Day 219 Abundant Life

 

8/7/2025

"Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow;

where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up."

Isaiah 55:13

 

While studying Isaiah this morning, I was caught a little off guard when I ran across some scriptures pertaining to myrtle trees. I must say it is the first I really paid that close attention to the word, unless it was not used in the Bible I used before. I am getting reacquainted to a newly purchased New King James edition, as my daddy's fell apart on me. That seems to happen a lot! Then I also use The Daily Walk Bible for my daily tryst, and that one didn't have any space left to write in the margins, across the top or bottom or sides. I loved both of them, because one was my daddy's and the other I'd used since giving one to a friend in 2015 who'd never read the Bible in its entirety. The Daily Walk, I thought, was written in the New Living Translation, but this one is The Living Bible, so it's slightly different, another change for me. I am finding little things worded differently without changing the original intent of the King James Bible that I had as a child. Too many changes for this ole gal!

The title of Isaiah 55 is called "An Invitation to Abundant Life." It reads:

"Say there! Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink - even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine and milk - it's all free! Why spend your money on food that doesn't give you strength? Why pay for groceries that do you no good? Listen and I'll tell you where to get good food that fattens up the soul! Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you, to give you all the unfailing mercies and love that I had for King David. He proved My power by conquering foreign nations. You also will command the nations, and they will come running to obey, not because of your own power or virtue, but because I, the Lord your God, have glorified you." (Isaiah 55:1-5)

Wow! That sounds like an amazing deal! Good stuff free, all of it, if we come - note - "with open ears" - and a thirsty soul. Yesterday I blogged about ears being attuned to the voice of God, rather than anything man offers. Sounds like an invitation to Kingdom living, but there's a time limit to the invitation. Next comes the provision:

"Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call upon Him now while He is near. Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon! This plan of Mine is not what you would work out , neither are My thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than yours."(Isaiah 55:6-9)

Although these scriptures are written to Israel, they apply to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord for salvation. The invitation is open, but there is a time limit here. In 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Paul the Apostle is calling the lost to come when he writes, As God's partners we beg you not to toss aside this marvelous message of God's great kindness. For God says, 'Your cry came to me at a favorable time, when the doors of welcome were wide open. I helped you on a day when salvation was being offered.' Right now God is ready to welcome you. Today He is ready to save you." 

Now the promise comes and the mention of my beautiful crepe myrtle trees:

"As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field - all the world around you - will rejoice. Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord's name very great and be an everlasting sign of God's power and love."

With the reconstruction of Israel, wonderful crepe myrtle trees with lovely pink and lavender blossoms will grow. There are also white blooms, but I prefer my pink and lavender colors. So vibrant, and the blossoms hang down almost like clusters of grapes hang. In Nehemiah 8:15 the people were instructed to gather branches from olive, myrtle, palm, and fig trees to construct the booths for the Feast of Tabernacles. During these feast days, they were supposed to live in booths and outside dwellings, so they could remember the days of wilderness wandering and the provision of God. Zechariah 1:8-11 the prophet is receiving prophetic visions of what is to come. He saw a man sitting on a red horse next to the river who identifies himself as the Angel of the Lord. When Zechariah asked about the horses present, the Angel of the Lord told him that they was being sent to patrol the earth. As Zechariah was speaking with the Angel, the other riders returned from their patrol and reported that they found the earth in prosperity and peace. According to the dictionary, the myrtle tree is a prophetic picture of God's promised blessing. In the book of Esther, Esther's Hebrew name, Hadassah, meant "myrtle" or "myrtle tree" and was a symbol of peace, love, and prosperity in the Jewish tradition. It's no wonder that I feels such peace sitting among the trees in my retro chair. It's refreshing to just "be."

This gives me confidence that my efforts in keeping these trees pruned and free of those nasty vines and parasites will produce even more glorious blooms with perfumed fragrance wafting across my yard to others, appreciating the beauty and the bounty of our Father who loves us. May you be refreshed in His presence, filled with His love, and surrounded by His peace, His shalom.

Day 218 If You Have an Ear...Listen!

 

8/6/2025

 "He who answers a matter before he hears it, 

it is folly and shame to him."

Proverbs 18:13

 

There are two things that disturb me greatly - people who butt in before you finish talking and those who answer without hearing what was actually being said. Now I realize that there are times in our enthusiasm that we may blurt out a response before one is requested or required, but that should be guarded against with all diligence, because it is inconsiderate, and often, irritating. It makes the speaker feel as if his/her words are not important enough to be shared or heard, or it gives the feeling of "Hurry up and tell me, don't you know I have things to do!" Or that what he/she has to say is more important that what the speaker is desperately trying to share, often with great deliberation. I know that if someone interrupts my train of thought, I forget what I was saying, not because I am older, but I have been hit on my head more times than I'd like to remember. It takes a toll, and the effect is like a boxer who's been pounded so many times. We lose our train of thought easier from the distraction, and it can make one very angry.

Recently, I read the following in a devotional booklet:

"Patience and understanding are gifts from God that bring wisdom into your life. When you take the time to truly listen, you allow His peace and truth to guide your actions. Rushing to respond can lead to misunderstanding, but choosing silence and humility paves the way for compassion and clarity. Trust in God to help you pause, reflect, and act from a place of love and service." (60 Days of Prayer).

Jesus often spoke in parables when He taught, and although the crowds were generally well-attended and the people were listening intently, sometimes they did not understand. In Mark 4 after sharing the Parable of the Sower with the people, Jesus ended by saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Shortly after that sermon, the disciples and inner circle of believers and friends, when they were alone with Jesus, asked Him the meaning of the parable, as they often did:

"But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, 'To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'"  (Mark 4:10-12 and Jesus quoting from Isaiah 9:6:9-10)

In the verses that follow in explanation to their inquiry regarding the meaning of the parable, Jesus begins with these words: "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" He responded more vigorously when Philip, one of the disciples, who had been with John the Baptist, asked Jesus to show them the Father. This happened before the Feast of Passover during the last supper. Jesus has washed their feet, identified His betrayer, given them the New Commandment, predicted Peter's denial, and told them, once more, about His death. Here's Jesus' response in John 14:7-10: 

"'If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.' Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father?" Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who swells in Me does the works.'"

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and He had taught them many things, yet they failed to understand, even up to His death. After His crucifixion, when He appeared to them, there was doubt. Thomas' doubted His resurrection until he saw the pierced hands and feet and put his hand into the wound on His side (John 20:24-29). After 40 days post-resurrection, as Jesus was ascending into glory, the disciples were standing there, "gazing steadfastly," as Jesus disappeared into the clouds. As the disciples stood there, an angel came and asked them what they were doing! (Acts 1:9-11). I can almost see them standing there gawking, probably with their mouths open, wondering "Where's He going? Is He coming back?" They still had some questions, until finally on the Day of Pentecost, they truly got a dose from Heaven as Jesus told them. Holy Spirit and power!

What happens to them is still happening today. We listen to the words Jesus said, and we accept them wholeheartedly, yet, although we have "seen" miracles and promises fulfilled and "heard with our ears" what He said, and we can probably quote it back if prompted to do so, still, although we have not received the message in our hearts, because we weren't really listening.

I could give you many examples of times in history or present day when, because someone was not paying attention, tragedy and untold horror have been the result, usually crimes against innocent children. Pay attention to what your children are saying, or not saying, for that matter. I often wonder what my children's lives would be like today had my children not called them liars. Sadly, only the Lord knows if I was too busy to "see." We all have our skeletons in the closet. I'm just more vocal. I don't care what someone else thinks of me, only my Savior. If something in my life helps someone, I will speak up. I thank God daily the I finally got out of that rabbit hole of lies and schemes of the devil. But, no one was listening.

One matter right now happening in California that will greatly harm our children and take away parental rights to protect them, goes for approval on the 19th of August in Sacramento. I have been posting on Facebook about Governor Gavin Newsom's bill, AB495, also referred to as the “Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025,” that seemingly was written to protect immigrants and provide safety and support, but tucked within the individual sections are laws that would do the opposite, but not just the immigrants, but for all children! So please listen, hear, and do something. I always post opportunities for action on my page.

Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to understand!

"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst

of your heart; for they are life to those who find them,

and health to all their flesh."

Proverbs 4:20-22    

Day 217 Faith Like a Child

 

8/5/2025

 "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, 

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3

 

I woke up to overcast skies and misty rain. Fortunately, by afternoon I was able to cut the back yard, although with much difficulty due to the lush, damp grass, but surprisingly, the drain ditch was dry, and it hasn't been that way all summer. We were beginning to think the pipe had burst, because it was full of water all the time, and it flowed down the ditch, but apparently, that was not the problem. Whatever it was, I am grateful for the divine intervention in drying it in spite of all the rain. I still have the sides and front yard to cut, and the forecast calls for rain the next few days, so I don't know when I'll be able to finish. Still, there's plenty to do inside.

I'm relieved that my afternoon turned out better than the morning began. It was one of those days when the emails came in faster than I could read, delete or file them. I had gotten behind in posting my blogs, and although I had the notes, the topics of the days were heavy spiritually and emotionally, but I managed to get it posted. I'm not sure if it met the approval of whomever reads my blogs, but it really doesn't matter, because I write what I feel the Lord puts on my heart. I pray over everything, because I hesitate sometimes to write what I feel, and yet, God said to write the story. The story I am discovering, is His story, seen through my eyes and about my life with His hand upon it, if that makes sense. I'm still trying to figure it out, but I hope I get it right.

The Lord says that we are to become like little children, and I understand that. Children are very humble, loving, and easily accept things as truth. In season one of The Chosen, there is one episode where a little girl encounters Jesus camped in the field where she plays. She brings a friend, then friends, and the group innocently accept the friendship of Jesus whom He teaches to craft items while He teaches them stories about the Kingdom. it is so refreshing when I see children praying, dancing before the Lord, enjoying His company, and He finds much joy sharing time with them. That's the way I love to worship Him. Dancing, laughing, enjoying the time. It's easy to talk to talk to Jesus about anything. He cares about everything.

When I taught children's church I would use  puppets to tell the stories I had written. My daughter was the teacher, in front of the puppet stage, and I was the puppeteer behind the curtain. At first we had two puppets, two dogs, Benji and Browser. Benji was always trying to keep Browser out of trouble, especially in church. He wasn't an  ill-mannered puppy, Browser was a little mischievous, in a playful way, but he had never been to children's church until Benji invited him. It took patience and teaching the right and wrong way to behave, especially in church. The children in the class loved the two puppies, and each week a new lesson was taught in a way the children could understand and remember. Plus, they could share with their families the misadventures of Benji and Browser. All three of my children eventually helped me in my puppetry ministry over the years, and the creativity still flows after all these years. 

My son is particularly fond of Grinch, so one day, close to his birthday, while I was shopping in the Trading Post, I noticed a little fellow thrown into a bin with other Grinch babies. He seemed to jump out and plead with me to choose him, so I brought the little feller home. He sat on Daniel's shelf downstairs for a month or two, wordless, until one day, overhearing my conversation with Daniel about a lady who always said "huh?" during church services when she didn't understand, said one word - "Huhhhhh??" From that day forward that little guy has taken on his own personality, and there's never a dull moment around here! I told my son that we should write some of the fantastic stories Grinch tells in a notebook, so we can write a book. Grinch's actions resemble Browser's first days before he attended children's church. I told my son that puppets could be very therapeutic to kids in trauma. I remember when I was a child that I'd talk to my stuffed animals, because they were safe, and they didn't get mad when I shared things with them. Whenever I used puppets to teach children the stories  of Jesus, or to use them to explain right and wrong behavior, they listened, and they learned. Play therapy is very beneficial to children in trauma, and the technique has been used with adults who have been so deeply injured in childhood and who have never recovered. 

Perhaps my son and I are are just two crazy adults who have way too much fun acting out the antics of our often obnoxious, but extremely precocious little Grinch. Sometimes my son gets a little too enthusiastic with the bad attitude, and I often worry that the neighbors will call the police, but so far so good. I did warn my friend that if she heard some shouting, not to worry, because we were having fun! She laughed, because she is learning that I am "one sandwich short of a picnic!"

God has called us each to go out into the world, and we are to help others, even in less than normal means, but then He uses donkeys and unconventional ways of doing things. We each have our unique gifts and talents, so if I can help a child or adult regain mental peace and the ability to tell their story, bringing deliverance, freedom, healing, and salvation, then that's a pretty good day in my humble opinion. It's all a matter of prayer, humbly approaching the throne of grace, as little children do unhindered by the cares of the world.     

Day 216 A Little Piece of Earth

 

8/4/2025

 "The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof, 

the world, and they that dwell within."

Psalm 24:1

 

Many people don't like Monday mornings, as they are tired from "resting" on Sunday, but they're not ready to return to the grind, unless the work is satisfying and enjoyable. Truly, in America, people do many things on Sunday after church or instead of going to church, so it is a day of activity whether it be fun-filled family time or doing tasks around the house, because they work during the week. Some kind of "rest," huh?! On Sundays, when I was growing up, there were Blue Laws prohibiting work on Sunday. Business were closed, except for a few essential ones. I loved those times. I observe Shabbat, Sabbath rest, beginning at  6 pm on Friday until 6 pm on Saturday. Then I observe Sunday, so when I worked, I had to limit what I did and how long I worked. Thankfully, when I lived in New Mexico, the latter years I rented, so I didn't have to keep up outside work, unless I wanted to. I was then able to focus my attention on house work, and I must say, it is not my favorite thing. When we lived in New Mexico, we had a wood stove, so we often went for wood on our mountain property. I loved being out of doors, better still in the woods and mountains. We'd make a day of cutting trees for wood and hauling it home. Sometimes when it snowed, I'd drive up into the mountains, climb the hill, and sit on the bank looking out over the valley. I could sit there for hours, observing nature, talking to God. I loved the smell of pine trees and pinon, although I'd rather eat pistachios than pinon nuts. When I was ready I'd go back down, and I'd head home.  Sometimes I'd escape to Sipapu Resort, a little corner of the mountains in the village of Vadito, snuggled between Taos and Mora. Later, when I was alone after my divorce, I visited regularly. I'd rent one of their little cabins, priced sensibly then, and I'd read, pray, study, and write. I'd take my mountain bike sometimes, or I'd hike or walk along the river stream. Just breathing the air made me feel whole, and renewed. They had a little store, with a restaurant, or I usually brought my own food to cook, as the cabin was fully stocked with pots, pans, dishes, utensils and the like. I loved the quiet times I had there alone, peaceful, and at rest. How I long to be there again.

Today one of my "to dos" was to burn the branches, vines, and pieces of wood from the "big maple" that got "freed" during the storms. I had three huge areas of my work ready to go, so my son and I set out to do it, before the next rainfall was scheduled to come. We always try to make sure that the wind is favorable, blowing away from our crepe myrtle trees, that I diligently worked hard to remove the nasty vines wrapping around the trunks of the trees, growing up into the branches stunting the growth and blooms from budding. Even though I had to injure myself in the process, the trees are so beautiful, and I have my red retro lawn chair nestled within the branches, shielding me from sun and birds...hopefully. Although, they do little to ward off the attacks by those voracious mosquitoes or gnats. I guess it's just my magnetic personality that makes me irresistible to them! Although Bronner's Peppermint Soap does help! Mosquitoes hate peppermint oil and lavender oil, but bees love lavender, and I am deathly allergic to hone bees! 

Later, when I returned inside the house, standing at the kitchen window washing dishes, admiring the beautiful work we'd done, talking to God about my feelings, laughing and enjoying His company, I sensed a slight scent of grape, although very faintly, and I wondered if this was His sweet fragrance. In scripture found in 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul says: "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." This is not the first time I have smelled sweetness in the air, and one days some friends and I were talking about this very thing. They, too, had similar experiences. What a wonderful way to close my day. Tomorrow is another day, and I will tackle cutting the thick, lush grass God has gifted to me to care for, although perhaps He meant or Daniel to do a bit more, but that's a topic for another day! It reminds me of Psalm 24 that I quoted from above. Sometimes we get the notion that everything belongs to us, but the scriptures prove this is not true. It all belongs to God, and we are caretakers. Even our children are His, made in His image, and we are responsible of training them up in the way they should live, so they become productive, law-abiding citizens who, in turn, do the same for their families. The cycle of life!

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.

For He laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand on His holy place?

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.

They will receive the LORD's blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 

Such people may seek You and worship in Your presence, O God of Jacob.

Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is this King of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven's Armies - He is the King of glory."

Day 215 Praise & Rant

 

8/3/2025 

"So they departed from the presence of the council,

rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer

shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every

house, they did not cease teaching and preaching

Jesus as the Christ."

Acts 5:41-42  

 

Today we had a visitor from the country of Romania, Pastor Sabin Boruga, who shared with us from Psalm 27, a psalm I memorized as a young child, one that still brings me great comfort, one I share with others often. The title of his message was "Hope in the Midst of Your Battles." Pastor Sabin brought news of the battles around his country and within his own ministry, as we are in a spiritual battle; however, he shared that the church in Romania is growing. They are in the process of establishing a fifth church, I think he said, and he shared a video of ministry within the church and community. His congregation also reaches out to the gypsies, so my heart soared, as it had been reported by another missionary about a year ago that the churches in his area of Romania shunned the gypsies. So this is another answer to prayer! God is answering prayers, so we must never grow weary in well-doing. Romania is not on the list of highly persecuted churches, but this is yet one more reason to be diligent to cover all countries in prayer and support their efforts.

My heart has been broken at all the cruelty in the world, all the lies and coverups, watching nations being destroyed, embracing evil, in-fighting within government in America, all while the true enemy, the devil,  smiles and claims victory over the ignorance of man. But the worst of all is the complacency of the church, when we should be shining the light of Christ, rather than doing nothing, because it doesn't concern us personally. The truth is that it very much concerns us. Daily I repent for myself first in allowing this to happen to our nation and our world. I repent for America for the sins of turning our backs on God. I repent for losing our First Love. I repent for allowing false prophecy to slither in and Islam to be allowed to send in people to discredit the God of Israel, the God of America. We have forgotten our Judeo-Christian roots, and we need to return. The Apostle John was given the vision of The Revelation, and in Chapters 2 & 3, warnings were given to 7 churches. These sins are in the church today.

How can a nation turn their backs when videos are sent to Israeli parents of hostages, emaciated, starved, chained in the dark, dressed in dirty, shabby clothes, tortured daily for 667 days today, crying and begging for help. When President Trump saw Evyatar David, 24, grossly emaciated digging his own grave, he wept. Hamas sent those videos, as they have been doing over the entire time, as psychological warfare. They know they have been defeated, so they are continuing to hold on to their "ace in the hole." I have heard the reports of the genocide of the children of Gaza, but that is simply not true, at least not true of Israel. Israel has done everything humanly possible to protect the people of Gaza and ensure they are fed and receiving medical care, while the UNRWA and Red Cross have sat idly by. Hamas, on the other hand, does not care about their people. They have used children as human shields, children in digging tunnels, stockpiling weapons in schools, and shooting from schools with children present. The Gazans have in recent months begun to protest as their food continues to be stolen by Hamas who charges them for food and offers very little. Bunkers of food Hamas has stolen has been located by the IDF in the tunnels, while Gazans and hostages starve. One Gazan man, who had been very vocal in protesting against Hamas, was killed by Hamas, as a traitor, and this is not the first time this has happened. 

This war was started by Hamas when they attacked civilians, early in the morning as they slept, brutally torturing, murdering, disemboweling, raping, burning, cutting off heads; tying up parents, then torturing them, as they watched their babies being burned alive in the oven, while the terrorists ate their breakfast. Babies were killed in their cribs, and their bodies desecrated. The the Nova Festival, after they had tortured to death young women by shooting them, tying them to trees, mutilating them as they were  dishonoring them in all ways evil allows, after murdering them, they continued to "use" the young women's bodies for their own sick pleasure. I know this is very graphic in detail, but some people need to hear and often times "see" it to believe it. Then there are many who will turn their backs still, call it a lie, or worse - laugh! The Gazans were actually seen rejoicing over the slaughter. Across the nation, our own nation, people partied.

Here in America we continue to abort babies, kill them in the womb with pills that harm and kill the mothers, while told it is safe. Have you ever watched a video of an abortion? They say the babies don't feel it, but you can see them pulling back, trying to fight off their attackers. You can see them torn apart or suctioned out. This is murder. While I was still working, setting up services for Medicaid recipients, there was a brutal murder in Albuquerque on April 23, 2016. I was sitting in Firestone in Santa Fe, where my car was being serviced. While I waited, a group of people were getting acquainted, and I was asked what I did for a living. I explained, a little more than I may have usually, but it had been a gruesome day. They were talking about this incident in Albuquerque and how horrible it was, so I asked about it as it involved a child. A lady told me that I already served in a job with disheartening situations, she was sure, so they all refused to speak further about it, saying it would be better for me if I didn't know. As it turned out, a little girl, aged 10, Victoria Martens, was viciously tortured and murdered by her mother's boyfriend, as she watched drugged out and crazed. It was Victoria's birthday. The mother's boyfriend and a woman gave the child alcohol and methamphetamine to keep the child "calm" while they raped, strangled, then stabbed, dismembered, and then attempted to burn the child in her blanket. The neighbors had heard screams and called the police, although I'm not certain of the times. The mother later confessed to hiring people over the years, as I recall, to "use" her two children as she watched. All of this can be verified in a report found in Wikipedia.  

We talk innocent young people into believing that God made a mistake in determining their gender, so we mutilate their young bodies. In schools they allow children to think they are cats, so they can use litter boxes as toilets. They allow males, pretending to be girls, into the girls' bathrooms, and the girls are raped, but the male is deemed innocent, while the angry parent is hauled off by the law. If anyone thinks I am exaggerating, read the news. The nasty language and graphic pictures in books, immoral activity allowed in schools and used in the textbooks is considered "normal." Well, it is not. Filth is never normal, and more teachers need to stand up and say "no way" rather than retiring at an early age. In the medical field, doctors are actually closing their practices, because they will not be forced to practice deadly procedures on their patients or those bussed into states, like New Mexico, who welcomes any pedophile, any one desiring to child sacrifice their unborn. I lived in New Mexico for 35 years, and I hated having to leave, but this sickens me. Why aren't more Christians standing against a Governor and her administration who allow the atrocities that the present one does and say not-a-word?! I am not political, but I am governmental, and I know that the Bible says we are to be involved, not in ugliness, but in shining the light of Christ or at the very least upholding values. Our nation was founded on Godly principles, on morality and truth. It has never been a perfect nation, there are none, but we should have respect and love for one another. Love enough to tell someone they are wrong. When Jesus got angry He spoke out to the religious leaders and the government leaders, and He did not mince His words. We need to repent and turn from our complacency, and if we are sinning with our mouths in condemning Israel's right to exist, then shame on us! Repent, because God has been very clear. Whoever curses Israel will be cursed.

In You, O Lord, I put my trust! 

Day 214 Remembering

 

8/2/2025 

"Yet You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay,

You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."

Isaiah 64:8

 

We began the morning prayer call sharing Communion, remembering the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. I love to share Communion, and I have often done so alone, remembering, as if I could ever forget what He has done for me. Each Shabbat we celebrate the Lord with the prayers and blessings of Kiddish, partaking of the bread and the wine or grape juice. I love to sing the blessings, and Saturdays have taken on special meaning since I began to spend time in fellowship with those of like mind. I now have renewed vigor in attending church locally on Sundays, as I feel I have finally found a place to call home. 

As mentioned yesterday in my post, today begins the observance of the Ninth of Av, a time of fasting and mourning as Israel remembers the destruction of the two temples, the first by the Babylonians, and much later, the second by the Romans, both on this day in history. During this time the nation reads from the book of Lamentations written by the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of the first temple and the exile of the Jewish people. The Torah portion for today is found in Deuteronomy, as Moses begins his final journey with the people of Israel, reminding them again, reviewing the words of the Lord, so that the people would remember that they are the chosen people of God, set apart for a purpose to be a light to the Gentiles. When the Law was given to the people at Mount Sinai, the people heard God speak and saw the thunder and lightning and witnessed the cloud of His presence on the top of the mountain as He spoke with Moses, and as He wrote the commandments on tablets of stone. During the 40 years as they wandered in the desert, because of their unbelief, the Lord had been present in the cloud by day and the fire by night. He had met with Moses in the tent of meeting where His glory covered the tent. But now, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses would not be going with them. He and Aaron sinned against God, so they, like the generation of those who revolted and died in the wilderness, would not be allowed to enter the land. Aaron had already died, but now, before his death, Moses is reminding them again of who they are and who they are called to be as witnesses of a Holy God. This was a new generation, many who had not experienced all their parents had witnessed. Once they entered the land, God would no longer accompany them in the cloud and fire. Joshua was chosen as the next leader, and he was called to go in and occupy the land. God would be with Joshua, and He would be with the people, but no longer would it be as it was with Moses with whom God spoke face to face.

Today, it is so important that we train up our children in the way they are to live their lives. As parents, as church leaders, we have always been responsible to train our children in the ways of God, so that they will grow up to fear the Lord, grow in wisdom and understanding, and lead their families and the world in righteousness, justice, and with integrity. Sadly, we have fallen short of this responsibility. There are so many broken families, single parents, or absentee parents. They used to be call "latch key" when my children were growing up. Now they are becoming companions of AI and other technologies are their parents, and in some instances, their gods. While I understand the need of many parents who both have to work, it does not remove the necessity of safeguarding the welfare of our children. Many single mothers do not have families who can assist them with the care of their children when they work, and this is one reason why there have been so many abortions. I blame the church in large part, because I do believe that if we stepped up and did as the early church in the book of Acts taught, there would be less homelessness, less orphans, and less abortions. If we would walk beside and train the children from the start, perhaps they would not feel the need to find love and acceptance in the wrong way and in wrong places. Even young men need to be taught their roles as the heads of their homes, so that they can lead with authority and the strength of God's power, wives submitting in love and respect, children likewise. This is not a fairy tale existence, a pipe dream, it happens in homes where there are strong, Bible-teaching churches and discipleship for men. Not the watered down version, but the word by word truth as spoken by God, the prophets, the apostles, and taught by our Lord Jesus Himself. Where are the Promise Keepers of yesterday, the ministry that guided the men in their marriages?! We need to do better.

I realize that nothing is perfect, as I am living proof of the breakdown of a family unit. I am not alone, if more were willing to mention their shortcomings, their need for support, thing may be different. I wish it had been so for me, but sadly, the church failed when I cried out and begged for support, but that is forgiven and in the past. Now we go forward. I have spoken so many times of my life. I grew up in the church, learning the word of God, memorizing it, and I spent my time attending church events. My teachers in school were members of the same church I attended in large part. I was protected, encouraged, and strengthened. Our Librarian was a Christian, a member of my church, and she was friends of my grandparents, so we were very close. She nurtured my love for reading and learning, and she walked me through the library, helped me choose the appropriate books, discussed them with me. She may have been the one who introduced me to all the missionary books available at Central Baptist Church, because I think I read every one of them, begging for more. No child could have had a better teacher and friend than Mildred Green. I wish she were still alive, so I could tell her how I feel. Even as a young adult I would visit her with my grandmother, as I would with other spiritual mothers from our church. Mary Creath, was my fourth grade elementary teacher, who was also a member of our church, and my teacher in Sunbeams, a church group that met one day a week after school. Her husband, William F. Creath, was our school principal, and a deacon in the church. Like I said before, I was surrounded and protected by a great army of people who loved and cared for me. This is the testimony of others I am sure.

Thus the importance of teaching and remembering all that the Lord has done for us. May this become a daily part of your family's life and testimony. Nurture and guide your children, so that they can grow up to become strong witnesses of the goodness of the Lord. So they can be leaders who walk beside and teach others how to be honest, strong and productive citizens so desperately needed in our world today.

Day 213 Sit A While

 

8/1/2025 

 "Come and sit and ask Him whatever is on

your heart. No question is too small, no riddle too

simple. He has all the time in the world.

Come and seek the will of God."

Max Lucado

 

It's not hard for anyone to guess what's on my mind. I seem to eat, drink, and sleep Israel. Waiting for the release of the hostages, praying for a miracle, praying for an end to this war, yet knowing that there must be closure and the matter regarding the land must be resolved according to God's word. Seeing and hearing lies and watching people I used to respect as wise and informed people suddenly speaking out against Israel and the United States, because of our stand with Israel. There is so much division in our nation. How this must make God sad to see His children behave this way. 

The invitation to come and sit and ask Abba anything is something I already do. In fact the majority of my day is spent sitting right here, in this chair, staring at the computer screen, reading updates for prayer or reading my Bible or participating in Zoom or phone prayer meetings. Tomorrow is Erev Tish'a B'Av (Ninth of Av Eve) a time of great sorrow and a day of fasting for the Jewish people as they remember the destruction of their temples which happened on this day in history. Several tragic things happened on this day over the years, going back to when the twelve spies Moses sent out into the Promised Land returned with the bad report from ten of the twelve, which resulted in the death of many as they were made to roam the desert for 40 years until the generation had died for their sin of disbelief. There is the additional sadness and grief over the fact that the hostages remain in Gaza in the hands of the terrorists, who continue to avoid a deal for the release of Israel's sons and daughters held captive for 665 today. To make things more difficult, video tapes of two of the remaining hostages were sent by Hamas to the families revealing the dire circumstances of their captivity. Conflicting reports and media exchange of false information are being released, further adding salt into the wounds of the families and the government. When will enough be enough?!

Meanwhile more drama is being stirred up in other countries at Israel's expense, and the accusations continue to fly. America is being included in the conversations, as Israel is our nation's strongest ally. This is after all a spiritual battle, not a flesh and blood one. It would do well for more people to wake up to that truth and do as Paul instructed us in 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."  

The invitation's open to all, come sit awhile in the Lord's presence and seek Him about all this mess! It's time to sit a spell and listen to the only one with the answers!