Peter and unleavened bread…

 Peter and unleavened bread….

I was reading in acts again this morning…Luke added the simple sentence, “this was during the days of Unleavened Bread”…I wondered why he added this..why was it important for readers to know …I have “passed over” it the many times I have read through the passage…so had to look up this feast…

Many important things throughout the Scriptures happened during the days of this celebration…

 *it follows Passover

*crossing the Red Sea….freedom

*entering the Promised Land…promises kept…

*rededicating under King Hezekiah and King Josiah

*the resurrection of Jesus…our Savior…

“But at the very center of it all—at the very core of the meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread—is the all-encompassing truth that the resurrected Jesus Christ, the One who was raised during this spring festival, now lives His life in every individual Christian!”

https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-magazine/what-does-the-feast-of-unleavened-bread-mean-for-christians

https://bibleask.org/what-is-the-feast-of-unleavened-bread/

*and here is Peter, freed on the same festival…after being arrested and guarded by soldiers, he was freed by an angel…passing through the prison undetected…going to a prayer meeting…

Wow…from one small sentence…

God knows the details of our lives as well…they are important to Him…he knows our coming and going, the words before we speak…He has a plan…

 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before a word is on my tongue,behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 

You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand.I awake, and I am still with you.

Ps.139.1-6,Ps.139.17-18

Thank YOU….

 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

 This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 

And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 

When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 

They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 

But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” 

Then he departed and went to another place. 

Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 

And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Acts.12.1-19

10,000 reasons…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM

Emotions,,,

 Emotions….

Reading through the book of Acts, it is interesting to see all of the emotions that Luke describes of various people…

Sometimes we tend to put the Bible on the shelf of “not relevant” or “doesn’t pertain to modern day “…. But those people whom Luke wrote about lived just like we so now…they had the same emotions, same reactions we do now and throughout the ages, past, present and future…

They lied, conspired, tested, feared,shared, were filled with jealousy, accused, rejoiced, they gave, proclaimed good and bad, devoted themselves to teachings and scriptures, healed, spoke, seized, prayed, complained, killed, punished, stoned, bribed, obeyed, spoke truth, breathed out murderous threats, wondered, were persecuted, quarreled….and so on…they lived …they had the same nature that is shown from the beginning man and woman to present…

There were those who fit one of the Galatians’ list…

 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. 

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal.5.17-21

There others who fit the other Galatians’ list…

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Gal.5.22-26

Over time, there have been tries at utopian societies, cultures of kindness, but the same sin nature, the same temptations have still been there and have beset the best of tries…we can’t do it on our own…

We haven’t really gotten any better, the same lists can describe us…the only way for any to make a change for the good is through the indwelling Holy Spirit…our obedience to His counsel…

Thank YOU for your eternal and life changing character… 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiyYoe678yI&list=RDLVR1Yn1RtfCDc&index=1

Thinning again…

 Thinning again….

I think every blossom on my peach and nectarine trees was pollinated…they are almost like limbs of grapes…I made myself a little bucket so I can hold it while I am thinning out the fruit, when that is full, I have stood enough ….filling it 2-3 times a day and I haven’t finished one tree, yet…the website information about  thinning the fruit says, only leave fruit every 6-8 inches…the limbs are already staring to droop with the thumbnail sized fruit as they are so thick…it is hard to do, no physically, but I feel like I am wasting so much fruit! …but, the fruit left will be so much better and I may not lose whole branches from too much weight later on…

As we are reading Jerry Bridges’ book on “The Practice of Godliness” in our Women’s Bible Study I thought about this thinning process…

My tree had a winter’s dormancy, then blossomed with new life…then it was pollinated to produce fruit…but, the tree itself doesn’t eliminate the extra…someone has to come along and help it get rid of the excess…to produce the better fruit…

Just like we people…we live in darkness until we accept Jesus as our Savior…the Holy Spirit, our helper, then indwells us, producing fruit…and helps eliminate the excess stuff we don’t need…so that we are transformed…better and more fruit, alive in Christ…

I am in no way trying to simplify the growth process of our Christian lives…the growth process can be pretty painful…pruning and thinning…But God has an order, picture of each detail of life..he isn’t the author of confusion…He has a plan…and He gives us the Holy Spirit to teach, convict, lean into,for needed 

change…developing Godlike character…

And like my trees, I have dormant times, but deep down I am growing …there maybe times of unfruitfulness, as I struggle with pruning or leave behind the Word…choices I make …but am drawn back by the wooing of the everlasting Word…to the the Joy of my salvation…

Thank YOU…

 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Ps.51.12

I am severely afflicted;give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

Ps.119:107

 Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive failand the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 

God, the Lord, is my strength;he makes my feet like the deer's;

he makes me tread on my high places.

Hab.3.17-19a

 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (These are the things we need thinned out)

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.(these are the things that need to grow)

Gal.5.1924

 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Col.2.6-7

Everyday…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMmaihfjg-A

 

Memorial Day Concert 2023

 Memorial Day….2023

One of my favorite TV programs each year is the National Memorial Day Concert held in Washington DC…it is a time to cry, to honor, to listen, to contemplate…

You can walk through cemeteries around the country, around the world finding those who have served in various wars, served their countries, served their families….giving their life for various causes…or go to museums which commemorate live lived and lost…those who gave their all…that others might live…

The concert, brings it all together for me…

I thank those who have paid the price for my life, my freedom…

The world has another who gave his life for all, not just in wars, for for all time, Jesus… soldiers in the military give their lives for our earthly freedom…but Jesus gave his life for our salvation, our freedom from sin, for our eternity in heaven…the soldiers and Jesus both paid for us with their blood…

Thank YOU…

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John.3.16-17

 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Eph.1.7-14

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-national-memorial-day-concert-2023/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/7-ways-to-honor-the-fallen-on-memorial-day.html??utm_source=Today%27s+Bible+Breakout&utm_campaign=Today%27s+Topical+Bible+Study+-+BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=8188651&recip=488704412&aps=d491a43856e21b587867b447453a930de9780b237aec2d5b87b5802fcc4d8c3d&lctg=488704412

Heaven was in need of a hero…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqHOv1uppkg

Jesus paid it all….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5DyeCx8H4U

Hidden?????

 Hidden?????

One time as a child, instead of putting my clothes away as directed, I stuffed them under the blanket that was folded at the end of my bed…and then when asked if I had put them away, I blithely said “yes” and went out to play…this probably went on for a week …of course the blanket got lumpier and lumpier until one day my mom confronted me about my lies and “hidden” clothes…lessons learned…put clothes away, lies are not acceptable, blankets really don’t hide anything and moms usually know when you are lying….

As I read about Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, that childhood scene replayed itself…God can see and He  knows everything…he is omnipresent =present at all times…

But, as we cannot keep things hidden…He also hides what He wants hidden…I remember a long time ago, reading about Brother Andrew smuggling Bibles into forbidden places …how the Bibles were hidden in plain sight, and went through ….and that is still happening today…

Thank YOU…for knowing us through and through…nothing is hidden that you desire to be revealed…

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Matt.10.26

 O Lord, all my longing is before you;my sighing is not hidden from you.

Ps.38.9

 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Ps.40.10

 O God, you know my folly;the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Ps.69.5

 For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.

Jer.16.17

 Daniel answered and said:“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,to whom belong wisdom and might. 

He changes times and seasons;he removes kings and sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what is in the darkness,and the light dwells with him.

Dan.2.20-22

 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. 

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Heb.4.12-13

 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? 

Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 

The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 

And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” 

And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 

But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 

Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. 

When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Acts.5.1-11

Create in me a clean heart…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fVliokreqE

The Word to the five thousand…

 

 The Word to the five thousand…

Well, this wedding is over…the myriad of details carried out by so many people have come to fruition, been executed….and clean up is almost finished….

The various meals have been consumed ( the feeding of the five thousand)… now life goes on, but there is a change…in relationships, new ones added to the fold…

Jesus fed the five thousand with food….as well as his Word…

In the book of Acts, Peter and John speak to the people about Jesus and his resurrection, adding five thousand believers…their food was the Word, not food…a new relationship…

They offered the “bread of life” rather than a meal of food…

That offer still stands to this day…

Thank YOU….

 

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Acts.4.1-4

….I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

Job.23.12b

 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. 

But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 

They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 

And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. 

Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 

And they all ate and were satisfied. 

And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 

And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matt.14.13-21

 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Luke.21.33

 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John.6.63

 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 

I am the bread of life. 

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. 

If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

John.6.35-37, John.6.47-48,51

Ancient Words…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouTgX9hcwk4

The important stuff….

The important stuff….

The winter before my husband passed away, I was scheduled to share at the local MOPS group.  Young mothers meeting together to encourage one another on their journey through preschoolers…

(I see them now on Facebook, with graduates instead of toddlers, diplomas rather than diaper bags and fish crackers…encouraging others).

The topic was to be “don’t sweat the stuff” from the book by the same name…lighten up, no one is perfect…remember what is important….well, I didn’t get to share that and a great friend stepped graciously in and gave her rendition of the talk…( a God moment, as it connected her to the group). An illustration that demonstrates this idea ….

https://www.facebook.com/reel/893123661937731?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V

In these few verses in Acts, Peter spoke the important things…the real basics…the important stuff…the majors…filled with the Holy Spirit…through the small stuff of prison, ridicule, rules laid down by rulers…

Thank YOU….helps us to remember the important stuff, words, deeds over the incidentals….

 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 

And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. 

And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 

But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? 

For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 

For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts.4.5-22,31

Our God Saves…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUOgVl0KuFI

Granddaughter’s wedding…

 

Granddaughter’s wedding..

My oldest granddaughter got married yesterday in Texas…was  sooo blessed to be able to attend with family and friends…

Have watched this relationship build for awhile, seeing the sparkles in the eyes of the groom and bride increase over time…

When my son walked her down the aisle under trees with a slight breeze, the give-off, the vows spoken, the first married kiss, the pronouncement of Mr. And Mrs., the exit, the pictures…and reception with the planned dances leading into dinner, the exit with decorated truck…it lead to so many memories of our daughters’ weddings…

The father/daughter dance broke the dam of tears…watching my son dance with his daughter, the Cinderella Song, was wonderful…and as much as I watched them dance and talk, I saw my husband in my mind bring each of his daughters down the aisle, face scrunched up in tears as he was blessed to hand them over to their intended…to new lives, new adventures…they were still Daddy’s girls…

The verses in Genesis about the creation of Eve came to mind…

God fashioned her just for Adam…and then he “brought her to the man”…brought her down the “aisle” to Adam’s delight…did Adam’s eyes shine with love as we see at weddings…was there a tear in his eye at the gift that was given…what a wedding! 

 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” ….

But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 

So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 

And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 

Then the man said,“This at last is bone of my bonesand flesh of my flesh;she shall be called Woman,because she was taken out of Man.”

Gen.2.18, Gen.2.20b-23

The first event that we read about with Jesus providing new wine is at a wedding…

“ On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 

And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 

And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” 

So they took it. 

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. 

But you have kept the good wine until now.” 

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John.2.1-11

We, as the church are being prepared as the bride of Christ… And the Bible, near the end speaks of the Marriage supper…

 “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah!For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 

Let us rejoice and exultand give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come,and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herselfwith fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” 

And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” 

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Rev.19.6-10

Thank YOU…

Cinderella Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWMBC6yoME

(I just had to add my picture with my parents as well …such beautiful memories…)

A select place…a better gift..

 A select place…and a better gift…

Traveling to various places, both here and abroad, there have been beggars who have strategically placed themselves in a place most passed by… a hotel door, a street corner, a tourist attraction…

Apparently this beggar in Acts, chose a gate that was a popular entrance to the temple…he begged as Peter and John came through it…not having silver or gold, they both looked at this man and gave him a better gift, that of walking instead of begging….

“And he was walking and jumping and praising God”. 

There are times when we can choose the better gift or give the better gift after looking over the selections…it many not be monetary or something you can hold in your hand…it may be a hug, a listening heart, a note, a prayer, a word of encouragement…and the gifted may not walk or jump with glee, but quietly or exuberantly give thanks or not…

We are gifted by the Holy Spirit to build up others…that gifting manifests itself in hundreds of ways…we just need to be willing to do it and not hide it under a proverbial “bushel”…blessing others and ourselves…there is joy in giving…

Thank YOU…

 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 

Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 

So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. 

Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 

When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. 

You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 

You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 

You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. 

It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Acts.3.1-16

 Micah 6:8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Tb4-riE7o

Come and gone…

 Come and gone…

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone…

The cards were sent and read…tears spilled over mothers come and gone…thanks yous said…texts, emails shared…pictures viewed…

We mothers, those of long ago, present and future…do appreciate all the sentiment…we long to hold back time to those first steps, giggles, mushy kisses but alas time does not stand still and there before us are grown adults who bring little ones with mushy kisses and then wedding gowns…all precious and held close to our hearts…

Eve with her first sons…

Sarah waiting desperately til her old age finally came, but with it a son…

Hannah crying at the temple, wanting a child, and giving him the the Lord…

Children born in the wilderness to enter the promised land…

Twins born with favoritism…

Adopted children…

Dying children of the heart…

Promised children…

Etc…

Mothers of the Bible had the same challenges we face through the ages…we watch our children grow, we ponder in our hearts their futures, their antics, their words…we love them and we love our mothers before us…we live or reject their examples…we want the best for our children…we guide them, we discipline them…

Thank YOU…

 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel…

Gen.4.1,Gen.4.2a

 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. 

Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 

“Yes, go,” she answered. 

So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 

When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. 

She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”

Exod.2.1-3,Exod.2.8-10

 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 

The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” 

So she went to inquire of the Lord. 

The Lord said to her,“Two nations are in your womb,and two peoples from within you will be separated;one people will be stronger than the other,and the older will serve the younger.” When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

Gen.25.21-24

 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. 

How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 

David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

2Sam.12.18-19

 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. 

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Matt.1.16,Matt.1.20-23

how He loves us…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyedxYR05Es

Favorite comics from Mother’s Day…

Anchor versus no anchor….

 Anchor versus no anchor…

One of my older grandsons was invited to go fishing with a friend…the escapade turned into a Patrick McManus worthy story…from the boating landing to the motor, the lost anchor to hauling the boat back onto the trailer…without ever dropping a line  into the  fast flowing river for the elusive fish…giving up  after losing the anchor….

“anchor

: a reliable or principal support : MAINSTAY

: something that serves to hold an object firmly, 

: a refuge…”

Merriam Webster 

 I brought this up after the pastor referred to our anchor in church yesterday…

Another story found in the book of Acts with Paul in a massive storm at sea and the sailors use of anchors…

1. They brought it aboard to sail along.

2. They lowered it to slow the ship…

3. They dropped four to keep from dashing against the rocks..

4. They finally severed from them to make a run for it to the nearby land…

The anchor was the ship’s source of support, holding them firmly until they finally let go…something very hard for the sailors to do…

We don’t want to let go of our anchor…and Jesus, our anchor, does not let go…He is our refuge, a very present help…He frees us from the storms of life,  from abyss of darkness…He alone saves…

Thank YOU…

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 

so the men hoisted it aboard. 

Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 

We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 

On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 

After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 

Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” 

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 

Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 

Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 

Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. 

Then he broke it and began to eat. 

They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 

When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 

Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. 

Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 

But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. 

He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 

The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Acts.27.13,Acts.27.17,Acts.27.18,Acts.27.19,Acts.27.20,Acts.27.21,Acts.27.22,Acts.27.23,Acts.27.24,Acts.27.25,Acts.27.26,Acts.27.27,Acts.27.29,Acts.27.33,Acts.27.34,Acts.27.35,Acts.27.36,Acts.27.37,Acts.27.39,Acts.27.40,Acts.27.42,Acts.27.43,Acts.27.44

Finally reaching Rome after the sea mishaps…

 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts.28.30-31

Paul didn’t miss a beat, no matter where he went or the circumstances he lived in, he taught about the Lord Jesus Christ….boat bound, housebound, prison bound…

 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf….. 

Heb.6.19-20a

Soul anchor…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbSyEM66FYQ

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/anchor/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-anchors/

https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/august/what-is-origin-of-anchor-as-christian-symbol-and-why-do-we.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT2f9gpfe4w

(Patrick McManus was a prolific Idaho writer. We read his books to our children and they have read them to their children…we attended his presentations with his friend Tim Behrens. Our faces hurt because we laughed so much…

His stories are still worthy of family and individual reading…they span generations and add smiles to your life..

“McManus also wrote five separate, distinct one-man comedies for his indentured actor, Tim Behrens. Tim has toured these shows to 21 states and two provinces in more than 1600 performances since 1992. They are: A Fine and Pleasant Misery; McManus In Love; Pot Luck; Poor Again...Dagnabbit!; and Scrambled McManus.”)

One short story…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9B7YHr9DpA

https://www.outdoorlife.com/17-hilarious-pat-mcmanus-quotes-about-outdoors/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/26847.Patrick_F_McManus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_F._McManus

 

My “mommed” many…

 My mom “mommed” many…

Today is Mother’s Day…

My mom passed away 13 years ago…it seems like eons and yesterday…

She was loved by so many…and loved so many…

She “mommed” more than just me …and she was a great mom…

I was born early in her life and left home when she was only 37…so she had time to “mom” many after that…music students, painting students, foreign exchange students(love you, Katarina), family members, friends, neighbors, traveling buddies, acquaintances…grandchildren and great grandchildren…so many and she had a great capacity for love…

My mom wasn’t perfect, none of us are…but she worked at parenting…she tried to instill Godly principles…

Thank YOU…and thank you, mom…miss you…

“Under their parenting, Jesus grew in four areas:

• He grew in wisdom (“in wisdom”)

• He grew in strength (“in stature”)

• He grew in spirituality (“favor with God”)

• He grew in relationships (“favor with man”)

As a mother, what are your ultimate goals for your children?

If your goal is for your children to grow in wisdom, strength, spirituality, and relationships, then you won’t be settling. For, if your children grow in wisdom, strength, spirituality, and relationships, then your children will grow up to be more like Jesus.

That’s a great checklist for moms. Christlikeness is the greatest goal a mom could ever have for her children.

From…https://renew.org/mothers-in-the-bible/

Be exalted….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6PaSuI1gig

https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/mothers-of-the-bible-still-give-advice-to-mothers-today-11602232.html

https://ourdailybread.org/mothers-of-the-bible/

https://sojo.net/articles/forgotten-mothers-bible

https://renew.org/mothers-in-the-bible/ 

New beginnings…

 New beginnings…

I cut open an apple yesterday…there in the center was the beginning of a new tree…the seed was unfolding with a new root, a tiny tree…new life…

Spring is like that…weddings are like that… babies are like that…

Something new …growing, maturing…

The book of Acts is like that…taking the life, the message of Jesus to the world…facing new decisions, dispersing the Word to the known world and beyond…dispersing people from Jerusalem to other places …

My apple slice will wither after giving new life to the little tree…the little tree can grow, bringing new fruit, new life…and the cycle goes on…

There are lots of references to “new “ in the Word…a few follow…

 He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Ps.40.3

 When the hay is removed and new growth appearsand the grass from the hills is gathered in,

Prov.27.25

 Sing to the Lord a new song,his praise from the ends of the earth,you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,you islands, and all who live in them.

Isa.42.10a

 See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isa.43.19

 “See, I will createnew heavens and a new earth.The former things will not be remembered,nor will they come to mind.

Isa.65.17

 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,“when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.

Jer.31.31

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.

Lam.3.22-23

 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Ezek.36.26-27

 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Mark.14.25

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John.13.34-35

 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Eph.4.22-24

A new start….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqcIIsl5ZSY

Just a few pictures of a new walk around the block after being housebound this winter and spring…

Days of celebrations…

 Days of celebrations…

The day of Pentecost is “celebration of the wheat harvest, coming 50 days after the offering of the first grain (Lev23:10, 15,16)” in the Jewish realm…

As I read this in Acts this morning, I had to smile…my oldest son, 50 years is celebrating his retirement…his last day at work…

He is my first born, “the first  grain” and now he celebrates his harvest of a job well done…

I know that may be a stretch and totally out of context…it just hit me…

It Acts, the disciples were all together, awaiting the promise of the Holy Spirit…who came and gifted them with languages to go out into the world and proclaim Jesus…first to Jerusalem, then all Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth…

 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts.1.4, 8

The Peter spoke to the crowds, those who had gathered to celebrate the Day of Pentecost from every nation under heaven, (Chapter 2)…explaining, declaring Jesus… until he challenged them to believe…

 “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

Acts.2.40-42

A harvest of souls…instead of just wheat…a cause for true celebration…

I thought of Jesus sending out the disciples earlier, two by two…did they remember his words to them on their first journey…the harvest…warning of wolves…they will see harvest and they will meet many “wolves”…on this new journey lead by the Holy Spirit into all the world…

 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Luke.10.2-3

 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke.15.10

 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Luke.24.46-49

 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;I do not seal my lips, Lord,as you know. 

But may all who seek yourejoice and be glad in you;may those who long for your saving help always say,“The Lord is great!”Ps.40.9, 16

Our periodic celebrations…our new journeys …bring many new lessons, challenges, changes…but we have a Counselor, a Guide, a Friend…a Mediator…a Comforter…a God who gives the Best for us…the same as the Disciples starting out…

Thank YOU…

In Christ Alone…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbgG0Monvd8

Give me the facts, man…

 “Give me the facts, man…”

My husband would say these words as he gathered information whether in geology,  land searches, Bible, life, financial counseling…whatever…he wanted facts…the truth…

Yesterday, we sat at the table listening to the back and forth recounting of years that Jesus walked here on earth…the books written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John dovetailed back and forth making sure we got picture of the Son of God’s journey, his passion, his touch, his life and his mission as he served those around him…his life, death and resurrection so that all may see and believe…

Those four men writing down inspired words for millions to read over time…

Today I turned the pages to the Book of Acts, the beginnings of the church….the author, Luke a physician…

(I thought how appropriate that God would use a physician to write this book…after visiting a multitude of physicians in the last months,  they deal with facts…they talk to you in facts(hopefully)…so that you have details with which to make decisions as they make decisions with you…life changing ones)…

 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen…Acts.1.1-2

This morning I got a letter from a missionary that our family has supported from the beginning of their service in missions…we have seen their family increase, and now they are grandparents…they have served faithfully, teaching the Word …he recently visited a place that he had gone to in the 1980’s…no church at that time…now 25…God’s increase…this missionary could write a book similar to Luke about the beginnings of the church in this area, too…

In the same mail, I received a letter from another missionary who is basically just starting out, building a guest house to minister to those who pass through their area in a far away place…sharing the Word with weary travelers and locals…they will write their story from the beginnings like Luke…how God using something simple to reach others…

There are millions of stories like these…the beginnings, how God worked, works…how the gospel was and is spread …

The saying of Jesus speaking to Peter came to mind…

 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Matt.16.18-19

God’s Word will prevail…it is everlasting, convicting, saving, life changing …as much now as  when Luke wrote about the church beginnings…there are beginnings all over the world in lives changed and their stories of God’s love and activity in lives will continue…and those are the facts, man…

Thank YOU….

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John.1.1-5,10-14

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZGGGi8XxzI

Lots of conversations…

 Lots of conversations….

I just finished the four gospels in chronological order…I finally figured out what it was like…

Sitting at a table with a few friends who have seen or heard the same events from different vantage points…they are excited to tell their version and can’t wait until one finishes, they interrupt one another and back forth it goes…you get a wonderful account from all and can view the events through the eyes and ears of each person…one more narrative, another more blow by blow with interesting details….yet another with very personal comments….all are correct from various views…and interpersonal relationships…

They all point toward the Savior…parts of his life here…his impact at the time and for all time…

I know I see Him differently than my neighbors, He works differently in my life than He does theirs…but, it is all to his glory…we each have a story about Jesus…

John finished book with…

 “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

John.21.24-25

There are still books being written, lives being written…and they would fill much more than the whole world…about how Jesus works …He is personal, present…

Thank YOU…

I won’t let go…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA0YKJ0_Ivk

Taken up…

 

Taken up…

You’ve watched your best friend die a cruel death…then found an empty tomb…he walks with you on a road… he is seen by many…he shows up behind locked doors…he fixes a fish breakfast on the beach…he blesses you…”he did many other things “…and then He is “taken up” before your eyes after giving two last instructions…”wait and witness”….

From  despair to joy…in a short season of time…then the work begins….

I thought back to Enoch, another who was taken up…or 

Elijah taken up in a whirlwind…

Enoch was a godly man who left behind his family….Elijah left behind his cloak for Elisha….but, Jesus gave instructions and left behind  a promise of the Holy Spirit, a promise of His return…Jesus wasn’t just a mere man, but the Son of 

God…who now sits at the right hand of God…but promises never to leave or forsake us…

I don’t understand how that all happens, I have decided to take His Word by faith…in that he fulfills what he promises…

Thank YOU…. 

 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 

While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 

Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Luke.24.50-53

 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts.1.1-11

 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Gen.5.21-24

 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

2Kgs.2.1,11-12 

And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

Phil.2.8-11

Up from The grave…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN77HjfAc8k