Psalm 118 ~ this is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes

Psalm 118

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

2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the Lord exalts,
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Father God gives us Scripture as a way to worship and a road map to living in the abundance of the Holy Spirit. The writers of the Bible are a very thankful, grateful group. It is no accident, the people grateful for their gifts, for their lives, are the people God dwells within.

Psalm 118 reminds me of Elizabeth I of England. A Princess and then a pauper, declared bastard by her royal father. Elizabeth learned at a early age fate and people are fickle. Twice imprisoned by her elder half-sister and near being put to death as a traitor. Her real crime was in being next in line for the crown, not plotting to take the crown. Her elder sister had similar history with Elizabeth. It doesn't matter if you were raised a Catholic or Protestant, both of these women had been cruelly mistreated. The elder sister chose to preserve the status quo and put people to death, by fire, for failing to love Jesus Christ in a way the sister understood. It ruined Mary's life. Wrapped up in her own pain, she sought to find the way forward by burning people to death.

Elizabeth, was declared a heretic, but she spend hours reading the bible in several languages & thinking about a way to bring people together to worship God and encompass different beliefs about the Eucharist, the meaning of Christian thought & who should be reading a bible. Elizabeth declared she would not regulate the way men worshiped in their heart. Elizabeth's reign had far more thinking about the nature of God.

As Elizabeth aged, she did not bitterly reflect upon the attempts to put her down at different levels, she did not curse the trouble she had seen in her life, she blessed the trouble in her life by saying it prepared her to understand the nature of mankind, to be able to deal with people compassionately.

When Elizabeth was greeted by the news of her new status, from exile to sovereign, she greeted it as she spoke of the trouble she had seen in her life: this is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

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Psalm 103:1-11 ~ forget not all His benefits

Psalm 103:1-11

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him

We are not sure when Christ was born, yet we know He gave Himself for us in the spring, at the time of Passover. The sweetness and sadness of life are brought together at the end of Holy Week.

Vivaldi's Spring (this choreography by Wintermood) was played at my wedding. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was known as the Red Priest for his red hair. He was a priest, a Venetian Baroque composer and famous violinist. 1678-1741.

A perfect way to praise Him, remembering His benefits & listening to this beauty. Almighty God, in Jesus Christ, sending forth His Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness. Healing. Redemption. Steadfast Love. Goodness. Mercy. Renewal, like the flight of an eagle. Righteousness. Justice. As High as the Heavens, is God's love for us.



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Home Movie Day

You Tube has the whole movie of King David. 1985, Richard Gere as King David. It's pretty good, even if it is a Hollywood Production. I like it, and found out that the little arrow button makes it large screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QsF9w_sa_c

It is the whole movie.

Happy Watching!

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Psalm 75 ~ Lifting Up

Psalm 75

1 We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.

2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”

6 For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up !!!!

Lifting up! This Psalm is the life version of this. David has lifted Asaph; Asaph has been given an experience helping us to celebrate God's mercy for 3,000 years.

When Psalms are thought of, don't we usually think of David & maybe Solomon? This Psalm, like other Scripture has God as the Author. God not just inspiring, but God breathing Scripture out. 2 Timothy 3:16 The writer is Asaph.

Asaph has lived through an amazing time! God is as near as His Name! Asaph is given the job by David, to be chief in charge of praising God. This is a celebration! God dwells with them as David becomes King of Israel. Asaph has seen a wonderful work of the Lord.

This Psalm tells us to the point... God is in charge of lifting. His plans. His will. The day of blessing as well as the day of adversity. Yet Jesus was pleased to forgive and heal the man lifted through the roof to Him. Asaph has the beautiful assignment given to him, to write God's praise, glorifying God. Jesus' assignment was to glorify God as well. When we lift others to God, or our troubles, we glorify God by trusting in Him.

King David, the movie, has a scene David promises to find a place for the Ark. This is the amazing time Asaph has lived, wrote of and God thought so well of Asaph to help us remember him for 3,000 years. God does lift. Link

Father God, we look to You, for all the blessings You plan to give us and give You great thanks for the blessings You have already provided. Thank You for the opportunity to pray for others. In the name of Jesus. Amen.


1 Chronicles 16:1-12
1 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. 2 After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

7 That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD :

8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

12 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced!








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Matthew 21:33-46 ~ they took Him

Vineyards at Auver, by Vincent Van Gogh, in 1890


Matthew 21:33-46 ~ (The Message)

33-34 "Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

35-37 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'

38-39 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"

41 "He'll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."

42-44 Jesus said, "Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:

The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed."

45-46 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.

Jesus as the Son of God, was a prophet. As He told the parable to the crowd, He knew the Pharisees would kill Him. He calmly told the parable knowing the story is His story. He faced them knowing the narration was truthful and would aggravate them.

Just as Jesus did, we need to see our lives with merciful honesty about the people in our lives, to reach for the higher good and not the convenient path. I don't believe for a nano second Jesus comforted himself by pretending the Pharisees were good underneath. Yes, he was going to turn the other cheek to forgive them, but only with His Grace, not false pretense in belief of their goodness.

Jesus had the same option we have today in facing unpleasant behavior. Jesus did not control how the Pharisees behaved to Him, He had action on His own behalf, but He didn't control what they said and thought about Him. Jesus did what we should do, He was not thrown back and forth like a wave as a reaction to their unpleasantness. Jesus represented His Father.

Jesus never stood up and promised ease and comfort, He told us the best is yet to be.


Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."


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Mark 4:21-34 ~ let him hear

Mark 4:21-34

21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Today at Church we had something Christians call a God thing. Another circumstance when God says He Reigns. We had a small budget for mulch. Then a donation came in to increase the budget. I am a child of God who delights in His growing creation, a gardener; I was asked to find a particular brand of mulch, but it wasn't available and a color change decision would be needed. I was asked to find our Pastor and see about the decision. As I interrupted a meeting, I asked my question quickly. I was leaving and a woman in the meeting called me back, her husband had an account with that particular mulch business and the savings would be double. Wow. Really wow, now we will have enough mulch and the quantity will be more than triple of the original budget. Go God, go.

I belong to a service organization for the Lord at my Church. Tonight we discussed why people read something in the Bible and they declare themselves to be permanently turned off. Sometimes it is a little phrase. It is marvelous God declares it works forward and in a positive manner, as well. We love the Lord and grow more in love. We are able to move beyond hindrances of opinion, self-aggrandizement, tragedy, prosperity and realize how much greater the Lord God is than we are.

So many times I come to the Lord as His child and I ask for help, or I explain to Him why my will would be terrific. Greater times of worship, and peace, occur when I picture putting my hand on His back as He brings forth the good and the love He brings to others. I picture myself as an encourager for Him. What an awesome God we love. How many things He shows us come forth from His love.

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Psalm 31 ~ Love the Lord, all you saints!

Psalm 31

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.

11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,
for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
22 I had said in my alarm [haste],
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

Yesterday we read John 22:35, the disciples agree with Jesus they have everything they need. David was blessed because the Lord saw his heart, David would remember real gratitude in his blessings from God.

Imagine the joy of standing behind Jesus as He gave the Sermon on the Mount. Imagine the joy of walking behind Jesus as multitudes were healed. Being with Jesus to see the healing of the blind. Like David, they had the joy of worshiping in fullness of Spirit. They witnessed the abundance of Jesus as participants God chose to live and dwell with.

We have the same blessing. To invite Jesus to be part of our lives, to ask Him to live and dwell with us. We have the eyes of faith Jesus calls blessed. Worship the Lord with the abundance of grateful hearts.

Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me!

Matt Redman - Blessed Be Your Name - choreographed by Ziyulu




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John 2:1-12 ~ you have kept the good wine until now

The Last Supper by Jacopo Bassano, painted in 1546

John 2:1-12

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers [siblings] and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Jesus began His ministry, with the disciples, providing the wine and ended the Last Supper, Passover, giving the cup of the New Covenant. Jesus asks the disciples a question that night in the upper room.

John 22:35
“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

Jesus provides for us today. The disciples believed Jesus when he created the wine, watched Him heal, give hope and draw thousands to him. Just as the children of Israel always kept doubt in their heart as well as faith, so the disciples let fear and doubt rule them on Good Friday.

When we are unsure of the direction forward, remember God keeps us in His plan, His timing is not ours and even during the years the children of Israel only seemed to wander, God had not removed Himself from His plan. He continued to provide The Way forward.

John 20:27-29
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

When we read the Old Testament, we learn about God's plan, human nature, and the willingness of God to forgive. When we come to the Gospels, we have found New Wine. God hears us, our concerns over each day, He gives us His Holy Spirit helping us to live according to His plan.

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah.

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Leviticus 5 ~ when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed

Leviticus 5

1 “If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity; 2 or if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean wild animal or a carcass of unclean livestock or a carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him and he has become unclean, and he realizes his guilt; 3 or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort the uncleanness may be with which one becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realizes his guilt; 4 or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; 5 when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, 6 he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation [his guilt penalty] for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.

7 “But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. 8 He shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first the one for the sin offering. He shall wring its head from its neck but shall not sever it completely, 9 and he shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering. 10 Then he shall offer the second for a burnt offering according to the rule. And the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven.

11 “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah [3/5 bushel] of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the Lord's food offerings; it is a sin offering. 13 Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering.”

14 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 15 “If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering. 16 He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.

17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. 18 He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. 19 It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before [he has paid full compension] the Lord.”

I am including a Jon Stewart quote. Jon Stewart is one of the few people on television who respects his Judaism, remarks on it frequently, the things I've heard him say about Christianity are respectful.

"Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not commit adultery. Don't eat pork. I'm sorry, what was that last one?? Don't eat pork. God has spoken. Is that the word of God or is that pigs trying to outsmart everybody?" -- Jon Stewart

Leviticus and Numbers are not the TV evangelist biblical chapters of choice. But they are the Word of the Lord and they exist today for a reason. If we brush by them, we have not feasted at the banquet of God's table....

My son, Cal, literally has a genius IQ. He was in 7th grade, & had a close Jewish friend equally as smart - same classes. His friend said to him, I trust you, Cal, & I want to know something. We are not going to have a big discussion. Understand? This is an exchange of just a few sentences and no lecturing. Cal asked him what he wanted to know. His friend said, I am Jewish and I hear Jewish values, I want to know who Jesus Christ is.

Cal said, "You, as a Jew, have a Day of Atonement - it is a mournful day. You say the prayers and as a community you have atonement. It has replaced the sacrifices. It is a long day. At the end of the day, do you feel forgiven? Jesus Christ is our sacrifice, He took on our sins. The sins of the world. When He died, He died for you, even if your family is Jewish. There are more than 50 fulfillments of the Old Testament prophesy. I have a list at home in my bible, I will share them with you."

His friend said, Cal, my family and my synagogue really feel overwhelmingly hurt with our sins and we recognize how far we fall short. It is a huge burden. It is a terrible day, Yom Kippur. And no one goes home feeling better. I didn't know Jesus Christ had so many fulfillments in the Old Testaments, I thought it was 3 or 4. Is it a good feeling to know you are forgiven? It is missing from our faith and we try so hard to get it right.

Cal told him that it great to know you are forgiven. His friend continued to say he realized it is what is missing from his faith - with the forgiveness Cal described - he would believe Jesus is the Messiah, but he knew it would kill his father. Time passes by, they are in college, I do not know what will happen with this very real profession of faith.

Time passes by.

We think we are so much more advanced than bronze age mankind, but the blood letting of doves, the blood flowing through the Temple, was not to feed the priests, or have a barbecue. It was to have to look at an innocent creature - turtle dove - be killed representing selfish sin. It was not the Vengeful God of Wrath smiting defenseless weak humans. And God did not rule out sacrifice for what someone could afford to give.

Now about, the pork joke. This is important to know. Kosher, rules of cleanliness, existed for a reason. History.com did a long documentary on Kosher. In the U.K., bronze age man died at age 18. Rarely did they live past 21. At age 13-15 people had children. This is important for development, all over the world, it was not unusual for children at age 3-4 to be trying to survive as orphans. In Israel, the bronze age was just about finished off as King David ruled in Jerusalem. Men typically lived until their 50's in the Kosher environment.

~ Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. ~

Pope John Paul II

We live past the rules for Kosher. Yet if we allow ourselves to be declared clean, we must realize we live in an era of divorce, too many 3-4 year olds, on up, are allowed to be virtual orphans. Leviticus 5 is part of the banquet. The Living Water, the Banquet of Jesus Christ.

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Numbers 17:1-13 ~ their chiefs gave him staffs

Numbers 17

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers' house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff, 3 and write Aaron's name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers' house. 4 Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. 5 And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” 6 Moses spoke to the people of Israel. And all their chiefs gave him staffs, one for each chief, according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. And the staff of Aaron was among their staffs. 7 And Moses deposited the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the testimony.

8 On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the Lord to all the people of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his staff. 10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” 11 Thus did Moses; as the Lord commanded him, so he did.

12 And the people of Israel said to Moses, “Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone. 13 Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord, shall die. Are we all to perish?”

Millennial Generation (18-29) young adults do not love the Church, but love the Lord. Numbers 17 would indicate, it's best to stay out of the herd. They just complain and jump to conclusions. The Children of Israel were constantly in knots. They always were in need of something.

The Lord is not telling the Children of Israel to make camp on their own.

The people of God cry out for gifts of the Lord to meet immediate need, yet in all of the books of the Bible, when Father God gives a miracle - a gift - awe of the Lord, need for more instruction occurs. Isaiah saw only the hem of the Lord fit in the Temple. Isaiah realized he was unclean compared to the Lord. Peter, when first meeting Jesus, asked to be left alone because he was just a man.

We seem to be much more comfortable with the fruit of the Spirit, a definite sign of God occurring over a season of time:

Galatians 5:22,23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Aaron could have been given just an Almond branch. Aaron was given a gift, God was with them all in all seasons. The bud, the blossom, the fruit. God was involved with Moses, Aaron, and the needs of the people. The steadfast, enduring love of God for the entire community - as a church community, not each person to interpret the signs of God for themselves.

Father God, we pray for the Churches believing in Your son, Jesus Christ. We pray for Your Word to be taught and believed with truthful, tender love. We pray for Your Church to reach out to all your children and to become a Church family. We pray for this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Prayer Request

A mom had requested prayer for her daughter, who has made a serious consequence choice. Please pray for safety and help from Father God. The need for prayer this week is urgent.

Thank you God, for hearing. The one you love needs Your protection. In the name of Jesus.
Amen.

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Isaiah 6 ~ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of Him who called

Silver Lake by Jennifer Young

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Isaiah 6

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train [hem] of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory [may his glory fill the whole earth]!”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:
“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull, [fat]
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”

11 Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”
And he said:
“Until cities lie waste
without inhabitant,
and houses without people,
and the land is a desolate waste,
12 and the Lord removes people far away,
and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
13 And though a tenth remain in it,
it will be burned [purged] again,
like a terebinth or an oak,
whose stump remains
when it is felled.”
The holy seed [offspring] is its stump.

A new day dawns, we put out our hands in prayer, remove the shoes from our feet & if we feel or do not feel, yet the Holy Spirit of God is with us. Father God, let us be filled with Your Spirit. This day of my life, direct me, direct my actions, my work, my goals that Your Spirit fills my life and directs me. With You, Father God, all things are possible. In the Highest name, You give us, Jesus.

John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Psalm 26:8
O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.

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Matthew 5:2--26 ~ come to terms

Matthew 5:20-26

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny [quadrans worth about 1/64 of a denarius, which was a day's wage for a laborer] .

They love Jesus, but they don't love the church. The Pew Research Center published the 2010 report one-in-four members of the Millennial Generation - called because they were born after 1980 & come of age around the year 2000 (ages 18 to 29) - are unaffiliated with any particular faith. Millennial young adults pray as much and believe in heaven, hell, miracles and God as much as their elders. They are politically much more to the left, do not feel Hollywood will corrupt their morals, and have a different view of homosexuality as a sin.

Newsweek reported in 2009 church goers in America were fading away, but reading the article & the research it wasn't across the country a drop, but the Northeast American Catholics had declined sharply, probably over the sexual abuse scandal. It was a very sharp decline.

Woe is me. Media jump back. Let the bells toll. Proclaim the Catholic church has regaining some of the lost flock. Yes, and it really wasn't reported as news. What should the bells proclaim ~ forgiveness. Hey, I live in a church family, sure we are Protestant, but if foot dragging church members are seeking the comfort, joy, solace And Eternal Benefits of Communion, Public Worship and Church Community - praise God for our prodigal sons and like Father God, run to them.

And this Millennial Generation? I have a 21 year old experiencing all these things in college, I pray for him. What's new? Having read history of the church in England (we are Anglican Bible Believers - Church of England) I see the Light of Christ is always being proclaimed, for the last 2,000 years, as going out by the darkness. The Light still Shines.

The status quo of the bible is still constant. There is a Spiritual Battle between light and darkness, forces greater than us. We pray. We believe in the God of Love. I pray specifically for my sons they will want to be embraced by the Love of Almighty God, desire to know His Word and the letters He has written to them. Desire to love and lift up the body of Christ called the church.

We believe we are in a race, the Scriptures tell us. Yesterday we read, paraphrasing: we are far from perfect, but we press on for the glory of God. If we do not go out of our way in church, and believe "mission work" is in 3rd world countries, and do not love our fellow church family, we fail. Fail. If we are not loving to the adults in our church, why would their kids want to participate? The appearance of righteousness only brings obligation.

Obligation tells us not to murder. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5, there might be controversy, no. No Jesus says there will be trouble. He says if you are angry, you should feel free to discuss it with the offender. He says if you are accused of injustice to address it. Jesus is telling us to be mature enough to discuss the rifts in humanity, knowing He is in our midst. Jesus is not for stuffing our hurt, our sly ways He says we all have, and gritting our teeth to get along with each other.

This passage can be very bruising. You might have attempted to seek peace to an angry situation or heal verbal abuse, an apology was offered and the fire still rages or smolders. God is our judge, continue to picture the other person/ people with love. Remember they are loved by God as His child. Let the God of Love be included in controversy knowing He is the One. Take the higher road, be at peace. God Reigns.

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Phillipians 3:2-12 ~ worship by the Spirit of God

Philippians 3:2-12

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.

If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

As Paul traveled bringing the Good News, it would be probable he looked up to the sky and thought of what he'd left behind, good days of childhood, the days he loved worshiping the Most High in The Temple. Paul was unusual, God could have chosen many Pharisees. Paul had voluntarily asked to be the Temple Gestapo going to Damascus Synagogue. There had to be a lot of self-righteousness there. Paul was loved, reached out and changed by the Power of God.

Imagine if Caiaphas had been on the road to Damascus. Caiaphas might have thought about (like Paul, his participation in sentence of martyrdom death) different religious expression led to dishonor or death. An encounter with the Living God is still left in your hands for your choice. Although Caiaphas wouldn't have been left blind by a vindictive God, Caiaphas might have planned some magnificent spin (outright lies) for a spectacular retirement. Blindness would have caused reason for dismissal, priests were perfect physically. If Caiaphas had returned from an encounter with the Living God, he could have chosen just to continue as he was. 10 Lepers were healed by Jesus and only one returned to give thanks.

You can google Caiaphas, see his sarcophagus and the ruins of his home on the web. Caiaphas stayed at the religious pinnacle pushing down The Way for all his days.

Paul chose to let the Holy Spirit of God give his life meaning. Paul opened his hands and said, like Isaiah, "Send me Lord, send me." What an adventure Paul had.

We are invited today. All we have to do is ask. Father God, these are my hands, this is my life, let me live for Your Glory. Allow me to have all the Holy Spirit you would be willing to give me. Let me worship by Your Spirit. Always direct me, please, Father God. I will press on with my life as I know how to do, but I will need Your help because I am Yours. I cannot obtain Your Love, Wisdom, Perfection. Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for Your mercy.

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Psalm 99 ~ The Lord reigns

CBS News and others announce Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar said ancient fortifications recently excavated in Jerusalem date back 3,000 years, to the time of King Solomon, supporting the biblical narrative. This finding would be an indication Jerusalem was home to a strong central government having resources and manpower needed to build massive fortifications in the 10th century B.C. That's a key point of dispute among scholars, it matches the Bible's account the Hebrew kings David and Solomon ruled from Jerusalem. ~ CBS Story


Psalm 99

[1] 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 thy great and terrible name!
Holy is he!

[4] Mighty King, lover of justice,
thou hast established equity;
thou hast executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.

[5] Extol 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 on his name.
They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

[7] He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
they kept his testimonies,
and the statutes that he gave them.

[8] O LORD our God, thou didst answer them;
thou wast a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

[9] Extol the LORD our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the LORD our God is holy!

It looked on Good Friday as if God's Son had been killed.
Jesus said this about the Psalms:

Luke 24:44 Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.

Yesterday we talked about how satisfying it would be to hear David tell us of the Psalms he wrote about his life and what life taught him about the nature of God. God Himself wrote through David; Jesus told his disciples many of the Psalms are written for Jesus 10 centuries before Jesus lived on earth. Just as archeology tells us David existed in the Bible, as written, David explained Jesus.


[1] The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

Matthew 27:51-54

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

[2] The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.

Matthew 28:5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name! Holy is he!

Acts 1:3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

[4] Mighty King, lover of justice, thou hast established equity; thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

In Jesus Christ, God's salvation is not for only one country, He grafts us into His Family:

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

[5] Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

John 20:28,29
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

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

[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

Matthew 14:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

[7] He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies, and the statutes that he gave them.

Luke 24:36-48 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

[8] O LORD our God, thou didst answer them; thou wast a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.


John 21:14-19
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?" [Agape - Godly, encompassing love] "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love (philo) you." [Philo- brotherly love] Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love (philo) you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (agape) you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

[9] Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!

Acts 3:11-21 ¹¹ While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. ¹² When Peter saw this, he said to them: "People of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.

You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

¹⁷ "Now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. ¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

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Psalm 28 ~ the works of the Lord

Psalm 28

1 To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy[innermost]sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6 Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people; [God is their strength]
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.


Today, I heard a truly wonderful sermon I will not forget, from 2002, made by Evangelist John Bishop - God Is So Good Ministries. King David wasn't writing poetry to God, he was living events of his life and learning about God. It would be so interesting to hear from David about each Psalm.

John Bishop almost died from aseptic meningitis, October, 1995. As he recovered, John Bishop didn't know who he was, or anyone else. He couldn't talk, walk, or make sense. He had to re-learn everything and accept his wife & his sons as his own. When John Bishop speaks, he skips words like a young child. When he reads, Pastor Bishop reads only necessary words because he doesn't see the other ones. He speaks about suffering, patience & learning about the nature of God. When people hear him speak, it is not unusual for strong men to cry.

Our Psalm 28 realizations today, will be from Pastor John Bishop - living out his relationship with Father God and discovering the nature of the Lord Most High. We want to be understood, be heard. David is terribly concerned in his relationship with the Lord God, he feels God is being silent when he wants to be heard. There is joy found as the heart hears! Prayer is heard.

We are heard. Psalm 139 teaches us there is no where we can go away from Him; God is part of our lives. Suffering or a prayer, seemingly unanswered, leaves us feeling isolated in our prayer life. John Bishop tells about being in a conference of ministers, down on their knees praying for a man about to die from meningitis, he realized of the 60 people, he was the only one with tears rolling down his face. Praying for the Lord to ease the man's pain, send healing to the man's brain, asking petitions in tears. John realized, he was the only person in the room having had meningitis.

Suffering isn't God's indifference, it is God in charge of an imperfect world. God helping us learn and show compassion. The Scriptures tell us to rejoice in all circumstances, God is teaching us Grace. When we have a trial, a rejection or a physical pain, we are learning to pray, knowing we are heard, but the answer is God's.

We learn the communion of the saints, to pray for one another with love. As John Bishop says, it seems shallow when we ask blessings for someone else, or lift them up. But would you mind at all if someone prays for you to receive blessings or to be lifted up?

Father God, we pray using the highest name of Jesus, that we will be blessed and lifted up. Thank you, Father, for hearing us. Let Your will and Your Grace be unending. Amen.

Audio Sermon - David's Realization, Response and Request Sermon from John Bishop, Preaching Conference 2002 at Fairhaven Baptist Church and College. Psalm 28. (25 minutes long, well worth the time!)

* My good friend said I could add this to today's discussion on Grace given to us by God. My friend is quite petite and there is trouble with an adult-living-at-home-child. It is not what my friend would like. She has been a Christian parent with a lot of support given to the adult child. The grown child began to make threats about self harm and a misguided set of young men - 3 - and a young woman decided to let the grown child move into a rent-by-the week hotel with them. Not at all what my friend would like. My friend's husband was out of town. It developed they were going to go to a restaurant and then the adult child would return home.

The time to return home came, and the adult child decided to remain in a situation at the hotel, with controlled substances, that would not please a parent or God. My friend had told me she did not know if she had the strength to continue the fight. I told her, previously, with deep conviction, she was built for the fight specifically.

My little friend, with the help of God Almighty, got the adult child away from 3 agitated and threatening grown men, who wanted the child/adult to stay with them. As she hugged her child, she was able to place the child into the car and to get the help that was so needed. If that isn't a miracle, I do not know what is. Please continue to pray for my petite friend and her child, who has had radical behavior changes.

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