Mark 5:21-43 ~ told them

Mark 5:21-43

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.

22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”

40 And they laughed at him.

But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.


Jesus has taken a busy day and sorted out, among many God sized miracles, to only allow Peter and James and John, sons of Zebedee, to attend the 12 year old daughter's healing. If you visit Capernaum today, you will find an archaeological pillar with the names of Zebedee and John. This is a 2nd century Synagogue, so it's entirely possible these are descendents of this Zebedee's family. Or, it is because of Jesus, an ancient pillar of the earlier pillar is repeated. However, we know the sons of James and John have a faith-filled and very pushy mother who has asked Jesus her sons will dwell right up next to Jesus in Heaven. And we find the Bible records Zebedee and not the mother James and John record their Jewish faith through.

Jesus and the Bible are remarking on faith and rewards. Zebedee gets the approval nod.

Why would Jesus take James and John to this healing? Peter is going to be the literal rock, of the yet to be created, Church. Pretty apparent why Peter is joining Jesus. Peter joins the Church forever after

1939, when Vatican workers were preparing the burial place of Pope Pius XI. The new pope, Pius XII gave permission to excavate this area for finding archaeological evidence supporting evidence of the centuries-old belief St. Peter was buried beneath the main altar of the basilica.

Excavations were quiet during the Second World War, and went on during the 1940's and 1950's. Major discoveries were made. Beneath the current altar of Clement VIII (1584) was found the earlier altar of Callixtus II (1123) and below that one, the still earlier altar of Gregory the Great (590). Beneath the altar of Gregory they discovered a monument built by the emperor Constantine between 321 and 326. This monument enclosed yet another one dated to the second century. Here was found a red plaster wall covered with graffiti about Peter matching his home in Capernaum, beyond and beneath which was a first-century tomb. All of this directly below the main altar of the basilica. And kept intact by one rock roof.

When you can see the very top of the Mountain you find incredible detail.

Upon this rock ... I will build my Church. Several of the massive mountains in Yellowstone have God carved ledges, making them appear as if a Castle of God is just beyond what the eye can see.

The evidence convinced Pius XII to announce to the world on Christmas Eve, 1949 the tomb of Peter had been discovered. New excavations were carried out in the early 1960's, led by Dr. Margherita Guarducci, a professor at the University of Rome and an expert in the interpretation of ancient writings. One contained two Greek words: PETROS ENI, which Guarducci translated as PETER IS WITHIN. This discovery, of course, strengthened the claim for the tomb of Peter. These bones were analyzed and found to have belonged to one individual, as opposed to other bones found in the cemetery pertaining to more than one person. This individual was judged to be an 62 year old male of heavy build about five feet seven inches tall. Hebrew descent. Missing his feet, the way Peter had died. In addition it was found that the encrusted soil found with the bones dated to the first century. In short, this discovery led Pope Paul VI to announce to the world on June 27, 1968, that the bones of St. Peter had been discovered. The remains of Peter were brought to the hospital room of John Paul II after his attempted assassination in 1981.

We can well understand why Peter was included.

And John lived to ripe old age in the 2nd century on Patmos. But why James, the brother of John? He was the 2nd Disciple to have died a martyr. Why would Jesus include James on this secret mission of raising a child from the apparent dead?

John tells us he is the Beloved Disciple. A best friend to Jesus. Jesus certainly knew the fate of Peter and told Peter. Jesus takes James to witness the child rising up - similar to Martha in John 11. James is going to know " he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” John has now been one of three men to understand Jesus raises the dead. James is with him. All John's very long life, John has the assurance of knowing Jesus has included James to see the resurrection of the dead before James passes on.

Jesus has had a very busy day in Mark's Gospel's 5th Chapter.

After the 3:15 p.m. Old Faithful Geyser erupted. The cloud above the Geyser was wonderfully angelic.

Why is the daughter carefully listed as 12 years old? Kosher would find a young woman has to be at least 15 years old to be of marriage age. She cannot easily survive childbirth any younger. This young child is loved as she is, not of priority and privilege and marriage placements. Just as Zebedee's name is remembered and his wife's is not, this young child is sought to be healed - for love. She is merely a child. A loved child. Her father has broken rank to find Jesus. She returns to her parents to be nourished and cared for.

 And all of God's Works are Deliberate. Archaeology and the records of the Disciple's lives hold the Truth of the Gospel and the Good News of Jesus Christ.



Abba,

Your Gospels tell us You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. We will hold on to You and Your Truth and go with You. We lift up those we love, the people You have give us. And rest our days and cares with You.

To see life with eyes of faith and  moving in our lives as our Journey is Your Plan. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 14 ~ Believe

-Corrie Ten Boom

John 14

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”


8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.


12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.



15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.


25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.

Rise, let us go from here.






Why should we believe?

1 Corinthians 15

16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But at this moment the Messiah stands risen from the dead, the first one offered in the harvest of those who have died.



We all have circumstances we would like to simply have - vanish.

We are in the Tetons at a time when Edward is changing in his brain frontal and temporal lobe. Parietal lobe too. One son is going far away to Law School, the other is doing his Masters. No one wants to get a long. Everyone does as they pick to behave, at that moment. The cohesion is vanishing and the desire to cooperate is minimal, with less conversation. It is as if we tried to be a team, a family, the pain would be more difficult to bear than to be kind. The government has done studies on this illness and finds this to be par for the course. Escape and denial.

One of the reasons the Tetons and Jackson Hole Wyoming is so beautiful, it is surrounded by desert. The airport runway is not only expensive, but is a little short. It's difficult to arrive here. All arrive looking worn. And glad because this is like a slice of heaven, after many hours of desert. At one point the massive, old mountains hug you to them and you are warned of avalanche in winter. Huge animals in the highway - warnings.

Then surprisingly, the hills are smooth and houses are on them. The green is breathtaking after the desert. Suddenly, around the corner. the valley widens and you have plenty of room and sunlight to see far, far and wide. The rocks are more monumental than any Cathedral and planned by the Hand of God. Each formation has variations.


The Light is breathtaking. Storms typically roll in from far away. The clouds roll in and the light upon the gigantic Tetons change. Dark purple, grey and suddenly green fir trees and aspens glow almost golden as the cloud passes by. If you have an hour, you can watch the storm roll in. Maybe see lightning flash. Wind will pick up, temperatures will drop. And finally rain comes in.




And in having faith, it would be great to write we all are examples of shining humanity. In fact, we are all trying out what it will be to be further apart. Edward goes out to get a beer while I am in the bathroom. We are told when the adult offspring will arrive and instead of being pleased, they look like the drive has worn them to a nub and their plans are discussed, as if they are monarchs.  Will someone give in - no, Edward is simply unmoved by a vacation 5 states away - where people can't decide how 2 days will be spent in cohesion. Can we agree to wait 15 minutes on laundry, to ride a ferry to the mountain top. No. King Edward will not wait 15 minutes. It is - crying out for - a stranger who, by their mere presence, creates socially appropriate behavior. Facts are discussed and reassessed for veracity in memory loss. Aspersions are cast. This is brain injury.




As this storm is rising, we will see the Grace of God rise up. Similar to the way the inept Disciples were never fired for being - boobs. This is not going to be an example of human magnificence. This is going to be messy. It is going to slog on. And in the end - I know the ending - in the end the 20 something sons will find the Grace of God carried us. We will find, we all do pass on. And these adult sons will find marriage meant something. When the fun was scarce. When blessings enfolded us and surrounded us and we all acted as if - we were clueless to the Sheer Magnificence of His Mercy and Bounty - someday the horn, or the bell, or the just the internal sigh, will arrive and the mindless self will encounter how blessed we are to have the ability to do this for Edward, for me, for our sons.


Do all things work for Good for those who Love the Lord? Let me assure you, yes. The family who arrived here 17 years ago and laughed and played, rejoiced and moved like ducks in a row - still loves. The V formation is not here with military precision. These ducks do not land in a row, they do not smile a lot. But they are here. And more memories are made and thoughts glance lightly on future events. There will be a future.


How do we know? Because we believe. That the circle will be unbroken, by and by, Lord, by and by. As we grump along, I remark, in my botanical interests, that the flowers are utterly and completely unstressed. And time is taken to examine, however briefly, the flower and plant. I remark - this looks like Heaven  - with the incredible Green completed by a harsh, harsh, harsh winter. And all pause to take a breathe and LOOK.

Follow the Shining Water.

Abba,

And the circle, is unbroken as we bye and bye. And the circle is completed in our Lord Jesus Christ. And the Circle will be completed - by and by - Lord, bye and by.

In this, we will let our hearts break some. And the presence of God, our Father, will bend down, to enfold, to hold. And we will will know - the struggle is of Love. And in God, the upward is Higher. The Journey - Eternal.

The Helper, The Comforter, gives us His Grace allowing us to struggle and sink, rise and hope. Finding endurance and Hope. In a Word. Jesus. Above all. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Acts 21:37-22:16 ~ Speaking Greek

Acts 21:37-22:16

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, "May I say something to you?"


"Do you speak Greek?" he replied. 38 "Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?"

39 Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people."

40 Having received the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:

Acts 22

1 "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.

Then Paul said: 3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?'

8 " 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked.

" 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

10 "'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked.

"'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

12 "A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him.

14 "Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

As we went through the western hilly portion of Kansas with vast wind farms, wheat farms, cattle farms and an amazingly hilly terrain, we realized the wind farms are placed very carefully away from mostly frame, Kansas house farms. Kansas is still farm families. And Kansas still has huge storms.

When Jesus appeared to Paul, Jesus did something different than He did with the Disciples. Jesus appears to Paul to explain to Paul alone (on a mission from The Temple) what Paul is going to do with his life. The men around Paul understand God is at work, yet Paul alone is given the clear understanding of Paul's new life in Jesus Christ.

None of the men with Paul sit with him until his sight is restored. God is not requiring the companions of Paul to be Paul's disciples. We are in the New Testament. Men do not disciple John the Baptist, they do not disciple Paul of Taurus. Instead, Jesus has released the Holy Spirit to live and dwell with the people who have asked Jesus to live within them.

The Bible goes on to explain there are various gifts and they are all given by Father God. Various parts of the Body of Christ and all are needed.

Paul calls God the God of Encouragement and God of Hope. We are called to love one another. And the Body of Christ tested the Spirit to see if Paul was still on his original mission to kill Christians and this is also of the Bible - Test the Spirit.



Just like the Wind Farms, Father God allows room to find the Way, Truth, Life of the Holy Spirit. The Way, Truth, Life is Jesus Christ our God.



We Thank You, Abba, we rest all of our cares with You, Father God. 

Thank you for the Hotel help we have had in Fort Morgan, Colorado!!! 

Abba, You have taught us to look what is around us and Rejoice. When in Rome do as the Romans. Speaking Greek as Greek is called for. Rejoicing in what we have.  Thanking You for the goodness of the pond at home, the young man staying at our house, the concern over our shoreline and the great help we have had and hope to find. Our sons traveled safely. Thank You Father God. Resting my injured eye and toe. Continued healing for all who have asked for prayer.

Expecting each morning to see Your Mercies Renew. Seeing life unfold Goodness of being Your Creation. 11 Times You said Life is Good. So many times - we will believe, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - You and Your Father are at work. And we will work to see the good around us and Bless You for what You bring into our Life.

We rest all in the Love Jesus gives us. And rejoice. Amen in Christ Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 2:1-12 ~ stayed a few days

 

John 2:1-12

2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. ³ When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

⁶ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. ⁹ When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

¹² After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers^{[brothers and sisters]} and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Entering Kansas, the tshirt selection reminds us all of "Wizard of Oz." Yet, Toto never told us about the Smoke Hills of Kansas. The complete efficiency of the land usage. The cleanliness of all is utilized and cared for. The signs reading, "Go to the restroom, the next one is 62 miles away." The fact so many of the Middle America signs remind us a choice of Life for the unborn and ourselves is Good. So many Churches. So many God Loves you signs. The comfort in the restaurant of the signs of the Bible and Jesus. Being greeted in a small town as a traveler. Being listened to by the other diners as Edward and I discussed the Christian messages we had seen in Kansas.


What pleases God? When we expect Him to do something Good.


Jesus' First Sign Was Making Wine at a Wedding!!! God is about Joy.

And Kansas is creating a Feast. For the soul and for America to eat. Feeding America.

Look at this; let's look at them as family. Gathered in groups and put on a cheerful background. Inspiring Again.


We don't know the Disciples lives well. Not everything is actually published. But they got through troubles that where thrown at them, troubles God gave them, troubles they created. By hoping that someone larger than themselves - Father God - would care and help. Prayer and expectation sustain us.


We are supposed to expect the Scriptures to be living and active. We are supposed to read it like a letter written to You.


We are told for so long - "this is the meaning of this Scripture" that we fail to see the glory for ourselves.


Does it grab you yet - Mary knew Jesus. She lived with God's Son. She expected something Good from Him. If you were going to tell a dry story - one you made up - why would you say Jesus was henpecked by his mom to get started. The Scriptures are telling us about Jesus.


"No, Mom, it's not what Abba/Daddy would want - it doesn't look like God's work - making wine."


And Mom still expects Jesus to do it. So Jesus gets stuck with the embarrassment of having His first sign be wine? No. Jesus tells us later He is about Joy. And having a Feast.

God is about Joy.

Father God.

Help me to have the mercy to do what is pleasing to you.

God expects us to do our best and look out for others. For the wisdom God gives us in Scripture. For the people in our lives who need prayers for healing. That God would uphold us in Life. We will expect Father God's help. 

Having some time to watch the beautiful landscape and the clouds. I think I saw an angel cloud. So glad we missed the heat wave of 108' last week and had 70s ' this week.

We bless You, Jesus, for Your Amazing Grace. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 50 ~ Our God

Psalm 50

The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken,
and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence:
a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Hebrews 12

28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom,
let us be filled with gratitude,
and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Exodus 3

3 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 

2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.

Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?


Luke 3:16
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

Psalm 104

Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
5 He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.

Same Angel Cloud, many photographers.

Psalm 104
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!



Luke 22
43 And there appeared to Jesus, an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

Matthew 1

as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.




Luke 2

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.


Would the Lord God leave us something of an idea of His Glory?

Virga clouds. Why shouldn't we receive a creation of God's with Joy?


Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Abba,

Your mercies renew each day.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

The joy and creation of  the Lord is at hand; 
do not be anxious 

Give by prayer and supplication  thanksgiving 
let your requests be made known to God. 

 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, 
whatever is honorable, 
whatever is just, 
whatever is pure, 
whatever is lovely, 
whatever is commendable, 

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We have learned and received and heard and seen in Jesus —practice these things, 
and our God of peace will be with us. The ones we love. The people God gives us. The people we pray for. And His compassion is seen throughout the generations. And we can believe this for the next generation - in His Mercy.

The joy of this day and the rest we will have in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 2 ~ Glory to God in the highest and ... peace

The Light of the World

Luke 2

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.


8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.

28 He took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30for my eyes have seen your salvation
31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 

49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

The Shroud of Turin was forensically used in 3D to see what Jesus looked like as a boy!

Bethlehem did not change for millenniums. See what stables looked like. 

The shepherds were in the fields watching their flocks at the time of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:7-8).

The Stables of Bethlehem are not large and would be 2/3rd's earth. Cut into the hillsides. This makes them chilly and prone to carry illnesses for staying indoors for any length of time.  They are not large and some would have large flocks. A stable is used for extreme conditions. Mary was in the stable - the flocks were abiding in the field. 

I love both paintings of the Holy Family. When you look at the art of the Renaissance, so many of the people look like wooden blocks. Here Joseph is putting his arms in the symbol of Blessing (in both paintings). Jesus is interested in Joseph. Joseph is seeing all of the people witness to what he had come to Believe. Jesus shows us He is the Light of the world.

Mary looks like she has been part of something emotional.

(Even the cow is interested.)


How interested is God in the story of Jesus' birth. Matthew records 2 chapters. Mark records what Peter is asked about. Luke records an amazing 3 chapters of Jesus' beginning. John records the creation of Christ in Genesis 1. Why would we fail to celebrate six entire chapters of Gospel.

Why do we say Merry Christmas? Jesus tells us the night of the New Covenant - Life is Joy. John 14, 15, 16.

God of Love. God of Encouragement. God of Joy.

When Jesus existed before Abraham, He was saying His Birth was during Genesis 1. "Let there be Light."







Abba!!!

"God bless us, every one!"

For God so loved
the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord
that whoever
believes in Jesus Christ Lord,
shall not perish
but have eternal life.

Our God.
Has a God sized. Mission.
Thank God.
For us and for the ones we love,
the people God has given us.
Amen in Jesus Christ.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †