Writing obituaries….

 Writing obituaries….

In 2010, I wrote me first obituary, my mother’s…I think I sat at the computer all day, struggling to get a grip….my dad and husband were in the Living room, making suggestions….we were in such shock…

Mom had gone into the hospital for an elective surgery, hoping to feel better…she started feeling better there, was moved from ICU, got an infection from something, had a stroke and died…

I had come over to help her for the whole month of supposed recovery, instead I was writing her obituary…

 A year and half later, I was writing my husband’s…followed by my father’s…

How do you get a person’s life history into a few short paragraphs? Their character, their loves, their personality, their passions, even their testimony, their family….you don’t…but you get as much as possible…

I remember cleaning out my mother in law’s pantry…there in a shoe box was newspaper clippings…cut out obituaries from family, friends, neighbors …years of histories of people long  passed…

We looked through some, kept a few and finally tossed the box…a hard thing to do…these were real people  …

Then, I found  a similar box amongst my father’s belongings… carefully clipped newspaper obituaries…friends, and family members of his…I saved a few for our family information and tossed the others…

Now you can get so much on the web, filling a shoe box of newspaper clippings is unnecessary, but, it still nice to have an original pasted in some family history book…

We can find “obituaries” in scripture…of Biblical patriarchs, famous and infamous people whose lives are written about…over history…their family blessings as they passed on, their personalities, their character, etc…

There are accounts of Christ’s death, his burial and resurrection… but, his story doesn’t end in the back pages of a newspaper…it is recounted in the most sold book in the World… he didn’t end in an obituary hidden in a shoebox…he wasn’t tossed away to be forgotten…no, He lives …and for that we can be grateful, praising a risen Lord, who is the Savior, the Light, the Truth and the Way…

Thank YOU….

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

John.11.25-27

 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

1Cor.15:1-7

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCpbeVFgs4E

death could not hold him….video

https://www.legacy.com/advice/how-to-write-an-obituary/

Just a few names…

 Just a few names…

As I read this first chapter in John, I began listing all the names of Jesus that John refers to…there are lot, it is packed from beginning to end…

Names we refer to in our prayers, big or little…times when we need a friend, a mentor, the Truth, a comforter, a Savior, a teacher…and Jesus is so much more than these few verses…”John wanted his readers to know and believe that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God””. (The Chronological Study Bible)

And John is just beginning to unfold these names…

Thank YOU…

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

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

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

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. 

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 

And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” 

He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” 

And he answered, “No.” 

So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. 

What do you say about yourself?” 

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 

They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 

These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 

And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” 

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 

Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” 

And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 

He said to them, “Come and you will see.” 

So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 

He brought him to Jesus. 

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). 

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 

He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” 

Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” 

Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 

Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 

And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

John.1.1-51

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZii7zjj3m4

A tweak…here and there…

 A tweak….here and there..

Two of my favorite soups are Panera’s autumn squash soup…

https://copykat.com/panera-bread-autumn-squash-soup/

And Olive Garden’s, Zuppa Tuscana….

https://copykat.com/olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-ii/

And of course , I tweak each one according to what I have on hand at the time…and make them very similar to the original…but, they are not the original company recipes…they are copycats…

As I read through the temptations of Christ in the wilderness, how Satan used tweaks of the Word to tempt the Word…and Jesus responded with the true Word to combat Satan…

Jesus was the original…the real Word…no need to add and for change…

 And of course, there is no comparison of Jesus to a recipe, but the point is He is the real Deal…there is no substitutes for Him…we can’t add and subtract from who He is…He was there from the beginning and He has no end…

Satan tries to trick with add-ons, tweaks, the “if onlys”, copycat, deceptions, lies, and whatever he has up his sleeve…but they can’t change that Jesus is, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke.3.22b

Thank YOU….

 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matt.3.16-17

 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. 

And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 

And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 

And Jesus answered him, “It is written,“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,and him only shall you serve.’” 

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,“‘He will command his angels concerning you,to guard you,’ and“‘On their hands they will bear you up,lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Luke.4.1-13

 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1Cor.10.13

 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb.2.18,Heb.4.15-16

 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Jas.1.13-14Jas.1.16-18

Lord I need you…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhYLujU3TwM

Rise up and walk…

 Rise up and walk…

I realized that yesterday, January 11, was the anniversary of getting my husband a wheelchair in 2012…with cancer, he had been walking well, then digressed to using a walker, and then to a wheelchair and finally, bedridden…

I kept lifting him until I couldn’t anymore…we would chant, “walk, walk, walk, stand up tall” each step of the way so we wouldn’t lose our balance.

I know so many people were praying for us during those slow/fast months and it was that, that kept us going…

Jesus or Peter didn’t come and say, “rise and and walk” healing him from  the ailment…

Jesus came and said, “ keep your eyes on me, I am sufficient”…and we grieved over the disease that was consuming him and taking him slowly away…and we grieved over the loss of  him from our midst…there is a time to mourn…a time to weep…

But, my husband knew beyond a shadow of doubt that he was forgiven…that Jesus had said “Your sins are forgiven”…even though he couldn’t walk…

Thank YOU…

 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 

And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 

And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Luke.5.18-20Luke.5.24-26

 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 

Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 

And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath. Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

John.5.2-3,John.5.5-9,John.5.13-15

 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 

And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. 

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 

And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 

And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 

And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. 

And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts.3.1-10

Christmas star…..

 Christmas Star…

“epiphany

1capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ

2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being….

What does epiphany mean in the Bible?

The earliest definition of epiphany refers to the religious observance on January 6: "A church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ." When used this way it is usually capitalized.”

Merriam Webster…

My Christmas star is still hanging in my living room…it is on a timer  so it turns on in the morning and evening…no miraculous sighting…(although electricity is a miracle In itself that I don’t understand)…as when the Magi were led by it so many years ago…

It lights the room with light in the darkness…it is a reminder each day…of Christ…His coming…His purpose…His Divinity…worship…His promises…a responsibility….heaven…

(I thought it was interesting epiphany was celebrated for both the Magi finding the Christ child and for Jesus’ baptism…

 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matt.3.13-17

Both are manifestations of the divine…)

But, Back to the Christmas star…

 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 

For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

After listening to the king, they went on their way. 

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matt.2.2,9-10

 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. 

For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke.21.25-28

 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John.8.12

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Phil.2.14-15

 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, And night will be no more. 

They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. 

I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Rev.21.22-24,Rev.22.5,Rev.22.16

Thank YOU, the Creator of light, the Light…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCRunZGYBi4

Schooling…

 Schooling….

The Christian school movement was really getting started when my children were little.  They all went to those schools, We had some school at home, some finished in public schools., some finished in Christian schools…some had Christian teachers, some had non Christian teachers…they had some bad teachers and they had some good teachers in both places…some needed some more skill based education rather than total academics…some thrived and some didn’t…

One of my favorite pictures of Hobby Lobby’s is depicting a toddler, Jesus, playing at Joseph’s feet in the carpentry “shop”…

As a carpenter, Joseph would have probably taught Jesus to build…as well as he would have  nurtured him in scriptures as they built things…this would  have probably gone on for years as Jesus grew…

Funny, the carpenter teaching this young man, the Creator of all things, how to work with his hands to build…when all He has to do was speak all things into existence……how Jesus had to balance that obedience of coming to earth and being part of the Godhead is amazing…

Schooling begins so early…in all cultures…training up a child in the way he should go…we clean up, we fold clothes, we cook, we hunt, we garden, we read, we impart knowledge of all kinds as we teach and grow…and we can learn something new everyday of our lives…

Reading through some references about education in Jesus’ day…sounds similar to what we do today…starting school about 6 or 7 at their local synagogue, Learning to read, memorizing scriptures… Jesus probably went there as well…was educated along with the other children…the Author of Scripture learning scripture in a school setting….no wonder he astounded the teachers…but His obedience is well noted…His growth is wisdom is well noted as well…

 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 

And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 

And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. 

His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 

And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. 

And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 

And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke.2.41-52

Thinking of that…our goal is to increase in wisdom as well, leaning on the Word…at any age…

Thank YOU…

 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rom.12.2

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Jas.1.5,Jas.1.6,25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIMhshpf0Y4

https://www.caspari.com/2011/09/20/where-did-jesus-go-to-school/

Seeking a safe home…migration of people…

 Seeking a safer home…migration of people…

 Now when they (the Magi) had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah,weeping and loud lamentation,Rachel weeping for her children;she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 

And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 

And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Matt.2.13-32

(History tells us that Herod killed his own son, so he apparently had no regrets to kill all the male children of others to retain his place as ruler…)

Reading through these few verses, not all of us get directions from angels to move or leave our homes…but over the thousands of years there have been migrations of people for a better, safer land for our families…where more opportunities exist or we think they do…better land, safer communities, freedom of religion, food, better education, etc, etc, etc,….

I know in my ancestry, some came to America for freedom, fought in the American revolution….others left Europe in a time of unrest in the 1860’s…seeking safety for their families, a new life…forging new lands, new agriculture, farming, supplying for their families… that wasn’t available in their old countries…

It continues to this day…people movement for various reasons…worldwide…

When you look at  this young family, Joseph, Mary and their tiny new bundle, Jesus…moving across the desert to Egypt and finally back again to Nazareth…Joseph was following God’s orders…obediently…keeping his family safe from oppressive world leaders…

God entrusted this young couple with  a precious gift to later give to the world…He led them to safety…no matter who the leaders were…to keep His promise to the world of a Savior…

God is interested in the details of lives, both theirs and ours…He has a plan…He sees the whole picture…

Thank YOU….