2 Corinthians 2:9 ~ As it is Written

2 Corinthians 2:9

As it is written, what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived

 --God has prepared 

these things 

for those who love Him.

This is our hope, to find all we love has been restored - - forever. And mostly, with trepidation, we believe Him. A lot of life is filled with waiting, waiting. And then thinking and thinking.

Emotions are running high these days.

James 1:5

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, 

who gives generously 

to all

 without reproach, 

and it will be given him.

Emotions are running high these days.  We see somber faces. More hopeful, in the grocery stores, gifts of the heart and hand are being planned.  Do not grow weary of good deeds, is part of the waiting in Pandemic Recovery. 

We are organ donors on our driver's licenses in my family. Life should continue.

Open hearts want to fly.  There are plenty of types of caution and tired optimism right now. SAD deaths.  Depression deaths. Anger on the airlines. Even ridicule for trying new paths of optimism.

Wouldn't the grieving love to find more heart. We had something happen so touching in my family last weekend. 

One of our family is in Memory Loss Care due to Dementia. Someone very private in their inclinations, so let me tread softly.  We travel to see yet another family member with the puzzle of Dementia. Like a puzzle you love, and different pieces are missing and put back. Another day, a different piece. A visit that was great and filled with laughter and memories. A visit that wasn't great with hopes unfilled and not possible, to rail at Dementia. A memory piece is gone on this visit, like names. And restored another day. No memories of all the cards and gifts brought on the special Birthday.  Gratitude on the next visit.

This summer, we went to lunch and were given a beautiful table with a wonderful view. Lovely food, laughing guests.  Helped to seat our dear one with extra assistance from the staff. As the meal was being finished, we all stayed hours to enjoy each other. And our dear one began to weep, misty eyes and a tear. Where were the children of Anne Laurel and Edward? They were missed and longed for. Names were missing, but descriptions were given with a waving hand and a sorrowful statement of memory missing. 

Our 30 something children are in new jobs, in another state. Not a lot of vacation is available. In fact, when the visit topic was raised, we were asked if guilt was something we enjoyed sprinkling about.  Rather dumbfounding.  Life can really REALLY rub you the wrong damn way. And the bur was now under the saddle. Lurking.  How dare. And ok, sure. Fine. Not all things can be in the "in box" of accomplishment. Next, my other son accused me of sprinkling guilt. NO. Not doing that. Then give enough room and my sons rubbed the bur completely into place. Words were Exchanged.  Heated words about priorities and being a person you enjoyed being.  So many loud words. Nothing. Nada. Not going to happen. 

Then a few weeks later, a text ... appeared. Both sons were going to pay their way and a visit is On. Parents, we are, usually offer tickets to ride. I was strictly told by my husband to be low profile and allow this to happen gently, not offer any suggestions. 

This visit was placed back in the beautiful restaurant of so many delightful aspects. Winter rain outside.  I asked for the same seat, instead we were crammed in, the staff was busy and not terribly helpful.  Finally, we all jammed in. And the joy of visit was upon us. Everyone spoke, all delighted. This was a good, good, good visit.  The puzzle was not puzzling. All names were remembered.  Gentle laughter was carrying us.  And my son, looked over and began to have a tear go down one cheek. He missed our dear one. How good gathering happens. So missed.  I told them, the last time we were here, my sons were missed and tears had fallen, however today all has been joy. Laughter. Our dear one spoke all our names. We were told we were not only loved, we were acknowledged one by one and spoken to be not only loved, but a friend. 

Dementia had hidden this for several years. A sad aspect of Dementia is hidden love. Now the truth wins out. Memories are made. Love revealed. Restoration is a Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Abba, Father,

According to the eternal purpose realized 

in Christ Jesus our Lord,
 in whom we have boldness

 and access with confidence 

through our faith 

in Him. 

So I ask you not to lose heart over 

what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

For this reason 

I bow my knees before the Father, 
from whom 

every family in heaven 

and on earth 

is named

 According to the riches 

of His glory

He may grant you 

to be strengthened with power 

through his Spirit in your inner being, 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—

that you, 

being rooted and grounded in love,

 may have strength to comprehend 

with all the saints 

what is the breadth and length and height 

and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ 

Surpasses knowledge, 

that you may be filled 

with all the fullness 

of God.

Now to our Father
Who is able to do far more 

abundantly 

than all that we ask 

or think,

 according to the 

power at work within us, 

to Him be glory in the church 

and in Christ Jesus 

throughout all generations, 

forever and ever. 

Amen.

Thy Kingdom 

Come

Thy Will

Be Done

on earth

as it is in Heaven.

Abba, Father God,

May the Lord God Almighty so favor us.

To know the Scriptures is to know the Power of God. 

We pray 

in 

the Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

 Amen.

Lord Father, Thank You for

hearing our Prayers

in  Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Genesis 24:45-67 ~ from the Lord

When Abram left Ur, near the rivers reported to be Eden, he left a fertile ground. Most historians place Ur, birthplace of Abram, as Ur of Iraq. Others say Mesopotamia is now Turkey. Probably Iraq, with the rivers of the former Eden listed. Ur, Baghdad and Basrah are near the rivers in antiquity.

The wetlands of Iraq prospered before 1979 politics. And were beautiful. 

Genesis 24:45-67

Evening Liturgy, Sunday, February 5, 2023 

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 

47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 

48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son.

 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken.”

52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 

56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 

57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become

    thousands of ten thousands,

and may your offspring possess

    the gate of those who hate him!”

61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” 

The servant said, “It is my master.”

 So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

One of my favorite Chapters in the Bible. The hopes of Abraham and Sarah fulfilled. Comfort. Love. God's help and favor.  Prayers. Miracles.  A revival of Comfort. Oasis. 

Abraham lived under the Oaks of Mamre in Hebron

Abba, Father God,

May the Lord God Almighty so favor us.

To know the Scriptures is to know the Power of God. 

We pray 

in 

the Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

 Amen.

Lord Father, Thank You for

hearing our Prayers

in  Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Hebrews 13:15-21 ~ Praise to GOD

 

Hebrews 13:15-21

Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. 

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. 

Let Them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

†

Now may the God of peace 

Who 

brought again from the dead 

our Lord Jesus,

 the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, 

by the Blood of the Eternal Covenant, 

equip you with everything good

 that you may do His will, 

working in us 

that which is pleasing in His sight, 

through Jesus Christ, 

to whom be glory forever and ever.

 Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †