Day 142 Let Us Bow Down

 5/22/2025

"Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

Psalm 95:6 

Early this morning before I went to bed, I received word from a source in DC that a young couple, staff members at the Israeli Embassy were shot at close range and killed as they left an event at the Jewish museum. The suspect, 30 year old Elias Rodriguez murdered this young couple Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both in their 20's, who were planning to become betrothed. Yaron had already purchased the ring. As the assailant was arrested and taken away, he was heard shouting, "free, free Palestine." This is one more act of antisemitism that is ravaging our nation and the world. It is not new, because racial hatred has existed since the beginning of time. Meanwhile in Israel, bombs had been intercepted by the Iron Dome several times in the late evening and during the day. I have an alert app to notify me of sirens going off in the country, so I can pray specifically. It is disconcerting, to say the least, that these precious young people, who only desire peace, were treated with such cruel hatred. In Iran I watched a news clip of the Iranian supreme leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, speaking before a large crowd announcing the following words, "Death to America, Death to America, Death to America, Death to America." The next words are "...is a Zionist regime, which is the lethal cancerous tumor of the region. It has to be uprooted. It will be uprooted for certain. "Death to Israel, Death to Israel, Death to Israel, Death to Israel." And yet, after October 7, 2023, when Israel was viciously attacked and hundreds of innocent men, women, children were massacred, and infants butchered and burned alive in ovens, the world chose to take the side of the evil regime who planned and executed this vicious attack on a sleeping, peaceful nation. My heart breaks, as does any human being with any moral conscience and human dignity. How can we, and how can the Church turn its back?!

As I opened my devotional this morning, I read, "Worship isn't just a moment; it's a lifestyle." I certainly try to live my life in the presence of God, recognizing that His Holy Spirit dwells within me, directing my steps. And I am so grateful for the life He has given me, and the heart He has planted within my body. May it ever beat for Him and for others. Pastor Jack encouraged our day with a verse from Psalm 26:7, "That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wonders." As he prayed for our day, he recalled a portion of scripture found in Malachi 3:16-18 known as A Book of Remembrance: 

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,

And the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance

was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name.

'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'on the day that I make

them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son

who serves him.' Then you shall again discern between the righteous and 

the wicked, between the one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."    

 

As I busied myself with making my bed, preparing for my day, trying to bring my thoughts captive, trying to think on the good, pure, lovely things, anger began to build within me as memories came to mind, former hurts, and I cried out God, "Why is the body of Christ so busy and never make time for others, especially those of the household of God; especially for those who were once closest friends. A mega church stands between him and helping a friend in need." Sadly, this is not an isolated circumstance, and I have seen it happen within families. What has happened to common decency, to leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one? Perhaps if kindness and compassion became the immediate response to cries for help, our world would be a better place.

"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to those who have a  broken heart,

and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

Psalm 34:15-18

 

Ramblings

I'm listening to an old hymn, At Calvary, written by William Newell, and it brings back memories of my childhood days singing beside my mama and grandparents at Central Baptist Church. How I miss them, and hearing them sing. Perhaps that's why I find such solace in music, but not just any music, but music that lifts up the Name of Jesus. A couple of weeks ago I dropped by the church at Church Road, and I spoke with the pastor, reliving the times there and all the people who have gone on to glory. Many family members of friends of my grandparents' remain a part of the congregation, so the visit was like going home.

There are many happy memories making my decision to return home a good one. Relocating and basically starting over is never easy, but for me it was almost impossible leaving my daughter, close friends, family members on my husband's side, and returning to a place that is no longer the same. I've mentioned before that I get lost in the maze of shops circling the Colonial Heights Southpark area. Not to mention how the interstate connects in so many small towns. It seems so surreal to me how much villages I knew as a youngster have grown.

Today I stayed close to home, checked a few "to dos" from my list that seems to get longer each day. Sometimes I think a part time job would help me use my time more wisely, but then, maybe I'm using my time in the manner it should be used. That's why I'm taking things slowly, focusing on the most important person first and foremost as I make my plans.

My son and I have established some routines. Friday is movie night. Tonight we watched a Stallone movie from years ago, Demolition Man. It was futuristic and a bit hokey, but okay. I really don't like movies with bad words, but it seems as if that's all there are. Each week we switch off on who picks the movie, so next week will be my week. I have all week to consider. My daddy has tons of westerns, especially with John Wayne. I love visiting those old movies, remembering my times with daddy. There are many memories in this old house.

Hopefully, in a week or so, my sister and I will be taking some excursions to places we used to frequent on my previous visits. I have always loved Williamsburg and Charlottesville, so they are definitely on the list. We used to talk about traveling the mega yard sales that span a mile or longer where many artists sell junk art. As an artist myself, I love to see how imaginative others can be with castaway items. "Another man's junk is another man's treasure," as the old adage goes.

I also want to plan a trip to DC, as I'd like to walk the streets and pray over the nation's capitol for a return to freedom and sound government. And yet, doing so, puts me in harm's way, because it seems that my love of God and country make me wrong. That is very sad. I noticed that not as many people even celebrated Independence Day this year, as if the flag was taboo. It is so sad to see the things that should never be. There is only one way to fix things, because it is a heart issue. Jesus is the only answer. I'm listening to a song as I write this blog. I hear the words, "Just call out His name...Jesus; call out His name...Jesus; call out His name...Jesus, and He will come to you." 

As I end my day, I shout out His name, and He runs to me.  He's in my song, in the breeze that blows lightly into my window, and I invite Him into my dreams. Jesus...Jesus...wonderful name! As I close my eyes, I pray..."Come, Lord Jesus, come...."