Psalm 15:2-5

He who walks blamelessly 

and

 does what is right

    

and speaks

 truth in his heart;

3 who does not 

slander with his tongue

    and does no evil

 to his neighbor,

    nor takes up a reproach

 against his friend;

4 in whose eyes a vile person

 is despised,

    but who 

honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt

 and does not change;

5 who does not put out his money at interest

    and does

 not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Over the last 50 years, the percentage of adults living without children has climbed 19 percentage points from 52.5 percent in 1967 to 71.3. (Really? Actually, about 2016 the Pew Report said this was higher.)

A study in 1997 explored family relationships in later life and found that 7 percent of adult children had cut ties with their mother and 27 percent from their father. 

In 2020, research by sociologist Karl Pillemar showed 1 in 4 Americans are estranged from their families—roughly 67 million people. That's a lot of people.

Since the Pandemic, those who do not want children and have no children has increased 3%. To 26%

Covid. The Giant Cold.

What will we do with bad news?  

One of the Sermons we heard this week was about dealing with Judas. Not something that generally perks our ears up and caused me, to mentally frown, to hear this. A very great Christian, I knew named Peter, who was also a man who could become very, very down recalling his experiences in the Vietnam War, said anyone who preaches Judas should be avoided. And I had to agree with his emphatic ness on Judas never being an example. 

But actually, this was a college addressed sermon about not feeling we add up to Righteousness. A Sermon against the ease of self euthanasia. Suicide.

Even the very kindest of people I know, have adult children problems. We didn't know our children were being told their Christian parents were idiots and the world of the next generation was so much brighter. And worried.  They worry their parents didn't teach them the right soul tools. Or too many soul tools. They think their parents didn't have enough money or social influence. Not enough fun. Too many chores and rules.  Not enough of a clean, orderly life. You name it, parents are to blame. The parent used to be right. 

PTA or PTO, in elementary school you can't be a room mother because all the mothers want to do this. But no cupcakes, it offends the sugarless. No actual Christmas carols because that's "religious".  We see the problem almost immediately. No jungle gym time after 4th grade, education is serious. And the children get into more disagreements.  By 5th grade, the PTO moms are about half. They work. Like they didn't in elementary school? By 7th grade, the public schools have a hard time finding a volunteer. We witnessed a school push to buy dance tickets that required the football coaches to get in and "get physical", to restrain the crowd from a push point requiring injury. Not to mention the language in Texas football that puts brain dementia or damage to blush. From... the coaches! It's rough out there. I tell ya, it's rough out there. Remember.

We did so many youth ministry Bible Studies. I say the Light of Mankind is still shining, even if so many are still sorting it all out. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and Nations. Jesus Christ is the Light of mankind.

Poor Judas of our day really is worried climate change is the Cuban Missile Crisis. And so worried he or she isn't righteous on so many fronts, it's like a merry-go-round. Fails on every circle.

What's Wrong? The Systems are all screwed up. Why? The Book of Judges calls this the era of chaos and crime because everyone decides for themselves. And why do they? Because the world of internal chaos is in each family and each individual. When our light is dim, who do we follow? Because it's likely they are screwing it up too.

Why? We have all faced too much change. Our last 3 generations have seen such development that when Television was finally able to do breast cancer scares and reality on the nightly comedy hours without whispering the word, "cancer." Edith and Archie Bunker led the way.

Why? We have tried to find so many codes to fit in, we are like Cotton Mather about eating ham on Christmas.  We are joyless. Pressed in perfections. Joy less. And finding everything resembling order or not order had a hateful comeback. So many, in fact, this Sermon was addressing not fitting in to your very own God given place in life. We mentally tell ourselves we don't measure up.

If Life has suddenly become a fruit smoothie, how are we going to get the raspberries and blueberries back into the basket without going bananas?

As I was reading the verses of Psalm 15, I was trying to decide who reminded me of this with what we know of their lives.

Who do you think of from Psalm 15?

Joel 1:10

The field is ruined; the land mourns. 

For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails.

Joel 1:12

The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; 

the pomegranate, palm, and apple

--all the trees of the orchard--are withered. 

Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.

Joel 1:18

How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion 

because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.

Jeremiah 12:4

How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, "He cannot see what our end will be."

We have all had times when the Bible seemed to be farfetched. Perhaps now we realize why the Bible explains anger so much!!!! How beautiful are the expressions of the human spirit our Father has actually experienced! The generations of Kings and Chronicles in the variations of outlook and faith. The sadness of those without true hope in faith.

That's some sad life experience in the Scriptures. Some true and real life news.

Jeremiah 5:17

They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust."

1 in four are estranged from families. One in five have participation in Abortion. We can see the sword. 1 in 3 say this economic crush is stretching them to breaking in

 necessities.  This is a world in hurt, pretending. 

Where is the GOOD NEWS?

Jesus. Jesus tells us He is the Good News.  Where is the Good News? There it is! Jesus brings us Salvation. Hope for the sinner in us. Hope for those lost in their sins. We are Not Alone. Jesus has Not Forsaken us.

Jesus gives us His Word. Joel lived in the 9th Century B.C. and he wrote of sorrow. Overcome. Jeremiah recorded History so well on March 11, 597 B.C. we have the Cuneiform of Babylon easily read of sorrow and trouble and weird politics and bad behavior Overcome. Micah gave His Word about recovery of Hope and Faith by His Word in 700 B.C. after all Jeremiah knew was lost and recovered. 

Paul knew. So did the actual Brothers of Jesus. The Disciples knew.

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, 

but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:9

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, 

but not destroyed.

Recently, in September, Canada discovered a mummy of a dinosaur. But in fact, Hollywood would call this a dragon. This is a juevenile of 13 feet. Duck-billed Hadrosaur.

Chilling.

Mummies were discovered to be 6,000 years old in China. 

These mummified people came from India, Denmark, U.K., and had beautiful customs, horses, beads and artifacts. People were circling God's Good Creation for many, many years. Why and how did this juvenile Dragon Dinosaur get to be mummified. Probably they had someone on hand who knew about mummification around the world. Why did they mummify the beast? Lucky enough to have killed a 13-foot juvenile and not the 32-foot parent. Why? "Look Martha, Martha it is a Duck-Billed Hadrosaur, I didn't just make it up!!!" Beware of Dragons. They are real.

Jesus tells us He will never leave or forsake us. Climate Change was something that Elizabeth I of England knew of in the late 1500s A.D. and this wonderful Elizabeth II did also discuss. As did Joel and Jeremiah.

Perhaps our best verse of thinking about this would be........ Habakkuk telling us, "Martha, Martha, Jesus is our best portion."

Habakkuk 3:17,18

Though the fig tree does not bud 

and no fruit is on the vines, 

though the olive crop fails 

and the fields produce no food, 

though the sheep are cut off from the fold 

and no cattle are in the stalls, 

yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice 

in the God of my salvation!…

Which brings us back to who does Psalm 15 remind you of. I am remembering... Elijah. We are all sometimes alone. And yet, we are not.

1 Kings 19

19 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree.

 And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 

5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I,

 even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

 And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 

13 And when Elijah heard it,

 he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

 And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Be still.  And know the Lord, God of mercy and encouragement, is the Lord God.

This is His Battle. We are barely Motel 6, we just leave the Light on and Pray. A Lot.

The Lord is going to work all this all out. We have read the last pages of the Bible, His Word about His Good Creation. Preach to all of Creation. Mercy. Love. Joy. Hope.

In the middle of all the histories,

God would entrust us, today,

His Son,

and infant in the middle of mankind

Born in a Manger

to be 

Grace upon Grace

Abba, Father,

All have fallen short of

Your Glory.

Your Steadfast Love

fill us with Hope

in this walk with Jesus

help us to walk blamelessly

and do what is right.

Be our Mercy and Guide us.

Help us to speak to You

with truth in our heart, always.

Help us with your Plan 

to know You.

Let our words be truthful.

Help us to be so

filled with You

we do not slander others.

Give us such Love

to do no evil to a Neighbor

Help us to walk the straight

path of Love

and not the path of reproach

as a diversion from 

our own fears, worries and plots.

To be a true friend

to ourselves as well.

To know to despise evil.

Honor those who reverence the Lord

Understand we all have our hurts

and listen well enough to one another

to hear, hear

the details don't change.

Just as the Lord is unchanging.

Not to seek our advantage always

 and invest in one another.

Never take a bribe

or plot in groups against 

the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell in those we love, Jesus Christ.

Help us to seek You first, Holy Spirit

and in 

Jesus our Savior,

we will finish well.

Jesus the Lord

Our Father

Honor, Glory

Love and Mercy

are Ours in Your Holiness.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 6:26,27 ~ Life

 

 Look Forward with Hope. The seasons have changed in Southeast Texas. Our first cold snap. Candles, electric blankets, hot apple cider. Satisfaction in the Lord, the drought of summer cools down. Australia had rain. Hope.

Matthew 6:26,27

26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Even the Poodles are thrilled with cooler temperatures and changes.

Luke 10:41 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, 

“you are worried and upset about many things."

Matthew 11:28

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Jeremiah 31:25

For I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak. 

John 7:37

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."

Isaiah 45:22-25

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:

 for I am God, and there is none else.

Psalm 116:7

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; 

for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

Mashed Potatoes with Paul

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

James 1:2-4 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; 

and the God of love and peace shall be with you.  

Nehemiah 8:10

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Abba, Father,

You have the Whole World in Your hands.

Your Steadfast Love does not falter.

We look to You for Love, Hope, Mercy and Encouragement.

Gather Your Beloved together,

Encourage us in Your Love and Goodness.

In the Highest Name of Jesus, Beloved Son of God,

we give to You, Father,

our cares and longings

to be fulfilled in You.

I ask Your Help, Father,

I'm taking antibiotics to overcome bacteria,

have a headache. Feel rather bad and all shook up.

And my dog, he'd like prayer, he has had a 

resistant ear infection for more than a month.

Thank You, this looks promising.

I had earache after dealing with his ear.

And felt the confusion of a bacterial infection.

We ask for the goodness, gleam

and happiness of good health

and gratitude with rosy outlooks.

Amen in Jesus, Wonderful Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 ~ Before the Lord comes

 

Edward and our youngest son

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.

In fact, I do not even judge myself.  

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. 

Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

The Word of God is for disclosing the purposes of the heart. Because our inner selves to Father God is what is calling us to be Eternal and live seeing God's Glory.

The Prodigal Son is about giving time from God to find out the depth of heart. The Process of God seeing us and revealing to ourselves who we are. 

The way we do the work of Faith in the One God has sent in Jesus Christ. The truth we speak, making our words and lives understood, holding up to Truth. The Life we hope for ourselves and the Lives we give to those around us. What we hope for the people who surround us. 

These two verses inspired me today.

Wind of the Holy Spirit, help us to rejoice together

and pray like Nathaniel.

The Word of God is so Powerful

small verses can be 

tremendously empowering

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

 for the Lord your God

 is with you

 wherever you go. 

Psalm 72:8 

May He have dominion from sea to sea, 

 and 

from the River 

to the ends of the earth!

Power from the very hem of His Garment

The Word of God is Triumphant

Hold on

 Abba, Father,

Thank You, Father God, for Your Wonders of New Beginnings. 

Thank You for Your Blessings,

help us to fully be reminded and see our Blessings.

Father, Your Word in Strength tells us: Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

May Jesus Christ have dominion from sea to sea, 

 and 

from the River to the ends of the earth!

The exact Nature of God

His Goodness

His Healing

His Wonders

inspire us to see the Good.

Have Hope.

New Beginnings

For ourselves,

the entire United States Congress 

with so many new 

people.

Renewal

You make all things new in Jesus Christ.

 Jesus tells us You are working and Jesus with You. 

We pray for Colorado, their tragic Boulder fire,

Florida 2 Hurricanes, 

states with flooding,

states, like Texas, had severe enough drought.

We pray for our recovery.

And we ask for fewer weather incidents

worldwide.

Africa, fire and flood, famine.

Australia has had rain, we pray this for Europe.

No flooding in India, Please Father.

More of Your Holy Spirit this New Beginning, 

having You dwell in us 

God of Love. 

God of Encouragement.

For our history, our generations

have pleased You

Loving and Caring for our Children.

Look with us, and Bless us, Father.

Smile upon us, remembering

our heart to please our families

and You.

Forgive us when we err

in weakness, need and fear.

Strengthen us in Your Love.

Thanks be to Jesus, 

for His Grace upon Grace.

I will wait upon God all the days of my life and dwell in the House of Lord 

for His Word to me. Alleluia. Christmas is coming again. 

This is as sure as the Promises of God for us in eternity who call upon Jesus.

 Speak the Word God and I shall be well. 

Speak Your Word upholding the Universe

and Your Good Creation

will be well.

Dwell in us, inspire us daily, strive for us

and we for You, to find Your first in all we feel and do.

Bless those we Love with Jesus Christ.

And we will finish well in Jesus.

For good health in each of us,

I have been on antibiotics with headache and pain.

For the RSV, Respiratory illness putting

Texas children in the ICU

and closing schools for disinfection.

We pray Jesus Victorious.

For Travel and Families

this Thanksgiving.
Love, Mercy and Joy.

We pray for Peace for Ukraine

and worldwide food abundance.

In Jesus, who asks us to pray

for more Heaven be done 

in God's Will

on earth.

Thank You, Father!

Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Yay Jesus

Psalm 16 ~ beautiful inheritance

 

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

    I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

    in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

    or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

    You hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

When my children were very young, my father had divorced my mother for a decades old friend of my mother's. My father handled the inconvenience by changing all his friendships, his family he spoke to = down to having Holidays in out of town hotels and even changing out his beloved pets. My father met one of his grandchildren at lunch one day and suggested if we had lunch again, I should cook a dinner meal and not have luncheon food.

And one summer I began to dream of conversations, happy old days and the return of the family happiness. I'd dream of sitting and laughing with Daddy in my great-aunt Eloise and great-uncle's Cary's house. And instead of the elderly condition of the house, the house was back to my very young years and all was shining, planted, blooming and lovely. Instead, I got the phone call my father had died, when I was 30 years old. We were all stunned for about two years are more. And it was a very sad time.

With many people who have been and are in Memory Care, and Edward not being perfectly well in public for the second time, I have dreamed of loss. Looking for someone who has died. And coming to the realization of 58 years or 43 years or 36 years of conversations will be over. I dream of the quiet.

I've had people come up to me and tell me of their dreams, and I don't doubt I will live to be old in the way God tells people they will live to be old. And I know God has Hopes and a Future for me. It's the vast ocean of upcoming changes that feel unique - add to that the dreams of change.  The change is inevitable. But the dreams are present. The time has shown itself to be occurring and necessary as a Plan of God. I woke up one morning feeling jittery and out of kilter and I asked Abba, -why? 

 Mark 7:37 

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Suddenly, I felt better. Not just floating in the endlessness of space. Being part of the Plan of God. 

God being Almighty is pleased to be God and Get to Know You.

Abba, Father

Thank You for filling our lives with Blessings we never thought to ask for. For the Blessing to come. For the love of years past still warms and brightens. Love never ends. And as Billy Graham put the Light of Christ into the football stadiums showing God's Light shines millenniums later, we pray, today, our faith reflects

 Your Steadfast Love and Your Hope and Your Joy.

Asking Love and Mercy of Your Plans in the Highest Name of Jesus, to see Your willingness and go there. Reading the Word of God and seeing the blessings You give, for wisdom, of good attitudes, and skilled in all Your wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to do the work You give us to do.

Father, we bless You in Jesus' name for sharing Your blessings and gracious gifts. You are for each of us. Your mercies renew. Your Steadfast Love continues. Our God of Encouragement. Our God of Love. Daily You bless us. Open our eyes.

Jesus blessing and healing for the world in Recovery, we pray Your Help.

Father blessing and healing us and our cares.

We ask today and tomorrow our Thanks for our loved ones coming into the Love, Joy and Comfort of Your Heart. We pray the comfort of all who have asked prayer. For all we have been given to pray for. And with the faithful, we pray the large prayers for our Nation under God. For the borders God has always crossed. His Word and His Work Eternal. For the faithful we know circle this earth with their prayers heard by our Father God of Love and Encouragement. His Word upholds all life.

 Thank You God, Your Word is Good. In Jesus we hope and rest and rejoice.

Dwell in us.

Dwell in those we love.

Help us to seek You First.

In Jesus, we will finish well.

Amen Jesus is with us. Amen.

Daniel 4:3

How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! 

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus