God's Creation

......Wyoming 2017...17 years later...



Deuteronomy 32:2

2 May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distill as the dew,
like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
and like showers upon the herb.

Revelation 3:14
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.

Song of Songs 2:11

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone!

Song of Songs 2:12
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
 


Song of Songs 1:3
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.

Song of Songs 1:4
Take me away with you – let us hurry!

Song of Songs 2:8
Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.

Genesis 1
9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Revelation 2:3
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.



Our Abba,

Let us consider the field, Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you

Our Father is still working. Put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

And we will encourage one another and build one another up, just as God is doing.

We rejoice in seeing the goodness of Your Creation. Looking to what is noble and good. Strengthening what is good around us. Pleasing to You, Father God.

Let the Glory of God shine all around us finding Your Mercies. Seeking to see these Amazing Gifts of God's Grace. Knowing Your Mercies renew each day. Telling those we love, praying for the people God gives us. Rejoicing in His Gifts He lavishes on us all.

Blessing God for Jesus Christ. His Son. God is ours. Alleluia in Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Thessalonians 2 ~ you yourselves know

1 Thessalonians 2

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you —I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

20 For you are our glory and joy.

Paul wrote Thessalonians in the Holy Spirit as John wrote the Gospel of John. Both have something in common, they do not employ parables.

Just as Jesus sent His Disciples out to do work. All the Disciples will have a different order and path where the Holy Spirit grows them. And John, being the Disciple who stayed with Jesus, probably did not consider the parables very puzzling. John remembers walking in awe and wonder with the Son of God.






Today - we had a mountain injury, both my sons went mountain biking. The kind where your bike is on a tram going up the Teton Mountain, partially, and then there are paths. Obstacles, swerves, dips, dirt, hills - created just to make the path more interesting. My youngest son found 'air' fastest and with more confidence; he took classes on mountain biking in college. I asked if this was being tired and was told it was, with an over confidence. So far, we do not have a trip to the doctor, but my very loved son has a very swollen hand and very blackened eye with multiple large, large bandages. He found the path rose up to meet him through the 'handle' bars.








Which echoed a conversation I had with Edward about life. And making life meaningful.

Do we want to sit carefully and blandly - just quietly doing our lives. Playing it safe. All about our own plans. Eventually Solomon described Ecclesiastes House. The great plans still and the days become quiet, the children age, the fountain does not pump water, the weeds grow up, the days are seen as over and done. Solomon says this is inevitable. There is sadness in Ecclesiastes.

We see this wisdom today.

Balance, balance, balance. Balance.

Be wise. Cautious.

Be grateful. Be.

Be over, be superlative. Strive.

Be direct, be assertive. Dominate.

Be involved, be productive. Legacy.

Be kind, be gracious. Meaningful.

To never put your hat in the ring - is to be sought ... maybe. And is so seductively safe.

To be bland is to be sophisticated. And admired.

To give and put forward kindness is a risk. Why do this when only the reward of applause is the goal.




And frankly, that's a lot of hats.

(The photo is real and is colorful, unique and if you see yourself wearing this many hats - the idea is rather  - scary. God help us to be sincere!)


Notice with me, Paul does not use Parables and neither does John. And we have mixed allegories and parables with decades, generations and millenniums.


Let's cut to the chase. We live in a time where we move on. Travel has increased. If you don't like today, move on.

What we need to remember is the destination - is the same. So is the goal. We are going to present our souls. We are building. Being part of the 'toss it' generation, we see many, many things as disposable. And Grace as renewable. Building actually is about permanence. With faith, we are saying we build our souls. This is Permanent.






Let's look at the - Text.


Amidst Conflict -

Build.
Approval from God.
Be able to be entrusted.

When we have tested our own heart -

We witness - our own sincerity.

What Glory do we seek - temporary - enduring.

Our soul speaks to God of - affection, tenderness, a dear soul, a warm heart.
We want our God to be our Father.

The Prodigal Father, our God, endeavors
eagerly
and with great desire
to see you
face to face.

Our Father who would say tenderly
"You are joy, beloved, Child."





Jesus did NOT say Ecclesiastes was to be our inevitable burden.

Jesus told, His brother, James about this; to ask Wisdom.




James 1

11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant;
its flower falls and its beauty is lost.

So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.


What are these riches?
Surely not dollars. 
The riches of being with and loving the ones God has given us.
Adding goodness to lives we love.
Having meaning. To Love. To be Loved.
Enjoying, using, rejoicing in the gifts Father God has given us to enjoy our unique life.
Is this believable? Jesus found this life to be Joy. His Life was difficult. How? The Joy of the Lord is Strength. Gratitude.
Belief God is going to help.
Then we blast into eternity, fulfilling our pursuits with Love, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Forbearance, Faith, Verve. True way, truth, Life. Using the gifts Father God has given us to enjoy our unique life.







Abba,

Filled in Christ, You are the head of all rule and authority.

Our Father, help us each day to meet the day with the Willingness of Jesus. To create meaningful life using the tools, the time, the opportunity to seize the day, the blessing to bless You and enable us to have Love, Joy, Peace, Faith, Patience, Fire of God. And to aid and comfort, interest and tenderly care for the people we Love and You have given us.

We bless You for what You have given us. And look with Joy to what You are bringing us in Your Goodness. Our Hope and Future.

Abba, when we are face to face, we find Our hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love. Reaching all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ Jesus. Finding in Jesus, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Rejoicing to see Your good order and Your Steadfast Love.

Life. In the wonderful Love of Jesus, we have seen You, our Father. Amen and blessings in Jesus Christ.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

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!  †