Matthew 22: 34-40 ~ Pleases

Today, we traveled to see my mother’s house and the Texas weather would never even hint in the lush greens, gentle sunlight and wonderful breeze - that Texas ‘evah knew a drouuught. We will see family and a long time friend.

My laptop is resting comfortably at home. Edward has had a golden set of weeks. All he touches is blessed. He had played #3 in his age group, worldwide, and won. Won three tournaments and, and, yes, made 2 Aces. Spoken to family across the continent. His business hours are happy. And Edward is filled with contentment.

The Wind of the Spirit is blowing.

John 3:8 
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.



Jesus Christ is really the way, truth and Life. Life is about sorting out the imperfect - taking meaning - leaving other meaning to become compost. And upon the compost putting our solid and enduring Truth of Jesus to build a life of meaning. 




We can all have our lives relate to the real way life works. We have a sunny day - top down. Favorite Song on the radio - spending time with those we love. An endless sunshine day.


Enter the Iggy Story into your day. My brother has a life long friend, Bob, who by coincidence and accident of God, turned out to be his 5 year elementary school friend - by accident, like I said - turned out to be our Dallas across the alley - we moved both moved one summer and - Oh My God Almighty - I am your across the alley neighbor... 

And on with the Iggy Pop Story. Your day is perfect, the fans love you, all is sunshine.


Bob was waiting to meet Iggy with the rest of the diehards. Bob had a shirt or an album for Iggy to sign. Iggy arrives. And standing next to Iggy, is a beautiful young girl waiting with an album to sign. And the beautiful, young girl has been talking to Bob, who just enjoyed meeting her and waiting for Iggy. Bob said it was friendly, comrades. And Iggy, who is 25-35 years older, decides he is going to mesh tonsils with this young woman.

Bob said looking back on it, it was as if all the mothers in the world had converged upon his voice and tone and inflection.

"Oh. OH. NO. Oh Honey. NO. ">". NOT IGGY. NO, OH, HONEY NO. YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IGGY HAS BEEN. OH HONEY NOT IGGY'S MOUTH. OH NO!!!"

The gathered Crowd saw how sincere Bob was and they Roared. The crowd fully understood what Bob was saying. And they applauded. Asked Bob's name and chanted, "Bob. BOB. BOB."

Famous, famous Iggy was - less than pleased. The girl broke off the tonsil sling and sincerely, as if for the first time - Looked at Iggy. With less than joy. Iggy quickly departed. Then the crowd said, quietly, "Poor Iggy."

True Story. I know Bob. Bob is a friend of mine. Bob said he had a range of allllll kind of emotions getting in his car to ride home and think about this forever. To this day, Bob says, he is "conflicted" over the situation. We think, probably, it wasn't Iggy's best day either.

One of the thoughts that pour into my thoughts regularly is the whole of God’s Church confronting massive social and entertainment teaching us comfort, conduct, and values. The loss in this century of Church goers departing for comfort of their own Book of Judges, chaos, when “All Decided for Themselves.”

My comforts include: the ebb that encourages renewal. 

The Plague recoveries include a love for Jesus Christ, Father and Holy Spirit. And, newly, Queen Elizabeth reworking the governing body of the Church of England, before her sky filled, double rainbow, passing victorious into His Kingdom. 183 countries, Scripture believing, will guide the 100 million congregants in their blossoming Church Family. Saint Elizabeth II of England! 

Jesus calls Himself Living Water. Water will find an incredible path as God the Almighty desires.

We can certainly participate and play a vital role in the Church Jesus died for. We will let Jesus be God Almighty and not find reasons to find discord. Jesus washes all things new, reborn. We call this, His Banner Over Me Is Love.  The truth is, the message is for all of us. And when it does not apply, we gladly let the Word of God be Peaceful in our heart. We build up the Body of Christ by Love, Joy and Peace.

Abba, Father,

We ask You to fill the world

With the Joy of Jesus Christ’s Holy Spirit.

We ask You to Dwell in us!

Dwell Forever in our Loved Ones.

Help us in Your Grace and Mercy.

Enable us and embolden us to Seek You First.

And in Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

Your Glory, Lord!

Your Glory!

Amen in Jesus

Alleluia 

A wonderful Article The Prince of Peace by Rev.  John Sundara   In Isaiah 9:6-7, popularized in Handel’s “Messiah” chorus, “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace. In our day and age, peace has become a muddled concept. We often confuse peace with a Zen-like experience, calming teas and breathing techniques, but if this is what peace means, do we need Jesus?   What does Isaiah mean? How does he prophesy that Jesus is our Prince of Peace? Isaiah’s prophecies came on the heels of massive political turmoil and war. The Assyrians threatened to take over the Ancient Near East. No nation could withstand the tramping boots of their vicious armies. Their armor was drenched in the blood of their enemies.    What use is a calming tea and proper breathing technique in the face of such an existential threat?   Yet, amid such geopolitical terror, Isaiah prophesies:   “For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:5-6, ESV   The peace that the Prince of Peace gives us is far more than just a calming tea. He eradicates the enmities that exist between different peoples and nations and brings into harmony all those who seek to worship and obey Him. He punishes those who harm the innocent, even on His last day, and binds up every wound and wipes away every tear. He frees the oppressed and executes justice on the oppressor. He restrains the evil and wicked and empowers the peacemakers.    Even now, His Spirit of Peace fills the Earth and draws people closer into His reign. This is God’s unbreakable promise, guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.    And so, with this in mind, I commend to you this collect for peace (“The Book of Common Prayer,” pg. 815):   Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.

The Rev. John D. Sundara Vicar for Worship and Evangelism St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Psalm 148 ~ Praise the Lord!

 

Psalm 148

 

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise Him in the heights!

2 Praise Him, all His angels;

praise Him, all His hosts!

3 Praise Him, sun and moon,

praise Him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise Him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For He commanded and they were created.

6 And He established them forever and ever;

He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and mist,

    stormy wind fulfilling His word!    

9 Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for His name alone is exalted;

His majesty is above earth and heaven.

14 He has raised up a horn for His people,

praise for all His saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to Him.

Praise the Lord!

 

 

Abba, Father,

Today, was, to be polite,

challenging in many, many directions. 

Interesting and hopeful.

With Downhearted moments.

The Christmas Season has started with Thanksgiving.
So many places to go and allow for 

suddenly, incredible 

Traffic.

And in this travel, we ran into a longtime,

dear friend, and poured out to her

how challenging this year has been.

She told us, it is the Pandemic and the temperature.

Their beloved, beloved, beloved adult child

has chosen to run away as an adult. 

Hearing only within a space of years.

The other child had the Pandemic era upon them

in all types of stress.

Another friend

has seen an adult child

who has been so successful

and has gone forth

to this life without

many visits or calls.

We all have a time of stress,

either upon us,

or upon our loved ones.

What shall we say for

Thanksgiving?

Thank You, Abba, Father,

I woke up today

and had my ... health...

 I love the people You have given me...

The ability to reach up, Rise up

and go forth.

And the ability to have another day,

another year,

the ability to have Hope. Love. 

Peace within as Hope

Grows.

We pray strongly

and fiercely for

our Children of all ages.

This is a Season of Need for Children

of All Ages.

Jesus safeguard our families,

who don't even always know

You will Help.

Help us to be both

respected shelter

and cause for Joy.

And in this Hope

Jesus Christ brings us

we will find

Joy

Love

and Peace.

The finding of the blessings

the day brings.

Thanksgiving,

we will find in this shared

time of difficulty,

more empathy,

more kindness

and an upbuilding of the

Children of God.

We will choose

to be Gracious.

Find more

Heaven on earth,

Bring more Heaven on earth.

The Blessings of the Day

bringing more than

merely sufficient

in our hearts.

We pray for Israel

Peace.

We pray for Ukraine

Peace.

Surround Ukraine with

Help in their Neighbors

as well.

We pray for the 

return of Middle East Peace.

And we pray for this

Nation

in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

Bless and Cover 

the Nations asking for Your Help.

To Your Glory.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

Your Son.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You Lord Jesus 

Mark 7 ~ Be Opened

 

 

Mark 7

 

Now when the Pharisees gathered to Him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of His disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 

5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 

6 And He said to them, 

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”'

9 And He said to them, 

“You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 

11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

 



14 And He called the people to him again and said to them, 

“Hear me, all of you, and understand: 

15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him 

can defile him, but the things

 that come out of a person are what defile him.”

 17 And when He had entered the house and left the people, His disciples asked Him about the parable. 

18 And He said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) 

20 And He said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

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.

31 Then He returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately,
He put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, He sighed and said to him, 

“Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 

35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 

36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more He charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 

37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, 

“He has done all things well. 

He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Abba, Father, 

He has told you, 

O man, what is good

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice,

 and 

to love kindness, 

and 

to walk humbly with your God

When the world does not bring good readily, 

when Justice is merely a cry from the heart,

Kindness is a memory, 

walking with the Lord is not the glorified path,

 there is an answer:

Zechariah 8

16 These are the things that you shall do: 

Speak the truth to one another; 

render in your gates [your own home] 

judgments that are true 

and make for peace.

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.

Dwell in us, Father.

Help the ones we Love to have You dwelling in them.

Bless us with Your Love,

Help us to Seek You First.

And 

we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Heal the hurting, uplift the families. 

Send Your vast blessings. Father God, 

You are truly are as vast as the Universe itself and as gentle as a breeze. 

Speak the Word, Father God, and we know Your healing. 

We ask You for healing:

In the Nation,

Nations and Israel,

mankind,

families

and the weather

Economics.

All the things we pray for diligently!

We pray 

to rise

 to shine for Your Glory.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

Your Son.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus