Never Again.

 A simple thing, an everyday thing really. Or maybe it's not an everyday thing any longer. How many people still use recipe books? Hard copies, not online, but recipe books that you can open up and look through to find a recipe- a new one or an old favorite? Several years ago, a few years before my mother died, she took the time to put together her favorite recipes into binders and she did this for each of her children and grandchildren I believe. This recipe book was in a thin binder and soon I was adding my own recipes to it and I needed a large binder. So over the next several years my mother's recipe book was transformed by me in more ways than one becoming something I would not want to be without. Before anyone suggests I should have all those recipes backed up on my computer, they are there and most of them (but not all) are online.

There you have it, a short history of my recipe book. Why did I feel the need to share that today? Because today I had to grab it up to find a recipe I needed and the tears welled up once again as I turned a page and saw one of Jerry's favorites- Borscht. 

My thoughts came fast and each one was a little dagger twisting in my heart. I would never again make Borscht for him. So many never again-s and each never again held its own dagger. Some of those daggers were only capable of tiny pinpricks and scarcely did more than pinch. Other daggers slip in silently, deeply and the agony of those cause my heart to scream unheard by all but me.

Today my heart screamed over and over as I continued to turn the pages of that recipe book in search of the recipe I wanted, and recipe after recipe that I made solely for Jerry, with ingredients only he enjoyed, went by. Never again, never again… never again… 

Then, as I found my recipe and closed the book, I wiped the tears away, and my heart while still stinging from grief's brutal attack, sighed heavily from emotions released. I took a deep breath, tucked the recipe book, minus the recipe page I extracted, back where it belonged.  I knew I'd have to open it again, and again and I'd see Jerry's recipes, recipes of his favorite foods that he'd never eat again, that I'd never make again, but it would get easier, at least that was my hope for the future.

Before I end this I have to add just a bit more. That Borscht recipe that struck the first blow upon my heart today, well, Jerry asked me to make it for him about a month before He passed. I remember his enjoying it immensely for dinner one day and for a snack on another day- the memory was a good one, a balm on the wounds earlier made. 

As the day wore on, I didn't realize that those heart daggers had retreated only to be sharpened. When I went to the freezer to take out things I'd needed, hopefully like most people - I had to do a bit of rooting around. I move this container, that container and then the long, thin knife blade was thrust hard into my heart with an added twist for good measure- there was a container clearly marked-- Borscht. You see, I'd made a whole pot of the Borscht Jerry loved so he could have it again at a later time, there will be no later time, in fact there is only…never again. 

*******

Isa 55:1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

Isa 55:2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 

Isa 55:3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 

Isa 55:4  Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 

Isa 55:5  Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 

Isa 55:6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 

Isa 55:7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 

Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Isa 55:12  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

Isa 55:13  Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. 

Peace In Spite of the Storms.

 Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, PEACE be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 

Joh_14:27  PEACE I leave with you, my PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus said- 'My peace I give unto you.' Jesus gives us His peace. What is the peace of Jesus? Surely it isn't an ordinary peace. Do I have peace to give to anyone. If I said, my peace be with you, what am I giving you? You'd look at me and have to wonder what my peace is, what am I giving to you? What makes my peace special? And is it even possible for me to even give you something like peace which isn't anything tangible at all whatsoever. Peace is defined as being -

1.freedom from disturbance; tranquility.

2.a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

Can I give you my freedom from being disturbed? Can I give you my tranquility? When a person (especially in the 60/70's) greeted someone with the phrase- "Peace." What were they indicating by such a gesture? They were generally meaning that there is a desire for nothing upsetting, a calmness in the exchange, they were wishing someone wellbeing. They couldn't give their peace to someone else, but they could indicate it was something they wanted- peace between them. Jesus has a peace to give, and it's a peace the world doesn't offer to anyone. Jesus knew that the world He came to live in, and did so for thirty-three years, was one of contention, filled with angst, anger, warring, conflicts on every side. Jesus knew that every human being had to deal with sin's resulting peace destroying attributes. On every hand there are peace destroyers. In our everyday lives we are confronted with the destruction of peace. Have you heard someone say (or say yourself) "I'd just like a moment of peace, just one moment."? How is it that our lives can be so disturbing we long for the peaceful moments because they seem elusive. Truly, every day we can be faced with upsets- tiny ones to huge ones. Jesus knew all this and witnessed it in His time upon earth firsthand. 

Jesus could leave us with His peace, how? It's a peace that passes understanding so why am I even talking about it as if I could understand? I'm talking about it because Jesus would not have mentioned if it weren't something to be studied, something to be thought about, something to desire. 

Joh_14:27  PEACE I leave with you, my PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Let not your heart be troubled. Oh, how our hearts can be troubled! Neither let it be afraid. Oh, how our hearts can be filled with fear.  Jesus doesn't want us to be troubled and fearful, but Satan does. Satan would have us constantly filled with fear and trouble. 

Are there things that are legitimately meant to be fearful? Yes! There are a lot of things that cause fearful reactions in us. I know if a stranger burst into my house intent upon harming me I'm going to be filled with fear. I know if I go to the doctor and they tell me they suspect something is wrong with me, I'm going to be filled with fear. I know if one of my children is struggling, I will fear for them. We know these are normal, everyday expected reactions to have. Yet, fear can be debilitating in many ways and this is what our Savior does NOT want us to have in our lives. Fear that blocks out hope. Fear can be destroying, it destroys peace! 

When people face situations that seem hopeless, and they do face them all the time. When life seems to be one awful blow after another hopelessness strives for preeminence with us. Satan wants us to despair completely of ever having hope. Jesus wants us to be filled with hope!

Peace. Jesus' peace is not the world's peace at all. Jesus' peace isn't found in absence of life's constant stream of struggles, one after the other. Jesus' peace is found in spite of the presence of all struggles. Jesus has a peace that He can give to us through the knowledge of the hope we find in the salvation He alone can offer us. No other can give us eternal salvation, no other. Some people offer a form of temporary salvation to others when they are in dire circumstances, but only Jesus can give us a permanent salvation. Jesus gives us a salvation promise for the future, not for peace and safety here upon earth. Jesus offers a peace found only in the eternal hope of Him, and the undeserved gift of life everlasting with Him. Jesus has given us the amazing hope that defies all despair, allowing us to find peace in HIM now. 

If we live for a struggle free life, if our focus is on an eventual life void of peace destroying attacks here and now during our life, we are going to be awfully disappointed time and time again. We have to live for peace within the storm, peace in spite of the storms, peace of knowledge we can cling to by FAITH, filling us with the HOPE of our SALVATION from this sin filled world. 

I do NOT know what new peace destroying attacks are coming my way. I do know that my life is filled with peace destroying situations right now. In spite of these situations I am going to cling to the PEACE only my Savior can give to me, His peace. 

I know this world will NOT offer me peace, it can't, it can only offer a pretended peace, temporary peace, it has no more to offer. Jesus offers me eternal peace.

Joh_14:27  PEACE I leave with you, my PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus tells me- don't let your heart be troubled, don't be afraid- you have my peace, a peace this world and all its awfulness cannot touch.  

All by His amazing love and grace, through His forgiveness, I will cling to the hope I find in Him, claiming His peace! In His name! Thank you, my Savior, thank you Jesus Christ my Lord now and forever! Amen!!!!!!!

Peace verses- 

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

Joh 20:19  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you

Joh 20:26  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 

Num 6:26  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

Psa 29:11  The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. 

Psa 85:10  Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 32:15  Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 

Isa 32:16  Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 

Isa 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 

Zec 6:13  Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Luk 1:79  To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

Luk 10:5  And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 

Act 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 

Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

2Th 1:2  Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

2Th 3:16  Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 

Heb 13:20  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 

Heb 13:21  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

Don't Make Excuses, God Sees Through Them All.

 How often should we study God's word? Daily. Where will you be in eternity? If your hope is heaven doesn't it somehow seem appropriate that we should be studying the Word given to us by our God, daily. We will be living with Him for eternity and if we can't spare time to study His holy word now when we have access to it, what makes us think we'll want to spend eternity with Him? Don't make excuses, God sees through them all. Pray earnestly for a desire to seek Him daily in His word. We have to pray for this because Satan will give us all sorts of excuses to not study. 

Joh_5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica. Why were those living in Berea more noble? We aren't left to wonder, we are told. They were more noble 'in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.' 

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

What scriptures did they search? The only scriptures they had, the Old Testament writings. What were they trying to ascertain in their daily searches? They were trying to find the words being preached to them by the Apostles - in the Scriptures. They wanted to see for themselves the truth in the sacred word of God. They weren't going to be fooled into believing someone without searching God's word. They didn't want to be deceived. These Bereans wanted to know only truth. They heard these amazing words being spoken, a sermon they weren't used to, this was different, the message was different. How foolish they would have to be to simply take the Apostles word for things. The Apostles wanted the people to search out the truth for themselves.  Any person can tell you new and exciting things that you eagerly want to believe are true, but if there is no weight behind those things they are no good at all. We call people fools who believe everything they hear. Why? Because you could tell them anything, even lies and they'd believe them. When someone takes what is told them and searches for the truth in what they've heard they are being very wise. 

I never want a single person to believe anything I say without studying things for themselves. Study, find out whether I am speaking truth or lies. If a person dismisses things they hear without studying for themselves whether something is true then they are closing themselves off from truth. In reality they are putting blinders on themselves. They may be choosing the traditions of man over the truth of God. Many people simply do not want to study whether a thing is so. They might like their beliefs just the way they are without anything interfering. If the Bereans had that attitude would they have listened and studied, searching the Scripture DAILY? No. In fact many people did chose not to listen, not to study and Jesus wept over the hierarchy of the Jewish people knowing they were refusing to walk in the truth.

After Jesus rose he disguised Himself from being perceived as the Messiah and talked with a couple as they traveled along a road and He had this to say…

Luk 24:25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 

Luk 24:26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

Beginning at Moses and all the prophets - Jesus taught them from the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Jesus taught them from the Scriptures- the Old Testament was the only Scripture they had, no other whatsoever.  Jesus went to the Scriptures and pointed out every verses concerning Him. The Bereans were being told the gospel, the good news of Salvation in Jesus Christ, but they wanted to know more about this Jesus and salvation. They did not want to know by word of mouth, but in the books they believed with all their heart were written by God through Holy Men of His choosing as the Holy Spirit guided them. Was this Jesus the Messiah, truly? They had to find proof, and so DAILY they searched for the proof in the Scriptures.  They believed in the Messiah being Jesus Christ ONLY through the Scriptures-the Old Testament. Can you say you would believe in the same way? What Scriptures in the Old Testament do you know speak of the Messiah? Jesus, used ONLY the Old Testament writings to reveal the truth. Surely we should be able to search the Old Testament in the same way, right? If not maybe we should be searching DAILY for the truth. Daily- every day. There are so many things you do on daily basis, so many and yet searching the Scriptures daily isn't often one of those things- it should be. 

 

The “I Am” in whom Abraham rejoiced was Jesus (John 8:56–58).

The Lord who motivated Moses was Christ (Hebrews 11:26).

The Redeemer who brought them out of Egypt was Jesus (Jude 5).

The Rock in the wilderness was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).

The King of Isaiah’s temple vision was the Son (John 12:40–41).

Gen 22:18  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 

Jud 1:5  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 

Joh 12:40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 

Joh 12:41  These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 

And always remember Jesus told us to pray for daily bread… and He is the bread of life. Daily we are to search the truth of our Savior. 

The Works Bear Witness.

 'Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me…' John 10:25

Jesus' works bore witness of Him.  What works did Jesus do? Miracle, after miracle, the miracles Jesus performed were too numerous to count. 

Joh 21:25  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

The WORLD itself could NOT contain the books that should be written of the things that Jesus did.  Think about that for a moment. Jesus did SO many things there aren't enough books to contain them!  Do you think that is just a metaphor? Something to say because Jesus did so much? Even if you think that is so, we truly can't imagine all the many miracles Jesus performed, we just can't. 

Jesus' works. Every single miracle was a testament to Jesus. Every single word He spoke was a work of His truly. His words are life and light to the world. To think that His words weren't part of His works would be a mistake. The miracles, the words of life, the entire existence of our Savior was one of performing the work He was sent into the world for and that was all for our salvation! 

Every work Jesus did was in the Father's name. He could do NOTHING without the Father, nothing.

Joh 5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 

The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do!

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 

Of Himself Jesus could do NOTHING. 

'Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me…' John 10:25

They believed NOT. So many people still believe not. It's true. Sometimes Christians fancy that the entire world believes as they do, but it's not true at all. We have various polls conducted and right now there are less and less people that believe the Bible is God's true word at all. Less people believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Less people believe in God. All these polls spur Christians to imagine they need to covert everyone even if they need to use force, shame, anger, hate to do so. Jesus is and was only LOVE. We need to LOVE not condemn anyone!

Those Jewish men that Jesus answered when asked to tell them if He were the Messiah, they did NOT want the truth at all in any way. They wanted Jesus to say the words that would condemn Him to death. They didn't care about Jesus' works- all of them and there were too many to count. Every single work a testament to Jesus' Sonship to the Father and they were blind to them all. Blind then and blind now. Blind, unable to see at all beyond their own pride, their own selfish. There is a message for US today in this, a message that we need to study God's words and learn of all of Jesus' works because they testify of His Messiahship. We might not witness first-hand the miracles, we might not hear the voice of our Savior as He speaks the words of His many messages, but they are all meant for us to comprehend as reality. 

Jesus only speaks truth, may we believe His truth. 

All through His amazing love, now and always!!!!!!!  

Crying Over Okra/ Do We Hear Jesus' Voice

 I am so blessed. My sister, Debbie took me out to Perkins today for a belated birthday brunch, which was delicious. Thank you, Debbie!  And yesterday I went to my sister, Beth's house for a bit and  her granddaughter, Lyla came up to me and said, "Razzi, (a nickname) I have a question for you." So I asked her what the question was and she replied, "Can I have more okra?"  I laughed, I was so thrilled! I told her, "Yes, Cupcake would have LOVED how much you and Devlin (who despises most vegetables) love okra!"  It broke my heart a little that Jerry didn't live long enough to know that two of his adopted grandchildren, love okra- something he loved so much.  He would have loved sharing it with them and knowing ten year old Lyla even enjoys cooking it herself for everyone! It does my heart good to share the okra with her, I haven't been able to cook it again just yet, too many emotions come up for me to even try. Crying over okra… crying over missing my love, no one loved okra as much as he did, no one.  I am blessed to have a lifetime of wonderful memories to sting my eyes with tears. Each salt tinged trail slipping down my cheeks will be well traveled and welcomed.  God is good.

******  Bible Study

'How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.'

Jesus was confronted by the Jews in the temple, they asked such a telling question. Basically insisting our Lord to stop playing games and just let them know if He was the promised Messiah. The thing is, and Jesus tells them this… that He'd already told them and they didn't believe Him.

Today so many people have access to the truth yet they still choose not to believe what they hear. They dance around all over the truth and still refuse to believe. They don't want to hear Jesus' voice, they want to follow a voice pleasing to their ears speaking things they like and nothing more. If anything Jesus says interferes with their lives they twist things around until they are following their made up Messiah and not Jesus at all. We have to hear Jesus' voice. We have to follow Jesus. 

'Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.'  John 10:25-29

*******

Joh 10

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 

Angel Wings and Rainbows.

 A blessed day today, complete with not one but three rainbows! I stepped outside this morning to get some milkweed cuttings for the caterpillars and what a wondrous cloud filled sky there was. There were three feather angel wing clouds and so many others. In another cloud was a very small barely there, presence of a rainbow. I went inside and grabbed up my camera, these clouds, that rainbow, were too beautiful to let pass without pictures! When I returned with the camera the rainbow was even brighter than it had been! The whole sky brought me a sense of peace and expectation for the Lord. Then later as I was going to a store to pick up a couple of things, there was another gorgeous rainbow. The thing is, there was no rain in sight either time. Then that third rainbow I saw when I was driving home from my sister's house was settled between two white clouds with just a light gray haze, but still no real rain at all. As I continued the 15 minute ride home, the rainbow only became brighter and brighter. Such a glorious sight! God's promises are in those rainbows each and every one a reminder of God giving and God keeping His promises! One promise in particular came to mind -

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

Jesus will come again and receive us unto Him, and we will join Him in heaven! My Jesus is returning! Oh, I know, since He died 1,991 years ago people have been saying the same thing. There are plenty who would be happy to throw it in the faces of believers that generation after generation believe Jesus is going to return in their lifetime but it hasn't happened, and won't happen.  IT WILL HAPPEN. Jesus is going to return, it's a PROMISE of GOD! And every time I see a rainbow in the sky I am reminded of all the promises God has made and all those He has kept and all those He has yet to keep! They will come to pass-- those He has yet to keep, they are promises! 

2Pe_3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2Pe_3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

1Jn_2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Another Ride On Rollercoaster- Grief.

 Today I received a sympathy card in the mail and no, it's not the first sympathy card I've received, God has blessed me greatly in this way, but for some reason I was completely overcome with emotion. The tears came hard and fast, and I was distraught in a way that took me by surprise. You see, I've been getting better lately, you know, getting a handle on things. Yet today, well, if I'm being completely truthful, the entire day had been an off one. Things just felt different somehow. Even Matthew told me today when he came home from work that things are just hard. We were both having particularly trying days not from outside influence but inside, heart hard things. While death is a normal part of living, it's still wrong and anyone who believes otherwise, well, I don't know what to say to them. 

In the Garden of Eden, Satan seduced Eve into sin and the result was death. We weren't created to die. This horror named death steals people from us, steals those who mean so much to us. Death is vile and something to be HATED! Yes, I know it's a part of life and as such we have to accept that it is, but we do not have to let our acceptance rob of us the tragedy of death. We are meant to despise death with every part of our being. Death is a reminder of the first sin by mankind. Sin-Death closed the Garden of Eden and took immortality from us. Worst of all, Sin-Death caused a separation between us and God! God in His mercy stepped in and offered us a way to defeat ETERNAL death. We would suffer here and now, we would die because sin's result is death, but we would not be forsaken in that death. We were given hope and that hope is found in Jesus Christ, the God who died so we could live eternally. When that last trump sounds and Christ returns, the dead in Him will rise to meet Him in the air! They will RISE! They will LIVE! They will put on IMMORTALITY! Yes, I'm shouting, I know I'm shouting, but I have to shout because it is that knowledge, that HOPE, that breathes life into me right now. 

Yes, I cried today at the love shown to me in the special hand written words of that card, because those words were of Jesus' love. 

I cried and then I called my sister and cried some more. She reminded me that I'm still on the rollercoaster of grief- and the thing is- she reminded me that I'm not just grieving for my husband alone. This rollercoaster is uniquely designed just for me and as its sole occupant I have access to all its many cars. On this rollercoaster I may take the front car and as it ascends this front car named, Jerry, surrounds me completely. Then a loop-de-loop later I'm flung into a middle car named, Mom. Before too long another crazy side twist and I'm tossed into a car named Michele, And so it goes. The grief I'm going through brings up many older, less wild rides through death's past and my sister told me it's okay… it's okay to cry for them all.  

I'm no longer spending entire days on the rollercoaster, but every day it shows up and takes me for a spin around the incredible, ever changing track. Some days I'm taken for a ride or two. Some days they're short rides, other days long ones. It's going to be this way for a bit and I know it, and I don't have to like it. I absolutely do not have to like the rollercoaster designed by death. I can accept not liking it, and cling to my Savior, Jesus Christ. He'll join me every time I get on the rollercoaster, a fellow passenger I can bury my face against and hold tight to on the anything but smooth rides. He'll hold me tight always, filling me with hope. I know His promise that one day there will be no more death is very real, I believe in Him and all His promises!

I love you, Lord!  I love you, all of you who have taking time out of your lives to think of me in all the many ways you have! Each and every one of you is a blessing, and I pray you are blessed for your kindness!  

My study today was going to be on the following Bible verses- but that will be tomorrow if God wills. Tonight I had to write what was on my heart once more. 

God bless us all! In the name of our most loving Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forever!!!!!!!  Thank you, Lord! Amen!

Joh 10:1-  

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.