Impossible Becomes Possible

Today is Saturday, the seventeenth of September, 2022, in the twenty-fourth week of Ordinary Time.

May the peace of Christ reign within you today!

Day 23,564

It’s going to be a busy day, today. First, I am scheduled to work my eight-hour shift in Circulation at the library. Then, immediately after, I will be driving to a friend’s house to help celebrate her birthday, which was Thursday. The event begins at 5:00 PM, so I will be driving straight there, and meeting C and S at the house.

Yesterday was a pretty normal day in the Computer Center. It wasn’t very busy, but there were a handful of patron interactions. I have no idea if it was very busy at the circ desk.

For the last four days, now, the high temperature has consistently been two degrees below the predicted high. Yesterday, it was predicted to be 91, and we topped out at 89. This is one degree above the average temp for the day. Today’s high is forecast at 93, and we have mid-nineties predicted for nine of the next ten days, which is disappointing. Fall-like weather will come, soon enough, but, since this is north central Texas, it will be gone too soon. Yesterday, the director of our library said that it would be convertible weather soon (top-down), and I said, “for about a week, right?”

The record high for today’s date is 98 again, in 1997.

The Texas Rangers managed to get a win against the Tampa Bay Rays, last night, 4-3. Nathaniel Lowe got his 24th home run of the year. Martin Perez got his 12th win. This puts the Rangers at 63-81 for the season, still in third place in the AL West, 31.5 games out of first and 17 out of the Wild Card race. With only 18 games left, their WCE# is 2. I feel quite confident that they will lose at least 2 of those last 18. They play Tampa again, today, in the Juice Box, at 7:10 PM CDT.

The Boston Red Sox barely beat the KC Royals (but barely is enough, for a W is a W), 2-1. This puts them at 70-74 for the season. They are in last place in the AL East, 17 games out of first place (E# 2), and 10 games out of the Wild Card race (WCE# 9). They also have 18 games remaining. I suppose they still have a slim chance, but it would require them to win most of their last 18 and the at least one team ahead of them to lose most of theirs. Not likely. They play KC again today, in Boston, at 4:10 PM EDT.

And this happened, last night.

With only two more left to reach 700, I really hope he does it at home.

The Dodgers won, yesterday, which puts them at 99-44. They need to win 18 of their last 19 to beat the win record. They are still the only team to clinch their division, but the Astros clinched a playoff berth, last night. Seattle could mathematically still win the division, but the Astros would really have to tank. I can hope, right? All of the other divisions are still way too close to call.

The Nationals won a game, but still have the worst MLB record, at 50-94. They are 1.5 behind the Athletics. The Astros now have the current longest win streak, at six games. The Royals and Angels both have four-game losing streaks going. The Dodgers are at +323 for run differential, and the Nationals are at -210 (with the Pirates only four runs ahead of them).

There are now seven teams eliminated from any playoff contention.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Lord our God, you fill heaven and earth with your Spirit and allow us to share in your gifts. We thank you for all you have given us, for all you are giving and will give. We are poor and needy; all people are poor and needy in spite of their striving, longing, and seeking. Only you, through your Spirit, can awaken something in us to help us go toward your goal. Keep us from being caught up in what men do. The greatest help for our hearts is what you do, and each of us can tell something about it. Each of us has received help beyond anything we had hoped or thought of. How much you have done for us! How much you are doing for the nations! Yes, we thank you for this present time. Although our lives often seem hopeless and full of sorrow, your powers are still living among men, working for their good and awaking them to new life. The time will surely come when our hearts will be released from their hunger and we can be filled with the life from above, which you give us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Daily Prayer from Plough.com)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
(1 John 1:7 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

1. that Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin
2. that by the Holy Spirit, God awakens something within us to help us reach His goals for us
3. that we are allowed to share in God’s gifts
4. that my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God (Psalm 84)
5. that what is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18)

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Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
(John 18:25-27 ESV)

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; 
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
(Psalms 84:1-2 ESV)

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. 
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God 
than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; 
the LORD bestows favor and honor. 
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
(Psalms 84:10-12 ESV)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(Psalms 51:7 ESV)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He leads me beside still waters. 
He restores my soul. 
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
 your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
 and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalms 23:1-6 ESV)

"For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 
Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 
But he said, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
(Luke 18:25-27 ESV)

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Simon Peter denied that he knew Jesus, three times. He gets a pretty bad rap for this. As if any of us would have been different.

But let’s consider something else. We tend to look somewhat judgmentally upon the disciples in some of the accounts of their actions and attitudes. They bicker among themselves. Who is the greatest? Can we sit at your right hand? What about this guy??

Here’s the thing. These guys may have been as young as twelve years old when Jesus chose them as disciples. We don’t know how old they were; we only know the practices of rabbis and their apprentices, and it was not uncommon for them to select their apprentices at a relatively young age.

So Simon Peter could have been as young as fifteen or sixteen when he denied Jesus three times. How many teenagers do you know that would be more responsible? Hmm??

But that’s just a side topic for today. That’s not my “big idea,” if you will. It’s actually something I thought of yesterday when I read the account of the first denial, but then forgot to include in my writing.

You see, Jesus restored Peter, later, and then the Holy Spirit made him a powerhouse of a preacher, with confidence through the roof. And this is one of those things that, while seemingly “impossible with men,” is “possible with God.”

How does God accomplish these things? Well, for starters, He’s God, and we’re not. But, besides that, there is this thing called “grace.” “God can do for us what appears to be beyond our reach,” says Andrew Murray. Dallas Willard defined grace as God doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Remember yesterday, when I wrote that we cannot make ourselves whole-hearted? Right. God has to do that, and that is part of grace, when He does something for us that we cannot do ourselves.

One way that this all comes about is through the concept of abiding, which I have also been writing about, this week. Remember a couple days ago, I quoted Andrew Murray as saying, “The Christian life is not a struggle to live rightly but rather resting in Christ and finding in Him our life and our righteousness.”

That statement really resonated with me, and has stuck with me. In our lives, it all depends on the relationship that is maintained with the Lord. “God must be working and we must be receiving from God through trust and obedience.” (Murray) If we are not understanding this, we begin to “try harder” with our own efforts, and we usurp God’s role in our lives.

This is where meditating on a passage such as Psalm 23 can be very helpful. “He makes me lie down . . .” “. . . still waters.” “He restores my soul.” All of these things sound very restful and peaceful to me. It sounds like abiding. It sounds like “resting in Christ and finding in Him our life and our righteousness.”

By grace, God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. When we try to do it ourselves, things don’t go well. But what is impossible for us is possible for God.

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Father, I thank You for the truths You have been revealing (or, should I say, “re-revealing,” because I’ve seen them all before) to me, this week. I pray for consistency in living them out. Help me to rest in Christ and receive my life and righteousness from Him, realizing that I can do nothing on my own, and that, by grace, You will do for me what I cannot do for myself.

May my prayers reflect this attitude, as well. Help me to pray with expectation; expectation that You will do the impossible for the people for whom I am praying (including myself). May Your blessings fall on us, Lord, and may Your love be channeled through me onto everyone I come in contact with. Let them see Your love, Lord. Help us have a love revolution.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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Teach me your way, O LORD, 
that I may walk in your truth; 
unite my heart to fear your name. 
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, 
with my whole heart, 
and I will glorify your name forever.
(Psalms 86:11-12 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.

Whole-Hearted

Today is Friday, the sixteenth of September, 2022, in the 24th week of Ordinary time.

Peace be with you!

Day 23,563

Only six more days until Autumn begins!!

I had a great time having lunch with C, yesterday afternoon. We wound up going to Fred’s Phillies, as expected. This time, we tried, their cheesesteak fries, which were amazing. They could have been a meal by themselves. I also brought sandwiches home to Mama and S, and they both really liked them.

Today being Friday, my new (which is really back to my old) schedule has me working from 9:15-6:15 in the Computer Center today.

There were only eight baseball games, yesterday, none of which included my two favorite teams. There were some important games, though. The White Sox, who are still in the running for the AL Central, beat the Guardians 8-2. The Rays, who are in a Wild Card spot, but behind Toronto, beat said Blue Jays 11-0. That’s right . . . I did not mistype that. And, in doing so, they also did something that has never been done before. On Roberto Clemente day in baseball, the Rays fielded a starting team in which every player was Latino. In addition, they all wore number 21 in tribute to the great Clemente.

I see, this morning, that the MLB website developers brought the E number column back. So now I can tell you that the Rangers’ WCE# is 2 and the Red Sox’s WCE# is 9. Yes, I’m saying there is still a chance.

The Dodgers are still the only team that has clinched a playoff spot. Albert Pujols still has 697 home runs.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Great God and Savior, you want to lead us by the hand so that in communion with you we learn how to live a true life. We thank you for everything we have already received. Guide us still, we pray. Through your Spirit lead us in all areas of our life. Grant us the Spirit, who can illumine our hearts to help us find new courage and new strength and new recognition of the truth. All our praise belongs to you, for you alone can quicken us. You alone free us from the pain of death and from all burdens, so that in spite of toil and struggle we may always be lifted up to you, our God on high, to the glory of your name on earth. Amen.
(Daily Prayer from Plough.com)

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
(John 15:26-27 NIV)

Today I am grateful:

1. for the “Advocate,” the Holy Spirit, who helps us daily
2. for communion with God, in which we learn how to live this life
3. that if we delight ourselves in God, He will make our steps firm
4. for the testimony and example of Simon Peter
5. for the hope of wholeheartedness, may the Holy Spirit help me to seek the Lord with my whole heart

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Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
(John 18:15-18 ESV)

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
(Psalms 37:23 NIV)

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
(Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

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There’s some good stuff in those last four verses.

As humans, we tend to, as stated in a previous blog, put the cart before the horse. We are always making our plans, and then praying for God to bless them. I’ve served on staff in a handful of churches in my adult life, and the typical course of action was to have a staff meeting and sit around and brainstorm what we should do next.

There was no question at all brought up as to whether or not we should be “doing something.” There has always been this idea that we have to be busy doing something. And if we don’t feel any strong leadership from the Lord, we must make something up.

And then we pray diligently for God to bless those plans that He didn’t make.

Three of those verses up there have something in common. It is the Lord who establishes the steps, the Lord who makes firm the steps, the Lord who establishes the plans.

Two of them make clear that it is when we delight in Him or commit to Him whatever we do that this happens.

Looking back, I wonder if we were “wholehearted” when we were doing these things. I have no doubt that the pastors had good intentions. But my goodness, for the most part we were so very young. As I’m typing this, I begin to wonder if our churches should allow people who are under forty to be “senior” pastors.

I’m not one of those “never trust anyone under a certain age” kind of people. Don’t misunderstand me. These days, I see more wisdom from younger generations than I see from many people my age.

But a person who has just graduated from seminary (or who even might still be in school) doesn’t have the kind of experience needed to be an effective pastor. But I’m also remembering the practice we had of sticking brand-new church members in children’s Sunday School classes as teachers. Egad.

But I digress.

I want to talk a little bit about the idea of being whole-hearted.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

We know that when we engage in any earthly task with less than our full attention, or less than wholeheartedly, we tend to not be successful, or, at best, do a mediocre job. “Wholeheartedness is even more essential in spiritual work, and above all, in the high and holy task of prayer and of being well-pleasing to a holy God.” (Andrew Murray)

When we consider this in the context of prayer, Murray says that “Prayerlessness is not an isolated thing to be overcome. It is related to the state of the heart. It is a way of life. True prayer depends on an undivided heart.”

This reminds me of my “life verse,” which is Psalm 86:11.

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
(Psalms 86:11 ESV)

And there we find our dilemma. We cannot give ourselves a whole heart, an undivided heart. Only God can do that for us. But He will. God, by the Holy Spirit, will enable us to seek Him with our whole heart. And then we can commit to Him whatever we do and He will make our steps firm and establish our plans. But it must go in that order, not the other way around.

I’ve heart it said that we should be looking around to see what God is doing, and then join in. I think that is great advice.

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Father, I know that I have been less than whole-hearted, probably most of my life. I’m honestly not even sure that we humans are capable of being entirely whole-hearted about anything. We sure love our pet causes and projects, though. Would that we could muster the same energy when we begin to pray.

I want to be whole-hearted for You. And that wholeheartedness must be tempered with love and compassion. There is a difference between being whole-hearted and being obsessed with something.

What I desire in my life is to be seen as one who loves You with all my heart, and in doing so, also loves those around me with that same attitude. There is a calmness, I believe, that comes with this. Activity is not frantic or panic-driven. It is steady and calm, with the confidence that You are there and that You are working Your plan, which should also be our plans.

Father, as the psalmist prayed, I too pray, unite my heart to fear Your name. Teach me Your way, that I may walk in Your truth. Help me to seek You with my whole heart, that I might find You, that I might commit my ways to You, that You would make my steps firm.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
(Psalms 25:4 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.

The Wrong Struggle

Today is Thursday, the fifteenth of September, 2022, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time.

May the peace of Christ enfold you today!

Day 23,562

Seven days until Autumn begins!

I’m going to have lunch with C, today, since I don’t have to work today. I’m not sure what we will have, but it might be Fred’s Phillies.

The Texas Rangers lost to the Oakland Athletics, 8-7, last night. The sad thing about that is that they were ahead 5-1, at one point, and then 7-4. But their two most inconsistent pitchers struck again, and they lost another one run game. They are now 62-81 for the season, but still managed to stay in third place in the AL West. They are 31 games out of first place and 17.5 out of the Wild Card race. For some reason, the MLB standings page is no longer showing elimination numbers, so I don’t know what the WCE# is for Texas. They are off today, and will be in Tampa Bay, in the worst stadium in the history of baseball, tomorrow. They have nineteen games left.

The Boston Red Sox lost both games in a two-game series with New York, losing 5-3 on three unearned runs, last night. They are 69-74 for the season, and will likely finish in last place in the AL East. What a disappointing season. I can’t remember, but it seems like they were at least close to first place, at one point in the season. I know they at least were in the running for the Wild Card race, at one point. They are 18 games out of first place and 10.5 out of the Wild Card race. They are also off today, will face KC tomorrow, in Boston. They also have nineteen games left.

The current playoff picture looks the same as it has for a while, now. In the AL, we have Houston, New York, and Cleveland leading their divisions. The three Wild Card spots are currently occupied by Toronto, Seattle, and Tampa Bay, in that order. Baltimore, with twenty games remaining, is four games out. The White Sox are 6.5 out, and the Twins are 7.5 out. The White Sox and Twins, however, have a slim chance of winning the division, still.

In the NL, LA, NY, and St. Louis lead their divisions, with Atlanta, Philadelphia, and San Diego holding the three Wild Card spots. Milwaukee is only two games out, while the Giants are a whopping nine games behind. Atlanta is only a half game behind the Mets, though, so that division is still up in the air, so to speak.

Albert Pujols still has 697 home runs. There’s another cool story in St. Louis, though. Last night, Adam Wainright and Yadier Molina started the game against the Brewers, which was the 325th time that pitcher/catcher combination played together. That surpassed the previous duo of Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan (1963-1975).

The Dodgers lost a game, but still lead MLB with their 98-44 record. They are also not only the only team to clinch a playoff spot, but are also the first team to clinch their division. With twenty games left, they must win nineteen of them to beat the win record. I’m not betting on that. The Nationals remain on the bottom, with 49-94. With Oakland’s win over Texas last night, the Nats are now three games behind the Athletics.

The Guardians continue to streak, pushing for that division win. They have won six consecutive games, now. The Reds continue to streak, as well, but the bad kind, having lost six in a row. The Dodgers’ run differential is at +318, and Nationals are now at -211. The Pirates have won four in a row, so they are twelve runs ahead of the Nats, now. The Rangers are at -17, and the Red Sox are at -36.

Weather-wise, we continue to have mild days, and the highs keep coming out to be a degree or two lower than predicted. You won’t get any complaints from me about that! Yesterday’s high was 88, and was projected at 90. The low was 66, which is the average for that date. Today’s high is predicted at 88. After today, we have nine days of low-to-mid nineties, with 89 on 9/24, which is the day we are now planning on taking the truck to Mineral Wells.

The record high for today is 97, back in 2019, and the record low, from 1993, is 41! Wow. That’s pretty chilly for a September morn.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Lord our God, we thank you for allowing us to come to you and to stand before your face. We thank you for helping us throughout our life on earth, for strengthening our faith in you and our trust in all you do. Bless us and give us courage. May your light shine out among the peoples so that they recognize your will. May your light shine out so that your name may be praised and we can rejoice in the new time you give us. For you will be at work and you will accomplish it. Even when we do not know what will become of our time, you know what our time needs, and you will carry out your will. You will let your name be honored. You will bring your kingdom, and you will change everything for the good. Amen.
(Daily Prayer from Plough.com)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. This is the very word of the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
(Isaiah 55:8–9 NEB)

Today I am grateful:

1. for the ways and thoughts of the Lord, infinitely higher than mine
2. for the help and strength God gives me in this life, and for His light that shines out among all people
3. for the confidence that, even though we do not know what will come in our time, that God’s will will be accomplished
4. that God thought of me and planned my life before the very foundations of the earth
5. that, together with God, we can do all things

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“For You This Day,” by Daryl Madden

More than 10,000
Years ago
I thought of you
And loved you so

And I adored
You, everyday
A joy to craft
Your DNA

I took my time
Your soul, prepare
Blessed each cell
Count every hair

And all has led
Unto this place
And in this time
You’re sent with grace

Come find the joy
Within my way
What I’ve prepared
For you this day

This poem gave me chill bumps, this morning. Please check out Daryl’s site at the link provided.

“Joy Is Rising,” by S. Michaels/LightWriters

You can do all things through Me
together, let us do this…
with great joy, the time is now

©2022 S. Michaels
Always Believe
(Prophetic Haiku 7-7-7)

Another mention of joy. Such encouraging words. Consider . . . with God all things are possible. “Together, let us do this.” Please check out Susan’s site at the link provided.

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When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
(John 17:1-3 ESV)

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.”
(John 17:9-10 ESV)

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
(John 17:20-23 ESV)

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalms 82:3-4 ESV)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

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What is Jesus Christ to you? What is He to me?

If He is not everything to us, then He is not enough. If we see Him as everything, He is more than enough.

“The Christian life is not a struggle to live rightly but rather resting in Christ and finding in Him our life and our righteousness.” (Andrew Murray)

I love that quote. Read it again. And then read it again, and think on it, ponder it, consider it.

And while we are thinking on that, let’s also consider that mention of intercession. Jesus “always lives to make intercession . . .”

Did you know that Jesus prayed for you? Not only do we have this verse in Hebrews, which puts it in present tense, but we have His very words in John 17, in that “high priestly prayer,” which I like to call the “real Lord’s Prayer.”

Note that Jesus said He was not praying for the “world.” He was praying for His disciples. First, He was praying for the eleven that were remaining after Judas had done his “job.” But then? Then He prayed for you and for me!

And He continues to do so, according to the writer of Hebrews.

Now, back to this idea from Andrew Murray. If we consider what he says about the “Christian life,” then prayer becomes “not a matter of strain or anxious care but rather an experience of what Christ does through us. It is a participation in the life of Christ, which ascends to the Father as prayer. We can begin to pray not only trusting in the merits of Jesus and in the intercession by which our unworthy prayers are made acceptable, but in that union by which He prays in us and we in Him.”

This is all truly mind-boggling, if you think about it.

We (humans) have made the struggle in the Christian life to be all about doing and not doing. We have made it about “right living.” We are no better than the Pharisees in the New Testament, who made “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” into literally thousands of petty little rules to follow.

This is not to say that “right living” isn’t important. But it is not the primary struggle. When we make the struggle about that, we become legalistic. We stand in the pulpit and condemn Christians who would dare to view an R-rated movie (I’m not making that up, I heard it said in a sermon). We shout from the pulpit that “you can’t be a Christian and vote Democrat in America!” I’m not making that one up either.

The last time I checked, the only qualification for being a Christian is believing in Jesus. My opinion about anything else doesn’t figure into that, whatsoever.

I shudder to think what the response might be if I were to try an experiment on social media and post, “You can’t be a Christian and _________.”

But I digress. You see, this is not the struggle, even though we seem to have made it so. As Murray so eloquently stated, the struggle is abiding in Christ, resting in Him, and finding our life and righteousness to be in Him. If I can succeed in that, the “right living” will take care of itself. But, alas . . . we westerners have, as usual, put the proverbial cart before the horse.

Take encouragement, as I am, this morning, that Jesus, our Savior, not only interceded for us a couple thousand years ago, but continues to do so, as He sits at the right hand of the Father. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit also intercedes for us!

That’s it. There is nothing else to say after that.

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Father, my heart is full, this morning, as I consider these truths. I confess that, all too often, I have fallen prey to the legalism that comes with making the struggle of our lives be about following rules and right living. But then I read these words that remind me that my Savior prayed for me! And that my Savior continues to pray for me! And the Holy Spirit prays for me!

Father, thank You! I praise You! And, at the same time, I hang my head in shame, because there have been too many times when I have failed to remember these things. It’s not like I’ve never read those verses before. I’ve probably read John 17 literally hundreds of times. And I’m sure that I have made note of the fact that Jesus prayed for all of us who would believe because of the testimony of that handful of disciples with which Jesus started the Revolution.

Help us, Lord! We are in desperate need of Your help, today. We are fractured and splintered, and have been for centuries. People have made plenty of excuses for the many “denominations” into which Christianity has been divided. But it is tragic. We have not succeeded in being “one.” We need Your Spirit, Lord, to intervene. Now, more than ever, it needs to be seen that Your Church is united. Yet it seems to be more divided than ever before. Help us, Lord. May the prayers of Jesus Christ be answered in their fullness.

Give us the wisdom to make our struggle be about abiding and resting in Christ, and receiving our life and righteousness from Him, not from trying harder to live right.

All glory to You, through the Son and by the Spirit.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.
(John 15:7 MSG)

Grace and peace, friends.

Rest

Today is Thursday, September 1, 2022, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time.

May the peace of Christ dwell in your soul today!

Day 23,548

We have a pretty good chance of rain, today, mostly this afternoon. The temperature is expected to be in the mid-eighties, and the rain chance is 57%, but less than an inch is expected. It would be much better if it were a slower rain than we got last a week ago, Monday. The highs for all ten days of the ten-day forecast are below ninety, which is fantastic. The record high for this date was 107, back in 2000.

I realize I haven’t posted much about baseball, recently. Part of that is because of time restraints, but my interest is waning, as the season nears its end. About the only thing I’m really interested in, at this moment, is hoping that Albert Pujols makes 700 home runs before the end of this season. He currently has 694.

The LA Dodgers have won 90 games, six ahead of the next team, which, unfortunately, is the Houston Astros. They would have to win 27 of their remaining 33 games in order to break the season record 116 wins. Doable, yes; but not likely, as they are winning about 70% of their games, right now. The Washington Nationals are still on the bottom, with a 44-86 record. With 32 games left, they will likely lose over 100 games.

The Astros, Mariners, Rays, and Padres all have three-game winning streaks going on. The Giants are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. The Texas Rangers have lost four straight, two having come at the hands of the Astros, in their recent two-game series.

The Dodgers have outscored their opponents, so far, by 286 runs, while the Nationals have been outscored by 216. The Rangers are somehow still in the positive, having outscored their opponents by three runs. The Red Sox have been outscored by 54 runs.

The Rangers are still in third place in the AL West, but won’t necessarily finish there. At 58-71, they are only two games ahead of the Angels. Meanwhile, the Red Sox look like they will finish last in the AL East, currently at 63-68, six games behind the Orioles. The Rangers have 33 games left, while the Sox have 31 remaining.

I’ll be spending the day in the computer center, today, from 11:15-8:15. I have chicken taco soup in the crockpot, which will be ready by the time C gets home from work, this evening. This may be my last Thursday to work, as I will soon be switching back to Fridays. That may not happen until after next week, however. We aren’t sure, just yet. Because of the city’s pay schedule, whenever it does happen, I may wind up having to work a Thursday and a Friday, consecutively. It’s complicated. Heh.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Dear Father in heaven, open our hearts to see what is good in our lives. May the light in our hearts shine clearly so that we see, recognize, and live in accordance with what comes from eternity and belongs to our true nature, brought to us through Christ. Keep us from being blinded and deafened by experiences that will pass by. Help us to rise above them even in suffering and to wait patiently for what is becoming new and perfect. Praise to your name that we too can say, "The old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" Amen.
(Daily Prayer from Plough.com)
(I am currently not including the link because it doesn't seem to be working at the moment)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Today I am grateful:

1. for the gentle rain that falls outside, as I write this
2. that the Father opens my heart to see what is good in my life
3. for the rest that Jesus gives when we come to Him
4. that, because of Jesus, we can draw near to God when we come with a sincere heart
5. for the ultimate protection of the Lord; the waters will not sweep over me, the flames will not burn me; all will be well

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Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
(John 9:3-5 ESV)

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

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let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:22 NIV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9 NIV)

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
(Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

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Jesus was the light of the world as long as He walked here. When He left this plane, He passed that light on to His followers. As we follow Him, we have the assurance of His strength and help, through the Holy Spirit. We also have this promise of rest and “easy yoke” from Jesus. I have spoken many times of this, in this forum, and will, no doubt, speak of it again, for this is an important concept that we need to grasp.

The work to which God appoints us is not difficult, as long as we follow the commands of Jesus. As long as we come to Him when we are weary, He will give us rest. Rest is important for everyone. And as long as we walk with Him in His easy yoke, the work will not be burdensome. Anyone who experiences what has been called “burnout,” has not been walking in this easy yoke, but, rather, attempting to do the work, more or less solo.

We also have the admonishment, alleged to be the most oft-stated command in Scripture, to not be afraid. God has promised His presence with us wherever we go. He has redeemed us; He has set us free; do we truly believe that He has redeemed us only to abandon us and allow us to fail? My beloved, this cannot be! Look at the promises in Isaiah. When we pass through the waters, He will be with us; when we walk through the rivers, they will not sweep over us; when we walk through the fire, it will not burn us.

How easily we forget! How easily we allow our unbelief to creep in. I am no less guilty than anyone.

Therefore, I encourage you as we are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. I encourage you who are walking in this journey with me. Do not fear, for He is with you. Come to Jesus when you are weary, and He will give you rest. Walk in His easy yoke, and you will not be burdened. Do not be discouraged, for He will be with you wherever you go. He has called you, and He has redeemed you, and He will be with you and protect you.

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Father, I praise You for these words of encouragement from Your Word. I thank You for the easy yoke of Jesus, and for His promise of rest when we are weary. Help us to avail ourselves of these promises and truths. Thank You for Your promises of Your presence and protection. Remind us that, no matter what can possibly happen to these jars of clay, our souls are eternally safe. Therefore, we shall not fear. We believe, Lord! Help our unbelief!

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.

All Authority

Today is Tuesday, the twenty-third of August, 2022, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time.

Peace be with you!

Day 23,539

Weather. Wow. So, apparently, we received more rain in about twelve hours than we had received in the entire month of August since 1915. Based on a graphic I found at iweathernet.com, we got 9.5 inches at our house in, I would say, around thirteen to fifteen hours. Most of that came between 9:00 PM and midnight Sunday night and between about 8:30 and noon-ish yesterday morning. There was so much rain in such a short amount of time that we had water seeping into our house from underneath.

I had discovered a puddle by my side of the bed, when I went to bed Sunday night, but attributed it to one of our cats. It wasn’t real big, and I got it cleaned up and went on to bed. It did not reappear that night. When we left to take Princess (guinea pig) to the vet, yesterday morning, it started raining again. The closer we got to the vet, the harder it rained. And it got harder and harder as we sat in the exam room. It didn’t let up all the way home, and we live roughly ten miles from the clinic.

I came on back here to the study to continue my blog writing. I don’t remember what time, but at some point I got up to use the bathroom, and stepped in water just outside the bathroom door. There was a puddle there, as well as two other small puddles in the bathroom, and one larger one that ran along one bathroom wall. I went back over to where the puddle had been the night before, and, sure enough, it was back. Along with a good bit more water under the bed, along the headboard. The weird thing was that none of the exterior walls were even wet. All of this came from underneath, I guess.

I grabbed a bunch of towels and threw them down anywhere there was water. As they soaked up the water, the rain began to slow down, and there were no new puddles, from that time forward. As I interacted with other people on the book of face, I heard that others had it worse than we did. One person said he woke up to his kids’ room flooded.

Here are some photos from the Washington Post. That’s right. It was so bad we got national attention.

How did that get there??

So, the high temperature only reached 79, through all of that. Today, the chance of rain is much slimmer, however, there is a chance of more this evening. I seriously doubt it will be of that magnitude, though. The high today is supposed to reach 80. The record high for yesterday’s date was 105.

The Texas Rangers won the series as they beat the Twins 2-1, yesterday, with some help from the bat of Adolis Garcia, who now has a nineteen game hitting streak. They are now 56-66 (the first time they have been within ten games of .500 in a while), still in third place in the AL West. They are four games ahead of the fourth place Angels. They are 21.5 out of first place, and ten out of a Wild Card spot. They also have a three-game winning streak. Their next game is tonight, in Colorado, at 7:40 CDT.

The Red Sox didn’t play yesterday, and begin a series with Toronto, in Boston tonight.

The Dodgers lost a game, but still have the best MLB record, at 84-37. The Nationals remain the worst MLB team, at 41-82. The Cardinals continue to streak, now at eight games. Speaking of the Cardinals, slugger Albert Pujols is within seven home runs of 700. I’m pulling for him! He seems to be a pretty good guy. There are four teams with three-game losing streaks: The Twins, the Diamondbacks, the Angels, and the Pirates. The Dodgers have a +260 run differential, and the Nats have a -209. The Rangers improved to +5, and the Red Sox remain at -37.

There isn’t much on my agenda for today. Groceries have been ordered, I’ll run out and get Subway for lunch/dinner for the family (and Sonic drinks), and then I’ll go to work at the library at 4:15 for my weekly shelving shift.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Lord our God, we thank you that you have given us an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We thank you that you have already begun to give us new vision, that already many things are being transformed, so that we may go gladly and confidently on our way with hope for whatever is still unsolved. May all this live in our hearts and fill us with thanks to you. We want to be courageous and keep in sight what still needs to be changed. Then we can take part as workers in your vineyard. May the light you have given us continue to shine in us and burn ever more brightly, as you have promised. Amen.
(Daily Prayer from Plough.com)

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:10-11 NIV)

Today I am grateful:

1. that the flooding in our house was minor and easily cleaned up
2. that we have been given an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
3. that "all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well" (Julian of Norwich)
4. that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)
5. for the privilege and responsibility of prayer, and that this calling does not come through Moses or the law, but through Jesus Christ and His redemption

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So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
(John 5:19-24 ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalms 46:10 ESV)

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." 
And he said to them, "When you pray, say: 
"Father, hallowed be your name. 
Your kingdom come. 
Give us each day our daily bread, 
and forgive us our sins, 
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. 
And lead us not into temptation."
(Luke 11:1-4 ESV)

“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” ~ Julian of Norwich

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:26-28 ESV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8 ESV)

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Jesus has, once again, equated Himself with God, in John’s Gospel. There are some other interesting statements in this passage, as well. For example, in verse 21, Jesus declares that He (the Son) “gives life to whom he will.” And then, in verse 22, Jesus declares that the Father has handed over all judgment to Him. Jesus truly has all authority.

Just as He states at the end of Matthew’s Gospel.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
(Matthew 28:18 ESV)

It has been said that “it’s all about Jesus,” and I believe this to be true. On the other hand, we can look at the relationship between the members of the Holy Trinity, and we see them all pointing toward one another, not at themselves. Jesus points to the Father and sends the Spirit to us (or maybe it’s the Father that sent the Spirit, but waited until after the ascension of Jesus to do so). The Spirit points to the Father and the Son, and the Father points to the Son and sends us the Spirit to dwell within us.

I remember reading a popular book called The Shack, a few years ago. I didn’t care for the book, for the most part. However, I do believe there is one thing the author got right, and that is the depiction of the love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We humans cannot really even begin to comprehend this level of love. But we can try, and we can try to love the way God loves. We are supposed to, in fact.

There is another phrase that Jesus uses in that John 5 passage that should terrify some folks. In verse 23, Jesus says, “Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father.”

There it is. Boom.

If you believe that there are “many roads to God,” Jesus declares otherwise. If you believe you can “worship” God without going through Jesus, Jesus declares otherwise. Jesus declares Himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and says that no man comes to the Father but by Him.

If you do not believe these words of Jesus, then you cannot truly think that He was just a “good teacher.” I hearken back to words attributed to C.S. Lewis. There are only three possibilities when we deal with Jesus Christ. 1. He was exactly who He said He was. 2. He was a liar and deceiver. 3. He was insane. Those are the only three choices.

Please know that, as I type these things, I am not typing in arrogance, joyfully hoping that all who read it fail and miss out on the joy that comes in Christ. I try to express these things with humility, hoping that all who read it will know that joy and understand that this life in Christ is not at all tedious or difficult. On the other hand, it is impossible, so there’s that. But God has not made it difficult to find Him, and He desires fellowship in Christ with all people.

As I apply this to my prayer life, I have to know that my calling to prayer does not come through Moses or the law. There is no power for living in that. “Moses and his law have never given anyone the power to obey.” (Andrew Murray, Power in Prayer)

“My prayer life must be brought entirely under the control of Christ and His love. Then for the first time prayer will become what it should be: the natural and joyous breathing of the spiritual life by which the heavenly atmosphere is inhaled and then exhaled in prayer.” (Murray)

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Father, I praise You for Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. I thank You for the Son, who has come to set us free, and who gives us power to obey all things, especially in prayer. I thank You for the joyful privilege and responsibility of prayer, and I ask that You make it like breathing for me. Let it be that natural, and that I do it that willingly.

I submit myself to the authority of Jesus, as He has declared that all authority has been given Him by You. He has the power and authority of judgment, as well as the power and authority to give eternal life to whoever He wills. Help me to be a better vessel of the Gospel, as I share the love of You and Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, with people within my sphere of influence, my little “kingdom.” This does not mean that I have to quote bible verses to everyone I meet, but, rather, that I simply need to show the love that is commanded me by Jesus.

Help me to be a true disciple of Christ, who does the things that Jesus said to do, all completely in the love that is shed abroad by You, the Holy Trinity.

I also pray that, as I walk through this life, help me to “be still and know” that You are God. May I never be overwhelmed by the tasks and purposes that this life throws my way, but always be able to stop and be still, to meditate, contemplate, and just know Your presence, and in that presence know the fullness of joy that comes from knowing You.

Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!

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You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalms 16:11 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.