One thing that struck me as a first-time mom was the way our daughter studied my face. It was as though all those months of talking to her and singing to her in the womb made her very curious to know me.
In this passage, I feel the maternal heart of God. He nurtures those who are small or humble. He even hears the insignificant cry of a baby bird. Trusting His provision, they are cared for.
When we need our wounds to be bound up, He sees and hears our cry.
In turn, we look to Him, trusting that He is good.
As we hope in His steadfast love, He finds delight and takes pleasure in those who “fear” Him. We recognize that not only is our God tender but He is great. He is able to save us.
Because He understands us beyond measure, we can gaze into His eyes (so to speak) in wonder, curious to know Him and willing to trust Him. – Teresa #fullyloved
Psalm 147English Standard Version
He Heals the Brokenhearted
147 Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant,[a] and a song of praise is fitting. 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The Lord lifts up the humble;[b] he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, 11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. 14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. 15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. 16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. 17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? 18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. 19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules[c] to Israel. 20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules.[d] Praise the Lord!
During my recent visit to Minnesota, I was blessed to spend some quality time with mom. There is one thing that has really impressed me about her- a joyful heart first thing in the morning.
Despite age, hard circumstances or worldly concerns she wakes up ready to face the day with energy. In fact, I’m sure to set an alarm in order to be as “ready” for the day as her!
My coffee in hand, I would walk to her place and we’d walk back to the hotel for a lovely continental breakfast. That was only a year ago, I happened to spend a night at the same place this year and the young man who watches over the breakfast buffet remembered her with delight.
This year, I’d meet her after her breakfast but would usually bring a “treat” (like a Pannekoeken) for her and her boyfriend. They both enjoy watching TV in her apartment (or his, depending on the day).
When we returned from our shopping (or an appointment) closer to dinner time, she would be especially happy to get back “home” to see him.
Her joyful heart in spite of circumstances is good medicine. There are times for all of us when our spirit feels crushed. Dried up bones are the specialty of our God.
I was thinking especially of Ezekiel’s vision regarding the valley of dry bones. God made those bones come back to life!
In our family’s story, it was when my brother died tragically at age 28. It was enough for all of us to feel dried up for a very long time. I was especially touched by this loss, learning the importance to work through it at a “grief seminar” in Hooper Bay, AK. It was hosted by an Ojibwe couple, Art and Elizabeth Holmes.
Art was older and wiser than most and addressed the elephant in the room (the tragic suicide rate amongst the Inuit young people). He spoke to the importance of taking time to grieve the losses as a whole for their culture. By addressing this and acknowledging what had happened over the years, he opened everyone’s heart with wisdom that can only be found in the house of mourning. He pointed us to the comfort of the Scriptures and the love of God for the Native American young people in particular.
I opened my heart as well in spite of this buried pain to take time and mourn my personal loss, to acknowledge the grief and walk through it. It was a safe place with God’s wisdom present. Our pastor had also accompanied us on this trip (Pastor Ron Mancini). He was another elder who later that same year helped me decide to attend seminary by convincing me to open my heart to the Covenant Church doctrine that women are able to lead as evidenced throughout the Bible. There are many who bring good medicine through their examples and their words.
Lord, help us to share your joy with others as good medicine. In those places of dried bones please speak your Spirit of life again. Heal those who are crushed so that you may be praised again among the nations. – Teresa
Proverbs 17:22English Standard Version
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
[11] Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are for the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ [12] Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. [14] And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.”
I Will Be Their God; They Shall Be My People
[15] The word of the LORD came to me: [16] “Son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘For Judah, and the people of Israel associated with him’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ [17] And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand. [18] And when your people say to you, ‘Will you not tell us what you mean by these?’ [19] say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am about to take the stick of Joseph (that is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with him. And I will join with it the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand. [20] When the sticks on which you write are in your hand before their eyes, [21] then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. [22] And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. [23] They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
[24] “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.
This wonderful photo was taken when we were young married’s (in our 20’s). Our best “couple” friends were in their 60’s! Yup, that’s who we spent our socialization time with. There was really no distinction between us despite being 2 generations apart.
Traveling together (staying at the same hotel), playing board games, attending events like family reunions, buying fruit at the orchards, baking or talking together and mostly eating together were some of our happiest memories at that time of life.
Too often we get caught up in only mixing with our own age group or people who are “like” us. This passage reminds us to follow God’s leading when choosing where to go and who to socialize with. God does not distinguish between race, class, creed or age. In fact, He reminds us to think outside of the box.
Peter’s theology was tested and a new thing was happening. Peter’s faith in God took him beyond his own narrow limits. Through obedience, Peter was blessed and used by God to bless a whole household who were looking for Him.
Fearing God is a theme in this passage. When we stand in reverence of Him, we can be assured that His kingdom will come and His will be done. Lord, it is in you that we live and move and have our being. -Teresa
Acts 10:1-23 (ESV)
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.3 About the ninth hour of the day[a] he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour[b] to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation,[c] for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.Read full chapter
Acts 10:20 Or accompany them, making no distinction
Acts 17:22-34 (ESV)
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
[22] So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. [23] For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. [24] The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25] nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. [26] And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, [27] that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, [28] for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ [29] Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. [30] The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
[32] Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” [33] So Paul went out from their midst. [34] But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
My chromes are reflecting the residential speed limit in the beautiful neighborhood we walk through every Saturday.
In life, there are accurate reflections and there are distorted reflections. When someone has an accusatory tone, the truth more often than not, gets distorted.
In this passage, Stephen (the deacon), is full of courage and boldness. He was known for his good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom.
The men from the synagogues could not stand up to the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. In other words, they were afraid of losing power as many priests were turning to Christ.
In response, they rounded up some accusers (men who sounded very convincing). They said things that would stir up the people against Stephen. They wanted to stir them up enough to stone him.
The Bible reminds us that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. No wonder this tactic was used against Stephen with such vehemence.
Stephen’s face became angelic. God’s Spirit was greatly upon him, shining forth even in the midst of persecution.
One way to discern truth is to notice the tone. If it’s full of accusations, then it may be a distorted version of reality (aka lies).
What can we take away from this great example of Stephen? Having a mind centered on the Spirit gives us strength and wisdom in dealing with falsehood. -Teresa
Acts 6:1-14 (ESV)
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Is Seized
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.Read full chapter
[10] And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
When I had to agree that my beautiful red rose bush was gone (Abraham Lincoln), I lamented having to cut it down to the soil level. Most of the root fell out, rotten in my hand. What I did not foresee was a whole new plant “appearing” about 2 feet away and blooming red roses. I bought two trellises and slowly trained it to climb.
Sometimes, when we think all is lost, God is re-creating. He foresees the purpose that will bring Him the greatest glory. A purpose that is also for our good. In the moment it may not feel good. It may feel like death or loss, hours of grieving.
This passage reflects that type of joy for the disciples. John finally believed what Jesus said when he saw for himself the empty tomb. Thomas could not deny it was the risen LORD when asked to touch his wounded hands and side.
More than that, Jesus knew that each of us (who had never seen him in person) would also be full of joy when we believed. Why? Because physical seeing is NOT believing but Spiritual insight is. When the Holy Spirit draws us to the Father, we can SEE it clearly. It becomes evident by how strong and powerful the love of God is.
Christ Jesus the Lord is the one who makes it evident. His amazing love for us erases all the questions and doubts. He allows our lives to bloom again. Are you willing to die relationally to the old self (like Christ did physically) and be alive in a wonderful relationship with the One who loves you, unconditionally?
Read this passage and ask God to show you. He is a good Father. – Teresa #eternalife #knowHim #unionwithChristmeanslife
John 20:26-31 (ESV)
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Reconnection 