John 6:60-69 ~ “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

John 6:60-69

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

 What God tears apart according to the first Chapter of Nahum, He tends to leave undone. A 22 second film of the Second Temple.

If you want to see the Temple built in Jerusalem, simply look at the Temple Mount. Those stones are there today. Only the Mount of Olive side has been cleaned up.

This post is large and complicated. A grand slam - if you will. Then we tend to discuss things again in small circles.

God Grosses Us Out - A Circle of Time!

If you belong to one Bible study, you are missing out! Really Christians give us some expectations and doubts. A real Christian gives thought provoking conversation. However, the way Christians think is an education too. Consider what we really are looking for. A View of Jesus Christ.

What do we expect, what are we here to learn, what do we need for this day?

Sweet wonderful you
You make me happy with the things you do
Oh, can it be so?
This feeling follows me wherever I go

I never did believe in miracles
But I've a feeling it's time to try
I never did believe in the ways of magic
But I'm beginning to wonder why

I never did believe in miracles
But I've a feeling it's time to try
I never did believe in the ways of magic

But I'm beginning to wonder why

GOD, The Lord God Almighty - IS - giving us conversations. If you aren't being prodded, check your pulse.

Is God Magic? He spoke the Word and Life came into being. C.S. Lewis calls this a very old magic.

This Scripture Passage deals with mankind, Jesus' own disciples saying, " Ew, about Communion."

And Jesus replies - "Some day - I'm so Out of here." Eschatology.

We Judge God for asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

God Gives Us His Own Life.
His Own Blood.
His Own Son.


And this all takes place at the Temple Rock, Mount Moriah - ordained/considered by the LORD. And our circles have begun. God's boundaries are - expanding.

Is God having a conversation? Wudaboutdis - Okay they were killing people - so they deserved a killing themselves. Fugetabodit - that's saying what is Right Trumps what is Good? We Judge God for Killing His Children. We judge God for His Boundaries - of enslavers. Of Hebrew baby-killers, saying this is unfair.

Moses, was so Upset - about his Adoption - he kills an Egyptian Overseer. And Runs Off because the killing was done in rage.

Then.
God uses Moses to save His Children. Saying God is Concerned with Life. God - the author - (of guilt we like to think) - uses a redeemed man.

Judging?
Because.
We want to blame God for not fixing - earth - ourselves - each other. Secretly telling God - we would do a better Job.

The Temple?

It began to decay. God said this was a Spiritual Show. Declaring He is the Temple.

He offers to adopt us and dwell within us. If we ask Him to and believe He will.

Jesus is a unique and wonderful personality in His Word.

He certainly was not giving humility - speaking of ascending. 

Jesus also said harsh things (another day) about Mary. Jesus then planned for her care upon His death. Jesus was a prophet and could see Temple decay returning. Jesus saw the worship of The Queen of Heaven, in the Old Testament, as a return of powers and principalities in His Church. Jesus was also making a way for the physical person He loved, His mother, and his siblings in The Book of Acts Chapter 2.

The second chapter is clear, again, Mary was a wife, a mother many times over and was so human as to wade into God's business to try to save her child. God created physical union and clearly, clearly said marriage is good enough for the Mother of God. A mere human  - Jesus had to correct and love. Right and wrong collide and interweave. Helping us understand - all things interweave to the good of those who Love God.

These are not platitudes covered by a subtitle and taught in Sunday School. Jesus and the Word of God are messy, asking us to really delve Richly into His Word to see how God would sit with us, and help us to go forth in Life Abundant.

Proving God is Love. He cares and is part of our conversations.
Not a Deist. Our Father is not a too frail and far away parent to be addressed in times of need, suffering, want and indecision.

God does not shadow box with lies. His Path is Straight. His Message Strong - as deep as His Mercy. God does not box with Guilt. He says what is Right and What is Wrong and then would sit with us - to help us up. God promises He does not leave us. He does not declare what is wrong as good - He asks us to Go His Path.

James told us of his Brother - Jesus Christ.

James Chapter One says do not just be a hearer of the Word. God didn't just declare the Temple as filled with corruption and leave that as His representation. Time was given. Do we believe in Justice on Earth?

God does.

Justice on Earth.
70 A.D. Jerusalem - Israel was sacked too. Jesus' natural death.
Sacrifice Ends
Temple Ends

Nahum 1
6 Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.

There are the Temple stones in the photos and videos above. How many 2,000 year old stones are still where they fell?

Job 12:2
Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you

More and more archaeology and uncovered history says this is True. And then you hear a man wailing Jesus was  all wrong because the Mount of Olive side is cleaned up. What?


Matthew 11
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

So what Time is it?

The Season is always steadfast in turning to the Lord God Almighty.

Only God knows what is Today. And what season you are in. 

The Scriptures are a Letter of God written personally to you. When we live, move and have our being in Him. Delving into the Word - we find:

Jesus didn't endure Life - HE moved to meet people in their lives.

In compassion! Absolutely for the humility of the higher ranking Syrian woman.

In Zest and sarcasm to a member of the Sadduceean Council, Nicodemus. Sneaking in at night to find redemption. For himself.

In celebration of Life! Which He created and defended at Matthew's Party - a Celebration for Jesus.

In humility and awe of a Roman Centurion. A boundary crossing.

Our Sacrifice - Ends boundaries. Jesus, our Hero.

Uses the weak, to make His Plan strong.

Takes down a show - to dwell within us.

Displays His Majesty, making, by His Word and proving His Righteousness.

What do we expect from God?


A Strict Judge?

Our Friend who would arrive at night to help ?

John 14

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

John 16
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”


1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

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Exodus 40 ~ the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle

Exodus 40


The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 6 You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, 7 and place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 8 And you shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen for the gate of the court.

9 “Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy. 10 You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, so that the altar may become most holy. 11 You shall also anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it. 12 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water 13 and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest. 14 You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them, 15 and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

16 This Moses did; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did. 17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected. 18 Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars. 19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20 He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil, 23 and arranged the bread on it before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 24 He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle, 25 and set up the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil, 27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 28 He put in place the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 29 And he set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing, 31 with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. 32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, as the Lord commanded Moses. 33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court.

 So Moses finished the work.


34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.


If you look to see a summation of Exodus and The Book of Numbers:

[The first three plagues seemed to affect "all the land of Egypt," the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th did not affect the children of Israel. The slaves were only spared from the final plague by sacrificing the Paschal lamb, marking the place directly above the doors with the lamb's blood, and eating the roasted sacrifice together.

Chapter 16, 17, 18 discusses problems, Chapters 19 and 20 are about fear.  The Governing Disputes Discussed and the Temple . Complaining begins again as soon as God's business concludes for the Tabernacle in Exodus 32.  Sadness Chapter 33. Fear in Chapter 34.  Blessing in 39 for the last few Chapters of Building the Tabernacle. Glory follows the Blessing in Exodus 40.

 Numbers 9 Describes the Pillar  Numbers 11 ends the setting up of Government and Tabernacle to see complaining again. The pattern is of work or complaints. Numbers 12 is Aaron and Miriam oppose Moses. 13 is the refusal to participate in the promises of God.  14 is more rebellion. 15 Work. 16 Complain. 17 is really sad with miracles and complaints. Numbers 20 is a return back to every day life with Moses having rash words over Water and being provoked with the people again. 21 is deliverance in war and grumbling. 22 Is the surround countries getting worried about this crowd. Numbers 25 Moab Seduces Israel and a plague. Numbers 26 The Second Census. Numbers 27 Zelophehad’s Daughters certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them. 30 is Holy days and vows. Numbers 31 war against the Midianites. 32 is Land is subdued before the Lord, you may return and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the Lord. 33 Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 34 is the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries. Numbers 35 have towns to live in and pasturelands. Numbers 36 the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father’s tribal clan.

Deuteronomy continues in the Exodus we have learned.]

Okay, what the mussing develops into - this is like the beginnings of great logistics. When people think of themselves - they fuss. If building and being a Team - then peace. This is sometimes like Newlyweds. And Corporate Unions.

Poor Moses. Even his father-in-law Jethro is oh-my-gosh-we-have-to-get-the-people-off-your-back-logistics. You have to like Jethro. There is joy in Moses setting up the Tabernacle.  Moses is Worshiping.

Worship even- Today - evokes this.

We are called away from the push and pull - even of the week end to be part of something larger than ourselves.  Have your weekly gratitude list at hand.

This is pleasing to God. And that - Father God - when He is pleased - He pleases back. Go and be nourished. We are only a soul - wrapped by a body.

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Exodus 11 ~ This is what the Lord says

Exodus 11

Now the Lord had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. 2 Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” 3 (The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.)

4 So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. 5 Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. 6 There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. 7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. 8 All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

9 The Lord had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.


The Scriptures tell of people encountering the will of God and still acting like people. Did Moses have a general idea of the story?

Exodus 4:21-23
21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”

And still we see:
Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

Man has wanted to tell God what to do since Genesis 3. Doesn't really work well. Maybe we should pay attention to Him more.

How is God with anger directed towards Him?

Here is a good one... God has more wisdom, insight, older, more creative and He is Larger...

James 1:20
For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

This is James, the brother of Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph - interesting to read the brother of Jesus speak of growing up across the dinner table from the Son of God.

9 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.


Evidently, Jesus traveled going to see people - for the benefit of God. Jesus was doer.

Looking into the perfect law? The Law of Liberty?

Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

James has witnessed Jesus for decades.

Jesus is quick to hear, slow to speak. Slow to become angry. Not perceiving Himself as Religious, but as pure and deliberate in the use of His Speech. Jesus is the Word with God. Never forgetting Who HE is. Blessing others in His Actions and pure Words.

Jesus is not boastful, using the Word of God as "It is Written" - not as "Religious Law" - using the Word of God to save the ones Jesus came to save - you and me.

Jesus saw Himself as a doer of God's plan - love in action. Loving Father God with all His Spirit.

Jesus' family did tease Jesus to go to the Festival and be boastful, but when Trouble came - they sought to bring Him home to them. Jesus is recorded as going home with His friends - disciples - to attend a wedding and see His Mother.

The Exodus is the reminder - God cares very much about the lives of His Children on earth. Our Father God made a huge and sweeping statement - God longs for His Children to have Liberty. And Advantages.

God Loves us. God seeks for each of us to know - He created us to be individuals. God loves us that much to write this Letter to you - His Child - to have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Father God, help us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ to us personally. To fully know this love that surpasses knowledge.

Fill us the to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Today God calls us, the fullness of the earth and Heaven is His. He calls to us from Paradise - Today God's Begotten Son tells us He longs for our lives to be abundant. Today God would be a Father to us. Today we open our hearts to hear His Voice.

Today we come to share our confidence in Jesus Christ. Today, Father God, You are the same as yesterday and tomorrow in Your Love and Steadfast Promises to those who call upon You.

Today, as the Lord wills, we ask He guide us in the right thing to do.

Knowing Tomorrow, we still rely upon You Father God. And in expectation of Your Word - look for Your promises to us in Faith. God, You are Love. Let us lay down our hurts and have our hearts love. Love is of God. Thank You, Father God, for James recording his love for His Brother - Jesus. Amen.

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-18 ~ a time

Turn Turn Turn / To Everything There Is A Season Byrds.

Always the season to turn to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-18

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 

14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

15 Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.

16 And I saw something else under the sun:

In the place of judgment—wickedness was there,
in the place of justice—wickedness was there.

17 I said to myself,

“God will bring into judgment
both the righteous and the wicked,
for there will be a time for every activity,
a time to judge every deed.”

18 I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

So many times the Psalms neatly sum up the aspects of God. Life tests us.

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.

7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.

How does God feel about seasons? He is, of course, for them - His Word spoke the Seasons into creation.

It's when God creates a new thing - a repeat of an old thing - we have our attention caught. Taking a breathe with hope, faith and Love. A Renewal.

God took the seasons and placed a budding almond branch in the Ark of the Covenant. The Aramaic Book of Maccabees, Chapter 6, tells us of Jeremiah placing the Ark, sealed up by God, on Mount Nebo. With Moses. Faith in the Nicene Council, placed by God and surviving fierce storms, would say Believe. Hope tells us the Ark was not recorded in returning to the Second Temple with the other Temple Tools, created during the time of Moses, and is not recorded in the mosaic of the Arch of Titus in Rome. Love would tell us our Father God tells us the Truth.

Pope Pappa Visits Mount Nebo. Do you think He could feel the Joy of the Place and felt his heart stir?

The Book of Genesis tells us the Tree of Life is in His Garden of Eden. The Book of Revelation tells us the Tree of Life exists in His Kingdom.

The Ark is seen again in Scriptures -

Revelation 11:19
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

If you and I are to wonder together - I'd have to say the almond branch is still budding.

With the wonder - Heaven has remembrance of the sounds of the Exodus and Good Friday. A Season God Does Not See as Past.

What does God tell us today? God is about pulling us past our brokenness, in our sincere apology to Him, and into His Light - still shining.

God is about the Exodus in this life. Leaving fear, doubt, complacency, dull thought. And tells us of the on going conversation He has for us- always - an Open Door Policy. Heaven records there are 12 gates of One pearl - always open. God tells us of the reward today.

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.


Father God, as You recall the Exodus - You remember with a Father's sympathy about the hardships of Life.

By Your Word, you called us to Pray and Expect results in You.

On Your Throne, Good Friday reminds us of the hardships You have lived for us. In Expectation, Father God, let us pray for fathers to return to their vows. Knowing when we pray for Your Will to be done - we ask for the best blessing.

For Churches to be such an Encouraging Word - our younger generation thirsts for You and seeks nourishment every Sunday. Our Nation hopes in You and that encouragement makes life a time of peace again.

We open our hands to You and ask You make the path Yours. You are the Way, Truth and Life. 

In Jesus we pray! Amen!

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Matthew 13:31-32 ~ The Kingdom of Heaven is like

Cedars of Lebanon - used in The Temple in Jerusalem

Matthew 13:31-32

31 He put another parable before them, saying,

 “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Cedars of Lebanon - the effort to replant was from Queen Victoria

What does the Kingdom of Heaven look like to you?

A Profound Question.

Jesus spoke to us, the Kingdom of Heaven was like a large tree. And surely Jesus knew something of this parable. Genesis begins with the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and Revelation continues to tell us of this tree in Heaven.

God greeted Abraham where he chose to dwell.

Genesis 18:1
And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.

Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.

1 Kings 6
11 Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, 12 “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.”

14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. 15 He lined the walls of the house on the inside with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with boards of cypress.

Several times we are told trees (an image of angels, flowers, and trees) were displayed.

32 He covered the two doors of olivewood with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.

Jesus cares about the forest. And mentioned the birds gathered in the branches. Jesus refers to Himself as the branch.

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 22:6
“If you come across a bird's nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.

Matthew 23:37a
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Yet God's love doesn't stop with Jesus caring for only part of His Word made manifest.

Matthew 10:31
"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

Luke 12
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.

30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.



Trees have seasons. Winter appears to be a time of sleep. The truth is, trees love to be fed during winter.


Psalm 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

We all have seasons. There are several non-seasonal aspects of life.  He tells us gratitude,  prayer and Love.

Of course, God branches out from this non-seasonality to say how we are to seek Him first; And life is going to become abundant. Center Him, as Joshua did. Asking Him to forgive us when we don't stay upon the path that is blameless. We should walk with integrity of heart. Then we ask Him to help us not fall away. Then our heart is not perverse. This is when and how we seek God first. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Another non-seasonal - Jesus tells us, do not be anxious about our lives, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. He says your Father knows that you need them.

It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Put your treasure and heart with Jesus. One's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. God's love pours into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Jesus has been given the Holy Spirit to us.

Fear not. Jesus says. The Kingdom of Heaven is like -

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Revelation 7:9-10
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, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

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Psalm 86 ~ All nations thou has made shall come & bow down before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name.

Psalm 86

Incline thy ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save thy servant who trusts in thee.
Thou art my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to thee do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of thy servant,
for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
hearken to my cry of supplication.
7 In the day of my trouble I call on thee,
for thou dost answer me.

8 There is none like thee among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like thine.
9 All the nations thou hast made shall come
and bow down before thee, O Lord,
and shall glorify thy name.
10 For thou art great and doest wondrous things,
thou alone art God.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord,
that I may walk in thy truth;
unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify thy name for ever.
13 For great is thy steadfast love toward me;
thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seek my life,
and they do not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and take pity on me;
give thy strength to thy servant,
and save the son of thy handmaid.
17 Show me a sign of thy favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because thou, Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.


The Church is a sign of God's favor.

To be so long standing, is amazing. Remember Christ's Bride, the Church, is only marginally older than this magnificent Church, David Osios Thessaloniki, Greece. Built in the 4th or 5th century - this is just like the house Church written of in the Book of Acts. With the inviting front porch that draws the Church Family together to do things like have a Birthday Party for a young boy.

Wonderful and inspiring to see this Church still standing and being so vital. 

Father God this is the 28th Wedding Anniversary for Edward and me. Bless the work of our hands for our family and the people of faith. Bless the people who who have been so kind to us and the blessing of healing still working in our extended family. For more healing and the blessing of Love in the Holy Spirit, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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