Genesis 49:29-50:14 ~ beyond the Jordan

Jacob's Body Is Taken to Canaan. Watercolor painted by James Tissot.



Genesis 49:29-50:14

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

²⁹ Then he commanded them and said to them, "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, ³⁰ in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. ³¹ There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah— ³² the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites." ³³ When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 50

¹ Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. ² And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. ³ Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

⁴ And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, ⁵ My father made me swear, saying, 'I am about to die: in my tomb that I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me.' Now therefore, let me please go up and bury my father. Then I will return." ⁶ And Pharaoh answered, "Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear."

⁷ So Joseph went up to bury his father. With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, ⁸ as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s household. Only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. ⁹ And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen. It was a very great company.

¹⁰ When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and grievous lamentation, and he made a mourning for his father seven days. ¹¹ When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians." Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim [mourning (or meadow) of Egypt]; it is beyond the Jordan.

¹² Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them, ¹³ for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. ¹⁴ After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

A man who wrestled with God, Jacob, wanted a blessing. Jacob lived believing his son was dead & he lived a time of a great famine in the land promised to Abraham. Yet Jacob, we read in yesterday's passage, believed profoundly in the spoken words of a blessing.

Jacob went out as a great man. His funeral astonishing the people, his neighbors, he left during famine.


Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

What is the fruit of Jacob's life today? His tomb is the "second holiest site" for Jews (after the Temple Mount) and Christians and Muslims. All these faiths say by tradition the Cave of the Patriarchs is the burial place of three biblical couples: Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and Leah.

Burial of Sarah, by Gustave Dore

Hebron, Israel today. Abraham was known to live in Hebron, near the Oak of Mamre. Abraham lived in a tent, but was known to have chosen a huge tree to live beside. I rather like that. Don't you?

Excavations of tombs, made honoring and copying Abraham's tomb. Outside of Hebron.



Without a doubt Jacob/Israel was an extraordinary man. A man of tremendous faith. A portrait of family forgiveness. Jacob lived with his sons after finding they lied about Joseph's death. He blessed them at his passing. The Scriptures never record the sons asking Jacob for forgiveness.

What did Jacob see beyond this life? Beyond the temporal, beyond the Jordan? A Homecoming. Not to lie dead and useless. No. A gathering. Jacob says he is being gathered to his people. His blessings for his sons indicate he expects them to be gathered as well in Genesis 49.

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Exodus 3:6
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:29 - it is important to know the Scriptures and the Power of God.

Mark 12:26-27
And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.

Jacob believed in the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:15
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

In the words of Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.



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Genesis 48:8-22 ~ he blessed

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn painted this painting posthumously for a widowed client. The man's first name was Jacob. He looks rather patristical.

Genesis 48:8-22

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

⁸ When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, "Who are these?" ⁹ Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." And he said, "Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them." ¹⁰ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. ¹¹ And Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also." ¹² Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. ¹³ And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. ¹⁴ And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). ¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph and said,

"The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
¹⁶ the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude [let them be like fish for multitude] in the midst of the earth."

¹⁷ When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸ And Joseph said to his father, "Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head." ¹⁹ But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude [fullness] of nations." ²⁰ So he blessed them that day, saying,

"By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, 'God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.'"

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. ²¹ Then Israel said to Joseph, "Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. ²² Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow."

If we could all sign up to have a blessing from Israel, wouldn't we? Jacob thought blessings were important enough to steal. He believed in them. Only words. Yet more. Jacob wrestled God Himself for a blessing. God is rather, overwhelmingly, fond of Israel.

Galatians 3:6
Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

James 2:22-23
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Israel believed he lived a life of meaning. Believing his mere words mattered. As a friend of God. How much more for us, the children God has adopted in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 7:5-12
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.


9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”


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2 Kings 17 ~ yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him

This art from Google is interesting because the architecture is Phonetician like Eilat Mazar has found in the site of David's Palace in Jerusalem. (Professor Mazar found the site by reading descriptions in the Bible.)

The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. by Edward Poynter. 1890. Probably more accurate of the paintings of Solomon's throne.

1 Kings 10:18-20
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. The throne had six steps, and at the back of the throne was a calf’s head, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom.

The above painting is probably more the effect King Solomon was trying to achieve.



2 Kings 17

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, and he reigned nine years. ²And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. ³ Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria. And Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. ⁴But the king of Assyria found treachery in Hoshea, for he had sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison. ⁵Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land and came to Samaria, and for three years he besieged it.

The Fall of Israel

⁶In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

Exile Because of Idolatry

⁷And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods ⁸ and walked in the customs of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. ⁹And the people of Israel did secretly against the LORD their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. ¹⁰They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, ¹¹and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the LORD carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger, ¹²and they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, "You shall not do this." ¹³Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets."

¹⁴But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. ¹⁵They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. ¹⁶And they abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. ¹⁷ And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger. ¹⁸Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only.

¹⁹ Judah also did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. ²⁰And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

²¹ When he had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. ²²The people of Israel walked in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They did not depart from them, ²³until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had spoken by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their own land to Assyria until this day.

Assyria Resettles Samaria

²⁴ And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. ²⁵And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the LORD. Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them. ²⁶So the king of Assyria was told, "The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land." ²⁷Then the king of Assyria commanded, "Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land." ²⁸So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

²⁹But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities in which they lived. ³⁰The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, ³¹and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. ³² They also feared the LORD and appointed from among themselves all sorts of people as priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. ³³So they feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

³⁴To this day they do according to the former manner. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel. ³⁵The LORD made a covenant with them and commanded them, "You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them, ³⁶but you shall fear the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice. ³⁷And the statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do. You shall not fear other gods, ³⁸and you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not fear other gods, ³⁹but you shall fear the LORD your God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies." ⁴⁰However, they would not listen, but they did according to their former manner.

⁴¹ So these nations feared the LORD and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children’s children—as their fathers did, so they do to this day.

It's interesting, to me, King Solomon used lions decorated his throne and the steps leading up to the throne. When usurpers ended the Davidic line, lions began to attack them.

Critics of the Bible say the Bible comes up with a reason for devastating news. Yet burning children as a sacrifice should cause all of us to want justice. The next, the 18th Chapter, of 2nd Kings, bring Hezekiah back to the Temple when his father had tried to stealthy abandon Jehovah and His Temple for Hezekiah to dismantle the gold to ransom Judah as a puppet/client state. Hezekiah and the people of Judah get very busy praying, seeking God, digging amazing water tunnels available for viewing today and are very miraculously saved from the Assyrians, not just vicious next door neighbors, but the Assyrian Empire.

Cause and effect, a very real and understandable set of circumstances. A very real history.

When we look to the Scriptures for meaning for our lives today, the passage would point out to us God isn't judging the irreligious, but the righteous. Scary. Father God says to the religious, you are putting on a nice show, but your real concerns and interests lay in other places. Idols of money making before God. Success before God. Money and ambition before family needs. Self instead of helping a friend. Comfort before integrity. Personal issues of like and dislike overcoming duty.

We need a Savior. Someone saying to Father God, I understand what it is to be fearful of losing a brother or a child to death. I understand working until fatigue chases away sleep. Diligent labor until pain. Fear of illness. Fear of hunger. Fear of real need. - We do. We have Jesus Christ as our advocate - telling His Father, adopting us, telling our Father, "I understand the real depths of human need and why it causes sin." We have God - who chose to dwell among us as grace and truth. And in Jesus, we discover, the willingness of God to help us. Then. Today. Our response to the steadfast Love of God is the willingness to walk in His ways.

John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Luke 18:1
He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart

Isaiah 8:17
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him

Proverbs 16:3-4
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.


Father God, since the beginning of Your creation of man, You've been very patient with us. In these days knowing trouble, strengthen the people bringing the Light of God, forgive them their sins. Help us again to bring Your glory and honor to the front of our lives. And in honoring You, let peace come again. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.



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Psalm 113 ~ and lifts the needy

Cross at Ground Zero. Will return the World Trade Center Museum.


Psalm 113

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD!

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the LORD is to be praised!

4 The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the LORD our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!


In our county, we are part of a 3 county wildfire going on in Texas. The stock markets. Politics. 3 Wars. Republican Presidential Nomination debate the WWII draft and how fair it was. The children of Ismael and the Children of Israel have trouble. Earthquakes.

Television documentaries - interviews with the families of the World Trade Center families - a loved one passed on. Children. The passengers of United 93, fighting to get home and not allowing the jet to kill more people - praying together the Lord's Prayer.

Each of the surviving family members are living their lives to bring honor to the lives of the ones they loved. Remembering them. Putting their fears behind them. Rebuilding. The work of the Holy Spirit. Each day gathering strength knowing Psalm 113 would be for us and for the ones we love, living or in God's Eternal Kingdom.



Job 33:26
then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness

Thousands of years ago Job wondered why suffering existed. And learned to trust God to bring forth His plan, His healing. As Job trusted, he healed.

God raises us. He lifts us. He gives.


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Psalm 126 ~ shouts of joy

Have a heart than never hardens, & a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts. - Charles Dickens

Psalm 126

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 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.

How will Psalm 126 appear to you today? Will you see it as God's promises of Heaven? Will you see it as gratitude ? Gratitude for the gifts in your life?

Lets look at this Psalm today as..... the Willingness of God.... to hear, to bless, like Psalm 23:5b-6

My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

I love the Truth of the Scriptures. It's never the glass is full or empty, it's.... real. We anticipate God being like us. I only have so much of my casserole for my dinner group.... I hope Jack won't have too much.... but Edward needs more and so his plate needs a bit more.

God doesn't give us a couple of ties or a sweater and say to us - now feel full. Love with me, please, how real Psalm 126 is. We acknowledge our blessings..... we've celebrated life with people we love. We give God thanks for our eyesight, for hearing, for health. For a job, for opportunities to come. For the people we were, and are, fortunate enough to love. And have been fortunate to be able to give the gift of giving to.

Psalm 126 acknowledges our lives are blessed and could use some more blessings. It gives us hope and assurance, God doesn't say, "nope, you are blessed enough and my warehouse of blessings is spent."

Amazingly, Jesus Christ has been celebrated for good reason for over 2000 years. God doesn't just give us His blessings for a day, for the continuation of eternal life - for the next life; God gives us the hope of blessings to come. The blessings He will willingly provide.

Shouts of joy ! Will be needed!

Praise to You, Father, for Your great Glory. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


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Other Scripture for Today Blogspot passages on Psalm 126:

December 27, 2010
November 23, 2009
November 13, 2008
December 15, 2009


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Luke 18:1 ~ And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1
¹And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Several prayer requests for today: Tropical Storm Lee, pray for the wildfires the winds have created such dry conditions. Please pray to the Lord for the rain Texas so desperately needs. We've had 6 inches of rain for the year - desert rations. Our county and 2 others are on fire, bringing firemen from Alaska, NC, and all over Texas. The firemen have asked for chapstick and replacement t-shirts. So sad.

The next is for Scripture for Today Blogspot. I looked at new formats a few months ago and having had the Blogger folks look at it, it appears I broke the html links sending info to Google. Which has led to a fall in readership from around 500 Scripture reading Partners to 90. I believe in the narrow gate, if we have 5 Scripture Partners, we have the LORD's love.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Having put usually 2 hours a day since 2007, it still concerns me. We have a Texas A&M Computer Science Aggie who is going to fix it for us. He's part of our Church family, our student youth group, and thank God for people who can understand all of this. Fixing an html code for the whole 5 year blog isn't my forte. So, a praise to God for this being in the works. When I've read about Google bots algorithms, I realize this isn't going to fix overnight. So, please pray for the opportunity for these words to be sent out.

Thank You, Father God, we look to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.


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Acts 14:19-28 ~ disciples gathered

Acts 14:19-28

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.


24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.


When we think of our own faith in the LORD, we see - usually - a much quieter faith. And even though I've experienced and seen miracles in life, I wonder sometimes about a faith looking more like Acts 14. Jesus' disciples went through great times with Jesus, fearful times, disappointment with God for not being the power on earth they'd hoped Him to be and then fear for their lives. These men are new disciples, who've experienced Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit and not seeing Jesus physically.

We have a tool available to us today, we don't often think of. How many times God has helped us. Without a grateful heart, when we gather, how will we be able to Praise Him and rejoice in the actions we have 'a hunch' God blessed us with? These men drew together to give thanks. We quench the Spirit of God when we don't look, actively, for His blessings. An attitude of gratitude. These men expected God to act and expected to gather in awe and reverence. Even in the supreme trouble of experiencing Jesus, they wanted to give Him thanks.

Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.



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Psalm 107 ~ He brought them to their desired haven

Psalm 107

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

¹ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble [from the hand of the foe]
³ and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

⁴ Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
⁵ hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
⁶ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
⁸ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
⁹ For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
¹² So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
¹⁵ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
¹⁶ For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

¹⁷ Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
¹⁸ they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
²¹ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
²² And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

²³ Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
²⁴ they saw the deeds of the LORD,
his wondrous works in the deep.
²⁵ For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
²⁶ They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
²⁷ they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits’ end. [and all their wisdom was swallowed up]
²⁸ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁹ He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰ Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
³² Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

³³ He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
³⁴ a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the evil of its inhabitants.
³⁵ He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
³⁶ And there he lets the hungry dwell,
and they establish a city to live in;
³⁷ they sow fields and plant vineyards
and get a fruitful yield.
³⁸ By his blessing they multiply greatly,
and he does not let their livestock diminish.

³⁹ When they are diminished and brought low
through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
⁴⁰ he pours contempt on princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
⁴¹ but he raises up the needy out of affliction
and makes their families like flocks.
⁴² The upright see it and are glad,
and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Labor Day Weekend wasn't the best for us. Many years ago, we just lucked into - were God blessed into - really good pre-marriage counseling. Our Episcopal Priest marrying us was Rev. Mike Wallens and Mike is a wise man. We read a book called, Finding Intimacy. Basically it covers expectations and stages in life planning. Mike told us good marriage requires marriage counseling at different life stages. He gave us examples of himself and his wife being married for 20 years and going for marriage counseling as a tune up. I'm not sure I believed this was needed for us at the time. And I probably thought marriage counseling for a marriage counseling priest is like a car for a car dealer.

So, Edward has a new stage in life, empty nester with a desire to use his talents of hand-to-eye coordination. And I am an empty nester, with an antique business that has done like many antique businesses in this economy, boop. Gone. Add to the mix, 3rd anniversary coming up of our infant daughter Isabelle's going to be with the LORD.

Expectations for 3 days of disc golf for a man who played the Master's Tournament and did well vs. wife with plans for a day trip to the beach meet Tropical Storm Lee. It was not a win-win situation. We debated... loudly. We debated in several rooms. We debated in the evening, late night, morning and shower. I'm not even sure the dog was pleased. I'm sure, he didn't like it either.

I love Psalm 107. It hits me right where I live.

²⁶They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
²⁷they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits’ end. [and all their wisdom was swallowed up]
²⁸ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁹He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.

The desired haven is evident. We love each other, and ultimately we are the desired haven for each other. So, tired of arguing, we went to our Pastor, Clark Lowenfield. Clark helped us when Isabelle died and we talked about Job. Clark helped us when Edward had a new business and things were very thin and uncomfortable. We talked about the gifts of God and how to be grateful for what is provided.

So, we had a great and entertaining talk. Clark is an interesting man with evangelical and practical outlook on life. All that in one person. And Clark said, you've had your years of honeymooning, years of babies and Edward being the really great dad. And you've had your years of youth ministry and that was wonderful. Edward didn't spend those years hunting, fishing, golfing or being anywhere but with you all. Now these are Edward's years to be Edward. Transition times. Husband, not neglecting, striving to seek a balance, but Edward's years. Using the talent's God has given him. Not neglecting, but marriage adding to his life.

So.... Clark is right. When I read about golf widows it is really terrible to become a single mom while being married with children. Dads need to be dad. Shared family life as well as being themselves. But we are empty nesters. Clark made an interesting point. Middle age is about transitioning into old age. Becoming who we are to be. Made to be.

Am I just happy about this. No. I've had a really good cry for the stages of life where I'd like to be. I'm a wife, I'm supposed to plan and have time with my husband and he's going to disc golf some on Saturdays and Sundays. And he's going to plan time with me on the weekends. But I will miss the days when he was my constant half.

But I am married to someone who has some God given wisdom himself. Edward said you know it doesn't help to be told to get a hobby. Suggestions have been made for another antique business or helping the Pregnancy Assistance Center. It's too soon after Isabelle, it sounds terrible. Edward said it's like the stage in life when you are single and you feel like you are just dying to find the perfect person and they don't show up. But one day, God's plan starts to unfold. Edward said relax, and it will be placed in front of you. An opportunity that is appealing. I'm believing that. I pray and wait upon the Lord. In the mean time, I have a couple of things I'm going to try.


Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Father God, Jesus told us to pray and not give up. You give ministry and we will not lose heart. You've said there will be times we age or waste away, yet You renew us each day. We will be doing good, counting on You to provide the harvest. In You will I hope. In the name of Jesus. Amen.



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Psalm 149 ~ sing to the LORD a new song

Psalm 149

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the LORD!


Being in a Rut. Doing the same things and having the same thoughts. I've heard a female marriage counselor friend say the most challenging thing to making permanent and good changes to any situation, is the short cuts we take in communication with each other.

We develop our own paths and they are understood.

Father God, we open our hands to You, to guide us. Let us each day fill our day with being helpful, being cheerful, being honest with each other. In the name of Jesus. Amen.



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Psalm 10 ~ the innocent

Psalm 10

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.
4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, "There is no God."
5 His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
6 He says in his heart, "I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity."
7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
8 He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;
he lurks that he may seize the poor;
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
10 The helpless are crushed, sink down,
and fall by his might.
11 He says in his heart, "God has forgotten,
he has hidden his face, he will never see it."

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?
14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.

16 The LORD is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.


Recently I read Ezekiel 5. I felt it was too gloomy to want to write about it. Ezekiel discovers how deep and how extensive God's judgement will be for Jerusalem. For Judah. In the 5th chapter of Ezekiel, the Lord says He has spoken several times.

So, today, I am freely writing of Psalm 10. A Psalm of oppression and seemingly unending opposition.

Why not be a blog, a person, a faith only looking at the Psalms with amazing depths of goodwill? Blessings from a Willing LORD, unending. With God all things are possible. God is a God of Love.

We look at these passages, because we do experience set backs. This Scripture is written from your Father to you. I had a friend long ago who took her spirited 2-3 year old to the pediatrician. The tests run at the doctors office had results showing an ear infection and malnutrition. Overall her son looked like a good looking boy. The pediatrician sat down next to my friend on the examining table and said, "What do you think about your son's condition? His blood tests..." Like one friend to another. My friend confessed her son wouldn't eat anything but formula and Oreo cookies. She said she wasn't going to confess this but the pediatrician was taking his time with her. The pediatrician said, if he had his choice he might live on Oreos and milk, but he'd have trouble getting to work and walking and eventually tying his shoes. The reason he didn't live on cookies and milk - really the doctor had enough grown sense to know not to do this.

So, the doctor concluded, it wasn't fun to endure the tantrums but being placed in a position of guidance, she needed to guide. She needed to let him be hungry enough to eat real food. (No, I hear you thinking it was my son, but not this time!)

The Scriptures tell us we should realize we have troubles in this life. Look Up.

O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

We believe in God. God is Love. God hears us. Jesus, our advocate says He prays for us in signs to deep for words. Not to take us out of the world. To keep us from evil.

Psalm 138

Of David.

I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
³ On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
⁶ For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

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Romans 1 ~ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world

Romans 1

1 Paul, a servant [slave or bondservant ] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David [ who came from the offspring of David] according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers, [brothers and sisters] that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, [non-Greeks] both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, [beginning and ending in faith ] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” [The one who by faith is righteous shall live]

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

16 Years, 16 Years, 16 Years 16 Years, 16 Years, 16 Years 16 Years, 16 Years, 16 Years

The Book of Romans is something we, as Christians, toss into the category of another Book in the New Testament. In Proclaiming ~ Jesus as Lord ~ the foundations of the world order were Changing! It begins to tell us of the Impact of God's Son Choosing to come into the world as Truth and Grace.

The Book of Romans must have been written prior to 49 A.D, at that time, Jews were expelled by the Roman Emperor from Rome. Much of the Book of Romans is proclaiming to the Jews that the Grace of God is to all of mankind. Already Paul was telling Christians to submit to authorities, in Chapter 13. Claudius did not want his power questioned, he wanted a pure strain of Eleusinian Greek mysteries deifying the Roman Emperor. Claudius was stirred to action when Jews and Christians argued to the point of uproar over claims Jesus was, and still is, today, the Messiah. The druids were also removed from Rome, for good measure.

Short work for a little known religion springing out of the outskirts of provincial Judea! Not really a surprising amount of time or attention for the Son of God. Jesus working miracles in bringing the hearts of His people to know and love Him. Imagine, in just about 16 YEARS after Jesus took his disciples to talk about the power in the world in Caesarea, Matthew 16:16-28 , Jesus' predictions about Rome, the Empire of the whole world, are already happening.

No media, no newspaper, no internet. The Slow Boat. A man died in a provincial province of the Roman Empire. His cross read - "King of the Jews" - killed for claiming to be God's Son.

Paul says in the Book of Romans, the Good News of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed in all the world. Jesus Christ is receiving vast attention in the heart of the Roman Empire, Rome itself and the Emperor.

John 1:1-5, 9-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Father God, we thank You for Your Son. How often we accept without wonder Your words. We give You thanks, You are the light of the world. Amen.



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Psalm 147 ~ the LORD takes pleasure

Psalm 147

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

¹ Praise the LORD!For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant [for He is beautiful],
and a song of praise is fitting.
² The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
³ He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
⁴ He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
⁵ Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
⁶ The LORD lifts up the humble [afflicted];
he casts the wicked to the ground.

⁷ Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
⁸ He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
⁹ He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
¹⁰ His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
¹¹ but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

¹² Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
¹³ For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
¹⁴ He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
¹⁵ He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
¹⁶ He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
¹⁷ He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
¹⁸ He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
¹⁹ He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
²⁰ He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the LORD!

The people of God praise Him for His mercies and care. Praising God is not work, but is the only gift given to the creator, the Most High God, our Father. Thanksgiving is the only sacrifice that is pleasing wholly to God. We cannot give Him gifts He gave us. It becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God! Salvation only comes from God, with Him all things are possible. God sent His son, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. He gathers outcast sinners by His grace, and will bring them into His holy habitation. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit, He speaks peace, assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let us praise Him also! Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's knowledge is so deep that can never be fathomed. And while He tells the number of the stars, He hears the broken-hearted sinner.

While He feeds the young ravens, He will not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, and no fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist does not delight where sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is: faith. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of knowing faith, hope and love in a gracious Father. ~ Paraphrase, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

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Other Scripture for Today Blogspot readings on Psalm 147:
July 1, 2011
December 31, 2010
February 12, 2010
November 21, 2010


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Colossians 1:9-14 ~ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins

Colossians 1:9-14

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

⁹ And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks [patience, with joy giving thanks] to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.


One of the striking things about the New Testament is the fervor the disciples prayed for the people they met in their travels. Of course, Jesus tells us that He is working and His Father is working today. The Holy Spirit bares witness that the sighs of our spirit are the unceasing prayer of our advocate, God's Spirit.

Pray for family and friends. Usually it is one word will do and an image. Jesus holding the person. Really God understands this prayer. The name of Jesus is better than all words put together.

- to know God’s will (verse 9)
- to do God’s will (verse 10)
- grow in the knowledge of God (verse 10)
- experience God’s power (verse 11)
- persevere as Christians (verse 11)
- thankful for all that God has done for them (verse 12)

This is also the parable of the seeds Jesus gave us. That we might be the good seeds falling on good soil. Not judging others in their journey, but offering the prayer of encouragement. The Steadfast Love of Jesus. Holding us. Let us always be the one of the 10, cleansed, healed and ready to give thanks to our Father.


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