John 3 ~ The Kingdom of God

John 3

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1

7 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.

26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah 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.”

31 The one who comes from above is above all;
the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.

The one who comes from heaven is above all.

32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.

34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.




This Passage clearly explains the Majesty of God's Son.


Jesus is sometimes condensed as a Politician. Jesus is God.


Jesus sat and Nicodemus, the powerful and rich, came at night to keep life easy for Nicodemus. Jesus knew Nicodemus as well as Nathaniel under the fig tree of John 1. Intimately.

Immediately, Jesus is very frank with Nicodemus. A very unusual move for a man who is not God. Jesus has never feared mankind. Jesus is God.

And Jesus begins to testify to what he has seen and heard. Nicodemus accepts Jesus is honest. Jesus is Himself. And Nicodemus' true self - his soul, accepts Jesus.  Nicodemus - we see in the Gospels -  has eternal life with Jesus.




What we see of this conversation - is the frank conversations Jesus will always have with us. Jesus speaks to the core and heart - what we really are is a soul. Jesus speaks to the eternal we are. Jesus reaches the moment of the conversation explaining what is important.


Jesus is telling Nicodemus how to present himself to God allowing Nicodemus to see - God is for Nicodemus. God is truthful. God has amazing depths of Grace allowing us to begin again.




Abba, our Father, Abba,

We ask always for You to dwell in us. More Holy Spirit and more of Jesus our mediator in our prayer life! More of You for those we love. More of You for the people You have given us.

Nicodemus discovered in finding Jesus, more of Jesus is good. More please.

Abba, You have told us "Emerald Green" is Your Favorite Color.

We are about to find a lot more green in Texas after Hurricane Harvey comes through. We pray for the unique weather we find in areas all over the world to be shared. When we share weather, floods have ceased. I remember Texas prayed to share some of the rain of Louisiana's Historic 20 Parish flood and their flood started immediately to ease. We pray with humor to share this good rain all over Texas, Bastrop (we have not forgotten to pray for you, Bastrop - forever fire free we pray), Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi.

We give You thanks for people who remind us to evacuate with an eye on letting the nearest to the coast evacuate first. ABC 13's Travis Herzog reminded us all to Love our Neighbor and let the coast evacuate first. Later counties as needed. I am grateful, grateful, grateful our County looks pretty peaceful in the projections. Bless the others.

God Bless Travis Herzog who reminded us in Hurricane Ike the barometric pressure caused premature labor and delivery. The valor of the Galveston hospital employees moving the weak and ill during the storm, the elderly and the newborns. As we saw this in Louisiana too.

Blessing the memory of the thousands of people who helped in Louisiana, Mississippi and the Houston Churches and Montgomery Churches who fed the Hurricane Katrina evacuees for months and months and months and months and with thousands of Church casseroles for the thousand's of God's Beloved in the football stadiums. God's Beloved work to help others.

We look forward to this wonder of God in the willingness of Cooking Christians - not to repeat this Blessing again, frankly, Father God! What a wonder that was and is in Your Sight, Father.

The Glory of God and the Name of Jesus cover us come Heaven or High Water - Texas.

We have absolutely no need for Hell or High Water. Away, away. Protection for us all in Jesus Christ we pray.

Lifting up Hope, Faith and Love for those we love and all the people God has given us.
Lifting High our cares to our Abba who Loves us.
Resting with assurance. Jesus is for us.

Having Joy knowing the prayers of God's Beloved cover this world with God's good pleasure.
Believing in the good days ahead for His Faithful and for our Nation as we Trust in God.

We are God's People for His will and His Good Works.

Blessed be God our Lord God for His Plans. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 115 ~ to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalm 115

1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"

3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

11 You who fear the LORD,
trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD has remembered us;
he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD,
both the small and the great.

14 May the LORD give you increase,
you and your children!

15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth! 1

6 The heavens are the LORD's heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.

17 The dead do not praise the LORD,
nor do any who go down into silence.

18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!


Oh Come all Ye Faithful
Joyful and Triumphant O Come Ye
to the Risen Lord Christ.

Come and be Thankful
Born the King of Angels.

O Come Let us Adore Him
Christ Jesus Our Lord God




Thank You, Abba,
For Your Willingness.

Willingness our Jesus would pray with us. His Willingness to increase the Holy Spirit in us.

We do not serve a God who asks us to cling to something uncertain and unknowable.

We Serve Jesus Christ King Victorious.
Only Son of God, our Father.
Father who has given us the Mercy to be Covered by the Highest Name of Jesus Christ God.

God would wrap us in His arms. Loving Care.
God who tells us He is Dependable, Loving, Steadfast.
Holy. Good.
We approach Father God in confidence He has invited us.

And tells us to trust and believe His Will for us is a Hope and Future.

God would tell us in the Gospels He does not ask us to Run after Him, The Prodigal Father runs to us. Welcoming.

We pray not in despair and decline, we pray with hope and expectation. Not taking from God our Father.  Seeing His willingness. Leaning into the Goodness of God.

Being blessed by prayers for others.

Abba,

We give You our Loved Ones to secure for Your Love and glory.

We give You our cares and the cares of the people You have given us.

And we will rest knowing Your Love.

We give You the cares of our communities and Churches.

We give You our prayer for Your Will on earth to be as in Heaven. Bring us more of You here in this life.

We give You our prayers for our peaceful Nation and for the peace of all who pray to You, Father.

And we will rest knowing Your Love.

To your name , Jesus, give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

The Peace of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Acts 23 ~ wrote a letter to this effect

Acts 22

"17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw Jesus saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly"

Horses were sent for Elijah. What would Jesus send for Paul to move with haste?

Acts 23

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect.




As I have said for a couple of days on the Scripture for Today Blog - I have been sad for my adult son moving to Michigan. I have dry eye and yesterday learned that weeping makes my eyes sore. And embarrassed to be weepy eyed.


I look at the Bible in the early part of the day and write down what creates a stir in me. Monday I wrote down a prayer request and went on with my day.

Almost immediately, Edward's voice, created a 'Tone' and said, "I have BAD NEWS." Edward had heard a 'clunk' and thought it was the phone charger. Hours before, it was Not. What had actually happened was a bottle of Avocado Oil had turned the needlepoint carpet I'd purchased from the funds of the Guardianship for an Elderly Cousin was now black with oil about 2 feet by 2 feet. (Something of interest, my cousin Maxine's father was William C. Graves, who was Majority Leader of the Texas Senate for 16 years and then was Governor of Texas for a day. The Governor had left the state with the Lt. Governor.) And this rug is fairly treasured.

We let my younger son really have 'it' for spilling paint on this rug before. He reminded us at the time... "I am Your SON." That paint is still on the rug - cleaned up some. And we let him continue as our son.

So I looked at Edward - who is a living, walking, Jesus miracle for Frontal, Temporal, Parietal damaged caused Dementia - who functions WELL - and thought, "Forget the rug, Be Nice to EDWARD." Who is alive and functioning and based up this being year 6 - should be Aphasic and bedridden. And found I had the grace to say, "Let's get a cup of coffee and buy some Dawn Dishwashing Detergent and remove this oil." Edward didn't think the oil would come out - the rug was black. Really.

My younger son, Edward and I got in the car and our Springer Spaniel was hopping up and down in the garage with anticipation. Edward was dour and said no dog. I reminded I'd been very merciful to Edward and let the dog come with us. Edward immediately said our dog could go and sit on the patio for Coffee. We had our cups of Coffee and little 2 or 3 year old child wandered by with one sandal on and crying like I had been crying. Her dad offered our dog as a pet-the-dog opportunity. Nooooo. And he started to carry her. She was just a little bit calmed down.

Ooops. No sandal. And the dad and went back to look with still broken hearted, crying, Little Girl. But as this little sweet faced, little girl passed the dog again, she waved at him. And still was broken hearted crying.

Back they came with two sandals and still crying. Dad looked glum now too. Really glum. So I said, "Come over here, honey and pet the doggie." Dad looked like being surprised in the middle of this was Not Very Agreeable. I explained she had waved at the dog. By now she was wriggling down to pet our Springer Spaniel - who is gorgeous and looks like a stuffed animal. Dad was surprised and we offered her instructions like, 'It's a very, very important idea to ask the dog's owner first. The dog might not be nice". And I added = he can growl unless he gets to smell your hand first. So our formerly crying, sweet little girl put out her hand. Instant pretty dog and pretty little girl love. Tears stopped. And I said to this little lady, "It's a good and very grand day when you are carried by your Dad when you cry!!!" She immediately looked all the way up, up, up at her dad. Eye contact. And little lady began to be delighted and chortle.

Dad swooped down, picked up his little daughter and held on. His little girl just laughed right into leaning into his face. Both were soothed.

I felt better too.

When i got home, I realized what the Bible Reading had been and saw my prayer for the day:

"Carry me, Father God, I think I'm going to need Your help today. Please. Amen in Jesus."



Mercy had set up more mercy, leading to answered Prayer.







We had purchased the Dawn dishwashing detergent. Why Dawn? A woman kept phoning USA Senators during the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska. She insisted Dawn would clear up all grease. I do believe because she was so insistent the wildlife was cleaned with Dawn. The Senators had thought she was a hoot. But at that much insistence - believed her enough to comment on this and wildlife was helped.

So I bought the Dawn and took the rug into the shower. Scrubbed vigorously. Looked better. And then sprayed with Rubbing Alcohol and washed the thing down and turned on the ceiling fan. I went and told Edward he could continue to live, because this looked better. And we waited for the rug to dry. I figured we'd need to repeat 8, 10, 12 times. And now with one wash and scrub - the rug looks as good as it did before.



Abba,

Jesus, pray with us today. Our thanks, Father. And Holy Spirit dwell richly in our bodies and lives, we ask in Jesus.


Today my Bible was open to Philippians 4, I read Philippians 3 late last night


Philippians 4
18 I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus.

They are a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.


Father with Joy,
We lift up our cares to You.
We lift up our Loved ones to You.
We lift up our their needs and cares.
We lift up the Joy, Hope, Peace, Love of knowing You as God to our Loved Ones.
We lift up the Joy, Hope, Peace, Love of knowing You as God to the people You have given us.
We lift up the Nation under God's Authority and Mercy.
We lift up the world covered in Prayer as Jesus and Our Father are asked for Their Love and care.

And in lifting Up, Up, Up these Treasures - we know Your Joy.

You are a Good, Good Father.

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.


Amen in .... JESUS our GOD!!!




PS So we told the rug story to our friend James Cain, who said God is Amazing. They went to Guam (turns out Guam is very, very pretty and not just something which sounds like you wouldn't want to eat). James said they had a family reunion in Guam because his brother is working a marine biology job in Guam. His brother proposed to his girl friend by swimming underwater 30' and holding up a sign asking if she wanted to marry him (in the glass viewing portion of the fish tank.) And that was good news for her affirmative answer because the whole reason for the family reunion was the surprise Church Wedding he'd worked on. Sunday before the wedding, the whole visiting family went to Church. And as the Church was in session they had 4 point something earthquake. And continued Church. As Church let out, every car in the parking lot had been moved to the right 5 feet. None of the cars were touching or harmed. God should be applauded.


To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

May the Lord God Bless and Keep You ~ Numbers Six

Man, I started my day out with the most inspiring, awesome, amazing, spectacular thing - bear with me getting to the point.

Mankind has been looking at Eclipses for Millenniums.
And the day the Eclipse came with an Earthquake...

Transcend
Exceed
The Overshadowing of the Holy Spirit

Eclipse. We look up to the Brightness of the sun. Zechariah said after meeting Gabriel, Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Necessary. Sustaining.


Sustaining...




Yesterday, I did not feel like praying. I miss my oldest son moved almost to Canada in Michigan - going to Law School. When to let go of your child, for the good news he does not have to daily make a living dealing with the elderly hurt on the job. With the 'one good lawsuit and never work again crowd'. With the working but unable to comprehend directions due to unintelligence and/or hurt. To say 'no' mostly. Oh, the elbows out get ahead crowd. Some people have the ability to do this job with real understanding no hard feelings. My son did an excellent job, but was hoping for different work. My husband summed this up and said, "We want our children to get ahead, we want them to have the ability to do their lives, his job was hard for him. We set them on the course and we let go, to let them. This is Love."

So about then you are asked to pray with Church. Ok - see the point. Pray more when you feel like praying less.

What's Heaven? A Reunion. Eclipsing Life.

What if,
What if,
What if - - -

You had the opportunity to put your prayer before God in writing so you KNEW that of the 85% praying people in the USA - this prayer Got the Attention of God the Lord, The Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. God of All Things. God of Power... God of Light.

Not just another 'arrow prayer'. One God could see. Official Prayer.

And you watched the people and saw their faces of great care submitting their prayer to - Jesus the Lord.


And the next day you were asked to pray for 20 days - ok start at what - 6 a.m. And you were asked to take a handful of these anonymous prayers up and pray with them to Jesus Christ Himself.

Now this is an Eclipse. The other side.

Getting to feel the aroma of God's People asking Their Beloved God about their Cares.

The Aroma of Prayer.

I had to bawl my eyes out.

The Beloved of God feel this:

With God, really basically I'm ok. Things are going to work out.

HOWEVER, Dear God - my child has  needs for their heart - their mind - their eyes - their soul - their lives - You, Jesus!!! With Jesus they will be ok. Help my children!

See with me, again: "With Jesus, I am ok. I hurt for the one's who are suffering in a lost place."

The prayer of the child's handwriting asking for their Dad to Love Jesus.

The generous prayers. GENEROUS. Over FLOWING PRAYER.

Prayer's for the Nation's School Children. Safety. To feel Loved.

Prayers for ADULT SIBLINGS. "My Sister's Marriage." "My Elderly Parent's Marriage."

Prayers for finances for the elderly parents.

Prayers for the Nation to know Love and Peace.

And what were a lot of the prayers for "LOVE." To be married. To pray for a spouse.





All these prayers added up to discovering AGAIN why God loves mankind.

A few asked for direction about jobs. But mostly for Hope, Faith and Love.

For the faces of the people putting down Prayers. These really are intense. But also intense because these prayers are going to - THE LORD GOD.





The most hurt was Divorce. Families split by Love splintering. Finding a way forward. Praying God to heal their souls. Balm them. And these prayers were directed for adult children of Divorce. And the love prayed for was very, very intense.

Father - God. God the Father. Our Father. Telling us He is Father. He gave us Numbers 6. God as Father would really want these praying people WITH HIM.

God the Father would be SO PROUD OF HIS PEOPLE. Where they put their Love and prayers.






Numbers 6

The Lord God is Going to Bless and Keep You.
SHINE upon you. A Father who would be so very, very proud of your hearts for the Loves of your Life.

His Home, His Kingdom, His Heart to these loving, loving, loving prayers.
His Promises are Real. True. He is Gracious to us. Thank You God for what You Give. The Holy Spirit living in these souls.
God provides every good thing we have. Love, Faith and Hope we give back to God with Thanksgiving Trusting Him to make a difference in lives

Father God tells us we cannot please Him without faith. These prayers were Faith.
GOD OF LOVE - OH - How can He not treasure these Prayers. OUR GOD DOES TELL US WE ARE HIS BELOVED.

May our Father God Lift up His Face and Smile upon us. He Does.

May Our Father God imbibe in us, abiding in us, His Peace. His understanding that for the faithful all things work together for their Good. Even if this is a future working soul - working for His Purpose. The VAST Graciousness of God. The Steadfast Love of God is not worried, He Knows the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is assured His Promises are For His Beloved.

God's Peace is far, far, far from boring. God's Peace must be Joy reading Love in all these Prayers. Seeing the hope they have in Him and for themselves. Their heart to again and again and again have a gracious and meaningful path to bring others into their assurance about Jesus. God is in them - they are ok - help the lost. Peace for the Nation. Peace on those so unsettled. Peace and Love for others.

Our Mighty God dwelling in the Holy Spirit in them. Seeking for others to have an anchor and a hope and future in Jesus.

Covered in the Name of Jesus. Blessing others. 

We are so fortunate to have Life and to live the Adventure of God leading us Home.
We will see His Word Fulfilled. Today with eyes of faith and in the days to come.

Realizing again, why God Loves His People.
God saves the world in Jesus Christ.
AMEN iN JESUS.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 104 ~ Springs gush

Psalm 104

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great!

You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. 7
At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.

9 You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.
10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.

13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.

16 The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees.

18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.

20 You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. 2
2 When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!




So let's cover the information fast and see what we can do. Ready. Set.

The Bible, being the Word of God is accurate and supports God's Word. Joel probably lived in 400 B.C. because he mentions a working Temple in Jerusalem.

Joel 2:31
The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

The very nice thing about Acts 2 is it's proximity to Acts 1. Jesus is alive in the New Testament outside of the Gospels.

Yes, we have had Blood Moons, but not at the same time as Eclipse.

God is good with His Signs and we can believe God and His Goodness.




Next, I just dropped my eldest son off across the Continent to go to Law School. Is this the end of the World?
No.

Do I find my eyes have some tears in them at awkward times. Yes. And I know I am used to my adult children living with us for a few months and then departing a few minutes or hours away. I know I will adjust and this makes me feel better? No. I feel a little traitorous. And not willing to let go of this feeling.





Then. Several very Christian people feel America is at a cross roads and we should really, really pray. They are good men of God and have arrived at this separately.
This sounds to me like the time to Pray.


Ok. Well, huh. I feel draggy and droopy. Not this morning Worship was great. Not at Sunday Lunch. Not early afternoon. Quiet - then I feel droopy - my son moved to great opportunity. We all are adjusting just fine - minus mom adjusting. How will we tackle prayer when we don't feel like prayer?



Abba, Our Father God,

I have the sulks. And the pouts that life is not shining upon me. I will really ask Jesus to Pray with us. I have a glimmer life is going to pick up, but I feel like pouts and tears in eyes.

So let's remember together what is good. Remember our Blessings.



Father God, You protect us from harm and evil. We will sleep securely. We anticipate a new season of fall and cooler temperatures. We have loved and appreciated Summer and met challenges, opportunities and had time to have reflections and meaningful prayer times with You. Our Family had the opportunity to drive west and drive almost to Canada in Michigan. Reminding us again how beautiful this nation is. The tranquility of states with few people, leaving us room to recall - the sky is not a blue lid. We have miles to still go. There is room for all of us in this Nation. If we see crowds today, that is by choice. We still have quiet within our souls to reflect on the meaningful Life God bestows on us.



The Steadfastness of God. Historical Records show an eclipse in the suburb of Syria - a small country called Judea had a total Eclipse in 33 A.D. the month of their Passover.

God is still giving us His Wonders. His Reminders. Jesus tells us He reveals the Father - walking with the Disciples who always had some concern working the wrong way. Not being Good Enough for God. And God never, ever, ever let the Disciples go. Thank You, God. Thank You.

Knowing You are God. You see us in all seasons of our Lives. In days of creation, in times of glee, in the doldrums. In spectacular prayer times.

And God, You Love us. So Grateful to be loved in times of doldrums. So grateful to be heard when we feel like the 'uh-huh' has descended. So Grateful that You, God of All Things would care to listen to me.

Father God, my own life has tender emotions. And those big needs of the USA, the World. My grown sons. My husband. My family. We know when we feel small, You hold us up and make us able to care about life around us.

Help the Holy Spirit in all of us Increase. Thank You that when I am weak, You are not Worried Father God. You are Steadfast. God You are Good. And on this we can put all the wonders of Creation and of Psalm 104 putting the Spirit in our lives and prayers.

Thank You for Your Tender Love.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 13:17 ~ Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

John 13:17

Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

There are moments in History, where Good Marches. When we see with our eyes and know why God wants to save the world in Jesus. What God sees in us. When we Delight God.

Today.

"Vehicles - are - Entering Right!"

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By their sheer numbers, thousands of anti-racist protesters marching through downtown Boston on Saturday effectively protesting hate.

This was seen as hate filled racism. And went forth.

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." - Martin Luther King, Jr

AMERCIA!!! Boston!!! Push Forward !!!

USA TODAY
Doug Stanglin

Excerpts:

""By their sheer numbers, thousands of anti-racist protesters marching through downtown Boston on Saturday, effectively prevented activists from mounting a "Free Speech Rally" in the aftermath of deadly clashes last week in Virginia.

(I am for real "Free Speech.")

Some media reports said only two dozen people actually attended the rally that had sparked the counterprotest in the first place. At 1:30 p.m., about 90 minutes after the rally had been set to begin, the Boston Police Department tweeted that the "Free Speech" rally was "officially over" and the demonstrators had left the Common.

By noon, Boston police said at least 15,000 counter protesters were peacefully marching toward the park where the rally area was blocked off by a ring of metal barriers.

Thousands more descended on the area over the next hour.

Many carried signs saying "LOVE your neighbor,”
“Resist fascism”
and “Hate never made U.S. great.”
Others held a banner reading: “Smash White Supremacy.”
One column of marchers carried a sign stretching almost the width of a street that read, "Which side are YOU on?"

TV cameras showed a group of boisterous counter protesters on the Common chasing a man with a Trump campaign banner and cap, shouting and swearing at him. But other counter protesters intervened and helped the man safely over a fence into the area where the other rally was to happen.

Boston placed tight restrictions on rallygoers, banning backpacks, sticks or anything that could be turned into a weapon.

Boston Free Speech Coalition, which organized the rally, said on Facebook that it is not affiliated with the Charlottesville rally organizers in any way. “We are not associated with any alt-right or white supremacist groups,” the coalition said. “We are strictly about free speech.”

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans thanked the mostly peaceful protesters and police officers.
"I’m just fortunate that none of the officers got hurt, none of the public got hurt," said Evans, speaking with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh behind him. "Overall it was a good day for our city in that we won’t tolerate hatred and bigotry. People came out to say Boston is united."


Mayor Marty Walsh echoed the sentiments on Twitter.
"Today, Boston stood for peace and love, not bigotry and hate. We should work to bring people together, not apart," Walsh tweeted, adding thanks "to all who peacefully stood up for our values."

Donald J. Trump
I want to applaud the many protestors in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate. Our country will soon come together as one!""








The 383-year-old Boston Common — the nation’s oldest city park — has been the site of numerous rallies and protests for centuries.






15,000 thousand marched
Joined by thousands later
- 8 arrests were made
The Freedom to Assemble.
Using the real right of "Freedom of Speech".

Who makes America great again? The people.
What makes America great again? Peace.

The people who carry a sign saying "LOVE your neighbor."
The people helping the protester get to the right place.
The sheer numbers of peaceful people.
Resisting hate.
Resisting fascism.








"Which side are YOU?"

I am for the Constitution and for real "Free Speech."
I am opposed to "Racism."
I am for "Love Your Neighbor!!!"
I am very not for one idea for all and say, '"Resist Fascism."
I am for Freedom to Gather. Very. Just like this.
I am blessed to see thousands gather peacefully to show what is Good.


We have all seen so many disturbing aspects of the news. Thank God. Good News.








Abba, Our Father,

Wow. Thank God. Good News.

Jesus pray with us all. Hearts revealed. Peacefully. Showing us all again why You want the world to be saved.

Help us never to be forgetful of our Blessings.
Help us never to be forgetful of our Blessings.
Help us never to be forgetful of our Blessings.

Ecclesiastes 9
7 Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart;
for God has already approved your works.
8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.

Nehemiah 8:10 
“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.”

Deuteronomy 26:11
And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.

Love Your Neighbor.

Deuteronomy 16:11
You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.


Peace be upon us, we pray, Father God. Blessings of Your Mercy. And for our neighbor, Mexico, and the violence they have each month. Our prayers are with them. For the British paramedic, Mr. Zubler, in Finland, defending two women from a violent knifer - for his recovery. 

And, truthfully, frankly, for "South Park" telling us a wall is just Wrong.




May Our God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we Believe in Him,
so that we may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoicing in the witness of Proverbs 8 - why Jesus Christ delights in mankind.

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

Thank You Again, Boston!!! Freedom!!!

By God’s will I say to you with joy and am refreshed in your company.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Jesus within, Jesus in our loved one's, Jesus increase the Holy Spirit in us as we Believe. Peace flooding us and pouring over our borders Jesus fulfilling His Word is Joy.

May the God of peace be with us all. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 91 ~ He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge

Psalm 91

He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge



Today we were in Lansing, Michigan. Until 4:30 a.m. We turned a corner downtown and a very, very large and impressive Church had a billboard reading "Do not joke about the Apocalypse." The small, black, moveable letters were lighted up with a green light and the marque was small, but architecturally impressive. I decided I had to look fast at the Church to see if this was a joke in serious downtown Lansing, Michigan or if this was Church and Church Seriousness. Wow, this was Church of impressive size, impressive Architecture, beautifully immaculately, maintained in the best part of downtown and we - were - past - this - Church with Large Buildings blocking the view.


I think I read it to say, "Be part of the solution."

My week is crossing the continent twice since Monday and once by car (20 hours, 2 vehicles, 4 people) and next by plane on Friday. My eldest son is off to Michigan State University! Wow. Texas - om. Wow. This is some very serious Architecture. Wow. 8th Largest Campus in the USA. Amazing. Bruce Wayne, aka Adam West, we need the Bat Light.


Very Friendly. School children ask about the dog. We slept one night at my son's duplex rental. In charming Lansing about 4 blocks from the State Capital. Inner city. Michigan. My son's landlord is a Michigan State Professor. Friendly - delighted we had picked Michigan apples for a pie I hope Cal is going to make - he loves to do Apple Pie. About a 1910 building and the crime rate is low - very intermixed racially. People walk to the grocery store and say hello to you on the porch. You bet the porch - no air conditioning and 63' at night.

And how was your week. Nothing upsetting on facebook. Nothing disturbing in the news - same ol. Normal, logical. Except. A few ... things. Buckling seat belt.

Passing through segregated Little Rock - people very friendly. Missouri - same. Illinois - same. Michigan - pure friendly. News - whoa. Stop.



Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a Magic Mallet.

Not to do harm - but to cause the people of the USA to stop and see what they truly have.


To see how much of the USA is beautiful and not crowded or jammed up. Peaceful. Grateful. All the polls say the USA has a higher than 85% believe in Jesus and pray. The people polled don't have to say this. They just - meant this.



Sit on your front porch. Say hello.

Refuge.

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

God has delivered us safely 

You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.


If we are honest. Our nation has 319 Million People. Millions and Millions and we had 11 injured in Chicago's 3 million. I'm sure the hospital was just ... shocked.  9 people injured in Charlotte. 37 in Barcelona, worlds away.

And 2,300 people murdered in Juarez in -  a - month. Where is that upset?  Real people. Not statues. Not people who are dead long, long ago. People with living breathing families. Sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews. Children.

Real issue - suicide goes hand and hand with substance abuse. And we are ignoring substance abuse for flaps over metal.  We need to give hope, faith acheiving and Love.

Travel across the USA. See how beautiful and peaceful this country is. Maybe we are flapping about the media and not about real life hardships. Wall? No. One word. Tunnels.  One more word. Mercy. Mercy. Mercy.


A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone. (a statue)
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”






Abba,  Our Abba,

We are the Nation who declares in God we Trust. We are the people who tell strangers 85% pray regularly. And believe Jesus is God and hears.

How beautiful are many places offering words of kindness to one another.

We are the place were we anticipate to sleep safely. We are the Nation where 80 years ago people tied tires to their feet to have shoes. We had no Social Security. We had no Health Care.

We are the nation where Theodore Roosevelt lost both of his parents in their 40s because that was the age limit. They had actually died of old age - as most of the Continent of Africa today. And he honored them by fighting for equality for all people.

We are the nation who borders Mexico - where 2,300 people die in a month of drug related and crime related deaths.

And because we pray - we Thank You for our loved ones expecting to live long lives. We anticipate college costs to be reasonable again - like Social Security was created.

We anticipate our youth and our retirees to go to Missions and help the poor. We know we volunteer and know others who do. We help - because - Father God You have endowed us with Blessings. We bless the Churches who have armies and helpers who build wheelchair ramps and paint houses. We bless the Churches sending Meals on Wheels. We bless the Church for feeding the Hurricane evacuees for months and months and months - their source of food.


God bless the poor hunks of metal that are art. God bless the 1 in 6 families who would like a mentor to get out of hunger situations.



Thank You Father God for the wars we have had - that we may not war in that direction again. Yesterday has past and we have prevailed.

Father God, Thank You for the health of the ones we love. For our own health concerns. Thank You we will sleep safely this night and for the people You have given us who will be safe as well.


Abba, our children are well, they are blessed to want and find education. We have better community colleges than ever before. We have educated Churches who work with the people in cities, states and our Nation pressing forward our 'real' needs. We hear about Constitutional Conventions. We think upon Solutions. We anticipate the Goodness You are. No man can boast of his righteousness, but we have the numbers who confess Jesus is God and pray. And we will pray for other Nations in Jesus Christ.

We will not be discouraged from our Blessings.
We will never forget, never forget, never forget our Blessings.
We will not be discouraged from our Blessings.
We will not be discouraged from our Blessings.
We will be mindful of our Blessings.
We are Blessed.  We will Thank You, God.

Your Grace cannot be bought. And You have showered us with Goodness.

We are the Easter People and Jesus is our Savior, Alleluia.
Day by Day we will persist and have Joy in Jesus Christ our God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Philippians 2:12-18 ~ you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work

Today - we 2nd This Emotion.

Philippians 2:12-18

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.

And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Moving Week for my eldest son!  Surprise Table Pizza! We had an appetizer and a Tomato Bruschetta Pizza and one pizza to return with and, surprisingly,  found Dinner to be a Table. I think this is our first text of dinner out - 'Evah'. Table Pizza. Delicious and amazing. Not an Alka Seltzer moment - we hope. Oh Lord Deliver Us, Amen.


The passages are picked out before the text is known. The Word of God is living and active. While 'objects in mirror are closer than they appear' this is indeed how the posts are written. Movies tell us, "The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred."

The Word of God is indeed Jesus. The Word of God made manifest. Jesus would tell us about learning the Word of God is a light to the Way, Truth and Life we want to lead.

Matthew 13:11-13

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."


Do we believe, "All Things work together for good, for those who Love the Lord and Work according to His Purpose" - we should Believe.

A matter of faith. I'm sure some events will have to be trusted to Father God, like losing a daughter at birth.





Consider ~

"you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work"

Noah obeyed.

David obeyed.

Peter asked Jesus to depart from Peter, he declared himself to be a sinner and not worthy to be Jesus'.

3,000 pages of the Bible -
how -  will we obey - all  -of the Word of God. Or even Mark 7.

To use the Word of God given to us personally - using His Gifts for our lives.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Every dot. Every Word of God is Truth and, therefore, Law. We are meant to obey the Law of Liberty - to believe Jesus bought us with a Price.





God tells us Jesus shows us our Father. His Mercy and Love. We honor our faith - our Love for Jesus by putting our lives, words, deeds in the faith He puts in our soul. I John 2 and 3 are John living a long life and realizing the depths of trying to live life with faith. The Bible tells us God could examine our every thought, every deed and every word. Without His Grace - we are sunk. And we would be sunk to forget we live because God died for us. There is absolutely no way to buy God's Grace with our goodness. God tells us this is Not Possible.

I told my son at dinner as he told a story about his mom and working to get along with the two of us - "I'm not always perfect, but then I am!" He laughed a good and solid 2 or 3 minutes heartily. I am forgetful. I surely will forget details when life presses in with many events. I am sometimes bright and sometimes I can't spell. My own Daddy called my brain "Sometimes". Leading to me praying for all of my life to be helped by the Holy Spirit. To make me mindful of when I need to use and ask for wisdom. To help me remember what needs to be accomplished this day. To pray for those who need prayers. To shop effectively and wisely. To work wisely. To use words wisely. To employ wisdom and mercy. To please God with my choices. To care for those God has given me and to be a good Stewart of His Blessings. To laugh. To have Joy. To trust God with my salvation and not be judgmental. To be wise. To employ mercy. Worthy of repeating. God Himself tells us the "Joy of God - is - my Strength." And I have been told by people who pray for me - I am strong. And I believe this to be God's gift. One of my best gifts is the ability to endure with Joy. To believe solutions will come forth. Believe all things work for Good in His Love.



We will treat our Salvation as precious. And at the end of the day, with God's Grace - we will rest and be glad the Creator of All Things, finds in His Love and Mercy, we are covered in the Name of Jesus. And in sincerely doing what we can and what we believe in Jesus - God is pleased. And in Jesus Christ we absolutely can approach our Father with confidence. This parallels the Book of Esther doing her best for her people - the Jews.



Abba God,

We ask Jesus to pray with us. Increasing the Holy Spirit within us.

You are our Father, Your Kingdom is Heaven and all the good earth belongs to You. Help us each day to see Your willingness to bring more of Heaven to earth - the lives of the people we Love and You have given us - to have the Helper - Holy Spirit. You are Holy and willing. You give us the Name of Jesus to ask with and cover ourselves in Jesus for Salvation. The awe of being asked by You - for Your Kingdom in Eternity. More today.

Give us this Day - our Daily Living Bread - Jesus. We will need Your help today. And rejoice in Your Love and Blessings. Listing them to You - today.

Forgive me my smug virtues, my flaws I like, my true weakness and my sin. Help me to have Joy for my Grace from You and work this with wisdom and with Joy for others. Grace is the fuel of Joy.

Lead me to not employ my own quiet life in paths You'd not have me travel. Help me to call upon Jesus and be diligent and disciple in Your Joy.

We want and need You father God to protect us from evil. We believe and Trust You.

And as John found, Your's is the Kingdom of Wonderful Love and Eternity. Your Word is the Power to give us hope, faith and Love. Your Glory is where we Want to be. Thank You for Revelation 6 - John finding himself eye to eye with wonderful Jesus again.

Thank You, Your Word is Life for us all. For Barcelona - struck by lightning - hatred and terrorism. Our world is small enough to share the news of wickedness all over the globe and fear. We will not have fear. We will Thank You, Jesus, the murderers are caught and pray for all Your Love and Protection in a world You said would have troubles.

We pray for the Will of God to find each of us working in tandem for God's Kingdom around us. The Word of God to live and dwell making our lives meaningful, Love and mercy covering the earth with God's Goodness. Seeing what is Good and spreading Jesus as Good News.

Thank You, today, Father God, In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †