Psalm 30 ~ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing

Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Stained Glass is sand pummeled, beaten, stained, fired, beautifully & diligently made to the glory of God.

Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
² O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
³ O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

⁴ Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
⁵ For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

⁶ As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
⁷ By your favor, O Lord,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.

⁸ To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
⁹ “What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”

¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
¹² that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness


This weekend the movie "Heaven is For Real" was very seen and discussed.

Isaiah tells us this about Jesus:
Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

Isaiah was telling us of Jesus being in such suffering that He asked His Father to take the cup of suffering, if possible, away from Him.

Jesus was not announced as unattractive.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.


There are so many pictures of Jesus - it's interesting the old, old Christian art (before the 5th century) the Vatican holds of Jesus is a man who looks very much like the Shroud of Turin. Rather a long face, long nose. An elegant face. And remembering Scripture, Psalm 13 and Mark 6:23, Jesus' eyes were filled with light, a beautiful soul light. Reports of Jesus' burial cloth and a facial shroud appear all over history, but not in any concrete fashion until about 1200 A.D.


3 D image of the Shroud. The Shroud had the unique ability to have such differences in depth, it allows 3D images to be mapped.
This cloth, the Manipello Image, is made of byssus, from sea shells and no alive today understands how it was made. Byssus cannot be dyed or painted upon.

And this is from the catacombs of Rome and predates the 4th century.


Regardless of what you think today about the art -  Jesus did choose to be part of this life. Loving the people around him. Choosing beautiful Capernaum, on the shores of Galilee, to live. To Love.


2 Peter 1:21
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


Colton was asked what Jesus looked like - he picked the painting done by Akiane Kramarik. What are the possible reasons for the differences.

One - God lets us relate to Jesus in our own images.

I like this one of Jesus in Capernaum in the midst of His Life.

1 Corinthians 15:52
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Jesus was not recognized easily when He returned Triumphant - we will be given new physical bodies the Scriptures say. Actually, I think there is a resemblance of facial shape between the 4th century images and this.

Two children had unique and wondrous experiences of Jesus - who are we to say they did not? I doubt God is ever displeased when we wonder with love about Him. 

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2 Timothy 1:10 ~ Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

2 Timothy 1:10
It has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

John 21
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

Matthew 28

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

Acts of Apostles - Chapter 1
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

1 Corinthians 15:7-8
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

James 5:20
You can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.


2 Timothy 1:10
Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

1 John 4:19
We love because God first loved us!


Thank you Father God for Your Son, Jesus. 

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Romans 5: 6-11 ~ rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 John 3:5
You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.



Romans 5: 6-11
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Mark 15:21-22

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).

1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 10:17-18
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”





Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:1-12
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Loved the acoustic David Crowder reflecting His Love.

This is Good Friday. Easter has yet to arrive. Pope John Paul II, Pappa said, "We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song."

The Stations of the Cross, from The Via Dolorosa (Latin "Way of Sorrows") is a street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem.

Some will sing of God's mercies renewing us, taking our burdens.

We celebrate Jesus. 


1 Timothy 2: 5
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 

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John 15 ~ abide in Me

John 15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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.

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,[c] but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."


On Good Friday - How can we do less than consider Heaven - God's Gift and Promise to us?

God Displays to us small glimpses of His Glory.

If We Abide in HIM...

The botanical truth is that grapevines live 50 to 70 years depending on their variety. At age 3, they begin to provide fruit, as the grapevines age, they diminish - not producing as much fruit.

Rita Lotti was born in 1381 in Roccaporena, Italy. In the Province of Umbria, Italy. Rita had an amazing and difficult life.

A 600 year old grapevine, planted by Rita is a live today. The only other grapevine in the world to even come close to this amazing miracle is 400 years old and located in Yarra, Slovenia. Perhaps it would be a good time to tell you, Rita's Roses are also still alive and bloom in the garden. Yes, you know it, this woman is a Saint. Saint Rita of Cascia. Link - to her live of devotion and the fruit still alive today. Rita's life is too amazing to believe, but the proof is still alive. If you still feel a little sceptically, you can google the photos from the vine in Yarra, Slovenia and you will know Rita's vine is the real deal.

Rita's Grapevine grows from under her window and covers the convent.

Psalm 80:14-15 

Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,  the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

We pray our  lives hold the actions & power of God. On Good Friday, we consider Jesus and what He has given His Life for - for you.

1. Believe God specifically creates us to live within His plan. 
2. Believes in the success of our godly desires/lives, even with insurmountable circumstances. 
3. Want to give God's love, to shepherd the people around them. Give love and care.





Genesis 1:12
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

The idea of God Himself having gratitude -  How can we do less than to be cultivators of gratitude. Realizing our lives are gifts.

Genesis 3:8
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day

Revelations tells us God's plan, from beginning to end.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."

Acts 17:28
For “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’


Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.




 Father God, each day, we put our hands out to You. Give us Your love to do the plan for us. In the power, love and glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Matthew 4 ~ every Word that comes from the Mouth of God

Matthew 4

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4 But he answered, ‘It is written,

“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you”,
and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’

7 Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9 and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.”’

11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.’

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’


18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.


23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Today's Scripture for Wednesday Holy Week is John 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. This is the day the New Covenant was celebrated. Jesus suddenly had a lot to teach. In a time of great trouble.

The first Communion was given. We readily remember Judas took communion and Satan entered into Judas. No one needs to speak up for one who would betray our Hero, God's Son, our Savior Jesus.

Besides, it isn't relevant to Holy Week.

Except - all the people at the table, minus John and Jesus, taking part in the New Covenant of Salvation did Judas words and actions to Jesus - The Son of God.

They sat witnessing the Incredible Life of Jesus. His Vast Miracles and were in Awe and Wonder of GOD. They were witnessing the creation of a new Heaven at hand - in front of them - and they - RAN out on Jesus.

If only Jesus had chosen better educated men - not so backwater - people who were more trained - people without a mortgage - maybe those voted "Most Likely to Succeed" - people without kids or a spouse - people who know the Bible better and don't stumble or look ridiculous - Professional Witnesses to GOD - You Know What I MEAN - NOT ME!!! NO, don't say it like that, say - People who are Effective for God!

Oh.

Compared to...

How divided were the groups of good guys and guys?

•  They know the miracles. Blind, see. Deaf, hear, Lame, walk, Lepers, cleansed, children - raised, Lazarus - raised. Poor have good news preached to them.
• They have known for quite some time - three Passovers - so, Three Years. Jesus has been claimed and claimed about as the Son of God.
• They know Jesus is a son of Joseph - Nazareth glosses over the - event. 
• The Sadducees in the still obtainable Sadducean Council Talmud get stuck on Mary's paternity. (Not discussing Joseph's Lineage.)
• Jesus just had a time of Parade and Acclamation.
• Jesus just offended the money guys in the Temple.  
• Both sides of the aisle offered up commentary pro and con.
• Then infants and babies offered up commentary. Ever one got quiet for a while.
• They all went home to think. Over-think.

So.

One more unusual event. Hmmm.

They all take a meal of Bread and Wine. The one that lots of the 72 disciples got really fussed about and said, "See You Later."   When Jesus first explained The Plan.

The Event ? The First Communion with Celebrant Jesus Christ Son of God the Lord.

The Reaction? Two men stay loyal to God. And Nicodemus,  Joseph of Arimathea and the multitudes of women who showed up to create an avalanche of love and grief for Him. Simon of Cyrene arrived.

The Counter Reaction? Eleven men and the Sadduceen Council's Night Group, Herod and Pilate - the  Guard employed by the Roman Emperor - Do this -

• They do what's Comfortable to Them.
• They Play it Safe.
• They Play with Words.
• One Dimensional Accusations are Thrown.
• Apparent Goodness is the Law.
• True Goodness is Discarded.
• Miracles are Not Valued. 
• Value jobs, positions and family above Justice.
• Their Primary Concern are institutions.
• The bottom line is Self.
• Their Hope is placed upon their own reliability. 
• They are Faithless.
• No Love is shown.
• Many hope another person will Act.
• They are not interested in The King, but the Prince of Safety. The Prince of Status Quo. The Prince of Delegation. The Prince of Call Someone Else. The Prince of What is Reliable.

What is Wrong with These People? They are Us. We need JESUS CHRIST THE LORD.

How could God's Only Son, Jesus - have had the First Communion go so wrong?

God was letting Himself see what the human equation is like for those who travel by their own power.
How sad, desperate, terrible life can be.

Surely this Table would be Blood Red for All Eternity
                                        - the remnants of this First Communion - 

Isaiah 1:18

 "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool."

God has a Plan. He calls that Plan - The Book of Life.
And HE Sanctifies that Plan with a Name. - Jesus - The Lord of Lords. King of Kings. Creator of all things.
And HE Seals His Plan - with the Holy Spirit of God.
When? When does God send the Holy Spirit???

When?  Jesus - The Highest Name of above all names - Speaks His Word.


John 3:
the Son of Man be lifted up,  
 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
 
 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.  For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.  But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’

There is only One who is Good.

Philippians 2
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

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