Labor Test©

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way© 

There once was a story for all of humankind.

A laborious story that tested the mind.

To find is the test,

Labor is the rest.

Your heart must search for it with eyes that are not blind.

 

Labor Day

The first official Labor Day was September 5, 1882.  Specific plans for fanfare were made and despite fear there would be chaos the event was a huge celebration of the efforts of the American worker who had made this country so prosperous.  The succeeding several years included speeches by prominent men and women.  In 1909 the American Federation of Labor called for a resolution that the preceding Sunday be Labor Sunday.  It was dedicated to spiritual and educational highlights of the labor movement.  Why does that no longer happen?

Over 100 years have passed.  I admit I needed to do a google search to be refreshed on the historical meaning of Labor Day.  Just about everyone in America knows it as a holiday. Most of us know it has to do with the working labor force and at one time the marker school would be starting that week.  And of course a paid holiday, a day to rest.

Rest is not found too much these days. The turbulence of masked and covid vaccine mandates is robbing people of the joy September used to bring.  September may feel a little sad summer is ending but the fall is always full of fun activities too.  Being bombarded with new and continuous threats of sickness and mandates is a sure rest stealer.

The Bible records God having a day of rest.  Genesis 2:3 says, “ And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (KJV) The Gregorian Calandar starts with Sunday so most people think of Sunday as a day of rest.  But are resting?  Do we know what it is to rest?

Scripture talks about laboring into rest.  Seems like an oxymoron.  But there is a rest for those who believe in the promises of God. It takes faith to believe that promise. It also takes work to put that faith into action.  It takes faith and works to believe that promise.  Faith, working to rest in the One who has done it all.  Faith, to stand on His promises that good will overcome evil.  Faith to believe when you can’t see how things are going to work out.  Faith, to labor in His rest. Faith without works is dead according to James 2:20.

So I dedicate September to receive the promises of laboring into rest. My faith is in Him.  My rest comes from Him.

 

Hebrews 4 (ICB)

4 Now God has left us that promise that we may enter and have his rest. Let us be very careful, then, so that none of you will fail to get that rest. ² The Good News was preached to us just as it was to them. But the teaching they heard did not help them. They heard it but did not accept it with faith.^[a] 3 We who have believed are able to enter and have God’s rest. As God has said,

“So I was angry and made a promise.
    ‘They will never enter my land of rest.’” Psalm 95:11

But God’s work was finished from the time he made the world. ⁴ Somewhere in the Scriptures he talked about the seventh day of the week: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.”^[b] 5 And again in the Scripture God said, “They will never enter my land of rest.”

⁶ It is still true that some people will enter and have God’s rest. But those who first heard the way to be saved did not enter. They did not enter because they did not obey. ⁷ So God planned another day, called “today.” He spoke about that day through David a long time later. It is the same Scripture used before:

“Today listen to what he says.
    Do not be stubborn.” Psalm 95:7-8

⁸ We know that Joshua^[c] did not lead the people into that rest. We know this because God spoke later about another day. ⁹ This shows that the seventh-day rest^[d] for God’s people is still coming. ¹⁰ For anyone who enters and has God’s rest will rest from his work as God did. ¹¹ So let us try as hard as we can to enter God’s rest. We must try hard so that no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.

¹² God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than a sword sharpened on both sides. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined. It cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. And God’s word judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. ¹³ Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him. And to him, we must explain the way we have lived.

Do you want that kind of rest?

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord Jesus, I surrender all my works to You.  Fill me with faith to believe all Your promises. As I now live each day for You, the best I can, please mix faith and works together to produce a life of Godly rest. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. 

Perpetual Decrees©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way© 

The peace of July has a freeing delight.

Warmth and sunshine, let’s play, even into night.

Sand on the beach,

Oh shoreline teach,

Perpetual decrees of my Maker’s might.

Jeremiah 5:22 Living Bible (TLB)

²² have you no respect at all for me? the Lord God asks. How can it be that you don’t even tremble in my presence? I set the shorelines of the world by perpetual decrees, so that the oceans, though they toss and roar, can never pass those bounds. Isn’t such a God to be feared and worshiped?

JULY

July is was that kind of month.  As a teen it made me feel I could unwind.  Adulthood didn’t change it even though it meant a 40 hour work week and raising two daughters. There was something that always shifted in my thinking.  Beach. Fireworks. Warm night breezes.

It is amazing to watch the unfolding of childhood experiences shape your adult decisions.  My mother never drove on the highway out of fear. Couple that with my father’s introverted personality and sensitive skin burning badly without shade meant our trips to the beach were very special occasions. On those special occasions, my father had a system for packing all the gear in the trunk.  With seven kids you needed a system.  He was methodical in packing the food.  I still have a picture in my head of our huge red metal coca cola cooler and dad sitting underneath the tarp in the shade.  

My mother loved the beach. So did her five sisters. They were not afraid of the highway.  If not for them I don’t think my brothers and sisters would have as many great memories of summer beach excursions.  Thankfully I didn’t fear the highway and when it was time to take my children to the beach we visited a lot.  Summers are very short here in New England and trips to the beach were always fun.  Now my children grown with their kids do the same.  Except for the year 2020…

The year the fear swept over the world like Stephen King’s Fog.  Fear is the worst and best kind of warfare to control people.  America conquered the fear of tyranny from England in 1776.  And again with the war of 1812.  This Nation has always defined her love for liberty and freedom with brave men and women. Both wars proved we would not be conquered by Britain’s need to control. Let us rise again from tyranny.

Now in 2021, our present government administration has surely forgotten the reason The Constitution was written.  We are a country of liberty and freedom.  But to use that freedom for evil will eventually fail.  For the government to decide how you celebrate freedom is an act of tyranny.  To hide behind a political scheme for control by inflicting so much fear of death and sickness by the Wuhan Virus is an evil that will not go unpunished.  Never think for one minute a Holy God is not well aware of all things that happen on Earth.   Through constant propaganda from mainstream media, many have succumbed to believe if you are not covid vaccinated you are the enemy. But the enemy is fear. 

Back to July. I am remembering to unwind!  Yes,  Fireworks.  I only recall this one time being at the fireworks with my parents.  I think I was around 6. I remember there was some sort of pinwheel sparkler that lit up red, white, and blue and said July 4^th.  I felt cheated that my parents would not take us every year to see them.  Maybe it was because there were seven kids and it was more of a hassle to load us in the car.  Maybe back then it involved driving on the highway.  I just know it was a sad feeling not being able to go every year.  My friends would talk about seeing them with their families and just like the beach I told myself when I have a family I want to see them every July 4^th.  

I was so happy my neighbor did a wonderful display last year.  Imagine you live in America where hundreds can gather to protest but fireworks get cancelled.  This year though I witnessed people be reminded listening to the National Anthem play their love for freedom.  Freedom is not free, it is bought with blood.  Jesus also bought our freedom with his blood.  Jesus is no respecter of persons.  HE died for all.  In HIM we are one.  HE doesn’t see skin color, race, age, affluence, sex, residence, and whatever else man uses to divide people.   HE does see your heart.  Nothing is hidden from God.  Mark 4:22 (Amplified Bible)  22 tells us, “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known].” 

 When scripture says in Proverbs 9:10 (KJV), “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”, this fear is reverence.  That is the fear we all need.  That fear will bring true freedom. That fear comes over me when I witness the beauty and sound of fireworks because it reminds that America is the land of the free and the brave.  I decree America will always be free.

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, help me understand what freedom is. Reveal all You did to buy my freedom from sin and eternal damnation.  Fill me with Your truth to love You, my country, and my fellowman.  In Jesus Name we ask.  Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. 

The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key (Sept. 14, 1814)

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight

O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep

Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,

’Tis the star-spangled banner—O long may it wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,

That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion

A home and a Country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto–“In God is our trust,”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

June Steamy Knight©

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way© 

There is a Knight all mine that breathes my love of steamy air.

It comforts me as I write my lover this longing prayer.

He is my breath,

Long after death.

My Knight is coming to rescue me, enemy beware.

 

My Knight has won every battle.©  

The middle of May was not was I was expecting. Work was going very well and I was making headway with debts.  Who doesn’t want to be out of debt? It’s a noose around one’s neck.  Our nation is in serious debt and it is also choking us.

But here in my little selfish world I was working hard and doing what I could to chip away my debt.  The debt I am responsible for.  And then, BOOM!.  Covid hit.  Hit hard.  Got it from a vaccinated client.  Yes, you heard right.  They also got sick.  Without ranting on pros and cons, so much for an experimental drug.

So down I went on May 12^th.  After a week of high fever and relentless nausea and the inability to eat, just drink as well as barely making it to the bathroom and back to the bed, my oldest daughter came with tears to convince me to go to the ER.  My other daughter was making sure I was drinking and still alive.  Bless them both dearly.  Also, many friends were praying and I felt all of their prayers.

It is true that as you get older you get very stubborn. Not showering for 10 days is quite disgusting.  But I had no strength to do so.  As my oldest daughter was crying to take me to the ER I was adamant I would not go without showering.  So she lovingly cried all the more as I let her brush my mangled hair.  The other daughter put a lounge chair in the shower so I could sit.  Oh was I ever feeling old.

Off to the ER we went.  The air on my face felt so good.  I had lost track of days but the thankfulness of being outside was wonderous.  The covid rules still in place allowed my daughter to drop me at the door while she found a parking place.  I did think I was going to pass out and could not wait for her to come and bring me inside.  She was allowed to stay until they came with the wheelchair.  After obviously testing positive for covid and two rounds of IV’s I got to come back home.  It was still several more days of actually being able to eat and stand longer than a minute.

Both my daughters were so helpful and without them I truly may have slowly died of dehydration. They made sure I drank and began to eat again. I specifically asked a friend to pray for an appetite and I know she broke through to heaven.  My oldest sister also brought food as well as another dear friend.  It almost seems surreal to have been that ill.  I did know I would survive.

How?

I never thought for one minute God was not on my side.  I prayed for more of His Presence in a tangible way but I didn’t doubt He was not with me.  Even as I felt I lost so many days and suddenly May was June God was aware of every movement I made. HIS breath is my life on earth and in heaven. HE is my shining Knight and as soon as the enemy came my Knight began His rescue mission.  He worked through the care of my family and friends, through the medical community, and my faith in His love for me.  His Grace was all over this.

I still do not know when I can return to work.  The fatigue is more than you think possible.  I will trust His provision to carry me through until that time.  He is faithful.

My prayer is for all those who have been ill from this virus or lost a loved one that God will show Himself faithful to you. He truly is the only One that is able to help us through pain and loss and somehow see in the end one day we shall be in His Presence and all this pain will be wiped away.

 

Psalm 40:10 King James Version

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Revelation 21:4 King James Version

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away

 

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, when I don’t understand Your plan help me know Your love.  In Jesus Name we ask.  Amen.

 

 

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. 

 

Mother’s May Love©

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way© 

The lips of the wise have learned to turn away wrath.

Knowledge and correction are like trees in their path.

Fools stray,

And display

Evil, but the wise do discern their aftermath.

 

Wisdom Answers Truthfully©  

If a ruler hearkens to lies, all his servants are wicked.

What would cause a ruler to hearken to lies?  Hearken is the old term used for listening. It’s a nice poetic word, don’t you think?  Words can become poetic, flowery, euphoric, and ultimately deceptive and destructive.  Learning to listen well starts early in life.  It is a lifelong discipline that if not carefully cultivated will ultimately bring disastrous results.

Every nation has had good and bad rulers.  When good rulers reign the people rejoice. When bad rulers reign the people mourn.  We have wicked servants in power that lie.  They are lying to the ruler. Neither will be held unaccountable.  

Proverbs 19:5 KJV

 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

THE STORY OF THE LITTLE BOY WHO WANTED A PIECE OF GUM

God Uses Mamas 

He didn’t have any money to buy it.  He knew his Mama loved him.  He justified taking the money out of her purse because surely any mama that loves her children would just give it to him anyway.  On the way to the store, little Joey was feeling a “little not right” about taking the money but he kept pushing that feeling aside because “his Mama loved him!”  “What flavor gum should I get? “, he thought out loud.  “Peppermint, Spearmint, Watermelon?  I can’t decide.”  He was having trouble collecting his thoughts.   The more he tried to focus the harder it seemed but this didn’t stop his pursuit of wanting that gum.

He was almost there when he saw another boy being escorted out of the store by security officers.  He pondered what may have happened and then he saw the face of the boy.  It was his friend from down the street.  “Woah, Franky what happened!”  Franky yelled back, “I just wanted a piece of gum!”.  Joey felt his pain.

Well, the little boy thought,  I am buying gum with the money my mama surely would have let me have.  “I will bring you a piece just as soon as I can.  Don’t worry Franky.”, he yelled back.  Entering the store and decided he would buy the gum his friend would like the best.  That was Doublemint.   Feeling they were both just wanting a piece of gum this was a great choice.  He headed up to the register to pay for the gum.  The cashier said the amount and little Joey pulled out the $20 bill he had taken from his mama’s purse.  “That’s a pretty big bill for a pack of gum, little Joey.”, said the cashier smiling a funny smirking smile.  Joey was a bit surprised the cashier knew his name.  For a brief moment, he wondered if his mama knew he had taken the money without asking and God told her.  Again he brushed that feeling away.  Even if it were so,  his Mama loved him. She would be happy he was going to share his gum with Franky.  After all Franky was was caught stealing the gum and would appreciate some cheering up.

Joey was on his way home now.  He had learned sharing was a good thing so he also bought three packs of gum on the recommendation of the cashier who also understood the power of a good sale to such a generous customer.  Having three packs now allowed Joey to feel good if he opened just one. So he did. TakingMout two pieces to chew for himself.  Plenty left over for Franky,  Mama, and whoever else he felt sharing with.

“Mama I am back!” Joey exclaimed with excitement and pride.  “So you are,”, said Mama in a tone that shattered his excitement into dread as well as causing him to swallow those two pieces of gum he was chewing.  They still had flavor in them.  “Where did you go Joey?’,  Mama asked again now using the tone that said you better not leave out any details.  So Joey began his story of how much he believed Mama loved him and that he wanted some gum. “Mama you were busy”, he said, “so I used my independence to take $20 from your purse and get what I  wanted. Then I got really lucky cuz I got to buy three packs of gum.  And Franky got nothing cuz he was trying to steal gum.  And I knew you would be happy if I shared all the gum, especially with Franky cuz he wasn’t lucky.  And Mama I know you just love me.  Right Mama?! Here is your change.”

When a Mama loves her children she knows their heart.  Little Joey was taught well that Mama loved him.  But that day he painfully learned taking something without permission from the Mama who loves you is as wrong as taking anything without permission from anyone.  That was his feeling of “a little not right”.  It was the feeling of his subconscious mind that God talks to.  Joey chose to brush it aside.  He chose to ignore it to continue with his selfish desire of wanting what he wanted, when he wanted it, rather than waiting for his Mama to give it to him.  We do the same thing with God.  We take what we want instead of letting God give it to us in His time and His way.

Joey was held responsible for his actions.  Yes, his Mama did find out about the $20 before Joey got to the store.  She called the store and talked to the cashier which is how the cashier knew Joey’s name.  However,  the cashier decided to take advantage of the situation.  Every person is held accountable for their actions because all actions have consequences.  Evil and good both have consequences.

If Joey’s mama let this go because after all her boy just knew she loved him Joey would continue to steal other people’s money from a false belief that love makes it okay.  She had the painful task of punishing her boy so he could understand that stealing is violating the borders of someone else’s property no matter how much they love you. 

God can be just like that Mama. 

Hebrews 4:13  Living Bible

He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done.

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, You are the all-seeing mama who loves us greatly.  There is no detail of our lives hidden from You.  Today we repent of anything that we have taken that is not ours. Forgive us.  We also ask forgiveness and repentance for those we may have caused to sin because of our selfish acts.  Help the eyes and ears of our heart do what is right in Your sight so when the time comes to explain our actions we have no remorse or guilt. In Jesus Name we ask.  Amen.

 

 

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. 

 

 

 

 

April Fools ©

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a prophet in despair.

Complaining to God, “You just don’t care.”

Justice was a joke,

Even for the woke.

Til God spoke, “Oh,  I am quite aware.”

 

Justice Is A Joke

How long is God going to let evil reign?

Up to us, we would have done things very differently because of our human view. 

The prophet Habakkuk lived in a time that sounds exactly what we are living in now.  Violence, chaos, lawlessness, Godlessness.  He said justice is a joke.  How many of us feel that same thing?  We are asking how long God?  How long before You rescue us from evil. Habakkuk was beside himself to the point he knew he would be reproved but he needed an answer.  So he waited and watched to see what God would say.

It was shocking.  And we may still be shocked today.

God said He was using the Babylonians to punish the righteous.  Huh?  We pray, go to church, live as holy as we can and God you are going to punish us?  Those Babylonians murder, extort money, ruin nations, get drunk, have orgies, sacrifice animals, worship dead idols of wood and stone and lie all day. WAren’t we the victims? 

Are we to play the victim forever?  Or stand up and make the Babylonians the victim?  Who are today’s Babylonians?  Make up your own list.  A hint. Begins with l, ends in t, and has democrats in the middle.  They have the spirit of Babylon in every part of their agenda.

Because Habakkuk was watching for to God answer, God reminded him of all He had done for his forefathers.  God always rescues the people He loves.  Habakkuk was filled with understanding that even though despair was around him God always has a plan.  The wicked will never prosper and their day in their man-made glory will come to end.  We are to keep our eyes fixed on God and not lose hope. 

Our job is still to pray and push the enemy back every chance we get.  While we do that it is also imperative to remember that God is always aware of evil and injustice.  Nothing goes unpunished whether we see it in our lifetime or not. Habakkuk realizing this broke out into song in the third chapter.  He was up on his feet jumping and dancing with worship and joy.

God is asking us to not give up, or give in.  He is on our side.  Are we on his? Can we continue to push back the enemy and still worship with song, jumping for joy?

Justice is no joke with the One who is the Highest Judge.

 

Habakkuk 1-3 (The Message Bible)    TAKE THE TIME TO READ ALL 3 CHAPTERS

 Justice Is a Joke

The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it:

God, how long do I have to cry out for help

    before you listen?

How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!”

    before you come to the rescue?

Why do you force me to look at evil,

    stare trouble in the face day after day?

Anarchy and violence break out,

    quarrels and fights all over the place.

Law and order fall to pieces.

    Justice is a joke.

The wicked have the righteous hamstrung

    and stand justice on its head. “Look around at the godless nations.

    Look long and hard. Brace yourself for a shock.

Something’s about to take place

    and you’re going to find it hard to believe.

 

 

 

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, You are the Highest Judge.  Your ruling will stand forever.  Evil will have its end.  Forgive us for our part in letting it become our ruler and not ruling over it.  Help us push back the enemy at every opportunity.  We put on our full armor from Ephesians 6.  The Helmet of Salvation, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of Truth, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Sheild of Faith, Sword of the Spirit. Go before us as our Righteous Judge to bring Your Justice back to the world. Help us be on Your side asa You are on ours.    In Jesus Name we ask.  Amen.

 

March Midnight ©

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way©

Where there is a crack can black still be black?

Can the black of the black make black the crack?

The color black is quite black.

Black is black as black is black.

The crack in the black brings light to the black.

WITHOUT LIGHT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IT WAS BLACK?

The whole earth is groaning for daylight saving time!  Well not really, since there are now places in the world that do not give in to that madness. For the rest of us, we look forward to the midnight that changes the next day to more light. Although it is really 2 a.m. in the morning when the clock changes.  Do you know the truth of that reasoning? That time came about because when we first started this madness, no trains were running at that time.  It was also discovered that the programming of believing we had more daylight hours caused people to shop more.  It worked!

Is anybody seeking truth anymore?

Let’s take a look at the original reason we started daylight savings time.  War.  It was aimed at cutting the time for artificial light to conserve fuel.  Sounds like a reasonable truth.  BUT, why do we have wars?  Somebody thinks their truth gives them the right to attack your truth.   And truth be told there is a time when TRUTH must be defended.  Check out the all night march when a day stood still. You can find it in the bible in chapter ten of the book of Josuha.

Is anybody willing to find truth?

Are we willing to give up our time to find truth? An hour is stolen from us without our permission every year and we just adapt. We even believe how much we love the “springing ahead time.”  Which by the way was changed several years ago, along with “fall back”. The truth is out there now.  There is no gain from this manmade absurdity.  God created time and He set the hours of light and darkness.

When truth is no longer sought all of us go about our daily lives consumed with endless distractions, wasted time, selfish desires, and no thought to the consequences of our actions.  This is harmful to the next generation.

Here in this great nation of freedom, the truth of our core values is being attacked with such a rapid pace we could all be groping around in the dark.  The kind of dark that is so black we could miss the light of the smallest crack.  We need a crack of Truth.

Truth needs a starting place.

God placed a deep desire in every person with a need for truth.  It was His way of hoping we would spend our lives searching Him out in every facet of our lives. Because He is no respecter of persons He never forces His will upon our will. We have the freedom to choose His Truth or our own.  This I can say for certain.  Our truth can have a changing narrative. God’s truth never lies, is not self-seeking,  doesn’t change, and gives perfect peace.  But it is a costly thing to acquire it.  Maybe even your life.  Just ask Jesus.  And if you dare, listen to all the details of the gruesome way He died on the cross.  The death that tore the veil so you and I could see the light of truth from the darkness of the world.

We know that saying, “just follow the light.”  The dark one of this world, satan himself, knows how to pervert the light just enough to keep us all following the wrong path.  We have to make a heart decision to seek only the true Light. Jesus said in John 14:6, “  I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  We all follow someone in this life. I hope you decide to follow the truth of the light of Jesus.

Romans 8:26 (KJV)  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Psalm 25:5 (KJV) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 33: 4 (KJV) For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, there is nothing You are not aware of.  You are the Light of the World.  Forgive us for loving our own ways and not Yours.  I ask You today to open the crack of my heart even wider to let Your Light and Truth in.  Cause my every footstep to walk towards the light. Help me hate the darkness and be willing to let You do whatever needs to be done in my life to seek after Your Truth. I place my trust in the One who loves me with an everlasting love. In Jesus Name we ask.  Amen.

 

  February Fibs ©

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a day so up and down,

We couldn’t decide: smile or frown.

We laughed till we cried,

And died as we tried.

Truth in the judgement, all men have lied.

 

What is a lie?

It is a willful act to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive, to create a false or misleading impression.

When we are small children the concept of lying is foreign to us. We believe our parents, teachers, church leaders, government and those in authority speak truth.  What a crushing blow when we understand what a lie is.

Hurt comes when we discover those in authority have lied to us.  It is easy to be angry and judge them. Even rightly so. A deeper hurt comes from those closest to us that have lied. Our foundation is shaken. It’s all upside down. Then comes the deepest wound.  God reveals you and I are no different.  Truth is crushing. 

All men lie.

But God’s love calls deeper still.

Judgement comes to all, just as all men are liars.   Mercy triumphs over judgement but does not cancel judgement.  God’s mercy keeps us from what we deserve as we confess our sin and ask for forgiveness.

If we are careful to judge ourselves first we are less apt to point fingers at others.

Let us lay down before God and let Him examine our hearts.   Our present world is in need of much judgement.  Yet we fail to judge righteously if we are not seeking the pure heart of God who is the ultimate Judge of all men.  We are not to be silent though, but witnesses of God’s laws of justice.  HE hates unfair scales, murder, haughtiness and a lying tongue. Let us strive not to be any of these things.   Only then can we stand up and judge righteously.

Lamentations 3:40 (KJV)   Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.

1 John 1:9 (KJV)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 14:25 (KJV)  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV) These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, it pleases You to crush us because it produces humility and Godly righteousness. Forgive us for our failings of judging others when we ourselves are guilty of the same things. We lay ourselves down for You to examine our hearts. Reveal our motives and release us from judging others as we think things should be. Instead, cause us to be free of sin that we may hear and know the righteous judgements of God.  Then are we able to pray in humility and speak Your righteous judgements.  In Jesus Name we ask.  Amen.

 

January Faith Vision©

There once was a vision cast for the year,

Write down what was seen to be clearly clear.

Hope endures,

Faith assures,

Things seen are not made of things that appear.

 

Is there anything left to our faith as we begin a new year?

I do hope the challenges of the previous year made your faith stronger.  Just going from December 31^st to January 1^st does not magically erase the entire previous year.  The Gregorian Calendar which is followed by almost the entire world sets this expectation: a New Year will bring new hope.  Is that true?  Where did we get this tradition of starting new?

The Hebrew Calendar begins in September, sometimes October, and can have different amounts of days from 354 days to 384 days, allowing for leap year.  Jewish faith has a beautiful tradition know as High Holy Days.  The people fast, repent, and reflect on the sins of the year.  Then in faith and offering step out into a New Year of redemption and hope.

Both calendars allow for a leap year.  Both calendars have traditions of holiday observances. Both imagine a New Year filled with hope and forgiveness of past transgressions.  People need hope.  Hope needs faith.  The bible says faith is the substance of things hoped for.  Faith is an invisible, tangible force. Faith is a heavenly substance.  Faith is a power.

If you are a follower of Jesus don’t believe the lie you have no faith to continue to believe God to rescue His beloved out of the mess we are in.  Faith is given to every person.  Scripture tells us so in Romans 12:3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  Equally important is knowing you must exercise that measure.

How?

Open your heart to hear Romans 10:17.  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. That is done by reading the holy scriptures and asking Holy Spirit to hear TRUTH, God’s truth from what you are reading.  Contrary, if your faith has deepened becoming unshakeable from all that occurred before the New Year, let us Praise our Lord together.  More trials are coming.

Back to our Gregorian Calendar New Year and its traditions. We also reflect on the prior year. Many congregations, like mine, begin with fasting and prayer. Repentance and forgiveness are offered to the Lord in exchange for renewed hope and stronger faith.  We petition our Lord for the desires of our heart for the church, our nation, our families, and our lives.

I encourage you to write down what presses on you daily.  Pray over it and then read it back to yourself.  Get out your bible and find out what God says about it. Smartphones are amazing sources of research but back it up with the hard copy of your bible. Revelation will come, so write it down.  A clearer vision will give us great hope that God is on our side.  What is happening around us will pale in comparison to the plan God has.

If you have never believed God exists let this new year be your year to find out that you had faith all along.  You didn’t realize it because the world has become so dark and you were walking in the shadow of it.  God was still speaking to you.  It is time to listen and write the vision.

 

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, forgive us for our failings of the previous year. We confess the world around us is so tumultuous it is easier to check out than stay in faith. Faith seems so difficult to obtain but You made it easier than we believe it to be. Romans 3 tells us faith is a law. How is it we never question the laws of nature that You ordained? Help us believe in the law of faith and how it works. (Mark 11:22-26.) Lord help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24.)  In Jesus Name we have asked.  Amen.

 

Hebrews 11:1-3 (KJV) 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.  3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Romans 12:3 (KJV) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Mark 9:15-24 (KJV) ⁵ And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. ¹⁶ And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? ¹⁷ And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; ¹⁸ And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. ¹⁹ He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. ²⁰ And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. ²¹ And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. ²² And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. ²³ Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. ²⁴ And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 11:22-26 (KJV) 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

 

 December Street ©

There once was a happy walker on December Street,

Saying hello,  joying in whomever he would meet.

Never tiring of each grin,

What? When? A disappearing chin?

Mouths covered, his gaze humbled to their faceless feet.

 

I usually try to avoid placing an actual date next to my writings but we are living in such an historical moment I am going to break that rule.  Almost from day one of 2020, there was unrest, conspiracies, riots, fake news, a plague, and the presidential election.  Most of us did our best to believe the overseers of our states were trying to keep us safe.  But here we are at the end of the year and what did we do by handing that power over?  Have they brought us good news?

A once pleasant, habitual, and healthy daily walker found himself sick as December approached. He had never tired of saying hello to the same people.  Sometimes there would be a little more banter.  Perhaps some words on the weather, or for more friendly people some news on a child getting married or a new grandbaby. As the months wore on and the truth the curve of covid was never about flattening, just a false narrative to keep us suppressed, believing a mask was the cure for it all, this once happy walker realized he was now just nodding to people.  Some people even made sure to be on the opposite side of the road. At first, he told himself it’s all for the good and things will be back to normal soon.  He hadn’t understood this simple act of socialization was life food for his spirit and soul.  Before long his walks were shorter and even his appetite decreased.  Being the optimistic sort of guy he would tell himself he was gaining more time and even saving more money on groceries.  But little by little his desire to walk was waning. He convinced himself one day of not walking would be okay.  That turned into two and within a few weeks, he didn’t walk at all.  Eventually, he didn’t leave his house unless it was absolutely necessary. 

Sadder still, all those people he said hello to didn’t notice he wasn’t out walking.

Why?    Because they too fell victim to this subtle form of control.

How are we to get back up and start walking again? 

Let’s gaze upon the feet of the one who brings good news.  Christmas is almost here and our hearts are needing good news. Christmas is always the story of good news and hope.  Even if the “powers” try to shut down what they believe they can control, they can never control the feet of the one who brings good news. They too will one day gaze at His feet and either fall down and worship Him or forever fall into the abyss where there is eternal lockdown. 

Let’s look up and gaze upon the feet of the One who brings good news. 

Pray this prayer with me.

Lord, help me lift my gaze from what is all around me to see the feet of the One who has brought good news.  I surrender my control for Your control. Forgive my insistence on wanting things my way.  Help my nation and its leaders seek You,  understanding that when we surrender control to the One who loves us,  He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Isaiah 52:7 (KJV)  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Proverbs 16:7 (KJV) When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Isaiah 9:6,7 (KJV) 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.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.