John 17:9-19 ~ I kept them in your name

This art used photoshop, the image of Jesus is using the unique qualities of the Shroud of Turin's ability to map Jesus' face in the 3rd dimension.

John 17:9-19

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9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one [from evil] . 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify [Set them apart] them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified [may be set apart (for holy service to God)] in truth.

Remember the Prodigal Son, our Father God, has run to us! We are God's children, Jesus gave us the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. In Jesus Christ, our older brother, we are part of God's family.

The Scriptures are living and active. Today Jesus prepares a place for you, He mediates for you, loving you as you really are.

Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

I kept them in your name, which you have given me, I have guarded them

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them

Psalm 42:7
Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.


Ephesians 3:17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.


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Ezekiel 1 ~ The Voice of the Lord

William Blake ~ The Whirlwind: Ezekiel's Vision of the Cherubim and Eyed Wheels circa 1803-1805


Ezekiel 1


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The Living Creatures and the Glory of the Lord

1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin- 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him.

4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.

10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.

15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not turn about as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.

19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked like an expanse, sparkling like ice, and awesome. 23 Under the expanse their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

25 Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.



No, this is not "Prepare for the Wrath to Come" Week on Scripture for Today Blogspot. A Feedjit Scripture Partner asked what is the meaning of Ezekiel 1. It coincides with a reoccurring bad dream I've had about a troubling time in my young adult years. It's interesting when you keep having the same bad dream and you begin to wonder, what is it saying. Especially when the trouble isn't part of the dream and there are bits of humor in it. I think partly it means that I am just another disciple of Jesus Christ wandering about, not understanding all of it. Eventually the sun (Son) will shine, the fog lifts and voila, the Holy Spirit was able to send that thought into the gray matter. My sympathies to You, O Lord. (Remember I am Your creation and be merciful!)

So what does Ezekiel mean? The Voice of the Lord is heard even when circumstance wouldn't suggest His there.

Ezekiel ~ The Book of Ezekiel mentions Exekiel only twice: 1:3 and 24:24. Ezekiel is a priest, the son of Buzi (“my contempt”)(what a name), and Ezekiel's name means "God will strengthen". (!) He was one of the Israelite exiles turned into slavery, settled at a place called Tel-abib, "in the land of the Chaldeans." Not the modern city Tel Aviv, which is named after it. He was carried away captive with King Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:14-16) in the first of 3 waves of captive taken.

Thanks to archaeology (all gifts are from God) we now know the date was March 16, 597 BC. This cuneiform tablet is found in the British Museum. These tablets are called the Babylonian Chronicles.

According to other Jewish literature, Ezekiel, like Jeremiah, is said to have been a descendant of Joshua by his marriage with the well-known, well-spoken of, prostitute and gentile Rahab (Talmud Meg. 14b; Midrash Sifre, Num. 78). Until recently, most Ezekiel scholars were primarily interested in discussing whether the Book of Ezekiel should be included in the Biblical canon. There was concern 'unlearned' Jews or Christians might misinterpret the book. Historically, the first chapter was not to be read in synagogues and the private reading of the prophecy was not allowed until a person's 30th birthday. So, read today's reading with zeal! I recommend listening to it.

Surely William Blake's painting today has some of the feel of Ezekiel! A man, a priest, taken captive in the 1st of 3 roundups, enslaved in the collapse of Judah. In the middle of complete and utter hopelessness, Ezekiel vision, in the amazing power of the Holy Spirit, realizes this is not hell! The absence of God. These children of Israel are still in God's palm. Far from allowing Judah and God's people to place Him in a box and behind a curtain; His right hand giving them His discipline and His path. They are not forgotten, but will be remembered in God's mercy. Hope for them as well. Ezekiel's vision is God, giving hope to His people.

It is vastly important to realize how unique this portion of time is. (T.R.O.U.B.L.E) The most prolific amounts of Scripture are written from the 2nd captivity of the Children of Israel. How would we ever know the thrill of victory without the agony of defeat? It would just be another day of sunshine in the desert. Just as the Children of Israel, now had the capacity to look up from their chains, God will not be kept in a box behind a curtain. In History, it is unheard of that an entire country of slaves are returned to an obliterated nation to rebuild. Nothing is too hard for God.

Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

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Psalm 102 ~ the name of the Lord

Psalm 102

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1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
let my cry come to you!
2 Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3 For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my flesh.
6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,
like an owl of the waste places;
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
8 All the day my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread
and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;
for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.

12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favor her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear
and have pity on her dust.
15 Nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16 For the Lord builds up Zion;
he appears in his glory;
17 he regards the prayer of the destitute
and does not despise their prayer.

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

23 He has broken my strength in mid-course;
he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away
in the midst of my days—
you whose years endure
throughout all generations!”

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.

Where will you be? Tomorrow, 5 years from today. My mother came to visit on her 72nd birthday, she said it was a great birthday! She had advice for me. Someone asked her what she did for her 52nd birthday, she said she had no memory of the day, but she knew for a certainty she spent her 52nd birthday worrying about being old. She said her advice was not to worry so much. An attitude of gratitude.

With an attitude of gratitude, the Name we call on in our time of need isn't a profanity. It says in Scripture, nations will call on Him.

Psalm 46:10
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Cease striving, as in let it rest.

Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 31:25
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

God provides.

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the Lord looked at the earth


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Psalm 138 ~ the Words of Your Mouth

Psalm 138


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1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise!

2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word!

3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased [you made me bold in my soul with strength].

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord!

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands!

When we read the Scriptures with our hands and souls open in prayer, we should notice as we read them, they speak to us. Sure some passages have a phrase containing a favorite verse and we will look to it as our favorite spot in our home or yard. Yet sometimes, you read a passage, and part of it leaps to you, your eyes are opened to the Scripture. 

When I've read Psalm 138, sometimes it Is the joy of God. Or another day, the thrill of a situation solved. In times of difficulty, the promise of the LORD who says to me, He would never forsake me, I am the work of His hands. This is the Scripture being living and active to us. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Last night I was part of the team that fixes the light meal for our Wednesday Church Service. It fits yesterdays readings so well!!! And today's! Let me share part of Clark's sermon with you:

You made me bold in my soul with strength

Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

This is a true story. Susan opened her door one day to find her next door neighbor, Betty, there. Her neighbor said, "We've lived next door for some time, we haven't known each other well, but I've come to tell you we are moving away."

Susan asked if it was a job transfer. No, replied Betty, nothing like that. Susan was filled with concern with the look on Betty's face, Betty was staring at the floor with a woebegone, stricken look. Susan asked if Betty would share the trouble with her.

Betty said, "I guess the main trouble is my husband and I are hopeless alcoholics. We've tried therapy, but really don't have the money for years of help. We've tried Alcoholics Anonymous, but we can't find the strength to stick with the program. We are loosing the house, they are coming to take away one of the cars today. We will divorce. We just aren't good for each other." Betty's voice cracked. "If it weren't for my son, I don't know if I'd care, but I don't know what will become of him to be from such a broken home."

Susan said to Betty, quietly. "There is a solution."

Betty looked up to see Susan, "What solution would that be?"

Susan said, "Jesus heals people. Jesus saves people."

Betty replied, with some scorn, "Oh, religion. We've done that from time to time. Well, I mean I believe in God, but He hasn't been around much or seemed to care much really."

Susan said, "Well, you really want to change is what you are saying. Isn't it? You want help with all of your heart. You want the solution, isn't that the truth in what you are telling me?"

"I've never heard it put exactly that way, but yes. Yes, it is what I am saying." Betty said.

Susan asked Betty to ask Jesus into her heart. Betty said she didn't know how. Susan and Betty got down on their knees together and this is what they prayed, "Father God, I am a sinner and an alcoholic. I need You. I cannot give up alcohol on my strength alone. I need Jesus to come and live in my heart. I am about to loose my marriage, my house, my car and I don't know what to do. Please help me. Please help me to see a way forward. I ask for your help in Jesus' name. Amen."

3 nights later, their neighbor Bill, Betty's husband, came over. He said I understand Betty came over here. She is completely different and things are changing in my household. I don't know what you did to her, but I need that too. That night Sam, Betty and Bill knelt for prayer on their hard kitchen tile and prayed for Bill to have Jesus live in his heart. Bill surrendered his life to Jesus.

And what happened? The marriage was saved. Their son did not grow up in a broken home. The house was saved. The job was saved. Betty and Bill were saved. Forever. Eternally.

That is what Jesus does. He saves the broken, the bruised reed. The undeserving. He is the Light that Shines.

John 5:17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up

For great is the glory of the Lord!

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Psalm 130 ~ with You there is forgiveness

Psalm 130

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1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities!

"Morning Has Broken" a Christian hymn by English author Eleanor Farjeon, published in 1931, using the Gaelic tune "Bunessan" (tune also used as "Child in the Manger").

My family always plays this beautiful song at our weddings and christenings. Last Sunday, my family gathered together to celebrate with my husband and me - a 25th Anniversary Holiday Weekend; at Church, a God-incidence, this song was played. What a blessing to hear it! It was my dad's favorite song. He died after divorcing my mother just before their 25th anniversary. Decades of one of the most loving marriages was abandoned. He did, as so many fathers do in divorce, he deserted his children. Making poor choices, choices we wouldn't have wanted him to make, ending his own life in 1993. His last note to us said he was looking forward to God's mercy and dwelling with us in heaven. For us, it is quite emotional, reminds us of so many good memories of a lovely man who had an alcohol addiction. A man Jesus loves.

Divorce, infidelity, broken families, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Al Anon are things people bring when they seek the comfort of God. God's open door policy is come as you really are.

"Morning has Broken", Chorfassung; this one sounds more like our ceremonies:





Celtic Carillon, Scotland's national hand-bell ensemble, Morning Has Broken in Dunblane Cathedral



What is Psalm 130? It's twin Psalm would be Psalm 67 or

Numbers 6:24-27
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.


Psalm 67

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May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!


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Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 ~ the flood

Genesis 6:5-8


5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.


Genesis 7:1-5

1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” 5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.

Genesis 7:10

10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth.

Flood histories in other countries:

~Sumerian Eridu (2150 BC) is “Zi-ud-sura” which means “he obtained immortality”.

~Persian, Gilgamesh (1150 BC) is “Ut-napištim” which means “he obtained immortality”.

~Sumarian, Atra-Hasis (1635 BC) is “Atra-Hasis” which means “he who is very wise”.

~Greek, Berossus (280 BC) of Atra-Hasis is “Ziusudra” which means “he who laid hold of life/immortality from long ago”.

~India, story said a fish told a man to build himself a boat, and when the flood receded, the man found himself on top of a mountain.

~ Africans told story of a rainmaker causing a great flood to destroy the wicked people.

~Some Native American tribes have an oral story about a great snow that melted and caused a great flood to cover all the trees and Rocky Mountains; the animals were all saved because a man put them in his canoe.

Geologists agree the world has evidence of flooding all over. We call it the Ice Age. Fossils agree there was a flood. The geologists have theorized a volcano eruption caused it, a giant meteor, the earth's axis tilted. Genesis, the early books, record water the earth received was a much different system than today. Almost all of the stories of the flood agree, the tablets found, the earth was wicked at the time of the flood.

What does this mean for us today? How is the flood relative to us today? We can become overwhelmed in our lives. Noah listened to inward truth to have a path for his life. God makes a path. So many things to think about, worry about; God has carried us through in our lives. He will continue to. When our time is past on this earth, we continue to put ourselves in God's promises, by believing Jesus Christ came to save us. And we will rest in His Kingdom.

Father God, we open ourselves to You in Prayer. For generations, millenniums, You've been a refuge. A shelter. Generations of our fathers rest with You. You will uphold us in Your wisdom. Keep us safe from the arrogance of small knowledge. You are mightier than we are. In Your Holy Spirit life is created. In Jesus, the Word of God, coming forth, You are the Creator of all things seen. Some of Your promises are unseen. Let us rest in You.

Sometimes, Father Abba, we are Noah, alone in a great sea and worried. We will cast our cares upon You, knowing You care for us. Eternally. The Kingdom of God is at hand. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Hallelujah! Amen!

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Matthew 21:33-46 ~ His parables

Vinography by Michael Regnier

Matthew 21:33-46

33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.




Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.


Matthew 13:47
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind


Luke 17:20-21
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”


Mark 4:30-32
Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade."

John 15:4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.



Father God, we abide in You. Knowing apart from You we have no good. You are the Vine, we are the branches. Father, each day grow us to be the people dear to You. Each day, provide us the path You would have us to travel and journey along. You are the Light of the World. We ask this in the highest name You've given us; Jesus. Amen.

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Ephesians 1:3-4 ~ He chose us

Ephesians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love

Lots of people have had unusual weather lately. Saint Valentine's Day with letters of Love is perfect for February. Warmth coming in from the cold.

Important words: chosen, planned, blessing. More important than instant gratification or seasonal want.

List the blessings!

~ We are chosen to praise His glorious grace

~ Blessed us to take part of being His Beloved

~ Redemption!

~ Forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

~ His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

~ a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.

~ to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will

~ you received His Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit

~ knowing the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

~ seeing the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might.

~ knowing the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us

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Mark 7:24-30 ~ let the children be fed first

Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths

Archaeology has "depths"; this is Capernaum. Notice the houses are more like rooms. It gives new meaning to the phrase, clean your room. Capernaum is in a gorgeous part of Israel and sits beside the Sea of Galilee. No wonder Jesus chose to live here as an adult. This is where Peter lived and Jesus healed his mother-in-law.

Extended houses, rural or urban, were created for extended families. Like townhouses. A new house is built during a betrothal time. This is what Joseph was doing, building a house for them when Mary was found to be with child.

When Caiaphas' house was discovered in the 1960's, it wasn't large, but had beautiful mosaic floors like Arabic carpets and beautiful staircases.

The Biblical Antiquities Center in LaGrange, Georgia has put a lot of effort into showing us what a typical house would look like in Jesus' lifetime.

Houses become extended and have garden areas, when more room is available.

Below is food preparation.

They demonstrate people did lie at table then later used the table for a bed.


A typical meal. The goblet would be clay or wooden.
Tools

Storage and space inside.

A place of work, these are tools in a tent near a threshing floor for wheat. Well known to David's grandparents, Ruth and Boaz.

Mark 7:24-30

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24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Jesus seeking a private moment, has a woman throw herself at His feet. Jesus acts as a merciful King. This portion of Scripture has us remember humility in our conversation with Jesus. And has another reminder. Israel is God's. The Children of Israel are His.

Romans 11:17-24
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith.

So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Psalm 122

A Song of Ascents. Of David. (The music is for going up the stairs of God's Temple.)

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1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for [Or as a testimony for] Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

Father God, just as we pray for those we love, You've told us to pray for others as we pray for ourselves. Strengthen Your nation, You've chosen, we pray for the peace of Israel. We pray for the love of Jesus Christ to shine brightly. In the highest name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

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Mark 5 ~ a great crowd gathered about Him

Mark 5

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1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.

3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed [elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons] man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

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 [ignoring] 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.


When you ride in an airplane at night seeing so many lights, representing so many people, it's difficult to understand how the LORD would care for so many.

The next chapter in Mark, Mark 6, contains the phrase "He healed them all." Yet today's passage, Jesus spent a lot of time going 8-13 miles, 13-21 km, in a sail/row fishing boat. Twice. It wasn't as if Jesus was going in search of crowds, or someone to teach. Jesus was going to Gerasenes. Just like Paul and the other disciples, in the Books of the Bible and early Church, listened to the Holy Spirit, Jesus had someone to see. Twice. And along the way, a woman reached out for Jesus - to touch just His garment.

Does it matter if we are the person Jesus planned to see today in our prayer life? No, Jesus would stop for the one reaching out to Him.

Luke 18:1
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

John 5:17
Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."



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Psalm 71 ~ I will also praise You, for Your faithfulness, O my God

King David playing the harp.

Sir Peter Paul Rubens led a colorful, long life. "My passion comes from the heavens, not from earthly musings." (28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a prolific seventeenth-century Flemish, Baroque painter and rode the Jesuit reformation, an art awakening - becoming the leader of the art era - painting a tremendous number of biblical portraits, altarpieces and then later surprising many by moving into landscapes.

Rubens came into his own style of painting in 1615, being different from the other painters. His style was bold and not full of details. He didn't outlive the popularity of his art. He traveled to many countries, and had a diplomatic career while many other artists never rose beyond a trades' man status.

Rubens loved Italy and frequently signed himself as Pietro Paolo Rubens. He married in 1609, Isabella Brant Rubens, his letters wrote of her liveliness, honor, respect - the dedication they had to their 3 children and her help in his efforts. One of the reasons, perhaps, for this marriage dedication, Rubens was born after his father had been imprisoned for his affair with Anna of Saxony, Princess of Orange. His family returned to Cologne, Germany the next year. In 1589, two years after his father's death, Rubens moved with his mother to Antwerp, where he was raised as a Catholic.

53 year old Rubens married again 2 years after his wife's death, to 16 year old Hélène Fourment. They had five children. The fifth child being born 8 months after Rubens' death. Hélène acquired fame as the subject of many Rubens' works. Many women bless Rubens' for the recorded beauty of larger women and middle-aged beauty.

Psalm 71

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1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

7 I have been as a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me;
those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him.”

12 O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again.

22 I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy,
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
who sought to do me hurt.

David left his father, Jesse's, flock as a boy deciding to answer King Saul's call for someone to defeat Goliath.



Archaeologists digging at the biblical hometown of Goliath have unearthed a shard of pottery bearing an inscription of the Philistine's name, "Goliath" lending historical credence to the Bible's tale of David's battle. This supports biblical depiction of life at the time of the battle. It dates to about 950 B.C. within the correct time span.

In 1902 archaelogist Robert Macalister found several large skeletons of women, 2 meters tall, at Gezer, 6 km south of Gath, 30 km west of Jerusalem. Gezer was Philistine territory. Goliath was about 9 feet tall in Biblical measurements.

Numbers 13:29 describes the sons of Anak are described as being huge. An Egyptian papyrus, written by Hori, in 1200 BC warned traveler about giants south of Megiddo, the hills of lower Galilee.

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come!

19 Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.

You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?

20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again!

21 You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again!


1 Kings 2:1-4
When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, 4 that the Lord may establish his word


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Psalm 132:6-10 ~ we found it in the fields of Jaar

Psalm 132:6-10

6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”

8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not turn away the face of your anointed one


Bethlehem "house of bread" is a town, near which Jacob buried Rachel, then known as Ephrath (Gen 35:19; 48:7). It is also called Bethlehem, Ephrathah (Micah 5:2)


Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days

Daniel 7:22
until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.


When my oldest son was in preschool, we sent him to a very expensive parochial school. They sent home letters saying children learn, not just from musical lessons, language lessons & sports, but from free time.

The Psalms are unique. It isn't just the history of the Scriptures, but David expressing how close he became to the Father. David spent his time looking out for his flocks in the fields of Bethlehem and Jaar. He became anointed of God.

1 Samuel 16: 7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

When we compare the First and Second Temple - we see important similarities, but vast differences.

There isn't a lot of archaeology left of the First Temple, but we have the descriptions of Solomon's Temple from the Bible. No description of a Temple mound.

Amazingly, the Temple Tools were the same built at the time of Moses. 3 different kings reigned over Babylon during the Babylonian captivity, but the Temple Tools returned with the now free slaves back to rebuild the Second Temple, for about 600 years.


Notice the walls around the First Temple are built on the level ground.



The Temple was always beautiful. Below - Court of Priests with Sacrificial Altar.
Look at the size of the Menorah. Built by the Temple Institute waiting for the 3rd Temple.

The Second Temple was almost always, for 600 years, in a state of improvement. See how the walls are now a complex mount.

Alec Gerrard, a 78 year old retired farmer, from the United Kingdom, spent 3 years researching his 1:100 scale model of the Bais Hamikdash, 33,000 hours to date and measures 20' x 12'. Mr Gerrard hand painted every clay brick and tile and sculpted all of the 4,000 half inch, correctly dressed figures to populate his creation.

'It's now recognised as the most authentic version of the temple in the world." His version is so impressive that some of the world's top archaeologists and experts from the British Museum have come to view it.

The Second Temple with 600 years of building, re-building, becomes a more impressive architectural building. The Second Temple always was missing the Ark of the Covenant. Probably because God's sorrow over people who'd lost their genealogy were excluded and the Samaritans, the remnant keeping the services worshiping God, were excluded. DNA studies later proved the Samaritans were 3 of the 12 tribes of Israel. The Ark of the Covenant was hidden by Jeremiah, recorded in 2 Maccabees 2:4-9.

Yet God's Son only visits the Temple during His lifetime to worship and teach. God could have chosen His child to be born anywhere, He chose the tiny town of Bethlehem. Israel had the same formidable enemies during the reign of David as the problems ending the 1st Temple and the 2nd Temple. The same problems facing Israel today with the revolt in Egypt.

We can see Jesus' point that we are God's Temple.

Isn't it interesting to our faith - God chose the Shepherd boy with faith. Over the Temple. The boy who grew in the Lord. Same problems with different variations for each generation; with faith there was - and is - a different result.

Isaiah 7:9
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.


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