Mark 16:1-8 ~ The Stone had been rolled back

 

Mark 16:1-8 

~ they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled back

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 

2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 

4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back

—it was very large. 

5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 

8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Moses felt fear.  The Shepherds felt fear. Zechariah felt fear. Mary felt fear.

The range of emotions. Jewish Law allowed condemned Jesus to have a proper burial. As the women came to the Tomb, they were bracing themselves to see Jesus damaged and dead. Harmed with horrible scars and open wounds. An act of mercy over comfort, for the dead Jesus.

The women were sparing Mary. They intended to roil oil and ointment all over the Body of Jesus. To place ointment in his hand, feet and side wounds. To cover his head from the crown of thorns. Letting the purification become a symbol of healing of His wounds. What Love. His abused Body would be held dear as He faced death. Memories of this would be held for life in these women.

Instead, the tomb was open.

And they viewed sacrilege, the body of Jesus, apparently, had been disrespected. It might be far, far worse than they'd imagined. This could scar them the rest of their days. It must have been almost unspeakably horrible.

And then appearing,  an angel, giving the usual, "Do no fear!" Angelic Greeting. The News given, Jesus is Alive. Remembering the Widow of Nain.  Hearing about Lazarus. 

Matthew 28

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. 

And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Scriptures are living and active. A story widely circulated to this day....

From the Jewish Encyclopedia, it became a common practice to let the dead have 3 days before closing the tomb. (Making sure Lazarus or Jesus would be allowed out?)

Jesus'  Tomb is actually a miracle. He is buried like a King of Israel.  Jesus Rex. King.

John's Gospel tells us Joseph of Arimathea gave Jesus a very wealthy tomb.

And what would the purification oils be carried in? 

Vessels hold the oil of myrrh, aloes and spices. 

Museum of Israel - alabaster vase, small

Stone Vessels were very usual in First Century Judea. Pottery was also used. Stone vessels were heirloom, handed down. Usually, stone vessels would contain perfume and more expensive oils. The type of oils the Jewish Purification Rites called for.

Using these types of vases would indicate something unusual or special was going to occur.  It wasn't your everyday object for Jews. 

Instead, the tomb was open. And they viewed sacrilege, the body of Jesus had been disrespected. It might be worse than they'd imagined. This could scar them the rest of their days. It must have been almost unspeakably horrible.

And then appearing,  an angel, giving the usual, "Do no fear!" Angelic Greeting. The News given, Jesus is Alive. Remembering the Widow of Nain.  Hearing about Lazarus. 

The Elation

Elation, remembering Jesus had told them this portion of His Life.

~ they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled back

Hebrews 11:30

 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

Roman History of Persecution of Jesus Believers

Began 16 years after His Resurrection. 

You are welcome to highlight the small print and read the details:

Before the Coliseum, Claudius had an Imperial Palace on the site of the Coliseum. This is where the people of God found the Roman Empire would begin to destroy Scripture of the New Testament.

Coin of the Roman Coliseum,

minted with 70s A.D. gold from Jerusalem.

The gold taken in was extremely profitable to hold and mint the coins.

An Aureus from the reign of Emperor Severus Alexander with an image of the Colosseum in Rome. The Colosseum was the biggest amphitheater in Ancient Rome. Capable of seating more than 50’000 spectators and had 80 entrances. Construction of the four-storied building began under the rule of Emperor Vespasian in 72AD

 and was completed eight years later by his son Titus.

 The Roman Colosseum was built by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in the 70s A. D.

When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.

Jesus Christ has gone forth.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

We can see the rooms Nero lived in where he killed his 2nd wife.

This was their home, part of the invention of Shopping Malls could be credited to crazy Nero

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.

+

The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajan...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecutions returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)

During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that resulting in this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).

It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.

(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon

The Roman Colosseum was build by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in 81 A. D.


When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.

Jesus Christ has gone forth.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitian, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitian – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitian, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.

The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household,

Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)

During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).

It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.

(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon

Abba, Father,

The most read portion of Scripture

during the Lockdown Pandemic:

Isaiah 41

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners.

 I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.

 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; 

do not be afraid, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; 

I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.

The culmination from people giving their heart

the Pandemic increased their relationship with Christ Jesus.

Dwell in me, Father, God.

Know every aspect, shadow and cell in me.

Let Your Light be in Me.

Your Love make me see Blessings 

surrounding me of more Heaven

on earth.

Dwell in those I love.

Help them to live filled with Your Love.

Help us to Seek You First.

In Your Grace, we will finish well.

Bless this Nation 

during these difficult days.

Help us to live in Your Light

Your Love

Your Word.

Bless Ukraine, in the May 2022,

they had no idea this carnage

would change Pandemic to looking better.

Bless the men, separated from their families

hoping for Freedom.

Let us take our Freedom

and offer You Thanks.

And turn our lives

into Gratitude

and the Joy Jesus tells us.

Save us from

what we hope to be

saved from.

Jesus the Lord.

Love and Mercy

Fill us and surround us.

Amen Amen Amen

Roads of Heaven

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 139:1-18,23, 24 ~ Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

 

Psalm 139:1-18,23 

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

    you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down

    and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

    and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

    it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

    Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning

    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me,

    and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

    and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you;

    the night is bright as the day,

    for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;

    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

    my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

    the days that were formed for me,

    when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

    I awake, and I am still with you.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

    Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

    and lead me in the way everlasting!

This month the Pew Report Studied Inflation 2022

In a Pew Research Center survey conducted in January 2021, about a third of lower-income adults (31%) said their family’s situation had worsened in the last year, compared with 18% of middle-income adults and 11% of upper-income adults. At the same time, about half of lower-income adults (49%) said they or someone in their household had experienced job or wage loss since the coronavirus outbreak began in February 2020, as did 45% of middle-income adults. The share among upper-income adults (33%) was also notable, but considerably less.

Now consider this:

How is all this change happening, and everyone has managed to stay home?

Now let's add in a very interesting Google Search.

What is one of the most trending interests on the internet now? Politics? The list is about Ukraine.... and Cinco de Mayo. 

  

President Franklin Roosevelt helped bring Cinco de Mayo celebrations to the U.S. in 1933. The holiday started to be celebrated in the U.S. after President Roosevelt created the “Good Neighbor Policy” in 1933 to improve relations with Latin American countries.

  

Cinco de Mayo became an official national holiday in 2005 in the USA. Cinco de Mayo isn't a Mexican holiday. Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston hold mega celebrations. As you might expect, some American cities hold bigger celebrations than others when it comes to Cinco de Mayo These days, the occasion has come to be a celebration of Mexican culture in general, so you’re unlikely to see military-themed parades or battle re-enactments here but rather a wide-range of cultural representations, from dance to dining. The holiday has significance for the Chicano Rights movement.

We have so many things we could look at. And what is trending on Google searches is finding Life. Ukraine and Kim Kardashian - how are other people doing? Athletics. 

One of the tests of long life - when someone looks at news, do they look to humor first?  Looks like, we are changing back to normalcy.

With all that change, you'd think house sales would be vastly increased. People are asking for home to remain. A new trend worth thinking about. 

Home is where families grow.  The Season of looking for Life. For the care we want others to experience.

Colossians 3:12

Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness

and patience.

Isaiah 41

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from 

its farthest corners.

 I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.

 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; 

do not be afraid, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; 

I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.

Hebrews 6:4,5

those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—

Psalm 119:103

How sweet are Your words to my taste--sweeter than honey in my mouth!

Proverbs 16:20

Whoever heeds instruction will find success, 

and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, 

whose confidence is in Him.

Bennington, Vermont, just added itself

to the long list of those

remembering

Ukraine.

Life filled with compassion

Abba, Father,

Isaiah 41

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners.

 I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.

 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; 

do not be afraid, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; 

I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.

Today we see people

believing in safety and compassion.

Looking at the world.

Dwell in me, Father, God.

Know every aspect, shadow and cell in me.

Let Your Light be in Me.

Your Love make me see Blessings 

surrounding me of more Heaven

on earth.

Dwell in those I love.

Help them to live filled with Your Love.

Help us to Seek You First.

In Your Grace, we will finish well.

Bless this Nation 

during these difficult days.

The People rest 

believing in better days

from Your Mercy.

Help us to live in Your Light

Your Love

Your Word.

Bless Ukraine,

they had no idea this carnage would happen.

Bless the men, separated from their families 

hoping for Freedom.

Let us take our Freedom

and offer You, Thanks.

Thank you we

are not conscripted to kill our neighbors

as Putin has done.

Help turn our lives

into Gratitude

and the Joy Jesus tells us.

For our family

experiencing

job changes

and moves.

Bless us, Father, we ask.

Save us from

what we hope to be

saved from.

Jesus the Lord.

Love and Mercy

Fill us and surround us.

Amen Amen Amen

Roads of Heaven

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 13:34 ~ A New Commandment, Jesus Boldly Gives

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: 

just as I have loved you, 

you also are to love one another.

Russell Brand gave an extremely eloquent, well-structured, deft, searching and compassionate look at all of Creation being shown an opportunity for mercy.  And a new opinion regarding headlines. Brand looks at alcohol and substance, fame as part of meaningful life. And he gives knowledge as someone recovered from substance.

I wasn't going to watch the Depp Heard trial and was surprised news media scheduled and showed so much of it.  Too much Pandemic mind news. Too many airplane violent outbursts. Edward watches clips of news, and the highlights were shown in under ten minutes. To us, Amber Heard is almost unknown. Johnny Depp, more of an artist, brining so many layers to his work for decades. I remembered Johnny Depp returned from life in France, about the time everyone was bashing President Trump. When he apologized the next day, his face was overwhelmingly sad. The apology was given from a person who had been through difficult times. I liked Depp all the more for swimming upstream, and not with the Salmon, to make a heartfelt apology. Rare in pre-pandemic strife and anger.

Having volunteered in Pro-life for years, his countenance early 2020 was distressed, is an established pattern. His face, the day he bashed Trump and the next when he apologized, was one I had seen abused, in life-changing circumstance, bringing a new awareness for personal responsibility to the flow of life around words and gestures. Bluntly, I was biased when I found out the abuse having surrounded the couple. She never appeared to have the abused and searching response. Like Brand, I thought about acting during the trial and found her to lack any effort.

Russell Brand is more charitable than my comments. And I liked Russell Brand for his charitable comments and frank life experiences! I'm giving sincerity here and found Russell Brand's commentary spot on for the discussion. 

About minute 14, Russell Brand gives his heart. He hopes for all of us to have more in our lives of depth and meaning. Wow. Thanks to Russell Brand. Perfectly said.

Abba, Father,

The most read portion of Scripture

during the Lockdown Pandemic:

Isaiah 41

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners.

 I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.

 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; 

do not be afraid, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; 

I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.

The culmination from people giving their heart

the Pandemic increased their relationship with Christ Jesus.

Dwell in me, Father, God.

Know every aspect, shadow and cell in me.

Let Your Light be in Me.

Your Love make me see Blessings 

surrounding me of more Heaven

on earth.

Dwell in those I love.

Help them to live filled with Your Love.

Help us to Seek You First.

In Your Grace, we will finish well.

Bless this Nation 

during these difficult days.

Help us to live in Your Light

Your Love

Your Word.

Bless Ukraine, in the May 2022,

they had no idea this carnage

would change Pandemic to looking better.

Bless the men, separated from their families

hoping for Freedom.

Let us take our Freedom

and offer You Thanks.

And turn our lives

into Gratitude

and the Joy Jesus tells us.

Save us from

what we hope to be

saved from.

Jesus the Lord.

Love and Mercy

Fill us and surround us.

Amen Amen Amen

Roads of Heaven

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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