Exodus 10:21 ~ travel by day or night

The forecast today is about preparation.

Horse and buggies used to make people a living. Amazon used to be the incredible sinking money pit for the shareholders. eBay never really had competition. The Episcopal Church used to have almost 14 million people and now 800,000. The nightly news = sacrosanct. Husbands were the only breadwinners. Housing was affordable.

And now we debate Everything.
Thanksgiving is becoming an unpopular Holiday. The younger generation feels this is Political.

Thanksgiving.
The Holiday without presents - where more people have time to think - about - how their family opinions for their own lives change, influence, damage, depress and uplift them. This is why some people call Thanksgiving
 "Turkey" Day.




Tornadoes are caused by cool air meeting upper and lower level changes in 'temperament'.

God has caused Miracles around Tornadoes.

Oh - there is no place like Home for the Holidays. With Aunt, Nephew, Uncle, Grumps Ethelfled.

What has become of us?
At my house, we occasionally made Theme Songs we actually do sing. (We sing an Opera version of "Mute, Glorious Mute" over using the remote control aka ~to the older generation as "the clicker" ~ for turning down the commercials on the Television.) We sing "We All Live in a Yellow Submarine" in the car.

And we really sing this, for the Chorus:









God has Given Chronicles and Samuel because we find the Royal Family of King David (aka if he can do it, we might be able to, also) and His generations who cannot possibly fit together.

Matthew 7:12 

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Easy to remember phrase = Be Polite.

Biblically, bear with one another in forgiveness.

Politics

Another way to express the frustration with our own lives. A lot of the time we feel put in situations we can't control. And express our frustration with code word Politics. Major Depression is 8 to 9% of the population. We all have areas we would love to improve. And sometimes people would love to improve each other. Creating a dialog that is lasting.

The Scriptures help us understand how long Dialogs in Families can Last.

Loyalty

Is Not Giving Into a Holiday Rant

*** Sometimes when we are dramatic - we are able to find a temper control.

Consider how many times when trouble happens - the calming and redeeming factor is to remember the small children. Exodus 2, Moses is saved. Naomi and Ruth. Ruth's baby named Obed, declaring, "A son has been born to Naomi."

Even Archie Bunker could be nice to Gloria and the meathead over the Baby's Christening.

2 Kings 11:2
Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed.

Blustering

Uzziah had it all. And all was Uzziah. King from age 16 on, he had all for all in all and all for King Uzziah.  2 Chronicles 26.And in the anger displayed even by Moses, Uzziah became a Leper for screaming at God. In World War II this was called, Loose Lips Sink Ships.

Robin Williams called this, "I never really loved your mother."

Cuckoo

When suddenly out of the blue, Giant Mosquitoes are bearing down. Saul had enormous upsets. David's children fought without ceasing. David pretended madness as a mercenary warrior when he just didn't know what else to do.

When suddenly someone presents you with their future plans and you wonder if burlap underwear would help them. And you have no clue what to say.

We can do what David expected to be done for his theatrics. Hush and move away from the vehicle to your own vehicle.

Proverbs explains

Proverbs 17:28

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Isaiah explains

Isaiah 36:21

The people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, "Do not answer him."

I knew a family (this time not me) - a family get together ended with someone leaving 'forever' because a well-known Republican was known to have voted Republican - three years earlier. Giant Mosquitoes would be more astonishing. This isn't about what the upset was 'said' to be. It's almost impossible to solve a situation where the argument is clearly not the issue. God says in Exodus 14:14 He will fight our battles. Be Still, God will fight for you.  Especially when we have no idea where the real battle is. Prayer isn't the option - Prayer is primary.

My mother is very ill and this last week she reported having lunch downtown with someone gone to Heaven a number of years ago. Making impossible, very odd, run-from-it requests.

If the conversation makes no sense, we can't be called to fix or solve it. Kindness wins the battle to the war and Victory for God.

I've seen the willingness to not win an unwilling battle - result in kindness where the knot can be unraveled in God's Time.

People want to know they are cared about more than just the opinions they hold - today.

Room given in less talk, provides room for "Respect Others" to grow.

Andrew and Simon

Andrew presented Simon Peter, in John 1, with the idea Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah of God. And they walked with Jesus for three years, having moved from Bethsaida and to a new home and employment with Peter's mother-in-law. Eventually, we find, Andrew and Peter did not live together. Lives changed. Times changed. And yet the two brothers were always recorded to the millenniums as caring for each other up unto Salvation. God is Love eternally to Ephesians 3 where families love together forever.

Mary and Joseph

There was a young boy of much promise. This young man grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. As adults, the family vacationed together, Luke 2. And then there were fights of Holidays - who would go where John 7.,; Mark 5 fights over careers and time spent together. Memories of family being united, John 6:42 and Matthew 13:55. Waiting upon God. This family united again. Acts 1 and Acts 2. 1 Corinthians 9:5. Ephesians 3:15 - families live in Heaven and earth.

Rattling Bones

What is beyond the beyond? Is anything too hard for the Lord God Almighty?

If we take what is 'done' and place this with God, we do well.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”




What if we do more than put the chicken in the cellophane wrapper?

We put up with those rattling on.  On any given day, we are all in different states of glee, glory or gory. Some days, the elevator moves more swiftly to the top.

Some conversations really, really live on. What type will we have? What kind of conversation are you going to give and participate in?

We had a young man of about 17 come to our house. He wasn't one of the boys who stayed forever. Maybe it was because he was crying in Church.

He was upset and in our kitchen in a Youth Ministry Party. I asked him why he was upset. He said his grandmother had just died. She had lived with the family. He said she had died of Alzheimer's. She had lived a good, long life. Had been the best mother and grandmother. He cried.

I said many people suffer when Alzheimer's was involved. And often we felt like we could do more than place them in Memory Care Facilities. He looked up and said, "We Didn't Do That." I was taken aback.

His Grandmother had done so much. She had encouraged and loved and upheld and given. He said their family had listened to more Hallmark Movies than the rest of the planet. His Grandmother had wanted to be 'useful.' For some time it was cooking and then this wasn't able as the disease approached. And then about the only thing left was laundry and comment on Hallmark movies and Life. So the family took turns sitting with her as she washed a zillion loads of wash each day and if they ran out, ran it all again. And if someone had a situation, she had repeat phrases of encouragement. "You can do it, I believe you can." "You'll figure it out." "You are so smart." "You are so pretty, it will be ok."

This young boy was crying for Love and the idea of giving service of love to the one they loved had been completely completed. And this involved mercy, trying different solutions, failures met, changes and giving.




We build our own lives being Living Stones. We build up Faith, Hope, Love, Patience, Endurance...

1 Peter 2

5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, 
and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Abba,

You are a God of Love and Glory.

We Glory in Your renewed Blessings each day.

We Glory to be asked for more of Your Good Will on earth as it is in Heaven.

We Glory to be given the Day to find Your Path.

We Glory on Your Promises of Your Kingdom, Your Power and Your Salvation for ourselves and those we Love.

We Glory the Wind will blow as it will and Your Holy Spirit leads us.

Your Glory covers all the people of Your Good Creation. You save the lost and You save the world in Jesus Christ.

To You be the Glory. Amen in Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Zechariah 9:9 ~ Rejoice Greatly

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for at his command they were created,

6 and he established them for ever and ever—

he issued a decree that will never pass away.

 7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and women,

old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,

the praise of all his faithful servants,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Advent is the Preparation for Christmas. However, on Saturday, I was at Hobby Lobby buying trim for my den sofa when our puppy Poodles decided to rip up the sofa skirt to get back the tennis ball. And the crowd at Hobby Lobby was mothers and daughters of all ages preparing for Christmas. Seeing very elderly people preparing for another Christmas. And as I've walked in neighborhoods with the puppies, Christmas trees are being put up with early bird Christmas lights.

We just can't pretend Christmas isn't in Preparation Mode.

Recently I was asked why Santa Claus doesn't show up at Church to draw in the little children. We kindly observed Santa doesn't arrive at Church.

Why?

We are the children of God, we sit on His Lap and talk to Father God. Who Loves us!!!

Galatians 4

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 
crying, “Abba! Father!”

7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The real story of St. Nicolas becoming the gift-bringer of Christmas was to get young women out of slavery.


Seasons. We don't want to fall back into stockades and say Christmas is just one day. We don't want to delete Christmas Carols and proclaim this is for after Christmas when babies - are - lovingly prepared for. We don't want to have Less Than JOY for all the work Christmas is. Season of Love Comes Forth!!! We just don't want to Rudolph up and forget the Joy of God bringing us Love in the Birth of His Son.

Live the Joy.

Seasons.  A few years back, when I was volunteering days a week for Pro-Life and Mothers with Babies and doing STD Testing, we had a very devoted woman volunteer who loved going to Church. All her life, she loved going to Church. It was something she looked forward to doing. Sunday was absolutely the First Day of the week. And her husband fell ill with cancer his mother had died from. When it was discovered it was in the 4th stage. Their Church was close and loving and she said after 2 years - she dreaded and dreaded going to Church. She had to give the weekly cancer report from 5 to 40 people who were in various grim and worried stages for their family from her husband's hereditary cancer. Up to 40 times, good friends wanted to know if he was ok. And then the conversation would decide if they should lovingly prepare her for widowhood or rejoice.

We all prayed for what she should do. And we decided she would say, "If you don't mind, I've talked about cancer all week and, today, I just need to be with the Lord on Sunday." In two months, she said this was really working. Sunday was great again. (Her Husband miraculously of Jesus beat the stage 4 cancer!)

I know this happens today, too. Sometimes people under great stress go to other Churches to be anonymous worshippers.  Really, really Support Groups talk about how to survive the support. :)
And never, never be stopped from caring. One Pastor's Wife still talks about the 16 Angels who shared bringing dinner on Chemo Days. The care itself was Survival of Love and Hope.


Seasons. Sometimes in the middle of Joy and Holidays, we find people who have lost a child. Lost a Spouse. In the middle of crisis. And great emotion is going to happen. What better place than Church. One member of our family found suddenly a childhood divorce of mother and family was being re-examined. Suddenly tears happened only in Church. Grief for all things and all times is like a rogue wave that will strike you without warning. And this is only just human growth. Sitting on God's lap in God's house.

Now, I won't finish this thought without this Sincere, Worthy and Profound Message.

Seasons.
Of all the people I know who Cry in Church, these are the people you will find have Miraculous Memories. Miraculous Events. God tells us Joy comes in the New Day. We will find Joy. We will have the Comfort of Love. And the people brave enough to face the emotions in a fairly public place - are going to heal. No sitting in the isolation of a bedroom to mourn. Finding real people have real lives and share and bother and pray and hope and encourage and bother and overcome with Jesus Christ.

There is nothing in the New Testament not dealing with upset, bother, discomfort and then Love, Joy, Peace, Faith and Hope.

Celebrate Your Season. Celebrate Love. Work past what is discomfort. And find in doing so we walk with Jesus in Awe of His Goodness.

Christmas Trees Decorated with Family Photos

Abba,

You renew Your Blessings each day, give us the heart and soul to see all Your Blessings.

Help us to Live Abundantly seeing Your Path in our Life. Our Blessings are like the Path of the Children of Israel to Freedom, You might have flown the Children of God to the Promised Land like Jesus in the Boat - immediately - at the other side in John 6. We have to have Faith to see Your Path is in our desire to Please You.

You are The Good Shepherd. You are The Door. Life Abundant. And in believing You, learning who we are, we find we are more interested and concerned for those around us. In making the Path for 40 Years, the Children of God were willing to work the Gifts of God given to them. This work and this Hope created the Faith and Love You gave us in the Old Testament and New Testament Holidays.

Develop in us Your Willingness to use the gifts and talents You give Your Beloved to make Life Abundant.

We ask for Elliott - who has so much faith - for the continued healing of Your Love and Word. His family is in Awe of You, Jesus Christ. We pray for Peace and Love for all in Jesus Christ.

Giving Jesus our Thanks for His Mission to save the world. For saving the Lost.

The Blessing of asking for more of Your Good Will done on earth as in Heaven. For This Day. This Present Joy. For our Loved ones to know Your kingdom, Your Power and Your Glory.For Nations trusting You. Covered in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Luke 11:1-4 ~ pray

Luke 11:1-4

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

The Italian Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci has Jesus enthralled in Life, surrounded by many thoughts and emotions. The Russian Last Super 1863, canvas, oil, by Nikolai Ge had Jesus very burdened. Leonardo did his research well. But how are we to take this portion of Luke 11 without thinking it is fairly pointed and without gracious discourse?

This weekend I was having a conversation about a mother and daughter dreaming the same dream the same night, with some different details. My thoughts were advice to write down the dreams and put them in envelopes with all the details and see what Father God would bring. We live in the New Covenant where God Himself tells us He will live in us and tell us what He thinks.


A Youth Minister, who was superb about the time this century began, was very respected in his profession. When he went home to his far away hometown, his family found him irksome, tiresome and self-important. He was young and he wanted to discuss with the more mature people in his congregation why this happened. The New Covenant. His family did not expect a twenty-something young man to teach them anything about their decades of Relationship with God.


And yet we'd all have a sneaking suspicion to ask each other how we pray.
Like an Eggnog Recipe.

Abraham didn't seem to have any trouble about his God conversations. Both the Pharaoh of Egypt and King Abimelek wanted to have conversations with Abraham about their conversations with God and their ideas about God. The difference is probably Old Testament to New Covenant differences.

Abraham just simply talked to God and heard the answers. Moses did the same. And I know several people today who have this experience sometimes. Others are like me and just have an idea of understanding from Father God. Especially while reading Scriptures.


Many times people were asked how will we boldly and with confidence approach the Lord our God, Father of All? Isaiah wondered.


Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."


Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?


Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Micah 3:17
They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

Our God is God of Love. Always warmly treasure Him knowing how treasured you are.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Psalm 53 ~ God looks to see

Exodus 12:2

This month shall be for you the beginning of months.

It shall be the first month of the year for you.

Psalm 53

To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath.
A Maskil of David.


The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
there is none who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven
on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.

3 They have all fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.

4 Have those who work evil no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?

5 There they are, in great terror,
where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.


1 Samuel 16:14-23 David had been making music since he was a young boy. Finding his gifts and talents. Finding Joy.

If we compare this to Scripture what would find? Jeremiah would recognize this as part of mankind (from the Royal Palace prison). Romans 1 would find this as part of mankind.

Amos would recognize Psalm 53

Amos 5
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.

24 Instead let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

25“Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings
during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?


When we seek Justice in our own lives, we suddenly realize we will need Blessings. And in seeking Blessings... the people of God turn to God and not their own ideas, God returns and Blessings occur.

David was angry for God for allowing Uzzah to die. Anger can lead to gloom and upsetting thoughts.

2 Samuel 6:7
When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah steadied the ark with his hand, in direct violation of the divine law, and he was immediately killed for his error.

David writes this Psalm and has anger with Father God. How did God react? He blessed someone else. God didn't fuss and stew, God moved on to have Joy, Love and Blessings.

2 Samuel 6
10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the LORD into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and The LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

12 And it was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing.

The Will of God is the WILL OF GOD.
And the people willing to let God be God find Blessings and Rejoicing.

Autumn ~ still time to bloom where we are planted!

2 Corinthians 7

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, 

and to which God has called him.

The Psalm song could have really been held up and used against David. We could find we sink into sadness. Change, trauma - many things will put us on a gloomy path. If we follow David's path - we find a Way.

How has David prepared? David certainly has enemies from within and without. We want to know how anointed David has a cup overflowing. Surely, we'd want to know how goodness and mercy follow David all the days of his life. We want to dwell in the House of the Lord every given day.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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