Matthew 2:1-6 ~ will shepherd my people Israel

Mary and Joseph set out in expectation. As we all do.

We've only just begun to Live.





Not even a kiss for luck and we're on our way. Only God can create life so we all have a portion we can fully understand.

Pretty soon white lace and promises. I love God bends down to our real lives.  We have to love God giving Jesus His birth with Mary and her Fiancé.  What would we do if we had no hope God loves us in our real and difficult tiny human life stages.












Whatever year your anniversary is - typically - we start out with ideas.

Would Father God do less for His Only Son? Delight of His in Genesis 1 and 2?

We Know God would say, "Oh, I am this."

Matthew 2:1-6

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:


“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”


And I'd bet everyone starting out is thrilled at the prospect of Shepherding. Lots of memories are made.

Not of Terrific Successes - more like the banana pudding where sugar was forgotten and it became a real 'think piece'. On the edibility of Southern Wallpaper in Vicksburg during the Waaaar of Noooorthern Aggggggression. Bet you couldn't tell my great-great grandmother ate her Vicksburg cat at age four and ended up ... "hideously pissed." Shelby Foote {Foote, Mississippi - proudly not born at Mount Holly born in the 'modern' hospital at Greenville, Mississippi} recorded a Southerner saying after being about to be killed by a Northern Army man,

"Why ARE you shooting at us?"

"Because you are on my land and YOU ARE SHOOTING AT ME!!!"

How can we tell everyone not to remember the Civil War. It's when our nation had prodigious communications about profound thoughts on the Lord, hideous temper and circumstance in the Nation. With disastrous murder and the call to duty and arms to prevent your loved ones from experiencing war. And we sounded like Jeff Foxworthy. Without good oral hygiene. It was an Exodus. The Pharaohs didn't want to let the people go - but the horrible murders happened to the you and the me of life - called to war.




Live, love, laugh, fight, find, grow with Jesus.


Things happen. Life happens. But if you forget eating dinner on the floor as newlyweds in front of the TV because no adult tells you not to - you've forgotten youth. It's important to remember when the car was stolen from the driveway and we all jump up and down screaming, "Did you leave the car at the Grocery Store?"

Or when your husband goes past the Living Room window in the VW Jetta going 45 mph and you have a 2 and 4-year-old. You have to go yell out the front door at your husband, "Do NOT drive through the front yard. We Have CHILDREN." And the woman in the driveway explains she just knocked him with her car into the front yard and he did a not-bang-up job missing the Giant Pecan Tree. And he says, "WHAT SHE SAID!"

Flan causes severe food poison when left on the counter after a dinner party. This one is not on me. And Memorial Weekend is broke time so you paint a room. You put your garbage can on the dryer because the Spencer dog and the children have some idea - it's a new toy bin. Again. The second kitchen wallpaper makes you wonder what you were thinking on the first wallpaper. Did you have Margaritas? We won't tell the pig story that goes on for 15 minutes.

And then forget if worrying is a sin... Is complaining?  Is Complaining a Sin? Because learning to adult has a curve. Frankly. Are we there yet?

Christmas - when you realize some of the family has gone Home to Jesus, but today - you are still here. Better enjoy this.






Saints don't complain. Evah.


The Bible is real. It's living and active. It's... TODAY. Yay.


1 Corinthians 15

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.


3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas,
then to the twelve.
6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time,
most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.



12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.


HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE. HOLD THE FAITH:


17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.


21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all be made alive.


23 But each in his own order:
Christ the first fruits,
then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him

. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him,
that
God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.



What about the days when you have 'matured some' and you are pleased not to be forlorn. Life has picked up some wisdom, with the help of Jesus and you are a bit more supplied.


And Then.

No Candy Gram. No Pizza Delivery. No John Belushi.

All these things, household, rear up that are broken, you should be able to fix, that happen again and again and take 3 days. And your spouse goes out of town and has a great time. And in fixing, you wonder about the days ahead and you just feel glum and like complaining. Sure you could fixate on the good, but why? And the nine-year-old adopted Husky {MY} grand-dog fell down the stairs due to hips and is crying in Michigan. Wow. And then your face is sad and then - that's when you discover - Zombies.

Dang, you can't even say "God Bless You" because your blesser is BBBrrrrroken.




I Love St. Paul. I really do. Like Jesus, Paul says arise. He worries about Zombies.

The Light shines in the dark and the Light has not been overcome.

Zombies.

The people who see you have a bad day and they are ready with a good oil can and a match.

You know, I truly appreciate The Parable of the Talents. It used to worry me in my younger days - gasp - what if I have 3 talents and I bury them. It's Algebra - clearly. But the truth is even the Zombies have a talent. They are going to Jesus and He loves them. Even the half talent Zombies. They used to be no talent - not Jesus people. Now they have the Jesus talent. There has been a Jesus Miracle and you know this

I learned this - myself. Because some days I am the .5 talent ... non...Zombie.

What's a Zombie? A Zombie is someone with a phone attitude. A very, very interesting phone. Their phone can beat your phone any day of the week. You have something in your teeth. No. No. No. Oh. Never mind.

We need to wake up and smell the coffee why the movie world is interested in Zombies.


My last few days of broken household things that drive you up the tree - I got so angry - I made a Zombie List.

When are Zombies hungry. At weakness. Outside they look orderly. But inside - the Zombie shows. They are looking for people of - divorce. Of the child is ill. Of the elderly. They are looking for a social score to prop up their Zombie hungry ego. And the elbows out Zombies think they are unique. They aren't even Historically unique.

Paul has zombies - Paul calls them, "Beasts of Ephesus".

*** Is a Zombie a Millennial? NO. Zombies happen as we have dissatisfaction in our lives. It's a hopelessness. Not a Virus of age.

Paul has done something from Hebrews 5

14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have
their powers of discernment trained by
constant practice
to distinguish good from evil.

God tells us and Daniel tells us there is a war out there. A war to make you doubt yourself. Break you down. Make you blah and regular rut without Blessing Seeking.  The It will accuse you of false personality traits. It will belittle you. It is called "The Mission Field". Or. Real Life.



Paul is giving us a solid Tool of God.

when you discern evil - rude - harm - cold - chill in the apparent conversation
you have identified the Dark.

God does not treat you like this.

God would enfold you in the Robe of his son returned Home.
when you trust in Jesus, walk in His Path,
His angels remind you - "You are Loved of Father God, do not despair. Let it roll."

God is Your Father - Creator of All Things.
God is not riding on your good works.
God our Father can't wait to Gift His Children internally with
Love Joy Peace Steadfastness Gentleness
Faithfulness Self-Control to remember
who you are in Christ Jesus.
Beloved.
A believer of God is a Friend of God.

A Zombie has not represented Christ. And Jesus is the only Judge of the Righteous Believer of God Himself.



Winston Churchill said this with a Glint in His Eye, Pilgrim.
"If you have those who would detract from you, be proud. You have stood for something."



The Divorced have stood for Love Yourself. The child who is ill is being Shepherded. The Elderly have served. Each has earned human compassion. Not attitude. Not dodgy lack of respect and chilly self-indulgence. Not a lack of responsiveness. Zombies love to travel in groups. Zombies do not like to be confronted by the Light of reveal, especially two by two. Zombies do not like be conformed to kindness. Have you ever walked up to a counter where the elderly 'are not being served?" Zombies look like Buffy the Vampire Slayer has come into the room when someone points out in a louder voice to do the work.

Zombies do not require a wooden stake. Zombies require a parenting Shepherd. We live in a country where 85% pray and Believe. Zombies can become Children of His Most High very quickly just with the correct re-direction.

Will it happen again? Yes. Life has Jesus sweeping up right and left. And unfortunately, I know I have asked Jesus Christ to sweep up after me. The goal is to try to not ask Jesus to be our waiter. To address each other as if we are both Children of God.

Why is there is so much angst? Seasons. We seem to have come past Zombie season. And then they bloom. And when the numbers rise of Zombies - we are worried about being less effective for God's Work. Run down out of the race - not helping us accomplish His Good Will. Not that sounds Mighty Fine - but the truth is - when we are effective for God - we are secure. We are Loved internally. We are protected. We are directed. We are smiling. We have Peace. We are assured. We might not be so effective with gaping Zombie wounds. Sarcasm - to tear the flesh off someone.

When we are on the Plan and Path of God - we have His Strength to continue. With all good hope. We don't want to stop. And Logically - God is going to help us.

Zombie List. Bad Idea? If we never have rain, we can't enjoy the sunshine or the flowers. Realism.

Surfing. We can substitute as an analogy for running today. We have to ride the waves. I'm not sure Zombies surf. God is good. Realizing God is the gentle days of fast travel. God is with us up, up, up the endless wave. In the storm. In the choppy part.  Carrying our 'bored' where things happen. And back down the good part of the ride. And when we are doing the actual plan of God, our Father is our safe and adventurous journey and harbor.

We would be remiss to not think about violence and Zombies. About not overreacting to do our part in the harmony and balance of Abiding in God's Vineyard. Realising the Truth on jumping on a Zombie bandwagon. Paul is talking about Zombies. He really is. We know we have this social problem in our culture. the Word of God assures us Love covers a multitude of sins.

Frankly, I'm not good at this. I'd like to be better. Being an only child for 8 years and having a sibling just beginning to talk when I was 10 years old. I like Thor's Hammer at the will of a wish. Maybe God is going to get better with this in me. We all have our flaws - some Zombie up. I Thor up... Vocabulary does that for you. And God bless us all with some humor. And the next breeze of Hope and a good strong wave with a solid adventure.






Reading Scripture helps us know God's Love. Every Bible verse is written for you. Jesus Christ is all mankind's Light. John 1!


Father God, our Abba,

We have a prayer for You to fulfill this week. Lifting our Expectation in Blessing to You - Today.

We were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to live when we followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Because of Your great love for us, our Father God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace we have been saved.

And Our God raised us up with Christ
and seated us with You in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

In the coming ages, You might show the incomparable riches of Your grace,
expressed in Your kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace of Jesus Christ we have been saved, through faith
—and this is not from ourselves,
This is the gift of God —

not by works, so that no one can boast. Only Jesus Christ as God for us.

We are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which You prepared in advance for us to do.


Covered and sealed we pray Your Name Jesus on the people
and upon ourselves
Lifting up our loved ones.
The Grace of Jesus cover our nation and all believers in all ages and places.
We pray asking in the Name of Jesus.
Amen.

Hebrews 2 ~ My God helps me

Jezreel Valley, Israel

Hebrews 2

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

 It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,

or the son of man, that you care for him?

You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned him with glory and honor,

putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. 

At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but

he helps the offspring of Abraham. 

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

If Father God did not test us, we would not grow.

Keeping our eyes on the Cross keeps us centered.

Such a Great Salvation

I will not neglect my salvation. I will never forget my Father God.

I will go through my life with my Father God. With the Strength of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

This 23rd Psalm is the Journey.

The Lord is my Shepherd. Not other people and their thoughts.

The journey is Personal. The Relationship is clearly trustworthy. The Relationship is faith.

Eyes on Jesus. Faith on Jesus.

I will not neglect my salvation. I will never forget my Father God.

Father God,

Cover us in all weathers and all seasons, that we will grow in Hope, Faith and Love.

In Your Goodness, Righteousness and Mercy. We will rejoice as we see prayers answered.

Knowing with gratitude, these Gifts come from Your Love. Thank You, Father God and Your Son, Jesus.

We have been praying for eyesight and Edward's is better - the eye doctor said it would decrease. We pray for the spot on his back.

We ask God's favor and protection.

We give all our cares to You and say Your Will is Good for our lives. 

We trust in You and fling ourselves, 

the ones we love, 

the people You give us 

and this Nation in Your Goodness. Amen in Jesus.

Psalm 121 ~ The Lord is your keeper

Originally Posted 3/2/18

Psalm 121

My Help Comes from the Lord ~ A Song of Ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 122. Psalm 124. Are Psalms we know David wrote. This is probably another one. David completed the lands promised to the 12 Tribes in the Exodus.

Freedom is an interesting thing. Comparing the beginning of 2017 to early 2018.
My 26-year-old son said after years of so much stability, we seem to be surrounded by angry times, uncertain economics, strange outlooks by the news. Old news that is outdated. Renewal of racism and the dissolution of racism by the people of Boston. My son said every thing is different rapidly from college costs, to continual war. Last year, being in the 4th largest city of the USA, we barely heard trains coming from the Port of Houston. An odd thing. And this year, the trains seem to be unceasing. Increasing Prosperity or wobble is what he called all this.

We live in an area the United Nations says is one of the 7 fastest growing cities in the world due to Exxon now headquartered here. 15 years ago we had 4 way stop signs. Now traffic can be intense, and we have a lot of traffic lights.

Freedom. Suddenly you realize you are called upon to be strong. And in God, in His Strength, we find we have this Strength.

We do not always feel blessed. We do not always feel on top of the difficulties we all have in life. And the next day the same life, the same set of circumstances are Blessed. Lifted by God in renewing mercies.





We have seen in Texas - prosperity arrives.
I grew up in Dallas when it was a large city of 300,000 people. And, now, Houston and all surrounding cities add up to 6 Million. About half the size Beijing, China. And now Houston and Dallas, some day, will be connected by a Bullet Train of a 90-minute trip. The same as Weatherford to Dallas by car.

The 1970s were filled with possibilities.
New opportunities for a Larger Home Loan. Fewer Society Strict Rules. And increase in sexually transmitted 'illnesses' or 'diseases.' A disease. A medical condition is a broad term that includes all diseases and disorders. A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. A disorder is a functional an abnormality or disturbance. So the term is purely political.

And what has followed
Is this seemingly wobble of change of education, change of acceptability of a pattern of family and stable life? The change of Housing. The Change of Marriage since the 1970s.


We find the people rise up to make stability.
It is not so desired to find impolite society. The people answer with their choice in sports, in Awards watching. Politically. The Churches presenting the complete Word of God Prosper with Kindness and Mercy. Higher Education is still sought. Junior Colleges prosper where ideas are more moderate.


Why?

God has many means of sweeping all things to Good who Trust in Him.
All things work for God's Plan. When we align ourselves to God, we have done well. The Nation of France, prior to the French Revolution, attached itself to being comfortable and easy with few necessities to align with God. And as more found comfort - others starved.

We allow Father God First Place.
As we seek to show mercy in races, as we seek education, as we have education and families are stabilized. As we progress in Deliberate Christianity - we find this Justice and Mercy places us in God's care. This Generation is committed to marry more. Continue Education. Stay married and raise the children. Provide for the children. Allow the children to grow and fend for themselves.

This is a Way God allows His Spirit to work.

But when you look at the miracles of God - we find the miracles of the Bible - being outnumbered - overwhelmed with problems - God still is the Way, the Truth, the Life.



Jesus is so Loving - the Disciples threw a fit over personal answers and long life as the RISEN KING JESUS fixed Breakfast in John 21.

So Loving - the father with his son so ill - felt comfortable to cry out for Jesus' own Help "I have faith, help me to have more!"


And the same God of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Still Loves and Works.

1945 and Peace. A child shall lead them.
A child told a Catholic Priest his family had a huge volume of weapons and ammunition stock piled in a cave. It was a vast sight to the child. Impressive the adult men has worked on this for about 3 -4 weeks putting this collection in a cave. The child told the kindly Priest of the boxes with colors holding the bullets. The Priest told the child such collections in caves tend to create violence and people die. The child had a vague idea of this. The Priest asked for the location. The child was alarmed and said he would think about the Priest's question. And the next day the child came and told the Priest, the Priest could come with the child, collect the weapons and store them under the Monastery and Church.

Violence would be averted. So the Priest took Nuns, who would not be observed and the weapons which were many were collected all that day.

A week later all the Jews coming to the Holy Land
From German Concentration Camps, the weak and the gaunt - filled with new hope were coming to the Holy Lands where President Truman and Winston Churchill were finding a safe place for these rescued, remnant Jews.

As the Jews arrived, weary, starved and wounded walked toward Jerusalem
Arabs started firing on the Jews. The same Catholic Priest opened the walls of the Monastery and the Jews were rushed,  running, inside. The Priest sent word of peace and non-violence. As dark fell, locals climbed the walls to shoot into the Monastery. Inside the Monastery - was decided the Jews, the Catholics were worthy of life and peace. The Catholic Priest went into the basement and all the Jews and Catholics picked up local guns and weapons and the locals were surprised at the sudden return fire when simple ambush was expected upon the innocent. And violent men with murderous intent were - vanquished.

The Remnant of God - were protected.
By coincidence, by Miracle of God, by innocence, by hard work to remove weapons, by the correct placing of the weapons, by the righteous and by those who Love Jesus. By those willing to provide shelter for the weak. By the Brave willing to be Shepherds and Warriors of God. All these people lived to be old. Peace was established.


Freedom God Established and Held.

May the Lord God, our Father

Bless us

and Keep us,

May the Lord make His Face Shine upon us

and be Gracious to us.

When our Heart finds His Graciousness,

may we see our Father's Face

lifts to Smile upon us.

May God give us Peace.

A Peace so profound we may touch His own Peace with His Good Plan.

May Abba, cover us in the Wonderful Name of Jesus.

And Bless us.

We pray we are blessed spilling our blessings abundantly

covering those we Love.

Spilling His Love over us all, Seeking God first, as we spend our lives praying and

talking to our God.

In Jesus. Amen.

Philippians 2 ~ to the Glory of God the Father

Philippians 2

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ,
any comfort from love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.




12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life,

So that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith,
I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.


19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,
so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 2
2 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 2
4 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.








The Glory of God is astonishingly beautiful and infinitely pleasing.
To have Him give some of His Glory in answering prayers is the Love He has for us. And is a gift. A pure gift. The prayers He answered that stayed answered for 40 and more years.


We know, Paul is a man of great learning. Paul is a man who held high position and his prospects looked good as a Christian killer.

And in Seeing and Knowing and Loving Jesus we find Paul wants this from Christians:

encouragement in Christ,
comfort from love,
participation in the Spirit,
affection and sympathy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind


Words to Beautiful in Scripture to not repeat them.

Being able to say "God Bless You."
My grandmother's generation said this very easily. Being able to say, " I will pray for you." This today is a little (a lot) fearful. When we say God bless you - we are taking humility (of this chapter) to say I look uppity but I'm putting God first. In the Blessing - God has highly exalted Jesus and in seeking His Blessing we bestowed on the blessed and infer God's name that is above every name. This really  is my opinion, when I  "God Bless you."

In the 1990's King Ahaz and his helper came to me to say,' Rudolph, with your nose so bright, "Quit saying 'God Bless You'! People find that offensive and religious and smarmy and uppity.' " And since you read this blog you know - this was an analogy way of communicating Ahaz stuck to 'realistic certainties' and did not extend to risk the Majesty of God. And Hezekiah, in faith, made necessary risks bold and beautiful, memorable and meaningful - making all kinds of mistakes and still trying. Receiving help. In amazing ways.

Hezekiah is a name that has flown far. Ahaz, not so much. We can stand with our hands in our pockets. Are we can skim a few stones and see the ripples, the fun. We can keep the envelope in our pocket. Or. We can push it. Paul himself said this is running a race. Not being an Ahaz. Merry Christmas!!!

(You have to have compassion for Store Workers. They have no idea what to say. 'Thank You, You as Well!' C'mon Store Managers!)

Maybe...
we could work on saying words of Blessing and Love and Jesus.. After we are comfortable saying, "God Bless You."  "I will pray for you." Even "I will pray for you now."  Then the Gun Laws are less an issue.

Prayer accomplishes a lot.

Mike Pence looked good and dignified telling us of his faith. He had a lot of Heart. Love. Soul. This could make Facebook a little more. Brave too.

Paul is the highest of the Christian world. as the New Testament is being put ink to papyrus.
Brightest Shining Light of God.
Peter was probably right there too with Jesus' Brothers.


Paul admits he has worked hard to tell of salvation. Really put his all here. Hold Fast to the Word of God. Sending his best and sending his best person - hoping to come see you too.


Look at this list :

Giving his all.
Hoping.
Glad and rejoicing. (Paul writes when he is not as well, he is sincere.)
Mercy received from God.
Seeing how it will go with Paul.
Worker, soldier, messenger, minister.
Eager, rejoice, anxious.


Philippians 2 is - jaw dropping. Astonishing. Paul has just admitted he swims with the circumstances God gives him. Riding the waves of life. He has anxiety. He has burn out - a liquid poured out. And he continually looks for the blessings our Willing and Good Father send him. Finding Joy upon looking.

Paul might say - don't cry over spilled milk. Run your race in it. You might look like you're dancing.

Never again - self worry to be anxious is a sin. Paul has just admitted Anxiety. He sees grumbling around him and disputing. Tells of his worries. Explains his life. He wants to put the people he loves with people he loves. He sends the faithful he loves to cater to the faithful. Telling us of this being the person who attends to the emotions of Paul the most. Paul intends not to be separate, but to join in the Celebration of God's Love daily.




I heard this prayer  at The Woodlands United Methodist Church at Radiance Bible Study :


Abba,

We are blessed and we gather all good things You willingly give us, Good Father.

We rejoice in Your Glory Abba, Holy Spirit and Jesus,

God is patient and kind;

God does not envy or boast

God is not arrogant 5 or rude.

God's Word is The Way and Truth. The Spirit is Life.

God is not irritable or resentful

God does not rejoice at wrongdoing, yet God rejoices with the truth.

God bears all things,

God believes all things are Possible in Him,

God makes hope in all things,
God endures things.

God's Love never ends.


Abba, Jesus calms people down to peace.

We have to call upon You and ask You.  Jesus did wait to be asked a lot.

Thank God for Jesus forgiving sins. My sins, your sins.

Easter is on the Way. We rejoice in the Promises of God. For ourselves, for hurt bodies and hurt brains in diagnosed illnesses.

Amen in Jesus!