Ginger Rue – Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy

Through the Lenses of Grace

June 14, 2021 Jeff

Today is Monday, the fourteenth of June, 2021

Shalom Aleichem. May the peace of God be with you!

Day 23,104

Six days until Father’s Day

We had a little unexpected (and somewhat undesired) excitement, last night. At around 10:00 PM (I think), as we were fast asleep, Tessie (dog) started barking excitedly at the front door. C and I both jumped out of bed. I peeked out of the bedroom, and C said, “There’s someone at our front door.” I threw some shorts on and opened our castle-style peephole.

It turned out to be a guy from Atmos Energy, our gas company. You see, earlier, in the evening, there was a knock at the door, and it was our neighbor, Tasha, wanting me to come out and see if I smelled gas around the area between our houses. I actually did not. There was one second where I thought I got a whiff, but it was short-lived, and I didn’t smell it again. And our gas meters are almost right next to each other, as our houses are approximately six feet apart. That might be a slight exaggeration, but it’s close.

Turns out the leak was there, and it was right next to our new pool heater. At the first time, the guy was just letting us know he was there, checking things out. Unfortunately, he came back to the door just after 10:30, to tell us where the leak was. He was able to turn off the valve going to the heater, so we didn’t have to shut of the gas to the house. We’ll need to get that fixed, and I’m thinking we contact the guy who installed the heater for us, recently.

After being awakened the second time, it took me until after midnight to fall back asleep. Needless to say, I’m a bit tired, this morning.

Hopefully, I won’t sound cranky in my devotional. Heh.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

It is my longing
Of time that we share
In peace of the morning
Of a silent prayer

To sit in the sunrise
Of beautiful view
In fragrance of stillness
With light pouring through

A Spirit of being
To dwell here with You
Of wonder to wander
Of drifting into

To listen within
The voice of above
A vision of beauty
Your facets of love
(My Longing, by Daryl Madden)

Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.
(Psalms 31:2 NLT)

Today I am grateful:

1. that You are my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe
2. that the gas leak isn't more serious than simply a valve at the pool heater
3. that You have drawn me in, to seek You in the morning
4. that Your grace allows me to look through the lenses of grace at others around me, setting aside my opinions, as well as theirs, that I might love my neighbor as myself
5. that I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me

Scriptures and Prayers from Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

ORDINARY TIME – WEEK 4 – DAY 2

INVITATION

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
(Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV)

This morning, I pause to consider the Lord as my rock of protection, my fortress. Today, He will be my strength, getting me through a day with inadequate sleep.

BIBLE SONG

Praise the LORD.

Praise the name of the LORD;
praise him, you servants of the LORD, you who minister in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.
(Psalms 135:1-4 NIV)

BIBLE READING

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
“But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
(Galatians 2:15-21 NIV)

DWELLING: SILENCE AND MEDITATION

As I set here, this morning, resting in God’s presence, I try to give attention to these readings, letting the Holy Spirit guide me in my meditations and prayers. Is there anything in these passages that I need to ask God about?

As have completed the Songs of Ascent psalms. But Psalm 135 continues to encourage those who minister in the house of the Lord, telling them to praise Him. “Sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.”

We did that yesterday morning. I wasn’t prepared, but when I walked in the door for our church gathering, Brandon had his guitar strapped on and pointed me toward his piano. We sang a couple of songs before we settled in to read and discuss Scripture. It was nice to sing and play together, even though I had no music or chord charts. The psalmist is right. It was pleasant.

Galatians has always been a difficult book for me. There is a lot of legal speak about being justified by grace rather than works or law. That part I get, but it gets rather complicated at times. Verse 17, in particular, puzzles me.

But the crux of it all, I believe, is found in the famous verse 20. Galatians 2:20 is a memory verse that always comes up early in any Bible memorization plan.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20 NIV)

It presents a mystery. Especially when you consider that, yes, I do live. I walk around in a living body; my mind is alive; my spirit lives. But, in theory, I have “died to the law so that I might live for God.” See? Complicated.

But when we look at verse 20, it all seems to make sense. This life, the life that I am currently living, “I live by faith in the Son of God.” I walk by faith, not by sight. I live in grace. I live in the country of forgiveness (thanks to Eugene Peterson for that language).

And then, in verse 21 . . .

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
(Galatians 2:21 NIV)

I wrote a lot about setting things aside, over the last two days. One thing that we do not set aside is grace, God’s grace. “Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,” said the writer of that great hymn. We must not set aside grace. In fact, it is that grace that allows me to make progress in setting aside all those opinions that don’t matter, in the long run.

If I set aside grace, my opinions become all-important. They become that which drives and directs me. However, if I live in grace, walking in the country of forgiveness, I, too, am forgiving. I don’t look at your opinions. Instead, I look through the lenses of grace and see the work that Christ has done in your life and heart.

Father, I thank You for grace. I cannot thank You enough for grace. I praise You; I sing praise to You, for it is pleasant. Help me to sing more; help me to praise more; even help me to craft more songs of praise and worship to You. For You are praiseworthy. Thank You for setting me on this path, in this country of forgiveness. Thank You that You are helping me to look at others through these lenses of grace, not seeing their opinions, but seeing You in them. Help me to see Jesus in those around me. And if those around me are not believers, even then, help me to see some Jesus in them, as they are truly “the least of these,” about which Jesus spoke.

Blunt God,
you don't leave any wiggle room on this one,
do you?
Either the salvation you offer is all in Christ or it is not in Christ at all.
I love Jesus,
but sometimes I find a hybrid gospel appealing,
adding some current spirituality to faith in Jesus,
topping the gospel with my hard work or winning personality,
augmenting grace with my pleasant idols.
Confront me again with the unvarnished truth that my salvation is in Christ alone.
Amen.
(Belgic Confession 22)

BLESSING

[May you be] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:11 NIV)

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
(2 Timothy 4:2 NLT)

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
(Matthew 25:21 NLT)

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
(Mark 16:15 NLT)

In today’s reading from Daily Guideposts 2021, writer Ginger Rue comes up with a real gem of a statement, and it sums up a lot of what I have encountered in the past year or so. “Try not to focus too much on things that won’t matter ten thousand years from now.”

Whoa.

Remember “footstool problems?”

Yeah.

I’m just gonna leave that there.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
(Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT)

Father, I praise You for the promises of Your presence, as the Scriptures are replete with such promises. I dwell in Your presence, I walk in Your Kingdom. Not perfectly, of course, but I’m there. And, hopefully, growing grace and mercy as I walk. Help me, like Ginger, not to focus on footstool problems, things that won’t matter in a few days, much less in ten thousand years! And help me to live in grace today, in all circumstances.

Lord, may You give us all wise stewardship when it comes to the resources You have provided for us. Please gift people in Your kingdom with conservation strategies and techniques, that we might live a better world for future generations. I lift up all leaders in Your Church, this morning. Give them wisdom and insight on how to deal with the stark division that exists in Your Church, these days.

I pray for peace in our nation, peace in our world. I pray for racial injustice to end, and I pray for the pandemic to be over. Above all else, though, I pray for Your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
(Jude 1:24-25 NLT)

Grace and peace, friends.

Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven . . .

March 24, 2021 Jeff

Today is Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of March, 2021, in the fifth week of Lent.

Peace be with you!

Day 23,023

Eleven days until Resurrection Sunday!

I’ll begin this morning by asking for prayer for C. She is suffering a bit from sciatica. Or at least that is what it feels like to her. Lower back pain, down through the hip, into the leg, excruciating, at times, if she turns or reaches in a certain direction. It’s not debilitating, but certainly uncomfortable. One of those things that will pass, but needs to pass quickly.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk,
but grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen
(Lenten prayer by St. Ephraim of Syria, 4th century)

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power. Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.”
(Psalms 66:3-4 NLT)

Today I am grateful:

for this mid-week time to pause and reflect on Your goodness
for the promise of Home
that the most beautiful thing about Home will be Your presence
that my feet are on the Solid Rock
that nothing compares to You

Scriptures and Prayers from Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

LENT – DAY 31

INVITATION

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:17-18 NIV)

I am pausing to quietly reflect on the awesome deeds of the Lord, longing for the day when “everything on earth will worship” Him (Psalm 66:3-4)

BIBLE SONG

Of David.

Vindicate me, LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered.
(Psalms 26:1 NIV)

LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.
Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.
My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.
(Psalms 26:8-12 NIV)

BIBLE READING

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 5:5-10 NIV)

DWELLING: SILENCE AND MEDITATION

As I remind myself that I am in God’s presence, I reread these passages, looking for a word or phrase that moves my spirit.

First, I see verse 12 in the passage from Psalms. “My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.” I do feel the confidence of steady ground under my feet, spiritually speaking. No, I’m not perfect, and I don’t have it all together. But this confidence is in the Lord, not myself. He has placed me on “solid ground.”

"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand."

(Edward Mote)

I do miss singing those hymns with the “great congregation,” and so look forward to being Home, when I truly believe, regardless of the fact that we really are not sure what this will look like, that we will sing hymns of praise to our Savior in the REAL Great Congregation, made up of believers, saints, from every part of the world and every time of the world. That just gave me chill bumps, folks.

Father, thank You for planting my feet on the Solid Rock, the “higher ground” of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. I praise You that He is my true “high priest,” and that His glory will never fade. As I walk through this day, let my hope run high, and may my cup overflow, spreading Your grace all over the place.

Jesus,
friend of sinners -
what friend would stand in my place like you?
You presented yourself in my name, 
taking the wrath that was aimed at me;
you offered yourself on the cross,
pouring out your precious blood for the cleansing of all my sins.
Thank you Jesus,
my friend,
my Savior and High Priest forever.
Amen.
(Belgic Confession 21)

BLESSING

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life.
(1 John 5:11-12 NIV)

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’
(Matthew 25:34 ESV)

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
(John 14:2 ESV)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
(Revelation 21:4 ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

In a most beautiful reading, this morning, in Daily Guideposts 2021, Ginger Rue closes it with this statement. “I don’t want to go to heaven because there’s a mansion there . . . I want to go so that I can feel the warm embrace of my Lord.”

That’s twice, this morning, that I have gotten chill bumps, thinking about Home. They say, “Home is where the heart is.” Well, my heart is in Jesus, and that’s where my Home will be.

I’m with Ginger, though. As my Father has grown me into Himself, I don’t want to be in His kingdom for the gifts, for the “mansion,” whatever that may look like. I want it for Him and for His presence, because there is nothing else like that.

There’s an old gospel/blues song. “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.”

Well, we have to, don’t we. Even if we are part of the few who happen to still be alive on earth when Jesus returns, in order to go to heaven, we have had to “die” to ourselves and “live” to Him.

Father, I have been blessed, this morning, by these readings. May I walk through this day with a deep sense of Your presence in my life, and a deeper longing for Home. Not so much that I can’t function in my current world, but keep me mindful of my permanent Home, my final destination, my eternal inheritance, which, at its deepest roots, is You!

Lord, this morning, I pray for all national and local communities. I truly believe that there is an underlying current of fear in all of our communities, fear that only You can relieve. I pray for a strong sense of Your presence. I lift up, in particular, the continent of Australia, today. May Your great and mighty presence be felt there today. I also pray for all people serving in military and peacekeeping capacities today. Especially those in the peacekeeping role. May Your hand of protection be upon them, Father.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.
O, Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
grant us Your peace.
(Agnus Dei)

Grace and peace, friends.

Fight the Fear

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
(Psalms 32:10-11 ESV)

June 30, 2020 Jeff

Today is June 30, 2020, in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time. Peace be unto you.

Last day of June. Halfway through 2020, which I’m sure most people would just as soon get over with.

Day 22,755

Four days until the Fourth of July! Three days until the Hamilton movie premiers on Disney+!

C will be taking Luna (cat) to get “fixed” and chipped, this morning. Time was, they made you wait until the female kitten went into heat the first time, but apparently that is no longer the case. She just has to be two pounds and a certain age, which I can’t remember. She is past the age (I think it may be two months), and I am told that she now weighs more than two pounds. I’m a little skeptical about that, but I’m sure the docs will verify that.

The good thing about this is that I will never have to experience an allergy to Luna, as what I used to think was an all-out allergy to cats turned out to be only an allergy to female cats in heat.

That’s all I’ve got this morning. Well, not “all.” Just all the introductory stuff.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

"Father, I abandon myself
into your hands.
Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul.
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands
without reserve
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father."
Charles de Foucauld

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
(Psalms 105:4 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

That You created me with a love for reading, which was fanned into flame by loving parents
For the rest and peace that You give, in the midst of storms and troubles
For Your mighty works in the past which help me combat hopelessness and fear in the present
For Your steadfast love which surrounds those of us who trust You (Psalm 32)
For the admonition to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1)

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!
(Psalms 125:4 ESV)

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
(Psalms 119:164 ESV)

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
(Psalms 103:15-16 ESV)

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”
(Matthew 13:24-30 ESV)

O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge— the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.
(Psalms 94:3-13 ESV)

Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. 
May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, 
on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; 
for Yours are the kingdom and the power 
and the glory forever and ever. 
Amen.

"Merciful God,
who sent your messengers the prophets
to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Grant us grace to heed
their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ
our Redeemer;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and for ever.
Amen."
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
(Psalms 32:5-11 ESV)

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
(John 7:24 ESV)

“While I think correct communication is certainly valuable, I also think that kindness is much more important than being right. I try not to delight in pointing out others’ mistakes.” (Ginger Rue, in Daily Guideposts 2020)

Ouch.

As the story continued, it involved some misspelled words in a donut shop owned by an immigrant. Someone for whom English was not her first language.

How many times do we catch ourselves making fun of the broken English of someone from another country? Next time I’m tempted to do that, I will stop and ask myself how many languages I know. Chances are, that person knows at least one more language than I know.

I can say, “The coffee is ready,” “The lights are on,” “The door is closed (or open),” “Where is the bathroom?” and “Where is the library?” in Spanish. That’s about it.

I can say, “Do you speak German?” in German. And, “I am very sleepy (or hungry).”

That’s about it.

The truth is, though, I have gone through phases where I have been much too delighted to point out someone else’s mistake. As Ginger Rue has pointed out, kindness is more important than being right.

What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
(Proverbs 25:7-8 ESV)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
(James 1:19-20 ESV)

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
(Psalms 77:10-15 NIV)

In verses 11 and 12, the psalmist has a lengthy meditation on the mighty works and deeds of God. He says he will meditate on “all Your mighty deeds.” I’m not sure any of us would have the time to do meditate on all of God’s mighty works! We don’t even know all of His mighty works, do we?

In a sense, here, the psalmist is waging war against the hopelessness of his own heart by appealing to the works of God, starting with His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. “If a God with power like this (verse 14) loves us, then what am I afraid of?”

The psalmist meditates on the past glory and power of God “in order to overwhelm his fears in the present.”

“Lord, I praise You that the greatest displays of Your power in history have been showing mercy and saving love. So now open my eyes and stir up my heart to trust every one of Your promises, so that I can live in the peace You have for all who know You. Amen.”

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

Father, thank You, indeed, for those wonderful records of Your power and glory displayed in the lives of Your people, that we might have fuel in the war against hopelessness and fear in our present day. There is more than adequate cause for hopelessness and fear in these days, which are beginning to appear more and more apocalyptical.

I am also grateful for the reminder that kindness is more important then being right. Would that all of us who follow Jesus would remember that.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
(Jude 1:24-25 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.