Believe

Such a long road to hoe 

Seems so impossible to me 

There is no way to know 

Make it clear for me to see 

Believe, no answers to why 

Believe, eyes opened wide 

Believe, reach down inside 

Hold on to hope...Believe 

Time passes by so quickly 

Thinking of mistakes made 

Never alone on this journey 

He hears us when we pray 

Believe, tears in your eyes 

Believe, reach down inside 

Believe, all the pain away 

Hold on to hope...Believe 

The road may twist and turn 

We may even lose our way 

Hearts aflame for you burn 

Grace helps us find our way 

Believe...no answers to the why 

Believe...prayer lifted to on high 

Believe...love will change our life 

Hold on to hope--keep the faith--Believe 

Believe in hope--Believe in faith—Believe! 

 

No Apologies

Beloved: Rejoice to the extent in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. 

Consideration: Glory and praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And blessed are those who stand firm in faith, proclaiming his holy name with fervent conviction and no apologies. Amen.

Gardening

Gardening in spring

Nature is awakening

Birds happily sing

A joyful happening

Warmth in the air

Not a care out here

Peace, soiled hands

Man, this is who I am

A Blessed day with nature in springtime

It may sound crazy

For me it's therapy

Push-pulling a hoe

Seeds ready to sow

You can't replace this scene

Talk about living the dream

No phone or movie screen

Peace is found in gardening

Guaranteed rewind

Clarity of the mind

In the garden rush

And a nature high

You can't replace scene

Coming to life in the spring

Talk about living the dream

Peace is found in gardening

Father, glorify your Son

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may give glory to you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory I had with you before the world began.

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belong to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and understood that I truly came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you." 

Consideration: Jesus, was given all the power and authority over all of heaven and earth by the Father. That his disciples, whom the Father gave to him, have kept his words, and that they believe that he came from the Father and that he has been glorified in them. 

Do we believe that the Father sent his son Jesus into the word, and that we glorify the Lord because we do believe and follow his words? 

Everlasting Joy

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers her pain because her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you are also now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take that joy away from you. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

Consideration: We are not capable of understanding the everlasting joy we will experience when we pass from this world to the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells us that no one will ever be able to take it from us. Yes, we experience many crosses in our lifetime, but they will be remembered no more when we see our Savior Jesus Christ, face to face in the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Disciples of all Nations

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

​Lord Jesus, you gave to your disciples a mandate to go and boldly proclaim the words that you spoke to them. You also give to us today the same mandate. May we be blessed to go forward into the world and without hesitation and boldly proclaim you as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; in a world that has gone astray. Amen.

Wisdom and Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of Truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

Consideration: Jesus tells us that all that the Father has is his. Another words, Jesus, and the Father, are One. And the Spirit of Truth is the Wisdom and Love pouring forth from the Father and the Son and is One with them. This awesome mystery of the Holy Trinity is the key to our faith as Christians and Believers. Amen.

Inflame Their Hearts

Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you if I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

Lord Jesus, the Advocate is with us, inspiring, guiding, protecting, and leading us on the pathway to our way home to you. Although we cannot see him, our hearts are on fire for you because of him. Grant us the grace to remain faithful to the truth. And for those who are struggling in their lives with difficulties of this pressure filled life, that the presence of the Holy Spirit will inflame their hearts with your love and peace. Amen.

The Answer in a Song

Day after day destruction

When will we get along

Baiters separate us all

Is the answer in a song

Take the high road if abused

A blow for peace, be amused

Reaction is the natural to do

Maybe the answer is a song

Work together for peace and harmony

We all belong, the answer is a song

Find a pathway to healing

Resist the wheeling dealing

Decide to make real change

Even if they call you strange

Words of wisdom for the wise

Together finding compromise

Righting the many wrongs

Finding answers in a song

Work together for peace, in harmony

The words belong, the answer in a song

She Prevailed on Us

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a leading city in the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke to women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in a purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, "if you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home," and she prevailed on us. 

Consideration: Dear Lord, may we follow the persuasion of our hearts with discernment, always mindful that in doing so we will exercise good judgement and the gift of the Spirit that resides in us. Amen.

The Spirit of Truth

I will never leave you, trust in me

In my commandments, follow me

Soon your hearts will long for me

The Father with love waits for me

I will be with you in a special way

You will never be alone if you pray

I will hear you and come quickly

You will never be orphans, believe

When you struggle, I will guide you

Fearful; I will calm the stormy way

Remember it was I that chose you

With faith, dwell in my love always

One day we shall be together again

There is much work to do until then

I am with you in everything you do  

The Advocate; and Spirit of Truth

Words of Truth

Jesus said to his disciples, "if you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot except, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains in you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in the Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."

Lord Jesus, help us to remain faithful and to keep your commandments. Allow the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts that we may reside in your heart always. We love you dear Jesus, because you have revealed yourself to us in your words of truth.

Extend His Love and Peace

A long day in the ER room full of uncertainty. We never know what may come our way. Activity in the adjoining space, people in and out all day. The emotion was heavy in this grief filled room. I knew the feeling well, having been there myself. One by one, in and out of the door. Talked to a young man in the corridor. A somber look on his face, I said to him, "I'm sorry for your pain." "He's, my dad." He said to me. I asked him his name; "Douglas." he said. "I will say a prayer for him." With thanks he turned away. I prayed that the Lord would have mercy on his soul; and grant him eternal rest. Never be surprised if the Lord opens a door to serenity and places you there to extend his love and peace.

If the World Hates You

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. if you belong to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than its master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all the things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."

​Consideration: Jesus tells us when we are criticized and persecuted for our faith we have been chosen by him. Stand firm always and hold your head high when others scrutinize how you conduct your life, especially when it comes to faith, and family affairs. You have heard the Son; and know and believe in the Father who sent him. Amen.

With You in Paradise

Jesus said to his disciples, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you: love one another." 

​Lord Jesus, you came into the world freely to save mankind from its wicked sinfulness. "No one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." Your life was given for us all, that one day we may spend eternity with you in Paradise. Amen.

The Father's Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

Consideration: This brief scripture passage is very powerful. Jesus is very clear that his love for his disciples is Immense. If we heed his words and keep the Father's commandments, we will remain in his love, as he is in the Father's love. Amen.

Glorify the Father

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just As a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw then into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear fruit and become my disciples." 

Lord Jesus, grant us the graces necessary to bear fruit and to always remain in you. So, we may glorify the Father and become your disciples. Amen.

I Love the Father

Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and will come back to you.' if you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going back to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but world must know that I love the Father and I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Consideration: Jesus gives his peace to his disciples and comforts them. He tells them that he is going back to his Father and that he loves his Father. Jesus also tells them that the ruler of the world is coming and that he has no power over him. The ruler of this world seems to be in control over the people of many today. Be not afraid because he has promised to go and prepare a place for us; that where he is we also will be. We need only to live by his words as he has in doing what the Father commanded of him.

You Carried Us

Dear Lord, today was one of those days to praise you. Every direction turned into a chore, but you were close by, thank you. Sometimes the crosses in life can wear you down, but that is when I lean on you the most. You never let me down; you lift me up. I pray for anyone who had a difficult day today, or every day. Like the poem says, "When there was only one set of footprints in the sand it was then you carried us." Amen.

For Heaven's Sake

Sunshine lights the sky, before lightning and rain

Everything is peaceful, before evil shows its face

Sometimes things we see, are viewed as a mirage

People criticize actions of others, without a cause

Things of earth and space, have a place in day to day...keep moving on

When the direction seems right, take a second look

Peace and prosperity reigned, before things shook

Listen to wisdom, of those battered by harsh storms

Never complain if criticized, for this you were born 

Never let pain go to waste, accept it with a smiling face...keep moving on

If it's meant to be, it will, allow it to become known

Seeds sown on fertile ground, roots spread and grow

Keep the faith through adversity, and bear much fruit

Remember it's not by chance, fate helped to form you

Let your light shine, smile through the pain, keep moving on...For Heaven's Sake!

Keys to the Kingdom

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. you have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. if it were not, would I have told you I'm going to prepare a place for you. I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may also be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. if you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do not know him and have seen him."

Consideration: Again, the Scripture Readings confirm that Jesus, is the way and the truth and the life. He has been given the Keys to the Kingdom, where his Father is and we must believe and trust in him to enter into eternal life. Amen.

Help Us to Believe

Jesus said to his disciples: "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you know him and have seen him." Philip said to Jesus, "Master, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?"

​Lord, Jesus, Help us to believe; increase our faith, that we may know you and love you above all things even though we have not seen you. Thomas, and Philip looked for a physical sign. You have said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." We believe you and love you. Amen.

The Keys to the Kingdom

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. in my Father's house there are many dwelling places. if there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may also be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

Consideration: Jesus tells us to have faith in him as well as the Father. He also tells us that he is going to prepare a place for us and return to take us back with him there. He says, "I am the way and the truth and the life." And he is the only way to the Father. The Father has truly given his beloved Son, Jesus, the Keys to the Kingdom. Amen.

Our Father's Command

​There was a time not long ago, you reaped what was sown, and the dignity of man
You knew your neighbor, had lifelong friends, built community; made sure to plan
Now, this fast pace always in motion insanity has taken over our lives...will we survive
Every person was a craftsman, proud of their gifts; getting over on another, called sin
Believed in a Creator, and his commands, fell short once in a while, then started again
​Yes, my friends, we have all been on this road before, we were stronger, that's for sure 
Let your joy be alive, always grateful for the gifts, blessings, and the peace of our lives
Put to rest unhappy things, extend gifts you have, strive for humility, cast anger aside 
Before the day is over, the power is in your hands, to live joyfully, with your fellow man 
Be grateful for today, choose to love and never hate, this is our Father's Command!