The People in the Boat were Smiling

Genesis 24:45-67

Evening Liturgy, Sunday, February 5, 2023 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Our sister, may you become

    thousands of ten thousands,

and may your offspring possess

    the gate of those who hate him!”

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

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

The servant said, “It is my master.”

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

The Way, the Truth and the Life

Today, Edward and I had a rental car and the new technology was very exciting. Automatic Cruise Control.  Cruise Control works with the various speeds of the traffic around you. Slowing down if the car in front of you is poking along. A new aspect to driving. We went over Houston Harbor huge causeways and saw all manner of interesting things.

And we went over to Galveston's Pier 21 to have some lunch and were remembering how many people we have gone with to see Pier 21. 

Edward and I were very jazzed to be out and about and seeing some new things. We'd gone to Dallas to see Edward's mother, and found my mother's property to be un mowed and the AC turned off since the roofers were there. A Month of neglect when we thought we were in the hands of a competent realtor. Which led to a dismissal. And new interviews. My mother was a Realtor with this firm and I called several veteran Realtors, who informed me to report this whole list to the Manager. It was a bummer Memorial Day Weekend with trips to Home Depot to repair other aspects of neglect.  Edward's mother wasn't having a good weekend either. Although her nurse is a cheerful, full of life, good aspect in her life!

And as we sat down to lunch, we were filled with gratitude to be in the sunshine and seeing vast doings on the commercial harbor of Galveston. We normally have normal face on, but I noticed we were so relieved, we were both smiling.

And I noticed none of the people sitting watching this beautiful bay were smiling. And in fact, looked glum. Why?  Families don't usually gather for Memorial Day Weekend. Unless you were in LA, leaving, it wasn't a big travel weekend. Families and parents didn't see their young people. Glum. 

Easter is a heavily traveled weekend!

What adds life to our Lives? 

Rebekah does!

How? The Eagerness to do Life.

It doesn't have to be perfect!  This week, I've seen and heard of several admonitions just to be quiet and get along. Isn't that sort of how we got into the chill and then the pandemic? 

When was the last time you saw someone carrying in a homemade Birthday cake on your street?  Aren't we all so much thinner than before the Pandemic! Oh, Really!

We loved to visit my mother's first cousin, Maxine. In old age, the house was a mess, mess, but she was always entertaining and we always had an old, cold, glass, old-fashioned Coca Cola Maxine would serve the family coming by. Us! Not so perfect, but Willing!

Now we have officially left the Pandemic scary. No one is going on long bike rides or walking with family. Not as many exercising people. 

Rebekah was like Isaiah. She didn't ask how many acres, goats, landscape, houses, servants or the distance. Rebekah was Just WILLING.

We all love to know a baby is arriving. Thrilling! And yet, what children are is WILLING.

I hope for my family and pray hard every day, we find more WILLING HEART within us.

The Way, The Truth and the Life. Jesus was reported to be a Drunkard and a Glutton. Sometimes you have to just smile at that. The man who knew Zacchaeus knew how to have a good time! The friend of Matthew! To have a Party!  The Friend of Lazarus, the altar in Spain tells us in our lifetime!

The Way, The Truth and The Life is a gamble. To be yourselves, to say your opinion, to be kind. To be firm. Being gracious. To try again. To attain the growth of the Culture as in the Body of Christ. To live not slap dash, but to want to see us all upbuild again.

Is there really a glimmer of Hope?

Yes, people are awake and the State Congresses

and National are trying to piece us back 

on the road to recovery again.

We just need more sunrises to 

establish the Hope again.

Reawaken the Faith in us, again.

The Lord loves our prayers.

Abba, Father,

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come

This grace that brought me safe thus far

And grace will lead me home

When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright, shining as the sun

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we first begun

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

Our prayer, Father,

says, Please Jesus.

Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Thank You, Lord Jesus

Acts 2 ~ When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place

 

Hebrews 1:7 

 Of the angels He says, “He makes His angels winds,

 and His ministers a flame of fire.”

Today, I worked on this Post about two hours. And for no reason, it

erased. I won't redo the 2 closed and edit Posts. 

This would be replaced if Jesus sees fit to open hearts to Goodness and Him.

Light

Acts 1

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer,
 together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 2

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 

13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my male servants and female servants

In those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

21 And it shall come to pass 

that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord

 shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 

25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 

34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 

46 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.

Acts 1 and Acts 2 is a Celebration.

Adam knew his children were not blessed fully by the Lord. Isaac didn't intend to bless one of his sons. Eli allowed God was correct to pass over his 2 sons being evil. Samuel saw the Lord's favor would not be abundant in his sons. David was passed over for Samuel's blessing by his father, Jesse.  Hezekiah was completely fine his sons would not rival his reign. 

Acts 1 and 2 is a celebration

of the Beloved of Jesus

Ezekiel 36

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 

23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. 

And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.

 And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 

31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.

Mark 7:37  

And they were beyond 

measure astonished, 

saying, He hath done all things well.

REMEMBERING

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Hebrews 11:1 ~ Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance 

of things hoped for, 

the conviction of things 

not seen.

Luke 10

23 Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, 

"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 

For I tell you 

that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see 

but did not see it, 

and to hear 

what you hear 

but did not hear it."

We all know this has been the roughest set of years many generations have seen. And we could personally count out our reasons.  

I've seen workers at my house mutiny against their longtime employer of 6 years. Creating their own social media sorrow and tools disappearing, as I closed the garage door. Then saw the employer weeping. Because the Southern Border hasn't changed lives to be easier or better. Seen an artist neighbor losing his career and his mind, go violent, plotting little plans, ruining his family and life.  And continue in the same sad set of mind guidelines, no longer really aware of the law and his futility, in front of a town government worker.

Families who act cruelly and do not repent, nor have joy. 1 out of 3 families report a crucial breakdown.

People who don't do their job, their responsibilities to the goodness of mankind and culture. Then sorrow for their own sadness and lack of goodness. Looking miserable. 

Social Media records this response to the sometimes heartbreaking times:

"Hard times create hard men, hard men create soft times, soft times create soft men, soft men create hard times. Luckily and Unfortunately, our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers created soft times. These softer times have created soft men."

What times are ahead?

The Books of Kings and Chronicles tell us. 

The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun. 

Look with faith. Good mankind, they are pushing to make new goodness emerge. Both on the Republican side and new voices heard from the Democrats. I would wonder... the goodness is from a new merging of Republicans and 1960 and 1970 Democrats, 2016 vocal Democrats. When equality looked less like homelessness and more like responsibility to one another for goodness and hope for a strong future for our children.

Let Goodness Return, in the Love so many have for Jesus Christ.

Look with Faith

Pray over the News

Pray over the weather reports

Romans 8:28 

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

 for those who are called 

according to

 His purpose.

Doubts will wriggle in, if we do not firmly grasp the Truth of the Grace of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

My American History Professor told 400 Texas A & M Students a German General gave up hope in the last days of World War II because the American, small, camp he saw had a made in the USA Birthday Cake. The Germans had run out of supplies, a non-working homeland for the no moral troops.  Yet, the birthday day cake explained what was happening.

Consider the working hard and stock market trends. Consider the votes before the National and State Congresses.  The tide is beginning to turn with open communication.

Keep looking to see the glimmer like the Birthday Cake. Faith, Hope and Love, the greatest of these is Love. Making families and futures secure for the upbuilding of the Body of Christ and the results feeding the Nation. We pray this repeats around the entire world, the Fullness of the Lord, His Good Creation.

Abba, Father God,

Our Abba, as we open our hands to You in Prayer. 

We consider by grace we have been saved through faith. 

And this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God.

Help us always to seek You First, Jesus Christ.

In this comfort and Love, help us be able to know

You will love and dwell with those we Love.

Having gifts, let us use them: in proportion to our faith. 

Even the Disciples had fear. 

Please pray for peace in families

 Please pray for peace during this time.

The statistics say 1 in 3 don't speak as parents and children.

 Father God. Peace within the family.

Dwell in us, Father,

Help us to seek You first,

We will finish well in Jesus Christ. 

We thank You for hearing our Prayers, Abba. 

We will ask for each day, each opportunity, each decision, every day 

- Father God who gives generously to all without reproach, 

we will ask for Wisdom and to see Your Willingness 

and it will be given to Your Beloved.

We pray this for our concerns, our lives, our hopes. We pray this over the people we love. The People You have given us. Healing, life, hearing, eyes, provision, opportunities. Hope, Joy, Love. Protection. And for this Nation to love You more. 

And for the Beloved of God - everywhere to have this of You, their Father.

Always, we want to Listen to Jesus.

Healing, balm, refresh, alleviate, remedy, cure,

Establish, 

rebuild, reconcile, regenerate,

Rejuvenate, conciliate,

mend, minister, recondition,

Joy and Peace with Love

Bless this Nation with mercy and tolerance, remembering the historic anger

 and ill-logic following Pandemics. 

The sweep of History shows Pandemics have recovery.

In Jesus Christ, let us put real hope in the revealing of His purpose for us. 

Rejoicing in all life is given through Jesus Christ. Trusting again. 

 Lord, Your mercy upon this land and 

Your people.

We pray Amazon puts back Amazon Smile,

philanthropy is needed today 

and this program

was wonderful. 

Many will feel the clip if Amazon Smile doesn't continue. 

Please Lord.

We are Blessed to seek You First. 

Blessed to be finding the High Way of Your Heaven today. 

Blessed to ask to see more Heaven upon earth. 

Blessed to have You as our Daily Bread. 

Blessed to ask to Live Love, Joy and Peace.

Blessed to pray in expectation of Your Love and Willingness. 

Blessed to say Thank You that during Holy Week, 

we have seen the Glimpse of Your Glory 

working to heal the fullness of the earth, Yours.

We have had problems in our neighborhood, 

acts of violence.

 Pray for peace, please. 

My mother's house had her AC fixed easily

with help from an old friend.

The lawn service wasn't mowing.

For Edward and me,

as we get this work accomplished together

and Good Health.

Recently, Thanks to the Lord

Edward, in his 6th Decade of life

has placed 2nd in Disc Golf

Texas State Champion for Doubles

playing against all age groups.

Wow!

In Jesus, we Live and ask this for those we Love. 

We pray for our own strength, 

Love and ask Jesus to cover this Nation, those who lead this Nation 

and all other nations in this good fight. 

The Light of mankind to shine with Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Lord, Amen.

REMEMBERING

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay JESUS