Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Spoons….

 Spoons….


We used to play a game, Spoons…highly competitive, highly noisy, highly dangerous if playing with highly motivated competitors….the spoons couldn’t be plastic or they were destroyed…needed good solid metal spoons…

What fun it was…


https://www.coololdgames.com/card-games/matching/spoons/


There is another spoons game which was a bit more delicate….balancing an egg in the spoon cup, running\walking as fast as you can to the goal line…without dropping the egg… 


https://funpartytips.com/egg-spoon-race-tips-variations/


A friend shared yet another “spoons” event…using spoons to tell others how they are feeling, coping with day to day events, illness, etc…a person displaying one spoon is basically saying “my energy is way down “ as opposed to the one with 10 spoons, whose day is great with lots of energy…a measure of how one is doing day to day…even hour by hour….


https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/04/29/a-psychologist-explains-the-spoon-theory-of-well-being/?sh=1213e4c853a9


Working on just my first week of chemotherapy, I wasn’t up to the first game of spoons nor, even the second, more delicate balancing act…part of the time I was a 10 spoon day and other times , a negative spoon night…wow…it can change fast…


I am so glad Jesus knows my spoon amounts… He is there in the little and the much…he knows my strength, waning or not….comforting in all…calming, peacemaking….


Thank YOU….


 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 down and are acquainted with all my ways. 

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,for darkness is as light with you.

Ps.139.1-3,Ps.139.11-12



The praise is Yours…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5P4OjZResY


Monday, April 29, 2024

Guarded…

 Guarded….




 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

and your healing shall spring up speedily;

your righteousness shall go before you;

the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Isa.58.8


 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 

May integrity and uprightness preserve me,for I wait for you.

Ps.25.10,Ps.25.20-21


 I said, “I will guard my ways,that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?

My hope is in you.

Ps.39.1,Ps.39.7


 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.” 

For he will deliver you from the snare of the Fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with his pinions,and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 

You will not fear the terror of the night,nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 

A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you. 

You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge— 

no evil shall be allowed to befall you,no plague come near your tent. 

For he will command his angels concerning youto guard you in all your ways.

Ps.91.1-11


Thank YOU…


With a thankful heart…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rh4qX0jNZc&list=RD7rh4qX0jNZc&start_radio=1&rv=7rh4qX0jNZc&t=64&t=67

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Wasting our time…

 Wasting our time…



With this cancer treatment, I had an education class, with all sorts of handouts, reading, to do’s….they want you informed…which is good…and of course you can look up the drugs, treatments online…and it is all interesting and fascinating…to learn new things…but, just focusing on the treatments and the cancer, the side effects takes your mind off the rest of life…that is going on around you….family, friends, God…


What lessons am I to draw from this chapter in my life…not just more info…but more depth in my relationships with others, God…the world continues to go on even though I have cancer…..the weeds still grow outside, friends are still there…family still there, babies being born or about to be born, others need care and concern, prayer…it is not just about the info…


Thank YOU…..


“We waste our cancer if we spend too much time reading about cancer and no enough time reading about God”

John Piper…


 Let us acknowledge the Lord;let us press on to acknowledge him.As surely as the sun rises,he will appear;he will come to us like the winter rains,like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Hosea 6:3


….but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

Dan.11.32 b…


 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.

Ps.1.2-3


Word of God Speak…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

Friday, April 26, 2024

He watches….

 He watches….


I am so glad that we have the promises that God watches us, not slumbering, not in retreat, but He Watches…he knows my coming and going, my words, thoughts, our waiting, the way that he leads…

Not as in an unconcerned observer, but a personal, “hands on” watcher…giving life, wisdom, direction…peace..comfort…


Thank YOU…

 


 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all  who live on earth— 

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield. 

In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name. 

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Ps.33.13-14,Ps.33.18,Ps.33.20-23


I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth. 

He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber; 

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 

the sun will not harm you by day,nor the moon by night. 

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life; 

the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Ps.121.1-8


 The Lord watches over all who love him,…..

Ps.145.20a


 The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow…..

Ps.146.9a


 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

Jer.1.12


 … but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Heb.7.24-25


 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Rom.7.25a…Rom.8.1-2



Watching over me…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyjXbx8SHKQ




https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God-Keeping-Watch



Thursday, April 25, 2024

Prayers…

 


Prayers….


I don’t know about you, but there are times when I am at a loss of what and how to pray…

Oh, I have lists of people,  Bible verses, the Word…reminders, ACTS acronyms, etc…


I found this article the other day that was interesting as well…


https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/calming-prayers-to-say-before-bed.html??aps=d491a43856e21b587867b447453a930de9780b237aec2d5b87b5802fcc4d8c3d&utm_content=1129175_20240422_55&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lst_bst_todays_bible_breakout&utm_source=newsletter&bt_ee=BQblM6LbxaRMCom3gsXR2rgKBProHYIff+c9qA5/dItmNI9KwvK8iRBQsUy0oeBR&bt_ts=1713777942763


For sure not the end all of ideas…


There whole books of prayers to read as well..

Praying scripture as well…

And all work…


God listens, He knows our hearts, He knows what is on our minds before we utter a word…and many times has answered before we speak…He has a plan…He is always there…He knows what is best for those we pray for…He mediates when we don’t have words to utter…


Thank YOU….


 Trust in the Lord and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 

Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the Lord;trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,your vindication like the noonday sun. 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Ps.37.3-7


 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Eph.6.18


 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke.18.9-14


 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 

He said to them, “When you pray, say:“‘Father,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation.’”

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke.11.1-4Luke.11.9-19


The Lord’s Prayer….

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


Worship songs…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrISCs4GAWA



 


Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Follow up on yesterday….

 


Follow up on yesterday…


Those little reminders just keep on coming…


Yesterday was first day of infusions…more blood draws, of course…


But, walked into my room for the day…it was the one with the bird feeder…remember?


Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matt.6.26


Met people I know who are doing the same…that was a blessing…friends in the flesh…

More people are praying for me than I know…thank you, thank you…and in touch…


 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Thess.1.3,2Thess.1.4,2Thess.1.11-12


Then one of the first meds is Benadryl, along with six others throughout the stay…each having a specific reason and use…but the Benadryl makes me tired…so off to la, la land soon for awhile…


Finally at 4:30, home…no nausea, just exhausted…no sleep meds for a change and sleep, precious sleep…


Thank YOU…


You are faithful….


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ51OC1oYpQ


https://billygraham.org/story/how-to-overcome-fear-anxiety-and-worry/


https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-worrying-affects-your-body



Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Little (?) reminders….

 Little (?) reminders….


Anxiety is one of my biggest threats to my peace…I learned it well from my wonderful mom who dealt with it all of her life…but, she faced it well and learned to work at peace through many situations…and most would say they didn’t realize she was bothered by it…


Anxiousness from the unknown, even from the known can hit each person… some face it without fear and others of us are fearful…


Starting this new chapter  or blip in time as, one PA put it, causes anxiety in me…even though I don’t want to be anxious, I am…


But, there have been reminders each day to put the anxiety down, give thanks and move forward…


Our Sunday sermon was the first in this week…


 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!…..

Rom.7.15,Rom.7.25a


 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…..

1John.4.18a


Then came one thing after another…verses after verse…incident after incident…


 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil.4.6-7


Speaker on radio devotional on the way….”remember whatever Is going on in your life, God is working it out for your good”….


 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Rom.8.28


Private waiting room picture…a flock of sheep with their shepherd…


 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.     

He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,     he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his namesake..

Psalm 23:1-3


Private infusion room…bird feeder outside the window with the birds flitting around, eating the food provided….

 

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matt.6.26


And this last week of Jeremiah 29…


Even my butterfly release…and a friend’s shared saying…


I can’t promise that anxiety won’t hit again…but, God has a way of reminding me of his care and comfort…through His Word, His world, His messengers…


Thank YOU….


With a thankful heart….


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rh4qX0jNZc










Sunday, April 21, 2024

Landmark….

 Landmark….


landmark

: an object (such as a stone or tree) that marks the boundary of land

: a conspicuous object on land that marks a locality

: an anatomical structure used as a point of orientation in locating other structures

: an event or development that marks a turning point or a stage…Merriam Webster…


When roaming around hills the other day, one place had a pile of rocks, supposedly to hold up the fence, but it could have been a landmark as well, a corner of a piece of property, or some boundary….


There are various kinds of landmarks…as seen in the definition…

One, I had this last week was cancer education…about a 2 hour fire hose of information. While I am so thankful for the information and the time the clinic takes to conduct this time, it was a landmark as well…the anniversary of my husband’s death from cancer, the anniversary of my moms operation of colon cancer and the beginning of my journey with cancer…great landmarks…


Everyday, reading in the Word, there are challenging words, there are comforting words, there are sometimes “landmark “ words…words especially for that moment in time…so I have been collecting again words of comfort, words of promise…


The PA that conducted the cancer education, said, “ think of this as blip of time” away from normal…”get through it and back to normal life”…and live as normally as possible…


That so reminded me of Jeremiah earlier this week…

“settle into the land, plant gardens, seek good”…then you can go back to “home”…


This week I start the “hands on” education process of this journey with cancer…not sure if I am over prepared, under prepared, overwhelmed….or what…but it is a landmark…a turning point, another stage of life, another chapter in God’s plan for my 

Iife…and He is there…


Thank YOU….



 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

John.10.28-29


 Do not move an ancient boundary stoneset up by your ancestors. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong;

he will take up their case against you. 

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Prov.22.28,Prov.23.10-12


Anxious Heart…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utCtxzstI9Q





Saturday, April 20, 2024

Planting trees…3…

 Planting trees…3…


Last summer, my neighbor’s one yard tree died…one week it was flourishing, the next week the leaves shriveled and died…and it didn’t lose its leaves, they looked petrified on the tree…he kept tending it, hoping it would “releaf”, but no…so finally this week , he cut it off, dug out the roots, dug a perfect big hole readied for a new tree…

The new tree arrived yesterday and after much pushing, shoving, pulling it was in place, perfectly…

This whole episode reminded me of the fig tree and Jesus…

Prayer and forgiveness….unforgiveness can wither us away…one take away from the following verses… 


Thank YOU….


 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 

And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Mark.11.12-14,20-25


A heart that forgives…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUV5T9JIJZ0&list=PLGU62-7BkzAjxlrnpm8mPOqMcVU788xPo





Friday, April 19, 2024

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1Thess.5.16-18


Rejoice…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu4QK3msxYM


Thursday, April 18, 2024

Rejoice….

 Rejoice… 



 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; 

and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1Pet.1.3-9


Rejoice….


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS1b3m4YgjM

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Planting trees…2…

 Planting trees…2…


 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Jer.29.10-14


Yesterday was planting gardens, seeking the good for the place you have been placed for the Israelites…God nurtured the Israelites even in a foreign country…He doesn’t forsake us…wherever we are…


Right now, exile is personal…I am sure the Israelites did not want this sojourn to Babylon…some probably went kicking and complaining…rebelling against the order…but, they went…

The cancer diagnosis is an exile of sorts…you enter another world of learning, language, people, time…I was so shocked when the diagnosis was given…I wanted to kick and scream as well…

The Israelites knew 70 years would pass…with cancer, there is an unsure amount of time to pass…I have friends who wait expectantly for those yearly checkups, then a five year checkup…


But, there is hope…even in the exile…a plan that only God knows…a good that He is there…a good that He works…


 For in this hope we were saved. 

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Rom.8.24-30


Planting those gardens in a foreign land…called to a new chapter in life…a plan to prosper…hope to thrive …thank YOU….


 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Ps.1.3


 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.It does not fear when heat comes;its leaves are always green.It has no worries in a year of droughtand never fails to bear fruit.”

Jer.17.7-8


These verses is where I want my mind, my soul, my heart to flow…planted in God…


Planted by the waters…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Xyh6mm0t4


Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Planting trees…

 Planting trees…



 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Jer.29.4-7


Soil types, moisture, exposure, drainage, protection, elevation…a few key words in planting fruit trees…this is not just a “go down to the box store and get a ordinary tree” variety, but specifics….a science…

This tree planting, not only for your own future use, but tree planting for a heritage as well…planted to last, outlive this generation…want to pass down the “fruit” of your labor…


I thought of this as I planted trees in my front and back yards several years ago…or in any other place I have lived throughout my life…we planted to enjoy and to pass on…


We found trees, garden patches in old homesteads, mining camps…along our lives, places people lived temporarily or their lifetimes…


My dad would always proudly point out a tree he planted as a child, still producing pecans decades later…


The Lord told the people in exile in Babylon…”plant gardens …seek the welfare of the city where I sent you”…while you are there…


I guess, while we are here, this part of our journey in life…we need to plant, do what God wants us to do…seek good…learn our lessons…pass on wisdom, comfort…whatever we can…our lives are like a vapor, those 70+/- years…plant…


Thank YOU…


Fruitful vineyard…Isaiah 27…

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






Sunday, April 14, 2024

Foundations….

 Foundations…


Yesterday, I went with part of my family out into the surrounding hills, wandering here and there…the weather was soooo nice , sun shining, a gentle breeze, cattle around with newborns sticking close to their protective moms, snow runoff, new grass growing green , baby crickets emerging for their summer adventures….


There were two old foundations crumbling near our “picnic” area…someone long ago had lived here, maybe built a home, barn near a water source…their story long forgotten, but the foundation remains of times past…the stones were big and had taken a bit of work to haul them into place and they had come from a distance away from a matching hillside …


Building our homes now, we frame up a place to pour the concrete, order a truck of the mixture, smooth out the mud before it hardens, add the stem walls and finally have the foundation on which to build …


But, the Word speaks of believers as part of another building…a spiritual one…the principles are the same…we need a foundation, who is Christ…and we are being built on Him…it doesn’t crumble or fall apart with time, but grows with strength…


Thank YOU…



 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

For it stands in Scripture:“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,a cornerstone chosen and precious,and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,“The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone,” and“A stone of stumbling,and a rock of offense.”They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

1Pet.2.4-8


 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matt.7.24-27


How firm a foundation…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prb4C_PEwWM 




Saturday, April 13, 2024

April 13, 2012

 


April 13, 2012…


We knew we were in the final countdown of days with my husband with us…he would eat, but no talking any more…

I have notes of awaking in a panic, muscles tense, or spasms over and over again…such tension even though I was at peace…my body was tired, my mind was tired…company each day which was a blessing, felt so loved and cared for…ironing out funeral plans with Don’s best friend, funeral home…deciding what to do in the coming months…to be closer to family…


“When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are.

Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of my Presence with you…I designed you to depend upon me…be thankful for the quiet days…you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me…” Jesus Calling , Sarah Young…April 13…


Reading back over these notes of the last days of my husband’s cancer journey has been intense as I start my own…reconfirming that God walked the valley with us each day, guiding, giving peace, comforting…bringing those around us we needed, bringing family and friends together…was so amazing….my husband was such a social person, loving people to be around, listening and interacting when he could…our apartment was the party room…even though death hung there waiting…


Thank YOU….


 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 


He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

1 Pet1:3-9,1Pet.1.20,1Pet.1.21,1Pet.1.23-25


 Seek the Lord and his strength;seek his presence continually!

Ps.105.4


Here again…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsIfGc15H7g


Friday, April 12, 2024

Unfruitful ….unprofitable…

 Unfruitful….profitable…



Reading Titus 3, these two words caught my eye… 

I read years ago about someone asking others about they would have changed in their life if they had to do it again…so many different answers…but most said they would have done something better, profitable, more fruitful, more relational, found more joy…

Too bad we don’t learn those things sooner…

Paul is trying exhort Titus these very things…


 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Titus.3.4-9, 14


 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

 Acts.20.20


 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2Tim.3.16-17


 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Matt.13.22


 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Eph.5.11


 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Pet.1.5-8


 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Acts.14.15-17


Thank YOU…


Very God…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_KgsjOph5c 



Thursday, April 11, 2024

 



 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus.2.7-8,Titus.2.11-13


Thank YOU…


Make me a servant…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YEsUjwoQ3w

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Commonalities…..

 


Commonalities….


I love it when life’s circumstances, the Word , events, etc. all converge …teaching, deepening, imbedding the Truth into our lives…

Finishing 1 Timothy…it was interesting how there are some commonalities between some former scriptures…God used different authors to carry the same themes…there are multitudes…


Thank YOU….



 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1Tim.6.12


 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your God.

Mic.6.8



 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1Tim.6.17-19


 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matt.6.19-21



 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.Grace be with you all.

1Tim.6.20-21


  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

Matt.12.35


Micah 6:8….


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

Monday, April 8, 2024

 A walk around the block between snow, sleet, rain, thunderstorms, wind…spring is still coming….


Thank YOU….



 Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.He gives showers of rain to all people,and plants of the field to everyone.

Zech.10.1



God of all my days….


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVN070kSruE










Sunday, April 7, 2024

Cancer Companions…

 Cancer Companions…


I found an organization that helps cancer patients…


“Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.”


They have daily devotions…as well a plethora of other helps for churches, caregivers, medical personnel, family and finally, the patient…

I am sure there are others, but this one came to me…


When statistically, writers are saying that 40-50% of people are destined for a “cancer “ diagnosis, there are helps out there…some appropriate for all and some not so much….


I have already been handed two books, “ the gift of pain” or “the gift nobody wants” by  Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, and “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” by John Piper…plus others from my husband’s cancer journey…poems about what Cancer Can’t Do…

Plaques of encouragement…


I loved these verses for today…


 The Lord your God is with you,the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you,but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zeph.3.17NIV


 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gal.2.20


No matter what we are going through, family crisis, death, just day-to-day living…God is right here with us…and that counts for everything…


Thank YOU…


Be still my soul….


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq59iE3MhXM

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Living foundation…

 Living foundation….


Reading through 1 Timothy, Paul writes twice about the living God…


 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

1Tim.3.15,1Tim.4.10


We serve a living God…not one made by men, but one who made men instead…who made it all by a spoken word…


Thank YOU…


Peter in Matthew…


 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Matt.16.15-17


 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Matt.26.63-64


 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Acts.14.15


 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

Rom.9.26


 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2Cor.3.3


 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,and I will be their God,and they shall be my people.

2Cor.


 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

1Thess.1.9


 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 

For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,

Heb.3.12,Heb.9.14,Heb.10.30,Heb.10.31,Heb.12.22


 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

1Pet.1.3,1Pet.1.23


Living hope…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f2FXxDVO6w


 



 

Friday, April 5, 2024

 April 5, 2012….


Twelve years ago…my devo for the morning was…


 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

So death is at work in us, but life in you.

2Cor.4.7,2Cor.4.8,2Cor.4.12


 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,“In returning and rest you shall be saved;in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

Isa.30.15a


“As you go through this day, trust Me to provide the strength that you need moment by moment…

Let Me fill you with my Love, Joy, and Peace..these are Glory gifts, flowing from my  Living presence…

In quietness (spending time with me), and confident trust (relying on My sufficiency) is your strength…” Jesus Calling , Sarah Young…


Yesterday, I met with the Cancer Doctor for myself, not my husband…it is one thing to watch another go through treatment and quite another to be handed the diagnosis for yourself, I found…

12 years ago, the nurse said 2-4 weeks max left for my husband…we were on the last few days…we talked more and more about “anticipatory grief”…the anticipation of the days, weeks ahead…we knew from the beginning that my husband’s was terminal…

The Doctor, for me, is working on the premise that mine is not…so treating is different…so we are meeting it head on with high hopes in the coming months…


As I needed that quietness, that Presence then, I need it as well through this time…and all the time…filling with peace even when anxious…(my blood pressure goes up, just going to the doctor)…

I want to walk the talk…confident trust…


Leaning…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ5cLiCCOao






Thursday, April 4, 2024

Therefore…

  




 The “therefores” ….

Synonyms of therefore

1

a

: for that reason : CONSEQUENTLY

b

: because of that

c

: on that ground


2

: to that end


In the ESV translation, there are 785 “therefore s”…. 207 of them are in the New Testament…

Some chapters have more than others…they come usually after some list or reasoning…but, they are there for an important reason…or Pay attention…


Like…


 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Gen.11.9


 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt.6.25, 31,34


We just finished the book of Hebrews in our study…but I needed to review the “therefores” in Chapter 12…


Lay aside every weight, run with endurance the race set before me, lift up drooping hands, strengthen my weak knees, strive for peace, no root of bitterness, be grateful for a kingdom that cannot be shaken…


 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. 

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Heb.12.1-2,Heb.12.12-17,Heb.12.28-29


It is interesting to look at the “therefores” found  throughout the Bible…lots to think about, meditate upon…how do they speak to our hearts…


Thank YOU….


Because of Jesus…


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



Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The last scene…the beginning of a new…

  The last scene…the beginning of a new…


Over the years I have taken pictures of our leave taking from friends and family…it is fun to see the growth from year to year of my children…I also took for granted that there would be a return to visit them again…until there wasn’t…those parting times were filled with hugs, kisses, tears and a final goodbye…then on the road…it was good to get home, sleep in my own bed, back to routine…but the sweetness of the visiting time was precious…


Jesus, went back to his home, his throne after saying his goodbyes as well…after his “visit “ to earth…how he loved and why He came is infinite…immeasurable to each human…his promises, his teaching , his giving of his life so that others might live…unfathomable…but, He did…


The end of each of the gospels and the beginning of the book of Acts tell of the scene of Jesus here before ascending to sit at the right hand of God…


He gives them a reminder, a command, a promise, an encouragement…then he was lifted up…to return again some day…

The disciples worshipped, they were filled with great joy…and they blessed God …


Thank YOU….


Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matt.28.16-20


 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Mark.16.14-20


 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 

While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 

And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Luke.24.44-53


 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John.21.24-25


 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

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

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts.1.3-11


The commission…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMt-SpULKGQ

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Gone fishing…

 Gone fishing…


One of the last recorded events before Jesus ascends back into heaven is another meal with his disciples… and of course, it is fish…John 21..


 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” 

They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 

That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 

The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

John.21.1-19


It is so similar to the scene at the beginning of Christ’s ministry when he is calling his disciples…both show an abundant amount of fish..so full they had to have help getting them all..


 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Luke.5.1-11


The Sea of Galilee  boasts of at least 27 species of fish…many people relied on the sea to furnish daily meals, fish to sell as a livelihood and it is still flourishes as a food provider now as it did 2000 years ago…


Jesus spent much of his ministry in the Galilean area….

He used fish to teach…to provide …


He took two small fish to feed the multitude….and he supplied a multitude of fish…

He supplied a meal to the disciples with fish already prepared…he challenges Peter…to be a fisher of men in the beginning and to take care of the flock in the end…


Then after the ascension…the coming of the Holy Spirit, it is Peter who speaks to the thousands and three thousand respond…

He has begun his ministry of real “fishing”…just as Jesus called him to do…he went from pulling fish from the sea to pulling people to Christ…


Question…what is Christ calling us to do? Are we doing it?


Thank YOU….


Fishers of men…


https://www.womanofnoblecharacter.com/fish-in-the-bible/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU2N9kWGG-o














https://aleteia.org/2020/04/16/what-kind-of-fish-did-the-risen-christ-feed-the-apostles/


 








Monday, April 1, 2024

Looking back and looking forward….




 




Looking back and looking forward…


I hope we can look back on our walk with Jesus and point to times that His Word has been particularly, passionately REAL for a particular time or times…not that it negated other times but places that stand out a bit more than others…


One passage for me about Jesus in the boat and calming the sea, saying “do be afraid” and then reaching the other side…

 Another passage in Jeremiah, about weariness, a promise that God will give rest to the weary…or In Corinthians, His promise of comfort in times of trial or assurance of a better place…or in Philippians, the promise of peace in thanksgiving/gratitude…


I could go on and on, even describing the stories behind each meaningful event, the location they took place…


Just thinking of each day this last week of preparing for Easter…what happened two thousand years ago…each day was important… each day had purpose…

Then came the resurrection…we commemorated it yesterday, the empty tomb…the proclamation that Jesus arose, conquering death…Victorious…


As I was reading, again, and the watching the following video about resurrection day, the walk to Emmaus was part of that day as well… and then our pastor spoke on the walk, as well…coincidence?, no, hardly…another purpose…another lesson….another confirmation of truth…


We visited one site of Emmaus when we visited Israel… apparently there is more than one site within the seven mile radius of Jerusalem…I remember thinking, a small village site, a walking path and Jesus taught so much and opened these men’s hearts to see the truth…using scriptures they would have known, all to point them to Him…and they were so excited they retraced the route back the Jerusalem to share…


Those men may have been despondent over the crucifixion, despairing over the death of their friend and mentor, walking with torn hearts of grief and Jesus met them, talked to them in His 

Word…opening their eyes and hearts to receive yet more of the Word…


Personally, this passage gives promise that no matter where we are, we can learn more about the Word, from the Word himself…we can rejoice and share…on our walk…

It hit home again, that through my walk with this cancer diagnosis…something I wasn’t expecting…even despaired or grieved of having…that I can learn more and more, even rejoicing and sharing if God so leads…He uses everything to teach, to comfort…as He walks with us…


Thank YOU…


 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Luke.24.27,Luke.24.32

Luke 24:13+


 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.     

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.     

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all  the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ps.23.1-6


 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Ps.32.8


Drive through history, the Resurrection…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQU8UQM4_XI


Our Easter Service…

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


Thy Word…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1LSyRwNA_A