1 John 2:18-29 ~ you have been annointed by the Holy One

1 John 2:18-29

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us —eternal life.

26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Looking for the perfect church? Just as there are not perfect believers, there just isn't a perfect church. Paul started many churches and spent a lot of time writing to them about mending their ways. We can perfectly say this isn't just for churches, but us. As individual believers.

Jesus said:

Mark 13:28-37
²⁸"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. ³⁰I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

³²"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

³⁵"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

One thing about the beloved disciple, he is not going to teach what Jesus did not. John was upfront what he believed. Some of the churches today are not. There are churches today that tell us to do away with whole parts of the Scriptures. 5 years ago, it was only parts of the New Testament, now they have started to condemn the Old Testament. There are churches today who deny Jesus died, in God's plan, to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. There are churches today who say there is no personal salvation, we are only saved as a corporate community. There are churches today who tell us the Jews no longer deserve Israel. An important statement. No one has ever deserved Israel. God gives us gifts out of His mercy and His word.

I know of a church in the Houston area, the congregation was pleased with their head minister. Upon leaving the church, after being in the church almost a decade, the man took a job & pledged to restore a seminary, one of the most liberal in our country which had fallen into nothing. His old congregation was pleased the seminary would hear Scripture believing lessons. Not so, he made the headlines promising to fill the seminary with very liberal, partial scriptural students. He had been a paid shepherd, not a soul who had been transparent.

There are different parts of the body of Christ, fulfilling different Christian needs. It is not needed to condemn another part of the body of Christ until Christian basic principals are denied. But, remember, we are getting to be in turbulent waters when Scripture is denied and Christ is re-defined to be certain characteristics instead of all of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures. Christ honoring, Scripture believing Churches need to support one another.

May God bless His Churches honoring all of the Scriptures, wanting to know all about Jesus Christ. May we support one another as we encourage one another to grow in the Holy Spirit. Father, please grant your Churches to be an oasis for the Love and mercy You give us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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John 6:52-59 ~ this is the bread that came down from heaven

The Eucharist by Nicolas Poussin. 1647

John 6:52-59

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Passover has a very memorable, serious and beautiful question: "Why is this night different from all other nights?"

Christians have a similar question for Communion. It does not matter if you are Catholic or Protestant, what makes the consecrated body and blood of Christ different from all other substances? The Holiness and Righteousness of our Loving God Almighty. The blood of Jesus Christ spilled to save you.

We had this discussion in a church luncheon today. We are Anglican and are called the middle way because we are both Catholic and Protestant. I am comfortable if you believe in transubstantiation or not. The Protestant portion of our church welcomes a Christian to believe the Eucharist is Communion and is the mystery of the body of Jesus Christ. Important and special as a sacrament. Protestants do not readily bless objects (like homes, boats, crosses) to make the Communion process more important, where the bread and wine are blessed.

I am comfortable of my belief which is more Catholic in nature - having my great-uncle as a priest of the Episcopal church from 1925 until his death in 1977. One of his greatest pleasures in life, and as a priest, was to consecrate ordinary bread and wine to become the mystical body of Jesus Christ. Uncle Tate felt so strongly about it, he wrote a book. He was passionate about the subject, we worship with Jesus Christ with us in body.

I do not seek to change your opinion. What I seek is to deepen the awe we experience in Communion. As a privileged and blessed congregation under one God. The Catholic Church serves a purpose in the mysteries of God that the Protestant Church would do well to mention and meditate upon much more often. Let's celebrate together God's amazing ways still occurring today all over the world. The Catholic Church is the body of Christ's historian; they are very careful to find the facts when the Spirit of God is manifested, before a miracle is confirmed. One amazing conclusion is reached every time the Catholic Church announces a miracle in the transubstantiation of the Communion Bread and Wine. The Blood is actually the same type. AB positive, every time. Even when the miracle is centuries old. The Vatican Museum came to the Houston Museum of Natural Science about 7 years ago. In the exhibition, several Hosts have been beautifully pressed and displayed after displaying human Blood. Jesus Christ, the Father and the Holy Spirit. We love and serve an awesome God.

Mark 9:23
And Jesus said to him,"If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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Exodus 15 ~ the Water became sweet

Exodus 15

1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying,

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider [chariot] he has thrown into the sea.
2 The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a man of war;
the Lord is his name.

4 “Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
5 The floods covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.

13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
14 The peoples have heard; they tremble;
pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;
trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
16 Terror and dread fall upon them;
because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone,
till your people, O Lord, pass by,
till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

19 For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”


22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. [Bitterness] 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, [tree] and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.






We had a very special time with the Lord at Church Wednesday night. Our Pastor, Clark told a heartfelt story of a call from his sister telling him about finding a box of photos of him as a child. It made him remember how much, as a child, he liked to play & dress as Superman. Perhaps it was because Superman was named Clark, but he said it was knowing even as a child there are circumstances that make life difficult. Children love to look for Superheroes to wave a magic wand to miraculously restore a wrong into a right.

Moses came to do mighty works from the Lord, the Egyptian archaeologists agree took place. The History channel did a long special on the plagues they can see took place. How did the people react to the mighty works of God? Fear and mistrust. More, they cried.

Moses began with the fire of the Holy Spirit shown only to Moses. The power of God's might rested on one individual.

Jesus Christ did the mighty works of His Father. Different, we cried. More, we cried. Crucify Him, we all have cried, as even the most well intentioned, today, have sinned and need His grace. Even during Jesus' death, the mob looked for a miracle for further proof. And upon Jesus' death, the fire of the Holy Spirit was sent to the men seeking Him. Instead of fear at the Words of God, at the foot of the Holy mountain, when the people cried out for God to stop speaking to them; we have found the Lamb of God.

Moses came as the servant of the Lord, professing and displaying the wonders and the might of God. Jesus came as the servant of the Lord, obedient unto death. Jesus came as the Son to display the Love and the enduring mercy of the Father. Jesus Christ draws each of us to Him.

Matthew 23:37b-39
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously

Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.


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2 Samuel 12 ~ before the sun

Jerusalem is a plateau in the Judean Mountains. The elevation of the Old City is approximately 2,500 feet. The whole of Jerusalem is surrounded by valleys and dry riverbeds (wadis). Along the southern side of old Jerusalem is the Valley of Hinnom, a steep ravine associated with the concept of Hell.

In biblical times, Jerusalem was surrounded by forests of almond, olive and pine trees. Farmers built stone terraces along the slopes, holding back the soil, still part of the Jerusalem landscape.

The city has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers, and rainy winters. Light snow usually falls once or twice in winter. January is the coldest month of the year, 46 °F; July and August are the hottest months, with an average 73 °F. Temperatures vary widely from day to night. The average annual precipitation is 23 inches, occurring mostly from October to May.

2 Samuel 12

1 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house.

And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him 25 and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, [beloved of the Lord] because of the Lord.

26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. 30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent [75 lbs.] of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

It's interesting the way men of God face their own sin. Eli was told his sons would not survive him, twice, and he replied to Samuel, "The Lord should do what is good in His eyes." Samuel was told his sons would not be judges because they did not do good in the eyes of the Lord. Samuel moved on to do the Lord's will.

David believed he would sin privately. Unlike Saul, David did not justify his actions as Saul did when he killed the priests (1 Samuel 22:17). David did not demand loyalty from Nathan to cover for a sin. David believed and knew his actions were against God, understanding Uriah was a child of God.

Jonathan told Saul to accept God's will and be glad, Saul ruined himself wanting what he wanted.

David, unlike Samuel, Saul, or even Eli, goes further when he is suffering the punishment of the word of God, he fasts and prays for the mercy of God. God gives David mercy in the future, God's will prevails, but God is merciful. David expects God to be merciful to him, even in forgiveness. It is a pleasing aspect of God. Although God is holy, He desires to be merciful. David does not expect favoritism, he loves God for enduring love and mercy. No wonder David is held as the apple of God's eye. This is where I'd like to be placed as well.

Thank you, FatherGod, You place mankind in Your mercy.

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John 6:30-35 ~ my Father gives you

Holy Face of Jesus by Jan Reijnierse, based upon study of the Shroud of Turin

John 6:30-35

30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

My Father gives you:

Genesis 2:4b
the LORD God made the earth and the heavens

Genesis 15:2a
Lord God ADONAI

Genesis 17:1
I am God Almighty EL SHADDAI

Genesis 22:14
So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.

Exodus 3:
¹⁴ God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Psalm 23:1a
The LORD is my shepherd

Psalm 71:22b
O Holy One of Israel KADOSH

Isaiah 43:3a
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

John 8:12b
I am the light of the world

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Our youth group opened each year by looking up and writing down all the names of God they could find in the Bible. They would then decorate a piece of paper, or canvas, a few minutes later with only the names of God they remembered. We heard the youth say this felt holy to them, a cleansing. You are invited to participate in the same way. This can be done orally, written or both. You can, of course, add all the names of God from memory or study.

Be blessed.

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Prayer Request

Please continue to pray for God's mercy to the people of Iceland, farmers, animals and travelers effected by the Volcano in Iceland.

Psalm 4 ~ Thou hast put gladness in my heart

Psalm 4 ~ American Standard Version

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress: Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2 O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah

3 But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him that is godly: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in Jehovah.

6 Many there are that say, Who will show us any good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than they have when their grain and their new wine are increased.

8 In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For thou, Jehovah, alone makest me dwell in safety.


Isaiah 51:11
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy,and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.



Mark 4:37-40
³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

I was in the car today and some song came on. I've forgotten now what the song was, but the message was to see the adventure in life. It's a prime idea. When people are happy, they don't fret over the small things. Irritating people are amusing. Boredom is a resting place. Norman Vincent Peale used to say if you have problems, it's good, it means you are breathing.

Jan Karon’s series of books, about her character, Father Tim Kavanagh were my favorite books in a quiet and good time in my life. Father Tim always prayed the prayer that never fails. "Father, I pray for Your will to be done." It's a great prayer.

When we believe God's will is being accomplished - in good times and bad, we have more gratitude. Gratitude, gladness, hope, faith and love.

CNN did a documentary about people who lived to be very old. The one trait they have in common is a freedom from worry. That cancels out me and my family. Yet, we all live to be 94. My husband's uncle lived to 93 with terribly high blood pressure. God's will wins out. Let's rest in His plan.

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Mark 9 ~ Jesus asked his father

Sea of Galilee, by Judy Shoemaker

Mark 9

1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one [no cloth refiner] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; [my beloved] listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out [with tears] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” [with fasting]

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Who Is the Greatest?

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, [who does not follow us] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, [to stumble] it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. [and every sacrifice will be salted with salt] 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Salt and Light. Sounds like a good potato chip. Kind of friendly.

When we think of someone being salty, we think of someone being larger than life. Loud, exuberant. Auntie Mame, Popeye.

Then again when we think of biblical salt, there is Lot's wife looking back and becoming a pillar of salt.... not a desirable state.

Salt and pop culture go hand and hand. Salt looses it's flavor when exposed to the air. It becomes stale, tasteless and isn't even good fertilizer or pesticide. What we become when we soak in pop culture without a discerning heart.

Salt wasn't unavailable at any time in Israel. Without salt, one could die in the desert of Judea without some travel planning and having some salt. Without salt, food is flavorless. No one would want to eat salt by itself. No one enjoys having religious talk, religious ideas crammed down their throat.


Let's look at Jesus asking the father of the boy ill with a demon, “How long has this been happening to him?” Recently, in another reading for Scripture for Today Blogspot, we talked about Jesus not being recorded as being a huge conversationalist. Yet Jesus is Love. Jesus is not looking for data. Jesus is not looking for a long debate with the father. Jesus is making contact with this man. Jesus is not browbeating him, He is opening up the conversation. Jesus is hip deep in an emotional experience Himself, returning to the grind of all too human disciples. Jesus is taking time with someone looking to Him. Jesus is opening up the man's choices in his thoughts of God. Jesus is being Himself, there aren't any basketball moves where the hips have to be watched to understand where He is going. Jesus is getting to the point. Jesus teaches us to live at peace with one another in this whole passage.

Read the passage once more, Jesus is teaching us salt and light - to live at peace with one another. Jesus did not live in a peaceful world and His words were not always soothing. It is like Psalm 23, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Jesus forgave everyone from the cross; goodness and mercy was not always given to Jesus, but goodness and mercy were the grace upon grace He gave us.

Blessed be the children of God, Jesus. Help us to be Your creation of salt and light. Protect us from the root of bitterness within us when goodness and mercy do not come our way in life. Let our words be seasoned with the salt of Your Healing and Your wisdom. We always ask for Your help. In the name of Jesus. The highest name of Jesus, Abba. Amen.

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Psalm 134 ~ may the Lord bless you from Zion

Psalm 134

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!



1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.



1 Thessalonians 4:13-16
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

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John 16:1-15 ~ they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me

Model of the White Synagogue in Capernaum built upon the Temple Jesus preached in. Some of the other ruins are Peter's house, the house that became the first Christian Church. A modern Franciscan church has been built over the earlier remains.

Contrary to some modern opinion of Peter, his family was the wealthiest in Capernaum - owning a fleet of fishing ships. Peter would be raised to be very literate. Peter's house was quite large, the largest in Capernaum, filled with beautiful things. Including more expensive plaster walls remaining today.

The Model in the photo is from Mini Israel in Latrun, Israel. The photo is just a touch dorky. Exhibited in it are hundreds of exact models, at a scale of 1:25, of the most important architectural, historic, archeological, religious and social sites as well as buildings of importance to all religions and cultures inhabiting the country.

John 16:1-15

1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

God told me there would be days like this. Who would be encouraged by this? Not the disciples. Jesus wanted to tell them things of heaven, but they "could not bear them now." The things of earth frightened them too much. Jesus, like Moses, came down from the mountain having seen God in the transfiguration. Like Moses, Jesus was met with disciples not doing the work. Men who could not heal with Jesus' name. Unlike the giver of the law, Moses, Jesus shows them more love and more prayer is needed. Jesus was a man of faith in dealing with the disciples. These men squabbled for position, pushed children away because Jesus was too busy and grumbled when Jesus was given expensive perfume for his hair.

These 11 men hiding behind a locked door, fearing the authorities.... were not going to lead people to the saving love of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:18
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

Then the unthinkable happened. Acts 2. Hurricane wind, fire in the air. The disciples had seen huge wind before. It left them wondering why Jesus could command the wind, the evening of the huge storm on the Sea of Galilee. Fire - they had heard about it & asked Jesus once to send fire and burn up their detractors like Elijah had done. Was Jesus tempted to send fire to the disciples instead? He was fully human. I wonder if He smiled before replying. Fortunate disciples for the mercy of Jesus.

This time the fire was different.

John 1:9
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Today we are surprised to learn that the disciples and multitudes of people used the 2nd Temple as their base of operations in Acts 5. Human beings would typically feel empowered by this and start planning to move their belongings in. Where to put the office - the Porch of Solomon or the Court of Gentiles? The disciples were not surprised the persecution was coming.

God told us there would be days like this.

Hebrews 11:33-40

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Proverbs 24 ~ lest the Lord see it

Solomon Sacrificing to Idols. Sébastien Bourdon (1646-47) was also a prolific history painter. Louvre. 1 Kings 11:8-10

Proverbs 24

1 Be not envious of evil men,
nor desire to be with them,
2 for their hearts devise violence,
and their lips talk of trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8 Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9 The devising [scheming] of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.

15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
do no violence to his home;
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.

19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
and be not envious of the wicked,
20 for the evil man has no future;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.

28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.

Envy, desire, violence, trouble, evil, war, victory, fool, adversity, sloth, poverty - Perfect words for the tabloids at the grocery store check out.

This week I've signed Hospice papers for my 94 year old cousin, she is semi-comatose. My cousin is my ward, I have been her legal guardian for 10.5 years due to many strokes she has had. Well of course, Hospice, we are all civilized. On television this would be easy, it is not and the people around react to it. 3 doctors have told us this is the end of life. As I signed the papers, I realized I would want the same considerations for myself. So this is the fulfilling of Jesus' command to love one another . It provokes reactions for all the family & people involved with Maxine. It is both great and unfortunate this is not an easy thing. Scripture for Today Blogspot does not seek to be about me and my life, but death is something we all encounter in our end and around us in the people we love.

What a turbulent week this is. Proverbs suits it just fine. Proverbs is uncomfortable. We had a Bible Study years ago, we were supposed to read aloud several of the Proverbs verses, then change readers, in order, and by chapter. By the end of the reading of a couple of chapters, some people were truly miffed. Which is precisely why Scripture finds itself - in each generation - in a perpetual game of disdain, rejection, ignorance, study, love, adoration, and fascination. And this has gone on for 3,000 years.

I read Proverbs 24 and it pinches. On different days, I will be pinched in different aspects. Is God pleased with my sins showing up? No, He is a Holy and Righteous God. Not that signing the papers for Hospice was a sin, but it makes one mindful of who they are. Thanks be to God, for Jesus Christ. I do not have to live in an unforgiven state. In my weakness, God is strong. Paul said God intertwines all things for His glory and for good. Life is anticipation just what adventure He will provide.

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Who has felt this?

Romans 7:24-25a
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Paul, one of the writers of the New Testament.

We experience trauma in life and wonder if God has suddenly found our secret selfishness leading into sin. We have wonder if cancer, if death, if divorce, if bankruptcy of if job loss is a direct result of our sin from a vengeful God. The answer is clear. Jesus took our sin from us, at one time, on the cross. Trouble will come in life, sometimes we earn it. Neglect our spouse, we are left. Other times, trouble finds us. We live in God's plan, with joy, knowing God does not provide circumstance to merely grieve us.

I am grateful for the pinch of Proverbs 24. I am not left to wonder what God thinks from on high and from far away, as an absent landlord - Deist philosophy. Instead, we have God who writes to us, what He says is not brushed away as a remark merely to overcome. Not an opinion to think upon and decide for ourselves. The sting of Scripture is that of our Father, parenting us. No loving Father leaves His children without direction. The response is up to us. Solomon experienced God, but wanted God to speak to Him in a manner Solomon chose. If Solomon is to be remembered for his wisdom, it is Solomon's return to God's plan as he looks for real meaning in his life, not just temporal values.

God chose to live with us and chooses so today.

John 1:14,16
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

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Psalm 100 ~ come into His presence with singing

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his; [and not we ourselves]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

There are some Sundays we go into Church and I do not feel like being there. I have things on my mind that feel more present than God. There have been a few times in my life I've contemplated going home, once I actually did. You know, it didn't help. Getting to focus solely on myself wasn't what I really needed. Being a Christian, loving FatherGod helps me remember what is important. Thank God, literally, for the ability to look up. To worship Someone Greater than myself and to realize I am not in charge of it all.

Today has been a sad day. Family has gathered to see Maxine and say good-bye. Family get togethers over death aren't always pleasant. The aspect of death, Hospice, papers and decisions reminds me of parts of the Old Testament were death & fear can be pretty brutal. Life moves along pretty easily for this generation with antibiotics & miracle drugs, but the end of life can be graphic.

Thank you, God, Maxine lives in an era of people using pain relievers. Thank you, God, for the positive aspect of dementia, there is no fear in Maxine. Thank you, God, for the family who are helpful. For people who want to remember the love and want to come see someone who has lived with dementia for 10 years, even when she was unable to have a conversation. Thank you, God, for Your Word, not the sugar coating of the good ship lollipop, but the way we must face death is serious. I am grateful for Jesus Christ mourning with Mary and Martha over Lazarus, before the resurrection. Thank You for the images of death You give us telling us this is not surprising. Mostly, FatherGod, thank you for the Good News telling us we can look up. We can look up in hope. Death is a reason to remember we will come into Your presence with singing.

Please remember to pray for 94 year old Maxine as she comes into God's Kingdom.

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Psalm 24:1 ~ The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it

Psalm 24

¹ The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it

Please pray for my cousin Maxine today. She is 94 years old and has been diagnosed as being in extremis.

Come, Lord Jesus, be with Maxine, her need is great. Amen.

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Psalm 128 ~ May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

This is one of the wedding gifts Maxine gave us ~ Look down with favor, O Lord on these Thy servants, who, by Thine Divine Authority, are one in Holy Matrimony. Grant them Thy loving protection through days of lasting peace; and bless them with the love of their children's children. Amen.


Psalm 128 ~ Revised Standard Version

[1] Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!

[2] You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

[3] Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.

[4] Lo, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.

[5] The LORD bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!

[6] May you see your children's children!
Peace be upon Israel!

This Psalm of God's always fills me with hope and raises me up. I like it more & more as I grow older, when I was younger I expected all the bounty and blessings of God, without a lot of real prayer. Not only is it a Psalm about Heaven, where the best is yet to be, but it is the promises of the Lord's goodness for this life.

When we are young, life is so very pleasing. As we grow older, we have a greater appreciation for what our parents and grandparents did for us. God says it is more blessed to give than receive; I am grateful for Maxine's prayer gift, I look forward to my grandchildren. My son Alexander laughs like my paternal grandmother, it is an echo of love. A hearty laugh from the belly, like being surprised at joy & overtaken. I look forward to seeing the next generation and to have the opportunity to be the love and caregivers my grandmothers & parents were to me.

I try to picture heaven & my limited vision gives perhaps a tiny glimpse. This Easter I was blessed to receive a Jacquie Lawson card, wow, it was what I think of. If you've ever seen the movie "Places in the Heart", 1984, it won 2 Oscars? Fabulous ending scene in the Church over Communion. If you are looking for a quiet Saturday afternoon, watchlastmovies.com has "Places in the Heart." Norton says the site is safe.

Blessings to you this Saturday.



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Psalm 96 ~ declare His glory among the nations

Psalm 96

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; [or holy attire]
tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.


Please pray for my cousin Maxine, she is 94. My grandmother's family was quite large & generations are all spread apart, Maxine is almost 50 years older than I am. Maxine is my mother's first cousin and she is my legal ward. Maxine & her husband lived in Los Angeles, in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, for a number of years. Her husband worked in the television company producing the Lone Ranger and Lassie TV programs.

Maxine has me for her guardian because she has severe dementia & lives in a dementia facility. She had a number of strokes, 10 years ago. And she never had children. Maxine is in the hospital tonight for dementia related illness. It is not supposed to be life-threatening, but she has done what her mother and my grandmother did, she has shrunk a foot and now weights about 80 lbs at exactly four feet. She is quite frail.

Christians are sometimes set apart because we look at circumstance and wonder if it is the work of the Lord. When Maxine was 90, she became very unresponsive. We examined why there was suddenly no speech, her responsiveness was like pushing a large rock up a steep hill. It turns out she was being given too much medicine and it had covered up another large stroke. Maxine began having physical rehabilitation sessions and she went from needing minimum add'l care to maximum. Maxine, the doctors concluded, had become institutionalized and to move her into a different facility would kill her, so she needed a sitter to prompt her more to participate in the dementia facility. But her speech had been removed and she now merely made one noise.

At Christmas, Maxine had been with the sitter for about 7 months, she was almost 91 & walking again. Her speech had not recovered. Our Church asked everyone to bring a cross to hang on the wall of our new Church building. I found a beautiful crucifix, Jesus looked as He had just asked the Lord to forgive His people. I just couldn't give it to the Church, I felt Maxine needed the cross to look down on her bed. So, at Christmas, I put the cross were Jesus would look down at Maxine. As I did, I said a prayer that I had done what I thought FatherGod wanted and would He use this symbol, & the action I had completed, I felt was prompted to prayer, to bless Maxine's sleep, her safety and bring her to know the Lord's love in a fulfilling relationship, to know the comfort of His salvation. Maxine had been angry with God as a child, she felt the Lord took too much of Aunt Eloise (her mother's) attention and work. According to Maxine, the rend had never completely healed between the Lord and Maxine & Maxine didn't feel there is any heaven.

Later in the year, in the spring, I was sitting with Maxine. A year since the last stroke, I really didn't expect to hear anything back. I told her she had on a beautiful blue dress and it matched her eyes, she still has beautiful blue eyes. I told her she was the only one in the family with eyes as blue as the sky. The next moment, I was sitting with my mouth open. I couldn't even speak. My 91 year old cousin told me she did think it was a pretty dress and she was pleased to have pretty dresses that are fancy in her closet. She leaned over to tap my ring and said she liked it. Maxine had not been able to say that kind of sentence since 1996, about 10 years prior. I think I was rude enough to sputter, "Maxine you are talking! Saying things!" No, it was not clear as a bell, but I understood her perfectly.

I called the sitter & Katherine said, "Yeah, Maxine is talking again! Some days she has a lot to say and some days she doesn't say too much at all!" Yes, Maxine is significantly happier to have Katherine, who is there just for her every day. But my 91 year old cousin never had speech rehabilitation. I don't know if it was the chicken or the egg first, but Maxine regained her speech and picked up ground to be able to, not just repeat phrases, but to express her thought. This just must be from God. How many people recover that much in their 90's? Maybe speech, but Maxine was able now to express her clear thought.

Maxine is 94 now. Because of the need for a guardian, every year a social worker comes in & checks on Maxine's environment, in an unannounced visit. On Tuesday, Maxine's social worker got to hear Maxine communicate. Now, the answers are more rote and not actual conversation, but Maxine was still able.

Father God, please be with Maxine. I remember cartoons I shared with her when I was a child & the garden walks we took. I remember Maxine to have retained her delight in Your creations. Look at Maxine with mercy, these years she has remained on this earth, are Your years. Please remember the kindnesses she has shown us. Father, when it is time for Maxine to go home to You, let it be so peacefully. Like the Camellia my grandmother and Aunt Eloise prayed about. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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Acts 5:12-16 ~ multitudes

Today in Jerusalem, this is a model of the 2nd Temple with a close-up of Solomon's Porch.






Acts 5:12-16 ~ American Standard Version

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of them and women; insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bring sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Quite a change. From hiding behind locked doors, the disciples are preaching Jesus Christ the Savior in the 36 acres of the Temple Court.

John 20:19-20
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

The Pharisees are having a bad week. That pesky Jesus didn't just disappear, instead multitudes have come... not to the Sea of Galilee, or the wilderness, but to the Temple to hear more about Jesus. Those annoying miracles and signs haven't stopped either. Some of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council for the Temple, want to go over and hear too.

Ian Wilson's book, "The Historical Jesus" tells of a letter from the first century Anno Domino. This famous letter - Rabbi Lyracathra, of Lystra, Israel, writes he cannot keep the Jews from being interested in the multitudes of healings done in Jesus' name, after the man has died. He wonders how Judiasm will continue when these signs cannot be contained. Yes, these are hard times, the miracles just keep coming.

Thanks be to God. Thank You for Your steadfast love and Your miracles You give us in the highest name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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