Mark 2 ~ at Home

Mark 2

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.






 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. '



And he was preaching the word to them. 

 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 

5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 

6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 

8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- 11 "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." 

12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, 



so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. 

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 

16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, 
but those who are sick. 
I came not to call the righteous, 
but sinners."




18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

19 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 

21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins--and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins."

23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 

24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 

25 And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 

27 And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."









What were the people witnessing in Jesus the day in Capernaum?

Exodus 34

5 And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. 
6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out:
 “The LORD, the LORD God, 
is compassionate and gracious, 
slow to anger, 
abounding in loving devotion and truth, 
maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, 
forgiving iniquity, 
transgression, and sin.
 Yet He will by no means excuse the guilty

Romans 5:9
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, 
much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:10
Jesus, delivered us from the wrath to come.







Abba, our Father


What does the Bible say about Rejoicing? We want to know!!!

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Acts 16:33-34
And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

John 16:24
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.


Abba, the Bible is Living and Active. With new and fresh hope and expectation:

We ask for our Prayer Requests - for me to have my back muscles not clenching up.
We pray for Jackson to have his worn knees and old bones to have all the benefits of our Living God. A breath of spring.

For those we Love to always trust You, our Loving Father - for their care and eternity with You. To be full of our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit each day of this journey.

For the people You give us - The Holy Spirit increasing always.

For our Nation. Blessed in the Nation - Trusting in God. He is the God of all things. All things are possible in Him.

Trusting Jesus with all our prayer requests, for the nations trusting in Him and all the beloved around the world increasing in God as their strength for More of The Light of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Amen and Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

3 John 1 ~ journey in a manner worthy of God

1 John 3

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
 

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8  Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.


The earlier post was deleted just as the Publish option was chosen. Not a favorite thing as the day is closing.

Perhaps shorter - is better.

John after seeing:
The death of Jesus, Son of God. Jesus leaving to Heaven. Mary's sorrow. The death of James - his brother.  Leaving Capernaum and perhaps Zebedee, his father,  We would think John was somber and not filled with Joy.

Surely people explained to John - he would never recover. As even hospitals counsel people who have lost children - today.

Instead! We find the Strength of the God of Hope and Encouragement. God our Father's Joy - seen in Jesus. John, a proper Jew, would not leave the culture easily - instead we find - a wonderful John showing the Love Jesus has. For an entirely unbelievable change. Prayer - miracles - new faith - Jesus is daily Hope, Faith and Love.

The Miracle of Jesus in The Acts of the Apostles - the Love God has is finding more people to Love. Is embracing new people, new ideas of food, of entertainment, clothing, building. There would be room for language barriers, miscommunication - and what we find is Love triumphs.


Abba Father 

God be with us in the way of Peace.

Beloved, we pray that all may go well with us all 
and we may all
be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
 
In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Matthew 28:20 ~ Remember

The Waipio Valley located in the Big Island of Hawaii. The capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian kings. The ancient grass palace of the ancient kings of Hawaii with the nioi stands. The valley floor at sea level is almost 2,000 ft (610 m) below the surrounding terrain. A steep road leads down into the valley from a lookout point located on the top of the southern wall of the valley. The road gains 800 vertical feet (243.84 m) in 0.6 miles (0.9 km) at a 25% average grade, with steeper grades in sections. It is the steepest road of its length in the United States.

The shoreline in the valley is a black sand beach. A few taro farms are located in the valley - thought to be the oldest cultivated crop in the world. Several large waterfalls fall into the valley to feed the river which flows from the foot of the largest falls at the back of the valley out to the ocean. The fish are particularly interesting as salt varieties have assumed brackish tendencies - to swim in the sweet, fresh water.

A foot trail called Waimanu or Muliwai Trail leads down a steep path to the Waimanu Valley, which is not accessible by automobile. The trail is accessible by hikers . At the upper end of the valley, Waimanu Gap at 2,089 feet (637 m) elevation leads to the south end of Waimanu Valley.

Used in Waterworld Movie as a scene like Noah on dry land. Paradise. Fed continual breezes over a wonderful blue ocean.


Luke 6:47-49

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.


One of the charms of the Waipio Valley is the Ocean. The waves can be 25" feet. Or calm. But the view let the Hawaiian Kings know what was coming and how to prepare. This was The Valley of the Kings for good reason. Until war came and this vanished. Kahekili II raided Waipio in the 18th century and burned the four sacred trees to the ground. He then called himself after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body from head to foot. Probably, he was the biological father of Kamehameha I.

When Joseph was taken to Egypt as by slave traders - he was very young. when Israel was raided by Nebuchadnezzar II, a million people died and the slave trade gained about 40,000 people. The fall of the House of the Children of Israel was great.



Joseph then found a place.

And that was taken. Joseph languished in prison without hope of freedom.

Was anything as bleak? Perhaps Mary. Leaving her family in haste. Her fiancé wondering about her being stoned to death.


Maybe Daniel.

Maybe the Lions were filled when Daniel arrived, how about tomorrow? Had to be worrisome to Daniel. Daniel went on to serve the rest of the Chaldean Babylonian Emperors until Cyrus the Great invaded and Daniel was retired.

When David had to run for his life as a criminal, his father had 7 sons and David had to find a place to hide them - with his parents.




All of the Saints of God
and I want to be one too.


Trouble will define us. What we do with trouble. How we view and look at prosperity. And this does define us too.


All of these very human stories represent flawed humanity. Choices made as life suddenly had harsh winds howl. Choices made from palaces where sunny days never end.

There is absolutely no way for Joseph, Mary, Daniel and David to have made life ok. There is One Promise of the Bible - that was held and lived and given to us to see for ourselves in life.

Matthew 28:20

Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.


Why would God Promise us this? God, Himself, might be pretty busy.


Matthew 9:36
Jesus had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.



Hallmark cards. A nice thing. A warm meal. Even better. A phone call. Amazingly this can really help.

Yet - The Journey of all of these people was what the Bible calls 'Narrow Gate'. God's People are called again and again sheep of His Pasture. We are all on a journey and we can even have a wonderful Benefit BBQ - yet, really, the Journey and Work and Wonder of a Soul to God - is a Journey of Soul.

Joseph - traveled alone.

Mary - made haste alone.

Daniel sat with the Lions apparently alone.

David found places for his family to hide.

And really - strength was there. God did not leave - nor forsake - nor make easy - nor add in the fast fix - yet, yet, yet - - -
God made strong.
Only one day at a time.
God's Compassion - Available - Seek Him with all our whole heart.


When we find prayer requests - of the Beloved of God - the prayer requests say:
"I'm ok - please help my son, or sister or brother or friend or neighbor - to know the Love and Peace God has for hearts needing our Lord Jesus every day. Help them with marriage, divorce, disease, crisis and in need. Jesus please, You helped me. Amen"



Abba, Holy Father,

We pray with the Blessing of Hannah - for all the parents who have realized they did their lives with God:

1 Samuel 2

1Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.

2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.

6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.

7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.

8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”


And in the Strength of our Abba,
we place ourselves, our cares,
our Loved ones
the people God has given us.

Our Nation, our communities,
our employments, our Schools, our Churches.

All the Nations trusting in Him
all the Beloved around the world - calling on Jesus
and for more of the Holy Spirit to bring
more Heaven to our lives and upon His Good Creation.

Our God who wants to fulfill His Will to save
through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 76 ~ You are radiant with Light +†+

Sermon at 38 minutes

Psalm 76

NIV
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A song.


1 God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great. 2 His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. 3 There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.

4 You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game. 5 The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands.

6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still.

7 It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? 8 From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet— 9 when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. 10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. 12 He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.



The Scriptures Agree. All of the Bible points to the Lord. When we place the Lord first, we love ourselves. When we love ourselves, we are able to love each other. Placing our Trust in the Lord - makes us willing and able to go forth beyond what we believed we were equipped to do. God enables us to do His Plan.


God is orderly when He gives us the 10 Commandments - He prioritizes. What is the Law of God? Every dot and iota of God's Word is Law. We do the best we are able to do. With God's Help. When we are unable to do all - we ask God to forgive our flaws, our mistakes and our sin. We require the blessing of God taking wrath from us. Grace daily. Mercy. Complete and utter thanksgiving for God's Mercy every day and in this blessing we build as Jesus said, "Rise."







John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Yesterday was the 3rd weekend in a row to troubleshoot household equipment for hours. Help arrived and left without heeding instruction and without communication in an on-going manner - to end future employment. I sat in the house, in the Living Room, and thought of my blessings. Years of youth, years of plenty, years of financial worry, years with health fears of children and back issues. The mortality of my mother and of my husband. My sons in their twenties dealing with on-going illness. The elderly dog suddenly increasing in health,  giving unity and discord as a family - his vast improvement with prayer and exercise. And suddenly, very suddenly - GRACE poured in.


GRACE!!! The ability to have YEARS to have grown. Years to endured. Years to have a new outlook on FAITH. The Gratitude Poured in like Old Testament Living Waters. New Testament Living Waters. The Years make sense. Surely this is a Miracle of Jesus Christ Himself. To see the Path with all capital letters - GRATITUDE. And suddenly all made whining, backache etc etc etc - made the Journey with Jesus complete JOY. I found tears poured down my face to have this Joy of Life Given.


We are having weather this weekend - another reason for Gratitude - Rain in Texas. And Suddenly a Light beam, clouds left, the sun Radiated making the white living room furniture appear as if glowing. The Lampshade glowed. It was purely - another Joy. The room grew warmer. Joy deepened.
Life in all the annoying and grumbling and worry this that was just Gratitude. I sat and gave Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit my Thanks.

Of course, the Light moved. And I found I had to climb the stairs slightly and see the room from another viewpoint and stand on the stairs and look out the window with interest. At the end of the day - all the events of a rather dreary day - rooted in the time with Jesus.
Strength was given.
Joy in the Light of God.

When we look at the Gospels, few parts of the Bible repeat the same event, then we find the events differ. Why? Beloved John of Patmos, of Mary's given son at the Crucifixion, was asked in old age- the second century - what John's opinion was of the Gospels. John said he agreed with all the Gospels and found them to be true. How? John 21 tells us so much was happening - it was impossible to record all the events surrounding Jesus. Jesus continues this saying Jesus must be the fulfillment of our righteousness. Jesus will fill in all the dots and iotas.

Gideon had a part of God's Plan. Samuel had a part of God's Plan. All could be pointed to as flawed. God's Work goes on and His Workmen go Home. We can only say this - when we are doing our flawed best. Using God as a waiter for our lives - would be a great sadness - instead of Relationship. God is where we need to look and His Word to do our work each day. Pick up tired hands and weak knees. Looking with supreme Hope to the Author of Life.

God has arranged for us all to be different parts of the Body of Christ. The Elbow cannot say to the eyebrow - we have no need of you. We work for the Upbuilding of the Body of Christ. And with this as part of God's Word - we see something in the Transfiguration.

Thomas was sincerely doubting. He had just been another of the Disciples of Jesus Christ who had declared Jesus always (Thomas at the time Lazarus clearly lived). His self-esteem had to be beaten to the ground - Thomas Failed GOD. Thomas rationalized that he might - my theory - be exempt from the blame  - if the Glory of God didn't provide proof.

Jesus. Jesus Christ. The Mercy of God Overwhelming. The Glory of the Light of God to be grasped with all of our heart, mind and soul.

Jesus made breakfast in John 21 for these men who flatly ran out. Jesus personally cooked Breakfast. Amazing. Thomas is personally given God appearing to him. Peter and John and James didn't ask God to personally appear - the nature of God is unchanging. Jesus had already shown these 3 men the Glory of God. Peter wrote about this after promising Jesus not to tell.- feeling the Freedom of Jesus.  John 1 is telling us of this UNEXPLAINABLE God Miracle. Peter went Bold. John went unimaginably unforgettable in explaining Jesus. Peter went to the Jews. Paul went to the Gentiles. Seems like the right one to go to the right chose what the one going to the left should have picked the other way around. God's Plan is God's Plan. The Journey of the feeble men point to the Glory of God Himself. This is the Word of God and His unbelievable redemption to save the world in Jesus Christ.

We walk by Faith. And all have sinned and fallen short. What is the continuation of the journey? What Jesus told us - Joy. Love. Peace. Mercy. Believing all of the Word of God and His Promises are profoundly and completely True.








Abba, Holy Father,

When we abide in You - we may boldly and with confidence ask and receive - we ask Jesus to pray with us as He did in John Chapter 17.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 4:6-8
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.


Abba, we ask more Heaven on earth. More Holy Spirit, for ourselves, those we love, the people You have given us. Our cares and Your Plan. The Nation trusting in You. Our Jobs, schools, communities and Churches. The Nations trusting in You. The people around the world praying to You.

Isaiah 54:2
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

Mark 4:24
And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us

In the Name of Jesus, we ask believing the Will of God is Good. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

COVFEFE ~ God Bless us everyone!!!

Cast Your Vote...

See Minute 4:01 ish

Language Warning.

Reason Magazine's Game of Thrones. Libertarian Version.

As HBO's blockbuster series Game of Thrones returns for its seventh season, Reason offers its own freedom-filled parody. A libertarian paradise north of the wall? What's happened to Westeros' social security trust fund? Should it take low-income Dothraki four years to get a hair-braiding license? Watch!

Written and produced by Austin Bragg, Meredith Bragg, and Andrew Heaton. Shot and edited by Bragg and Bragg. Starring Andrew Heaton, Austin Bragg, and Remy.

1 John 4 ~ we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us

Goal: Stay in the Lines. Get home.

1 John 4 

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 

17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.





Let's discuss Cruelty. Morally.

Let's talk about more jobs available than workers.



Most of the situations I get in are  - changeable. I put my seed in the ground with full intentions of goodness. And usually get a result. And that waves a flag, if your garden looks very good. Ahab and Naboth's vineyard.

If evil really wants to get to you - evil will announce, "I plan to harm someone and do it like this" as a joke. Or a blurt. Or someone you care for and took years to help them get work, respect, inclusion then decides they will make a stink to Heaven to cause isolation or sorrow. Evil tends to act like we are all racist or cruel and work together. God does say evil is deceived.





I think we live a MYTH.
Elton John sang "The Bitch is Back." The Myth is -The Bitch wins. And I think this should be a mantra in life. The Truth is - steadfastness calls for - forgiveness and durability - this is success.

I've seen rude, very successful people find time makes clarity. I had a great-aunt who ran off to Italy around World War II beginning - married a divorced (gasp) Italian Count, got married in New York City and grandly wrote her family leaving glorious letters for the next century.  And a minor, blunt, rude apology for being unable to ever find time for family or ever invite them to anything (including the wedding). She was childless and writing different people from her nursing home bed in old age. No one had endured. Not the home in Bermuda - not the husband from unknown circumstances.




What's changeable: Follow the Fun. Fun. Friends in crisis. College friends. Long lost neighbor friends. Health. Status. Finances.


What is durable: The Gifts of God ~ Family. Marriage. Children. Home. Dreams for children. Church. Employment. Love. Kindness. Mercy. Joy. Peace.


We would love to be Jesus in the Boat. Make the windshear working so hard as to bring down Commercial Jet Planes and the waves to swamp a small boat - ruin all expectation of a future - perish - CEASE!!!

So what are you going to do.

Your choice is social wobble iffy stock market appeal - or - do what you think is best. In life, of course, there are no win situations. So many times in life, we row the boat. For children, for pets, for spouse and for friend. The Gifts of God are going to fill in to be the Narrow Gate where life really has it's most and heart-appealing meaning.

Doing Real Life and Not Whining. Making the Decision.
The Decision maker has the choices that are going to hurt. And make consequences.

We live in the Oil Area of Texas. The last few years saw major cut-backs in industry. No one talked about being the one to have the ending conversation. It hurts.

I spent years not firing people. I had Edward decide to let go a 14-year employee who did not show up for 2 months. Hated to. I have fired someone - from our wedding party 32 years ago - in the financial area after finding they cheat old people routinely. I let go a Pediatrician in Dallas who always wanted a hug and acted badly if not hugged. I didn't know him. Good call, he wasn't generally known to be a hugger. I let go of a yard man who wouldn't assist in selling a home. Disliked doing that.


Today, I let go an employee who wouldn't do the work for two years. At first it was real trauma, then an unseen trauma, then something from a blurt - tattled on themselves. It was for smirk. It was for repeat unfinished work. It was for having another trauma and - refusing this: dinner, offered more work and more opportunity - instead leaving work unfinished.


I'd prefer to take care of people. I have done baby presents, gifts, Mother's Day Gifts, Easter Gifts, Christmases. Help out. 32 years married. 12 years as Legal Guardian of the Person and Estate. 35 Years in the Episcopal Church. 6 years Catholic Church. 17 years Anglican. Half a year Methodist. 18 years in present home. Mother for 30 years. Husband with severe illness - 8 years and looking back - then some. 1 year nursing premature infant with stillborn apnea on a medical monitor.  40 years of Bible Study. 7 years Church Service. 10 years Youth Ministry.

And I find 1 John 4 accurate. Worthy. Trustworthy.

People will surprise you with goodness. People will let you down. The people who Profess in their hearts and lives for Jesus Christ will go the extra mile. Or go more. And more. But usually when you know the heart of those who Love Jesus - you have goodness.




Make decisions affecting others - as a Christian - can be a challenge. But doing your best. With Jesus. Gives us the satisfaction of Joy, of Being Loved. Riding the waves with Honesty. Going to sleep at the end of the day - God promised to fill every iota. We can't do 3,000 pages of Scripture. We can do what we can do. God will do the God work.



Abba, Father,
Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might be to our God forever and ever.

Father we pray to cover us and the people we love in Jesus Christ.
Lift up the Nation and pray we Trust in God.
To see more Heaven on earth
for all of us, for the people You give us and Your Beloved around Your world.

We are praying for a good rain with move on and rain again. 

In Jesus Christ, Amen

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †