We Are Family

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13 KJV)

A Father and a family not of flesh and blood; that is our family. Of course, there are many flesh and blood family members in that family as well. We have been united with God and with one another through the blood of Jesus the Christ, who is now our brother.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God that we are united with him by God's grace alone through faith alone!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Help Us To See Your Goodness

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. 

                                                                            (Psalm 27:9-14 KJV)

Sometimes it seems as though the Lord is not paying attention to the needs of His people. That is not so. He sees and hears and knows everything that is going on. No matter what is going on around us He can and will work all things for the good for those who love Him. (

In times like these when chaos appears to have taken over some of our cities even our country and world at times, we need to trust in the Lord and His great love for us. Humankind may not have a great love for one another; but, the Lord does. 

Be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait upon Him and you shall see His goodness. (

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Too Much Slanderous Drama; Too Much Strife

"A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good." 

                                         (Prov 16:28-29 KJV)

Somewhere, somehow, we must take a stand and protect the innocent from slander. There is so much slander, so much aloneness in this world, and so much depression resulting from it. It often comes from one source: the ego or maybe it would be more accurate to say the devil who resides within us. Those in whom the Spirit of Christ does not reside often attack their neighbors; their friends; their enemies unjustly, causing much chaos, pain, and sorrow for their own gain. 

Standing idly by because you do not want to become involved or become the next target is not all that helpful. Rather, as most of us confess on Sunday mornings, we end up sinning by what we have not done; by not supporting and helping our neighbor in need; by not supporting those who are being wrongly slandered or persecuted.

We need to confront those who would entice others to follow in a way that is not good for anyone even while we support and protect those who are falsely accused. 

We teach our children in Sunday School and in Confirmation classes the eighth commandment; "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." We also teach them, as Luther taught, that this means: "We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way." (Luther's Small Catechism) How soon we forget what we have learned!

May God help us to love our neighbors and not cause them to suffer any form of anguish because of our actions or inactions.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In The Light And Love

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

                                                                       (Rom 13:10-14 KJV)

I do not recall Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. protesting in the dark of night. I do not recall him marching after midnight. He marched peacefully during the light of the day. 

Peaceful protests occur during the day. Peaceful protests can encourage change. Those who protest in the dark of night may be seeking change; but, what change is that? Is destruction to private and public property; attacking law enforcement and others who are there to serve society; doing harm to people that one does not even know, going to bring about positive change?

Much of the world is in lock down due to the Corona Virus. We are told it is for our health and safety. Yet, in cities around the country and even the world people are not safe from those who choose to continue to riot and destroy that which is not theirs to destroy. 

St. Paul wrote to the Romans and ultimately to us. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor." To live in the light is to love your neighbor and do him or her no harm or to their property. 

May God help us help us all to learn to live in His love, to live in the light, who is Jesus the Christ. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Watch And Pray

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 

                                                                       (Mark 13:26-27, 32-33 KJV)

No one knows. No one knows when the Lord when our end will come; not for the individual and not for the world. It could be today. It could be millions of years from now. 

There have been days when I thought "isn't it about time for you to come in your full glory, LORD?" So many wars and threats of wars; rioting and destruction; families fighting within themselves and with their neighbors; congregations and communities battle with one another it makes one wonder if it will ever stop or even slow down. Will there will ever be peace?

These are not things that should lead us to despair. Jesus tells us that all these things and more will and must happen before the end. We must be prepared. We cannot give up hope. We cannot let our faith lie dormant or die. Be alert! Watch! Wait! He has come. He is present now. He will come again. Trust in the Lord who loves you so much that he was willing to die for you! Trust in the Lord who has gone to prepare a place for you. The promise that the Son of man will come in the clouds with great power and glory is good news; not bad.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Good Plan

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                                                         (Rom 8:28-32, 38-39 KJV)

There you have it! No matter what is happening in your life you can be assured that God is with you working all things together for the good of those who love Him. 

What is there to fear? Nothing! God is with you and for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Curtain Was Torn

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

                                                                            (Luke23:44-50 KJV)

Rip! The sound of the temple curtain being torn in two. Do you recall how St. Mark described what happened after Jesus' baptism? "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him" (Mark 1:9-12) 

I was taught, as a young person, that the tearing of the curtain temple at Jesus' death meant that we now all have direct access to God. We are free to directly communicate and relate with and to God. The High Priests are no longer needed to stand between us and God. As Jesus died on the cross for us, he freed us from our sins so that we are now worthy to come before God. That is good news!

But, there is more... When a door is open it opens both way. We are indeed free to enter through that door even as that he who was on the other side of the once closed door comes to be with us. 

Behind the temple curtain was the Holy of Holies; God's earthy dwelling place. The tearing of the temple curtain signifies that with Christ's death, God's dwelling place on earth is no longer understood to be contained to a specific place. His dwelling place; his Kingdom, rushed out into the world as Jesus breathed his last breath and as the temple curtain was torn in two.

Jesus's message and the message he instructed his disciples to share was to repent "for the kingdom of God is at hand." (Matt 4:17; Matt 10:6-8)

The Kingdom of God is truly at hand. Live in it!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wilderness Follows Baptism

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him." 

                                                                                 (Mark 1:9-13 KJV)

Immediately following his baptism; immediately after being anointed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is sent by that same Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He is there for forty days.

During my years of public ministry this is what I have observed: following baptism or affirmation of baptism by people of consenting age; they often disappear into the wilderness, sometimes never to return. A few will return after a time for special holy days once or twice a year. Sometimes they will come for someone else's baptism or maybe for a wedding or funeral. Thanks be to God that there will be a few who never leave! I have tried to warn them all prior to receiving the Sacrament of Baptism that with the anointing of the Holy Spirit in Baptism they will also be tested by Satan. The devil will not be happy that they have received this sacred gift from God. But, my warnings usually fall on deaf ears; ears that do not hear. They simply do not get that becoming a child of God is about more than getting to heaven when they die. The devil gets it; but, we do not.

We are anointed at our baptisms with the Holy Spirit for very good reasons. One being; that we will need the Spirit with us as we journey through the wilderness.  We will need the Holy Spirit to remind us when to say no to temptations and to reveal to us when temptations are upon us. 

It would also do us well to remember that it was the Spirit that sent Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted in the first place. The journey through the wilderness; the temptations that will come; are the Spirit's way of preparing us for our entire life's journey as children of God; for our ministry as followers of Jesus. Remember, that Jesus' ministry did not begin until after he was baptized and after he was tempted in the wilderness.

Baptism is not just a mere ritual by which we gain entrance into the church. Do not take it lightly. As we become children of God, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. That will include journeying through the wilderness; being tempted by Satan; ministering to others; actually worshiping, loving, and serving our Father in heaven, doing His will. 

But, do not fear for you have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. God will be with you on your journey.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice And Be Glad

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

                                                      Rev 19:6b-8 KJV

We have a lot to rejoice in. St. John was exiled on Patmos for his faith; but, he did not give up hope. St. Paul spent a great deal of time in prison and even on his way to his death; he did not give up hope. The many saints before us never gave up hope. In faith that they have been washed by the blood of the lamb; they looked to the day when they would be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ in the very home that Christ has prepared for us.

Life can be pretty confusing and tough at times. In those times we remember that today will pass and tomorrow will come whether we are here in this world or in the Kingdom prepared for us. For all who believe in Jesus and his gifts of forgiveness and salvation for us, life will go on. It is eternal.

By the blood of Jesus we have been cleansed and reconciled to God and to one another even now. So, rejoice and be glad and give God the glory! Give God the glory in all that you say and think and do. Whatever you do, do it as if to the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Is Upon Many Waters

Psalm 29 KJV

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful red sunrise. Here on the river every morning is beautiful as well as quiet. The perfect place for hearing God's voice. We sometimes consider selling the place as it can be a lot to take care of. But, then I remember how fortunate we are to have it. When we first found it, I remember thinking that it truly was a gift from God. It is our sanctuary. It is a place where God can be heard whether it is but a whisper in the stillness or in the sound of thunder over the waters. 

When we first looked at this place, my husband was not impressed. Not one bit! He did not want to own or take care of property in a cedar swamp so he quickly had a pond dug at our camp hoping that would satisfy my yearning to be near the water. That pond is beautiful, as well; but, it was not the same. The home in the cedar swamp was falling apart and was meant at first to be only a place for rest; for quick retreats, and not our home. Thanks to help from his brother, it has become a home and a real place of rest. Something we need as our years continue to increase. Thanks be to God he has learned to love this place about as much as I do. 

It is a joy to be able to witness the beauty of God's creation each and every day whether the sun is shining or the storms are raging. 

All glory belongs to God! Thanks be to God!

God's Peace Pr. J.

A Quiet Hum

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?                                                                                                                                                           (1 Kings 19:11-13 KJV)

I woke up yesterday morning to the quiet hum of distant neighbors' generators. The power was off. It was off for over twelve hours (the reason for no blog yesterday). I spent a lot of time with quiet hums and not just due to generators. As my husband got moving we realized that I need to bring him to the emergency room. (He is fine - probable stomach virus) Since no one except the patient is allowed in the hospital I sat in the truck in the parking lot waiting for about six hours mostly in sheer silence except for the hum of the truck's engine and the air conditioner now and then when it got too stifling sitting there. 

It wasn't a bad day. I appreciate the quiet. Quiet affords us a time to listen for the voice of Lord. Too much noise around us is a distraction. It is a distraction from being more fully in the presence of God. Being present; being aware of God's presence and His voice is a good thing. It can be a very renewing experience to spend time alone with God. Be still and get to know the Lord. Be quiet and listen to Him.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 

                                                            (Psalm 46:10-11)

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

The Storm: 2020

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. (Luke 8:23-25 KJV)

I woke up to lightning and thunder; pouring down rain. Quickly, I ran out in the thick of it to pull my kayak up off of the shore and turn her over so she would not fill up nor float away.

Storms come and they are a wonder to behold. There is nothing man can do about them. We cannot stop them. We cannot stop the rain. At least not the rain that pours down from the sky. The rain brings growth just as the sunshine is needed for growth. But, storms can also bring about much devastation especially if we are not prepared for them.

The world has found itself in a very stormy place this year. The Corona Virus and riots have shut down businesses. Many have lost their livelihoods. Many have lost theirs lives. The virus has shut down schools. It has quarantined elderly and many others so that they cannot live with close connections to others. Can you imagine living your last days, months, and maybe even years without the companionship of those you love. It has also in many ways hampered the ability to share the Good News of God's love for all people. 

This year has brought with it many storms. It has brought devastation. But, we continue with hope and with faith because we know that storms will also bring growth. We do not know what the growth will look like. We just know that Jesus is with us in this storm. He's in the boat with us. In that knowledge alone, we can find calm within ourselves even if the world insists on feeding the storm.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Just Shall Live By Faith

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

                                                                                  (Rom 1:15-17 KJV)

Paul was eventually taken to Rome where he would be executed. He was fully prepared to go to his death if it afforded him the opportunity to share the Good News of Christ. This man who once put fear in the hearts of men was not afraid to die in order that by faith all who believe in the life giving death of Jesus the Christ would be found righteous in the eyes of God. All who believe; no matter who they are or what they had done, who receive life in the eternal presence of God.

It is not because he proclaimed the Good News that Paul is considered righteous before God. He proclaimed the Good News because he knew that he was considered righteous by faith in the One who loved him so much that he was willing to die for him.

Paul took Jesus' words literally. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) By faith alone in Christ alone, Paul gave up his old life to follow Jesus even to his own execution.

Let us not be ashamed or afraid to share the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believes!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Stop, Look, Listen

Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. 

                                                                          (Psalm 113:1-3 KJV)

I was up early this morning to witness the beauty of Venus and the moon set against the dawning sky. Such beauty God has created! Too many miss it. They never get to witness God awesomeness in his creation. Some miss it because they are in cities where the lights of the sky overwhelm the lights that God has placed in the skies. Others miss the beauty of creation because they are just too busy. They are so busy pursuing their own desires that they fail to see the gifts that God has already given them. Maybe, they are just sitting in a darkened room playing on electronic games.

Years ago, I brought some teenage boys from a correctional facility for a hike around Bond Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They were a bit nervous about it. When I asked them what was wrong, they admitted that they were thinking that maybe I'd brought them out into the wilderness to lose them or to do them harm otherwise. They did think that maybe we were lost because they could not see the rarely used path before us. They were also very amazed. They had never seen a waterfalls in their lives. They had never been out in the woods. Now, that amazed me even as it reminded me how fortunate I was to be able to get out and explore these things.

But, it is not just the beauty of the creation found outside four walls that is often missed. We often miss the awesomeness of God's creative work in one another. Again; too busy with our own agendas to have time to stop and look and listen to one another. 

Stop, look, and listen to what all of God's creation would share with us. Stop, give thanks, and praise the Lord for all that he has given us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Messiah; The Christ; Follow Him

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 

                              (Luke 9:18-20 KJV)

Who is this Jesus? Jesus wanted to know who his disciples thought he was. Peter confessed that Jesus was and is the Christ; the Savior sent by God. Do you also believe this? If you do, what are you going to do about it? Will you share that Good News? Will you follow Him? Will you be His disciple?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

Following Jesus is not an easy road. But, Christ went before us and is still with us on the journey so I'm thinking following Him is the best journey to undertake. He is after all, the Messiah; the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Let Your Light Shine

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. 

                                                                            (Luke 11:33-36 KJV)

The light of Christ shines forever. However, there are times when man-made lights must be dimmed or even turned of. 

When I was a teenager, I loved to read. But, my parents were just a little strict or maybe it was that they liked their evenings to themselves. Whatever the reason, I was to be in bed with lights out by 8 p.m.. My remedy was to move the lamp to the closet and sit on a box and read 'till sometimes past 10 o'clock!

During World War II, England had "blackouts." Lights were turned out or at least dimmed in order to make it more difficult for the enemy to navigate to targets by air or sea.

Man-made lights may be dimmed and even turned off. They eventually burn out. But, the light of Christ that abides within us will never be extinguished. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.Father in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Will See His Glory

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18 KJV)

Time are rough for a lot of people. But, looking back at history, there have been times that were a lot worse. Who; but God, can tell what the future has in store for this world? The future may be even worse. It might also be better. No matter what our circumstances are right now those who know Jesus know that they will get better. They will be absolutely awesome when the glory of God is revealed in its fullness for all the world to see. 

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Pet 4:12-13)

Rejoice and be glad that the Lord, our God, has a plan. It is a good plan. Remember, also, that included in that good plan was the death of his only begotten Son for us. That Son told us "..., If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

During WW II, Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was a part of the resistance and ultimately died for his actions against the Reich wrote in the "Cost of Discipleship:" “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

Life on earth is not always going to be easy. There will be many trials and tribulations. But, we a called to stand on the truth, following in the footsteps of Jesus no matter how hard it may get. Life on earth may not be easy; but, we have hope as we look for the glory of God to be revealed in its fullness!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Bread of Life

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

                                                                       (Matt 4:1-4 KJV)

That old tempter can be pretty sly. What may appear to be good is not always what is good.

Jesus went forty days without food. He was hungry. The devil shows up and challenges him to prove that he is the Son of God by changing the stones into bread. Jesus refuses saying that to live life we need more than physical food to eat. The word of God is necessary for an abundant life; for eternal life. Jesus is the Word of God that is necessary for such life.

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

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

                                                                                        (John 1:1,14)

Jesus is the bread of life. He said:  "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)

The tempter would have us believe otherwise. He would have us challenge the reality of God by challenging God to prove himself. All the proof has already been given to us through the inspired word of God. It was given to us when Jesus hung on that cross for us; was buried; and, rose from the dead. It was given to us as the witnesses watched him ascend into the heavenly place. All this was done for us. Nothing more than the Word of God who is the bread of life is needed for an abundant life in him. Anything more is distraction by the tempter to keep us from trusting the Lord.

Trust the Lord to provide for you and live a grace filled life in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Losing Friends

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 

                                                                           (1 Pet 4:3-5 KJV)

Do good! Do what is right! "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." (vs 3 NIV) No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, I have found that one of the toughest things for someone in recovery to deal with is that when they finally decides to trust God for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. Going in a different direction than the rest of the crowd can be a very lonely time. It does not bring much comfort to realize that the only reason they hung with us was because our substance abuse justified theirs. Once we realize that the path we've been on has caused only harm and turn around, our old friends and even family disappear. They are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." (vs 4 NIV) And, they will heap abuse on you for not going along with the crowd in a life of destruction.

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Pet 4:19 NIV)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Very Good Week With Challenges To Come!

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6 KJV)

Today, I am still in a pretty celebratory mood. My granddaughter, Ash, received her High School Diploma from Flagler Technical Institute yesterday. Sadly, there will probably not be any graduation party as so many other graduates have. Since, relocating to Florida, all of her friends and most of her family are in other states and too far away to come to celebrate with her. 

She passed her driving test with All Florida Safety Institute this week as well and is now a licensed driver. So, she has had a very good week. She has been also working since shortly after moving to Florida and saving for a car and hopefully some more education. There are still many challenges ahead for her, partly due to the fact that she is still a minor.

Being a young person in today's world is not easy. We have worked so hard to protect young people that in many ways we have made it difficult for them to grow up. They cannot see a doctor without a parent accompanying them and signing the appropriate insurance and other forms. Yet, in some states they can get an abortion without the parents even being informed. They are apparently wise enough to make a decision of that magnitude without the advice of an adult who loves them. Yet, they can't get their teeth cleaned without a parents' permission.

They can enlist in the armed forces at seventeen. Yet, in most states you have to be twenty-one to have a concealed carry permit. You also have to be twenty-one to drink alcoholic beverages even though you are more than old enough to die for your country.

I am not sure how anyone under the age of twenty-one would go about renting a place to live or how they would purchase a home. My husband and I purchased our first home when I was nineteen and no we didn't need a co-signer. Is that even possible today? 

I know that many of the laws that we have today are meant to protect children. But, some of these laws also restrict their ability to grow up; to really grow. Many of the laws keep young people reliant on their parents and the governing authorities for way too long.

But, for today, I am celebrating that Ash has met a couple more milestones in her life. She still has a lot of trials and challenges ahead of her. In reality, the trials never end no matter how long we get to live here on earth. Today, I celebrate that she has met many of the challenges set before her to date and she has overcome. 

Thanks be to God for blessing her! May He bless all of our young people as they strive to live abundant lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Let Us Pray

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

(Eph 3:14-21 KJV)

God is not a mere abstract figure. He is above all and in all and through all. Jesus is the one who is able to do all that we ask and more according to the power of the Holy Spirit that works in and through all of our Father's children. 

May God grant all of his children the knowledge of who he is and what he has and will do for us so that we might learn to depend on his grace and his power in all things.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Beware of the Ditch

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (Luke 6:39 KJV)

O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little eyes what you see

There's a Father up above

And He's looking down in love

So, be careful little eyes what you see

Do you remember the children's song that reminds us to be careful about what we see, what we hear, what we say, what we do, where we go?" 

When young people use the excuse "everyone does it" for doing what they should not do, they are often asked if they'd jump off a cliff if everyone else did it. Of course, most would not. We do have to be cautious regarding who it is we are following. We must ask ourselves if the path we are following end in a ditch or at the bottom of a cliff; where we will find ourselves destitute. Or, will the path we are following lead us to a place in the eternal presence of God where we will definitely know peace?  

There are times when we must see or hear things; times when we must go to places that can be quite dangerous in order to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God. But, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of following those who would lead us away from the path that the Lord has shown us. The Lord has a good plan for us. When we choose to follow in the ways of those who are heading for the ditch we are going to end up in the ditch with them. 

There is always the hope that through us the Lord might speak to those who are heading for a ditch and they just might turn around and follow Jesus. There is always that hope. We should always pray that would be the result. But, we must be careful that we do not end up following in the ways of others that would lead us astray.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Walk Like A Deer In High Places

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."  

                                       (Hab 3:19 KJV)

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." 

                                       (Hab 3:19 NIV)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers. It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they and we will dance in the presence of God. 

This is a familiar story to many of us as even daily we journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as we journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Good Soil + Good Seed = Good Fruit

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

                                                                        (Matt 13:3-9 KJV)

So many times I have been told by people that they just do not understand the scriptures when they are read to them during worship or even when they read them themselves. They do claim to understand what the preacher says in his or her sermons; but, not the word of God. At times like that I cannot help but wonder what the preacher is saying. Is the preacher really proclaiming the word of God or speaking to please the itching ears? Could it possibly be that the itching ears will hear only what they want to hear?

Good soil is soil that will receive a good seed helping the good seed to be fruitful.  The good soil is our hearts and minds. The good seed is the word of God. When the word of God is planted in an open heart and mind; the word which is planted will bring forth much fruit for the Kingdom of God. 

Alas, when the word of God is planted in a stony heart or mind, it just may catch hold for awhile but will soon wither away bearing no fruit for the Kingdom of God.

May God our Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit open that hearts, minds, eyes and ears of us all that we might have a greater understanding of all that our Lord Jesus, who is the Word, loves us and has done for us so that we in turn might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Tired And Weary?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

                               (Matt 11:28-30 KJV)

I have been feeling pretty weary lately without having done much. I hear that complaint from a lot of people. I have a few projects I could and should be working on but they are going nowhere. I believe it is party due to the shut in; stay home; stay safe. I seem to have been doing nothing for too long as I've waited for the world to start living again. Part of my weariness is probably also due to an aging process that doesn't allow one's body to do as much as it did in years gone by. Doing nothing can be very draining. Watching and spending too much time focusing on negative news reports can be even more exhausting! 

It is time to switch focus. It is time to spend more time with Jesus for only in him can we find rest for our souls.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blessed Is The Nation Whose God Is The Lord

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12 KJV)

Today many of us celebrate the independence of our nation from Great Britain. We celebrate that we live in a country where we are free to do so many things people of other countries do not have the privilege or right to do. Others are not so celebratory. They appear to be attempting to tear down, whether intentionally or unintentionally, all that has been built up by others over the years. It has taken over two hundred years to get us where we are today. We have come a long way and there is still much change that is needed. But, tearing down what has been built upon the blood, sweat and tears of others does not guarantee that the changes will be a good change. Forced changes will only bring about more animosity; more division. 

There is chaos in many cities; in many states; as well as in many churches. We, as Christians, often forget that we are a people of God. We forget that Christ died for all people. We forget that God's will is a good will for us. We do not worship or serve Him as we ought. We too often serve our own imaginations and have created the chaos in the darkness of our own hearts and minds.

Christ did not just die for a few. He died for all people; that all who would believe in him might be saved. Riots and the destruction of others and the property of others will not change anything for the good. As has been seen with the riots of late, no one has been saved; but, many have been harmed; too many have died as a result.

When the Pharisees accused Jesus of serving the devil his response was: "...Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Matt 12:25) We might want to consider those words when we consider in what direction our country is going. We are a divided people. Will we continue to stand? Will we continue to grow? And, if that is our desire what will accomplish that? The answer can be found in the word of the Lord to Solomon.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14)

From what we've been experiencing, especially in this year 2020, our land is in serious need of healing. Let us begin by humbling ourselves and praying for our beloved country and indeed the whole world.

The Lord bless us, and keep us:

The Lord make his face shine upon us, and be gracious unto us:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace.

                                                                 (from Numbers 6:24-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.