Sabbatical: Day 3/Western Wall

As we neared the wall there was singing. Many Jewish young people walking arm in arm and singing with enthusiasm and joy as they go to the western wall and celebrate their love of God and Israel. The scene I beheld made my heart leap. Men on the north side of a partition and women on the south. Some praying at the wall while others were singing and dancing with ecstatic joy and laughing. This made our Pentecostal meetings look like a wake. Joy at a level I have never seen in a public place. God's people praising him for life, love, home and country. These People were Jews from all over the world but their faith in God was all that was important. Oh if we Christians were as thankful as these people are.  

Our next stop was for Sabbath dinner. We were invited into a Jewish home to participate in a traditional Jewish Shabbat Dinner.
This young couple moved all the furniture out of the living room and set up tables for all thirty four of us. They had spent the whole day cooking and preparing so we could be part of their normal Sabbath meal. This home is about the size of my own and it was very close quarters but as soon as we began the closeness became symbolic of our relationships with each other and with God. Seven courses of delight and with each course a blessing, a song, a story and love, love, love. As our host began he thanked God for the past week, protection and provision and God's presence each day. Then he proclaimed a blessing on our food, his family and each of his guests. He sang most of the rest of his worship. He sang a song of love and devotion to his wife, to each of his children and to his extended relatives and to us. In Hebrew he sang and in English he told us what he had said. My tears flowed as I experienced this love and gratitude flowing as praise to God. I told Nancy how beautiful she is and how I love her., she was crying too.
Every part of the meal is centered around God, Family and Faith, in that order. Our host has a talent; he can mimic other peoples voices. He ask each of us to tell a little about ourselves, where we live, years married, children. As we took turn he would mimic some of us so well that we spent hours just laughing and enjoying his gift. He did not try to mimic me and I wondered why so after the meal as we were cleaning up I ask him why. He said; "Texas, your voice is too big for me" so we laughed some more. This togetherness of the Jewish family every Sabbath is the reason that this country and these people are so strong. They are glued together at the family level, the national level and at the spiritual level. There is no separation of church and state because they are one people. God please help America find it's way back to you so we too can be one as a people too. His closing blessing was for the new week to be better than the last and for his new american friends to be useful in God's Vineyard as we select a new president. We all said AMEN! 

Family

My great niece was married yesterday, we will be dedicating my second great grandchild in the service today and tomorrow all my Oklahoma children will be here. My cup is full and overflowing. I have the most amazing family in the world. I am tempted to brag, and brag, and brag.
God has a "family", he calls it "the church", The little group of this family that attends Elm Grove is an amazing group as well. If I could fix any one problem in this old evil world it would be to fix families, fill them with love, fill them with joy and fill them with peace. My family fills my life with all these and more. Won't you come and join my Family. Glad to have you.

9-6-2015         Luke 11:1-4

S.       1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.3 Give us day by day our daily bread.4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

O.      The Lord teaches his disciples how to pray.

A.      All the elements of prayer are contained in these short few lines: respect God and his name, seek his kingdom, his will, ask for needs, forgive, overcome sin and depend on God for deliverance.

P.       Father; my eyes are open, my heart is open, my mind is open…..fill me with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Joy in Family

I sing because I'm happy.......happy......happy! Spent some time with my children and what a joy they are. You might have seen the picture on Facebook of me holding my Great Granddaughter and wondered why I was not smiling. I was in such awe that I did not remember to smile. Lizzy and Liam were so sweet to me that I was holding back tears.....tears of joy. My life is full, my cup is running over and all is well with my soul. Thank you God!

8-1-2015         Luke 8:16-18

S.       16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

O.      Everything about us will be made known.

A.      We think that we hide things from others and from God. God knows all and all will be made known. I must not deceive myself into thinking that I am hiding anything. I will be honest with myself, call things as they are and constantly go to God for help to eliminate the wrong.

P.       Father; cleans me from all sin and help me to renew my mind today. Amen.

Christmas Shopping

The best part of Christmas is the extra time I have with my Wife and family. Shopping wears me out but the fun is worth it. My new diet has changed many of our normal Christmas shopping eating rituals, but not many more days and I will be able to try some different foods. Gideon has been over helping me with some of my heavier chores (chopping wood, stacking and cleanup) and I was able to teach him how to change his own oil. I am so proud of my family and how they help each other out....and do it with love.

S.O.A.P.

12-20-2014    Mark 14:22-26

S.       22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

O.      Jesus shares the last Passover supper with his disciples.

A.      Jesus is always here to share with me, in good times and bad, in ease and hardship, in plenty and want. Jesus is the constant in my life. He never changes, he is always the same. I am not worthy in myself, I am made worthy by his sacrifice and love.

P.       Father; I give you my all, mind, heart and soul. Thank you Lord that I am never alone. Amen.