy 2:8
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

When John opens His Gospel - we have seen His Glory!
He is telling us the overwhelming nature of Jesus!
Full of grace and truth.
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace!

John sums up God our Father, Jesus gave us His Father and John called Him - LOVE.

Luke 15:20
“And rising, he came to his father, and while he was still distant, his father saw him and he was moved with compassion for him and he ran and fell on his neck and he kissed him.”

What is the work of Jesus Christ our Savior today?
Preaching good news to the poor, binding up the brokenhearted,proclaiming freedom for the captives, release from darkness, the blind receive sight, lame - walk, lepers - cured, deaf- hear, dead - raised. Jesus gives us life abundant. Always return to Him.






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Psalm 99 ~ The King in His might loves justice. You have established equity

Psalm 99

The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!

4 The King in his might loves justice.
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies
and the statute that he gave them.

 
8 O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the Lord our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the Lord our God is holy!


How about that - in the Spirit of Love? Love justice, establish equity, execute justice and righteousness. Call upon His name - taste and see, if we ask for these virtues - His answers. Forgiveness in those who seek His peace and mercy. He loves to give mercy with kindness.

There is a difference - the Good Ship Lollipop - vs . the Fellowship of Being Toward the Goal - to win the prize for which God has called me. We are called by the Vine to be part of His Vineyard.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

The Psalms are considered a warm place; not only do we hear actual history, we are given the emotional attributes of our Father God. ....... God is great and awesome.

The Lord heard the grumbling of the people - they were hungry, how did He reply?

Exodus 16:10-12
10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”

Amen. The Word of the Lord came to be so. Let it be so, we say, when we say - Amen.

Joshua kept His testimonies and the statute that He gave them.

Joshua 23:6
Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.

And who else set their path, their journey on straight ahead? Isaiah and John. This is a characteristic of the Work of the Lord.

John 1:23
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Many times in life, we come to a crossroad. Do we turn the other cheek, even if we walk away. Or do we resist the devil and the evil one will flee from us. Or speak the truth in love. And then we consider Jesus said:

Matthew 18:22
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."

490 times. However, if you know someone long enough, probably the non-verbal of communication comes into play. Jesus said in 1 Corinthians 7:15 ,we are called to live in peace. God does not want us to love others and suffer as one who does not love themselves. Hair shirts are not of Him.

The last few weeks have seen their own fair share of "let the days problem's take care of themselves". We do not have to bash people over the head to make a point. Jesus said we are fishers of mankind. Sometimes a bit of patience, some time, a long string and the right message will cause a heart ripe with reason, love and charity to cause bridges to be built. This was a week an old friend came to ring the door to say "I'm sorry!" Another friend to ponder the golden rule.  Another the 490 forgiveness rule to be water under the bridge as life places us in different directions - with a gentle sigh of fair thee well  - in the Lord's hands. Jesus said He is God.

There is a factor in seeking Justice - over zealous belief Justice is the goal. Balance is really the key. Seeking Justice should be done with a willingness to be reasonable, achieving a place of balance in righteousness and fairness. The communication should lead to an amicable resolution.

Then again, in Rick Warren and his brother in law Tom Holladay's, "40 Days of Love" there is very good look at what practical forgiveness looks like in justice seeking. Jesus did not say don't seek Justice, He said be willing to settle before you reach the Judge. And in the American Judicial systems, one would tend to agree. A jury trial is a flip of a coin for a verdict. Go with give and take. Take it from one who has hired a few attorneys for Estates, justice and Guardianships.


Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.




 
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