Psalm 9 ~ Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!

Psalm 9

A Psalm of David.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,
they stumble and perish before your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause;
you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
their cities you rooted out;
the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for justice,
8 and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O Lord!
See my affliction from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may recount all your praises,
that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
I may rejoice in your salvation.

15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16 The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail;
let the nations be judged before you!
20 Put them in fear, O Lord!
Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah



Psalm Nine reminds me the day of judgement comes for all of us. The Book of Revelation is not all about the end of the world - rather the beginning of the next stage to eternity. This last verse of Joel 3 reminds us a far different life awaits us - no stranger in a large city.


Joel 3:14-17
14 Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon are darkened,
and the stars withdraw their shining.

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


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


Matthew Henry's quote about the Psalms is "This is a Warm Place in which to Dwell." The Psalms are written about life. As are all the Scriptures, but David so richly lived all aspects of life. The Psalms will comfort you, when comfort is scarce. Will give you words of praise when the glories of His blessings, life and world give you joy and gratitude. Freely acknowledge no one is universally loved. We tend to live in cellophane wrappers, and hope evil stays well away, the Scriptures remind us to name evil. To avoid the pit denial can be.

You really should find your Daily Psalm. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and the Psalms find us recognizing the beginning of this - today. Read the Psalms!!! They were written for you!!!! How can you tell - your heart will grow warm with the recognition. This is written in Jesus meeting the disciples upon the road and In Joshua 2 Rahab knew the men who were spies were sent from the Lord.



Matthew 12:14-21
14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah [42:1-3]:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”


I'd been a Christian for more than two decades when it was pointed out to me how many times the Scriptures said, "He healed them all." I remembered a lot of healings, the ones written about in more than a few sentences. Yet that small phrase "healed them all." Sometimes Scripture says they sought to touch Him & not just Jesus reaching out. Sometimes He physically touched them, and it also says merely, "He healed them all."

Psalm Nine blends into this well with He wipes away every tear.

Surely in the day of Jesus walking our lives on this earth, a lot of people were ill. When you think about the age: slavery, war, destruction, highway robbery, people born blind & the parable of the Good Samaritan - this was a difficult time. Not just the people who were deaf, blind, ill, but the sorrow of the people who had seen difficult things happen to loved ones. Children who died, loved ones who died in child birth, people who were well and suddenly died of fever. There are a lot of stipulations in the Bible for the fatherless and the widow.

What does it mean, "He healed them all?" The Word of God, proclaimed in love. The hopeless, the fearful, the lonely & the cut to the quick. The ones who had heard the Word of God in their youth - life had stamped on their seed of hope. The fruit of circumstance and the weed of bitterness, the joy found in life, had robbed them of their greatest need - the need of God.

These people who found Jesus had put aside the every day of life, they sought Him. Jesus didn't stay to quarrel, debate the Pharisees, shock, anger, and create a stir - Jesus wasn't a sidewalk hack or a temperamental star.

No, Jesus repaired the bruised reed. Jesus rekindled the flickering flame, the light became a torch. Jesus gave hope & mercy to the word - justice. Jesus didn't select a few, the light of Jesus Christ is for all. Not just to the eyes blessed to see Him, but those who look to Him in faith, after He died, and today.

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Matthew 18:21-19:2 ~ forgive your brother from your heart



Matthew 18:21-19:2
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[a monetary unit worth 20 years' salary] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[a day wage] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.

31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[torturers] until he should pay all his debt.

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

19 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.


And He healed them there


The true feeling of forgiveness is exactly the same as the one we all experienced as a child, when we would swim underwater and come up gasping for air.

Even thinking of forgiveness has aspects of renewal. Jesus said we will be with Him in Paradise.  He renews and heals us, sometimes in this life, but His promises are for us.

Thank You, Father God. 

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Today has three passages, this appears to be Trinity Sunday.

Clark said people think Christians are crazy to believe in the Trinity. Three people in one. I, personally, have no problem with the concept of the Trinity. God created the Universe with His Word and if HE feels like being three aspects, or people, then I don't see the problem.

I once heard the Trinity explained as this: God the Father sent out His Holy Spirit to move people along in His Plan. And sent His Word incarnate, as His Son, accomplishing His promises for us. That to me is an analogy Jesus used explaining His Father as King. A King is needed to sit upon His mercy seat, throne. However a King needs to be among the people to ascertain the condition of His people. He sends out someone He implicitly trusts. Later, when His Heir arrives, the King sends His Son.

Mark 12:6
He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’


God comforts us by telling us how closely the Trinity is part of HIM.

Matthew 3:17
and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

With all aspects of Father God showing up for the Transfiguration.

Mark 12
“Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

This is the tandem in which the Holy Trinity of God works.

Matthew 19:17
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good."

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Psalm 34 ~ those who seek the Lord lack no good thing

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Language alert-

The gratitude of the woman who recovered her dog and gave thanks to her Father. Father God, let her humility, in having two prayers answered, follow my heart - all the days of my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Oklahoma Woman Who Found Dog in Tornado Rubble Could Get New Home
Internet Rallies Funds for Barbara Garcia, Bazzie After Heartwarming Reunion Caught on Tape
By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter

Oklahoma tornado survivor Barbara Garcia touched the hearts of many when her on-camera interview with a news network was interrupted by the discovery of her mini schnauzer, whom she thought had been lost in the tornado that had leveled her home and those of her neighbors. Now, Internet users are rallying together to try to pay for a new home for Garcia and her dog.

"Well I thought God just answered one prayer to let me be okay. He answered both of them, because this was my second prayer," Garcia told CBS News correspondent.

Garcia had been explaining how she and the dog, Bazzie, had taken refuge in the bathroom when the powerful tornado smashed through their neighborhood in Moore, Okla., on Monday. While she got knocked around but remained conscious, Garcia found that she was alone once she emerged from the pile of sticks that minutes before had been her home — her mini schnauzer was nowhere to be found. Or so Garcia thought.

The video on the CBS News website of Garcia and Bazzie's unexpected reunion has been shared nearly 500,000 times on Facebook and a link to the video tweeted by more than 20,000 people, many of whom describe Garcia's story as "heartwarming," "touching" and one that brought them to tears.

One Minneapolis woman, Erin DeRuggiero, was so moved that she has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help Garcia get a new home.

"I do not know Barbara Garcia personally, but was incredibly moved by her story and of her reunion with her dog, captured on live TV after the Moore, Oklahoma tornado on May 20th. I was so deeply moved, that I had to DO something for her, immediately, so that we can impact her life directly as quickly as possible," DeRuggiero explains on the "Build Barbara Garcia a House" campaign page at GoFundMe.com.

"My goal is to show her that 'life in the big city' also means helping strangers, and reaching out to make a difference in their time of need. ... I live far away from Moore, Oklahoma, but want the residents there to know that we will stand by them, and lend support in any way possible. If I can inspire you to donate $1, $5, $10 to help Barbara build a new house (complete with a dog house for her canine companion) please share with friends and together maybe we can help her heal."

The goal of the crowdfunding campaign is to raise $25,000, and a little over $1,400 had been raised on Thursday. DeRuggiero managed to locate Garcia after being contacted by another Moore, Okla., resident who shared that Garcia is 74 years old and has a son. In addition, DeRuggiero was contacted Thursday by CBS News apparently for a follow-up piece on Garcia and the crowdfunding campaign that has been launched on her behalf.

Let's not forget the many, many people who were interviewed and told of answered prayer.

And the story of other storms to remember:

In Wadena, Minnesota in July of last year where they had multiple tornadoes in 2010. (Tornadoes in Minnesota in July?) Some were F-4. After the tornadoes went by, the Churches were packed and overflowing. Why? Incredible devastation, but so many destroyed places had one thing still standing - the cross. Where a cross had been placed, the tornado left the place where the cross stood. So many places were utterly ruined, but no lives were lost.

I spoke with a man from the shores of Louisiana after he had lost every material possession in Hurricane Katrina. Two members of his family had weakened hearts. One was his sister-in-law in her forties. His family lost two family members just days after Katrina and they died here in The Woodlands, Texas. They were unable to return the bodies to their hometown for burial. The water destroyed more than the 20 foot crest over their house. And the man told me how much he would miss his family in tears and sorrow. He said this about his tragedy, "I've had the love in my life. Love from people, but this comes from Him. And because of the love I have I can know next year will be better. Faith, Hope and Love. Faith that next year will be better. Hope because I've overcome before and Love will carry me to the Faith. Each day."

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Song of Solomon 4 ~ Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with all choicest fruits

Song of Solomon 4

Behold, you are beautiful, my love,
behold, you are beautiful!
Your eyes are doves
behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
leaping down the slopes of Gilead.
2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes
that have come up from the washing,
all of which bear twins,
and not one among them has lost its young.
3 Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
and your mouth is lovely.
Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate
behind your veil.
4 Your neck is like the tower of David,
built in rows of stone;
on it hang a thousand shields,
all of them shields of warriors.
5 Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle,
that graze among the lilies.
6 Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
I will go away to the mountain of myrrh
and the hill of frankincense.
7 You are altogether beautiful, my love;
there is no flaw in you.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride;
come with me from Lebanon.
Depart from the peak of Amana,
from the peak of Senir and Hermon,
from the dens of lions,
from the mountains of leopards.

9 You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.
10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
11 Your lips drip nectar, my bride;
honey and milk are under your tongue;
the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
12 A garden locked is my sister, my bride,
a spring locked, a fountain sealed.
13 Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates
with all choicest fruits,
henna with nard,
14 nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,
with all trees of frankincense,
myrrh and aloes,
with all choice spices—
15 a garden fountain, a well of living water,
and flowing streams from Lebanon.

16 Awake, O north wind,
and come, O south wind!
Blow upon my garden,
let its spices flow.

Let my beloved come to his garden,
and eat its choicest fruits.


When we got ready to tell our sons the way God created the world to love, I was chosen to speak up. I have two uncles named Frank and the subject to me is one of ease and humor.

Frankly, there are a few things I believe strongly about. God the Father who loves us.

Vows taken in Church to Love and Honor.

The intimacy of marriage and the privacy of not sharing what is sacred.

And the beauty of what He designed in delight.

The Word of God does not go on and on about His design, yet when He does tell us, He describes beauty and longing. The fruitfulness of desire is described as paradise.

 
And the Song of Solomon does not really read well to a group - for good reasons. As young people we are learning to be comfortable with, what I hope, is married relations. And in learning we are always inclined to ask and share with good friends. Actually this is a very poor idea. Even when women share or ask others, there are plenty of mothers or fathers to ask. Actually a lot of Christian counselors are trained to speak up on the subject. I recommend Christian Pre-marriage counseling as a very important step. And in having that clergy relationship, being able to ask questions. Real relationship with Him, allows real conversations.

Choosing friends and extended family to reveal or ask questions, opens doors that should be covered.

Yet why would God step aside in His creation. This does not embarrass Him. When He walked with us in the Garden, we were the only ones embarrassed by being naked before Him.

We use humor to describe what makes us uncomfortable or we use humor to be more comfortable. It's a two edged sword.Nothing described in Solomon would preclude humor or joy.

I believe that the Song of Solomon is a wonderful thing to be read with joy while honeymooning and during times of great intimacy. This is the celebration of Life He gave to us. Always to be encountered with love, joy, words and understanding. Never forgetting humor and tenderness. And that is an orchard.

In the Old Testament, God used clouds to manifest His Glory. A small tent, in a vast wilderness, could not contain the glory of God.

In the New Testament, God have us HIS Son - who is the Light of the World. His Spoken Word. John the Baptist called for repentance in the wilderness - leaving the Temple.  A small stable, with a small baby, changed the world forever. Moses saw the Glory of God. Jesus gave us the Mercy of our Father and Jesus made us His Children. Saying the Glory of God dwells in us; never leaving us. Making us Love. We want want to glorify Him in our lives - our words, our actions, our thoughts. God, in Jesus, telling us to build His Church so the gates of Hell cannot prevail against us - also tells us His Glory dwells within us. He did not want to spill from a tent, but to dwell in our hearts making us Love.

Isaiah 32:15
until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.

Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Isaiah 2:5
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

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John 5:30-47 ~ the testimony that I have is greater than that of John

John 5:30-47

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.

33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

A shining lamp, glory, hope - powerful images of goodness.

Look at all the times Jesus could have put Himself forth. He could have told every single soul that Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish council & ruling class was coming to Him for Religious discernment. Jesus could have told Peter to keep repeating the announcement when Peter announced Jesus is the Christ. Instead, most of the time, Jesus gave the opposite advice after someone was healed.

Jesus and John the Baptist have something in common. John said:

John 3:27-30
27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.

Jesus and John live for God. They are content with God's plan, God Himself will lift them up. The Book of Proverbs, John the Baptist, the Scriptures say all good things are from God. If we do not believe the words, what shall we hope in?

Father God, let the light of the Holy Spirit shine brightly, each day, in us, for Your glory. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Mark 1:14-20 ~ And followed Him

Maps of Israel through history.

Mark 1:14-20

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

The map of Israel expanding, decreasing, expanding in good times & bad, could also represent our lives. Jesus did not ask Simon (Peter, the rock), Andrew, James and John to be disciples or to join a new religion. Jesus did not spend time making them feel comfortable, asking about their lives. Jesus knew names and knew situations, Jesus already knew their heart and soul. He did not think the information significant enough to put in the scripture, just for us to know they were choosen. Jesus did not ask them to join a new religion. Jesus asked them to be in a relationship with him, the Son of God. Jesus promised them that the new relationship with Him, would change their lives.

The purpose of the daily liturgy is to read the Holy Scriptures. The Bible was written for you. Jesus invites you everyday to be in a relationship with Him.

Mark 12: 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.There is no commandment greater than these."

32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."


A man risen in prominence in God’s Church was telling of his conversion to loving the Lord with his whole heart. In his later years, he was a well-connected businessman & found himself wandering in a foreign country near Israel on a business trip. The trip required many travel hours; to be fresh for his meeting, he landed very, very early on Sunday to cope with jet lag. Wandering through the quiet streets, he wondered why all of the success and aspects of success had not filled his life with contentment or fulfillment. He had never abandoned his faith, but neither had his Church attendance or biblical readings filled his life with contentment or fulfillment. He felt as he had felt many times in his life, alone. As he walked, his feeling of being alone increased.

He came to a Church, it was the first stirrings of real companionship he had seen on his walk. He entered the church and he understood the readings, they were in a language he knew. He realized that all over the world, Christians would be attending church and reading the gospels, just as he was in the foreign country. He realized he was not alone, God had been with him all along, he had not given His Father his top priority. 

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My son Alexander is staying near the Sea of Galilee today. He said the hills are very beautiful and the afternoons are quite warm. It was, frankly, very thrilling to hear from him.

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My husband, Edward, was involved in a small fender bender yesterday and the FB quote went like this, "Got a story for you, Aggies. The cell phone rang. Unknown number, but I'll bite. Hello. It's Edward Gardere. He has been hit in the rental car. He's fine. The other guy, well. He is a Zombie Killer. He's 23 years young. And he has some problems with investors. He doesn't like to behead zombies. Causes insurance liabilities. Am I making this up? As if. So Edward and the Zombie Killer exchange business cards. And they are having a grand time by the side of the road. After all, there was a cop there when the Zombie Killer hit Edward. Unfortunately, our young friend had a few warrants and went away in handcuffs. Seems the investors want to own all his business. What business is our Zombie Killer? Dress up as zombies and get shot by paint balls. Sounds killer to me!!!

However, the more serious side isEdward quite enjoyed the young driver & was really more upset about the handcuffs than (actually a biblical name) and we will pray for him. Your prayers are appreciated as well.

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Joshua 7 ~ In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near

Joshua 7

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, 5 and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”


10 The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. 12 Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. 13 Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” 14 In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the Lord takes shall come near by households. And the household that the Lord takes shall come near man by man. 15 And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’”

16 So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel near tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was taken. 17 And he brought near the clans of Judah, and the clan of the Zerahites was taken. And he brought near the clan of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was taken. 18 And he brought near his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord God of Israel and give praise ^[confession] to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” 20 And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels,[c] then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his tent with the silver underneath. 23 And they took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. And they laid them down before the Lord. 24 And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. 26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.^[Trouble].



This is one of the Scriptures leaping upon me as a new part of Scripture. You can see why this portion is not taught much. Once more we see, with clarity, critics would say "A Hateful God." Vengeful Lord of the Old Testament. Well, if you look at the web examples below, at the end of the blog, we see - He actually knows a few things more than we do on the people,events and the soul of the events.

Instead of Judging the LORD, God, The Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, it's perhaps better to say verse 20 indicates the Lord does see all of our invisible and to Him - transparent flaws. HE had no desire to see the Children of Israel become looters and robbers with treasure. He was doing a greater work here.



We have so many layers to choose from let's work from the top and go forth.

- There is no need to justify Father God. He makes all of us transparent to Him. (Heart. God is all about the Heart within us. )

- We live in gratitude we are in the New Covenant. God has done the work of salvation.

- We learn what the Old Testament meant when flaws are found.

- These flaws made the Children of God's Covenant merely look like power grabbers, opportunists and thieves. Stolen and lied and hoarded.

- The Exodus wasn't the Cecil B. Demille movie, this took time and sometimes faith was ... Tested.

- Leadership - even Leaders of God, inspired leaders, feel discouraged.

- Fear is a dreaded emotion. Used here to examine motivations and a relationship to the LORD. This is successfully using our reason to search for a higher road. Dedication to using reason, prayer, emotion to personal growth.

Excellence. God uses Joshua's motivated Leadership and is helping us today. The Lord tells us what to do when our hearts melt and become water:

2 Timothy 1:7  ~ Discipline
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 112:1  ~ Dedication
Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, Who cherish and relish his commandments

1 Peter 5:7 ~ Passion
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.


We have now discovered the points readily apparent in Bible Study.


What of our own ministries as Children of God? Leadership in the World is an interesting thing. Use the skills given to us by our reasoning. Display them with assurance. Encourage. And then use a joke or a put down to make sure lines of power are drawn on  the totem pole placement. Is that what God demonstrates here?

Joshua falls on his face, actually flopping around in public. His followers are in terror. We don't learn if Joshua is crying out actually because of Trouble or leadership ego. And, fortunately, Joshua cries out to the One who is Good.

God tells Joshua to push on valiantly. Drive. The Lord is concerned His Children are representatives of Him.


Trouble comes to punish, the Lord comes to fulfill His Plan with His own Testimony.



Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Corinthians 8:9
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Peter 2:16
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.

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John 21:1-14 ~ Simon Peter climbed aboard

Reconstucted 1st Century fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee ( also Lake of Gennesaret, Lake Kinneret or Sea of Tiberias).

John 21:1-14

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.

6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.


~ Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish.

Maybe you read the Newsweek cover article about the United States now living in a post-Christian era. The two areas of greatest unbelief, according to the article, are the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. In these two areas in the country, 10% are now more agnostic compared to 10 years ago. The article says agnostics now number twice the number of people in the Episcopal church. It seems to be confined to specific areas, so it seems what one neighbor says to another is important.

It’s interesting to contrast the Christmas polls saying “89.5 of the United States believes in God, believes prayer is helpful and part of that faith belief.”

The Newsweek article caused all the nightly television news programs to call up famous evangelical preachers and grill them on worldly standards during Holy Week.

When Peter swam eagerly to the Lord Jesus Christ that morning bringing many, many fish; it was the dawn of the Christian Church. “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus invites.
Jesus could have said a lot of things to Peter. It could have been an altar and a heavenly chorus of all the angels. Jesus could have been sitting, beautifully and impressively arranged as God. Jesus, as God, had a lot of options for the meeting.

Jesus chose to sit beside Peter, in Peter’s life and at Peter’s side. For us, it could be an office, a den, or a car. He reminded Peter to love, to care for, to feed his neighbor. And Peter was eager to do this because Peter was far from perfect himself.

Why isn’t today’s church like the early church? Probably because Christians expect a different life than Christians of 100-300 AD. It was a harsh life with slavery, starvation, small wars, robbers and cruel government. Suddenly a light in the world shone: people saw miracles, people really changed, people expected God to care. Imagine being a low part of society, hungry and cold. Suddenly someone offers a warm coat, food and tells you of their changed life and because the love of God touched them. Lives touched other lives.

Today, the good news is still Good News. But sometimes sarcasm follows goodness and principles of sharing and love feel naïve. Christianity has been proclaimed as the crutch of the weak. Has the good news become old news? No. Don’t believe it. The world hasn’t become a warmer place when we all learn to only look out for number one – ourselves.

When Peter swam out to meet Jesus, it wasn’t the first pope offering to do all of the work himself. One of the best lay person responses when asked how we can BE the church of Jesus Christ, was this: “understanding that the caring, loving, patient reply we give, might be the only kind words the hearer hears all day.” The man giving this reply (he does live up to this ideal in a great Jesus manner) learned it from someone else he remembers with love.

Jesus reminded Peter to love, to care for, to feed his neighbor. And Peter was eager to do this because Peter was far from perfect himself.

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1 Timothy 5 ~ and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality

1 Timothy 5

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.


We can look to the Scriptures for abbreviations and see real meaning even today in our fast paced world.

- Encourage

- Honor

- Command

- Enroll

- Marry, Manage

- No Occasion For Slander

- Care

- Consider Worthy

- Preach, Teach

- Hospitality

- A Little Wine

- Good Works

- In Purity


Now cross check the list and fill in, in our own lives, what needs to be on our To Do List.



Hebrews 13:2
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Perhaps this is a national observance. We are not to become, as some cultures are, buttoned down and keep to themselves. Rarely entertaining and giving hospitality. Rarely sharing our homes and stories with others.

Deuteronomy 28:45-50
“All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that he commanded you. 46 They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand, 50 a hard-faced nation who shall not respect the old or show mercy to the young.

Habakkuk 1:5
“Look among the nations, and see;
wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
that you would not believe if told.

2 Corinthians 9:7
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."

Psalm 64:10
Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!

Psalm 21:6
For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. 

Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Romans 15:13
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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